Are you looking for tools and services that can help you surf the Net without leaving trails of your personal data around? Do you want to experience the Internet freely but are still concerned with privacy issues? If so, you might be very interested in reading further.

Photo credit: Germán Ariel Berra

When we sit alone in front of our computer we have the sensation that our privacy is properly protected. However, every single move we make is constantly recorded by our Internet providers and by the servers that host the websites we visit. All the collected information is stored and often given away to third parties who will use it for their advantage (i.e. to display customized ads, to start targeted marketing campaigns, etc.)

In this mini-guide I showcase a number of web-based and downloadable tools that allow you to safely surf the Internet without having to worry about your privacy. Most of them are useful not only because they put your personal data behind a shield, but also because they allow you to choose whether you want to visualize a site without images and ads.

As always, your comments and suggestions will be much appreciated: feel free to use the comment section at the end of the article to share your thoughts with me.

Here is the list:

Web-Based tools

Proxify

Proxify is a service which allows anyone to surf the Web privately and securely. Unlike other proxies, there is no software to install or complicated instructions to follow. Just enter a URL (website address) in the form above. Through Proxify, you can use websites but they cannot uniquely identify or track you. Proxify hides your IP address and our encrypted connection prevents monitoring of your network traffic. Once using Proxify, you can surf normally and forget that it is there, protecting you.

Link: http://proxify.com/

Shadow Surf

Shadow Surf is a proxy server that lets you surf the web anonymously without having to give away your personal data. The particularity of Shadow Surf is that it allows you not only to surf HTTP URLs but also FTP URLs. This is a feature that is not always easy to find in other proxy servers. Shadow Surf is completely free to use.

Link: http://www.shadowsurf.com/

Guardster

Guardster's free proxy service lets you browse the web anonymously. Among its features there are the possibility to hide ads and images and to stop javascripts. Guardster also offers a subscription service for $19.95 per half year which offers even more features including an encrypted SSL connection and high speed connections. Basic version is free to use.

Link: http://www.guardster.com/

Anonymization

Anonymization is a proxy server that lets you easily surf the web without giving away your personal data. Other than surfing the web anonymously, it also provides a way to find the best rated sites according to your search terms. Anonymization also allows you to download a toolbar that lets you directly from your browser. Anonymization is completely free to use.

Link: http://www.anonymization.net/

MegaProxy

MegaProxy is another interesting service that you can use when you want to surf the web anonymously. The basic version is free and lets you access to the main functionalities but you will not be able to stream media files and there is a page views limit. However, an advanced version is available at $9.95 / 90 days.

Link: https://www.megaproxy.com/freesurf/

PageWash

With PageWash you can surf the web safely and anonymously by entering the site URL into the web address box and click the begin browsing button. The site will not know who you are, won't save any cookies or tracking codes, and you will be free to surf where you want when you want. PageWash is completely free to use.

Link: http://www.pagewash.com/

BeHidden

BeHidden is a powerful service that lets you surf the web while protecting your privacy and security. You can disable scripts and ads on the pages you are surfing the net. URLs can be encrypted and the free service is limited to 50 MB of bandwidth per day, per user. You can try BeHidden for free.

Link: http://www.behidden.com/

Anonservice

AnonService.com lets you surf the web while protecting your privacy. Anonymous Web Surfing prevents data from being tracked during your Internet activity. With AnonService.com's Anonymous Web Surfing Service, while browsing the web or downloading files, data will be transferred through the Anonservice server. AnonService is free to use.

Link: http://www.anonservice.com/

SnoopBlock

SnoopBlock is another interesting service that enables safe web surfing by guaranteeing the protection of your personal data. Users can choose to disable Java, Javascript, ActiveX controls and cookies to speed up their connection and also to avoid malicious websites. SnoopBlock is completely free to use.

Link: http://www.snoopblock.com/

Software-Based tools

TOR

Tor only protects Internet applications that are configured to send their traffic through Tor - it doesn't magically anonymize all your traffic just because you install it. We recommend you use Firefox with the Torbutton extension. You should consider removing extensions that look up more information about the websites you type in (like Google toolbar), as they may bypass Tor and/or broadcast sensitive information. Free download.

Link: http://tor.eff.org/

Anonymizer

Anonymous Surfing enables anonymous web browsing which hides your IP address so online snoops are unable to track the sites you visit and build profiles on your Internet activities. By redirecting your Web traffic through secure servers, your online identity is protected. Additionally, Anonymous Surfing also protects you from inadvertently visiting Web sites that are known to be phishing, pharming, or spyware sites. Free trial download.

Link: http://www.anonymizer.com/

GoTrusted

GoTrusted's service creates a protective shield around your laptop or desktop that prevents any users from attacking or scanning your system from the local network that you're using to connect to the Internet. It also encrypts all of your traffic destined for the Internet so that whether you're using wireless or wired connections, you'll always be assured that your traffic isn't being logged or scanned locally. Free trial download.

Link: http://www.gotrusted.com/

Anonymous Web Surfing Tools and Services: Comparison Chart

Anonymous Web Surfing News Radar

Read More On Anonymous Web Surfing

Here is a list of articles we have published here on Robin Good's MasterNewMedia on anonymous web surfing and online privacy. Check them out if you want to know more on these topics:

• Anonymous Surfing: What The Benefits And Issues Of Making Yourself Invisible Online?


• Anonymous Surfing: How To Hide Your IP


• Bypass Firewalls While Remaining Anonymous


• Privacy And Accountability In The Blog Universe


• How To Access the Internet With Maximum Privacy: Create A Virtual VPN To Bypass Firewall Restrictions


• Full Anonymous Browsing: FindNot Internet Security Suite Allows You To Leave No Tracks Behind


• Anonymous Surfing: New Browser Guarantees Browsing Privacy: Browzar - Video Introduction

Originally written by Livia Iacolare for Master New Media and originally published as: "How To Surf The Net Anonymously: A Mini-Guide"