Ask HN: How do you remain anonymous on the internet?

18 points by kyo3 8 years ago | 11 comments

Edit for a little more clarity: I thought about using a VPN just to have a little less of a footprint online, but it was just annoying to setup due to the provider I used being marked as spam. I also read later there was little to no point in doing this.

It probably had little effect in light of recent NSA news, but I also switched to Linux to have a little less minimal spying done on compared to Windows 10.

In short, I understand some trail is a necessary evil and this may end up being "if they want you, they'll find you", but I wanted to see what steps are generally taken to avoid leaving gaping holes of myself on the internet's virtual floor.

mattbgates 8 years ago |

I personally don't, but I'm sure it can be done. Here is just some things you can do:

1. Use a fake name.

2. Use an email that isn't personally identifiable.

3. Get yourself a P.O. Box and have everything sent there (for when you order packages on Amazon) (you can still be identified offline, as there's no way to get a P.O. Box nowadays without actual proof of identification and residency)

> USPS has good deals.. I'm paying about $5/month for a small box (purchase of an entire year) ... as a web app developer with a business, I really didn't want my home address to be known, so this worked for me to at least keep my address somewhat anonymous, but they are all mostly inexpensive, and even if it doesn't fit into your mailbox, they'll just hold it at the Post Office for you with a notice on your mailbox to pick it up at the counter

4. You will have to buy gift cards at Walmart so you can purchase at Amazon and other websites.

Jonnax 8 years ago |

Your browser leaks a lot of information about you: https://panopticlick.eff.org/ Have a look at the detailed stats from your browser on that site. Incognito mode don't help for these.

twobyfour 8 years ago | |

Heh, my ad blocker prevents me from opening one of the URLs that redirects to.

cypherg 8 years ago |

Don't use any social media.

Don't use the same handle/screenname twice.

Don't allow javascript.

Do use unique 'throw away' email addresses.

Do use unique/long passphrases for everything.

Do use Tor browser with all plugins disabled.

Do use an OS like Tails if you're worried about leaking your true IP.

jrnichols 8 years ago |

A few good ideas:

don't use the same name on websites. unique username and strong password for each of them.

Use a browser like Brave if you can, or use Ghostery/ublock/etc.

Don't use anything Google at all.

Avoid Facebook the best you can.

I think the VPN is a good idea, and I haven't had one being marked as spam ever. PIA has been decent and has end points in the state that I'm in.

If you want to be a little more obscure, do all of the above but from a virtual machine running Linux. Periodically wipe & restore the virtual machine.

It depends on how anonymous you want to be.

Bakary 8 years ago |

The other commenters have given you some good technical advice. privacytools.io provides a basic overview, which is commendable.

However, it's worth investigating in detail what exactly it is you worry about, and what privacy goals you have. Once you have a clear definition of those, write it down and think long and hard about whether it should inform your behavior. I used to be obsessed with privacy but after using this method I understood that I was in fact responding to a different set of emotions which manifested themselves into this. This led me to abandon my previous concerns and take the calculated risk between the convenience of internet services and the potential but nebulous harm that might come to me as a result of data trails.

SirLJ 8 years ago |

Depends how paranoid you want to get: pay only cash, don't use credit/debit cards, wear sunglasses and a hat in public to avoid being "digitized" by cameras and mobile phones. Don't drive a car (use a cab off the street), don't use a cell phone and use only public computers (like in a library)...

savethefuture 8 years ago |

It would depend on WHAT/WHO you are trying to remain anonymous from.

kyo3 8 years ago | |

I updated the OP, but in short what I can with some effort.

slvrspoon 8 years ago |

try using Abine's Blur to create alias credentials EVERY time you sign up for something. www.abine.com disclaimer: i'm a co-founder.

Everula 8 years ago |

VPN, TOR browser, no?