4) Anonymizer Anonymous Surfing

http://www.anonymizer.com/

Software tool (Win)

Anonymous Surfing from Anonymizer creates an encrypted path between your computer and the Internet to shield you from online spying, phishing and pharming (illegally redirects users to fraudulent web sites). It prevents your IP address from being tracked, secures data sent over a wireless connection and runs in the background.

Anonymous Surfing system requirements:
Windows 2000/XP
Internet connection

Price: USD $29.99 for a one-year subscription

Total Net Shield also from Anonymizer has more options such as spam prevention, anti-hacking tools, pop up blocking, malicious script blocking, encrypted email, messaging, chat, and newsgroups.

Price: USD $99.95 for a one-year subscription. No free trial available.

3) Bypass Proxy Client

http://www.bypass.cc

Software tool (Win, Linux and SunOS)

Bypass Proxy Client lets you surf the Internet using your own virtual network so you can anonymously read news groups, talk in chat rooms and visit Web sites. It also protects your Kazaa identity. The software encrypts your Internet movement and routes it through private network servers.

Bypass blocks Web sites that collect IP information and user information for spam lists, safeguards your location and identity when using P2P applications like Kazaa and prevents corporate networks from logging your chat, email or Web communication. It works with Kazaa, AIM, Yahoo! Instant Messenger, MSN, IRC and ICQ.

All editions of Bypass Proxy Client are available as free-trial versions; they are free, fully functional and have an unlimited evaluation period. Please note however that service bandwidth will be limited.

Bypass Proxy Client system requirements:
Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP
Linux (6x, 7.x, 8.x, 9.x)
Solaris (Sparc)
AIX (4.x, 5.x)
HPUX11

Download Bypass Proxy Client.

Bypass Proxy Client comes in three versions (all prices are USD):

Basic User - $5.99 per month
Power User - $9.99 per month
Free trial

2) HTTP-Tunnel Client

http://www.http-tunnel.com/

Software tool (Win)

HTTP-Tunnel acts as a SOCKS server, allowing you to use your Internet without being monitored at work, home or school. You can safely use applications in spite of restrictive firewalls. All activities are encrypted, which provides an extra layer of protection from hackers, spyware and ID theft.

Works with eMule, Kazaa, Trillian, AIM, FTP, mIRC, Yahoo! Instant Messenger and others.

It comes with a five-day money back guarantee.

HTTP-Tunnel Client system requirements:
Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP

Download HTTP-Tunnel Client.

HTTP-Tunnel Client is free for low speed bandwidth and comes in four versions (all prices are USD):

1 month - $4.99 per month
3 months - $4.50 per month
6 months - $3.99 per month
12 months - $3.80 per month

1) Hopster

http://www.hopster.com

= must have
Software Tool (Win)

Hopster hides your IP address to protect you from anyone who wants to know who you are while you're on the Internet.

Hackers, RIAA investigators, Kazaa monitoring and tracking spyware can no longer track you. No one will know where or who you are.

Hopster acts like an anonymous proxy server between you and other computers. It lets people bypass censoring firewalls to chat with friends using MSN, AIM, Yahoo, Trillian, ICQ and it allows anonymous downloads from Kazaa, iMesh, Grokster, WinMX and many other P2P tools.

Hopster autoconfigures for most P2P clients and instant messengers and you don't need to take extra steps to make it work right away. Be aware that Hopster's site has pop up ads.

Hopster system requirements:
Windows 2000/XP
Internet Explorer 5 or greater

[exe file] Download Hopster and try it out for free. (Continued below...)

Hopster is free to try and comes in four versions (all prices are USD):

Basic - $3.33 per month

Plus - $9.95 per month

Pro - $19.95 per month

Xtreme - $29.95 per month or $99.95 per year

Recommended.