When we surf online the traces we leave are used by advertising companies. Here’s what to do to protect your personal data
Is it just a coincidence that after searching online for a smartphone we want to buy, ads pop up with offers on the best phones of the moment? Not really. When we browse online our “movements” are tracked and resold to advertising companies to create banners based on our needs.
For the same reason, after visiting an e-commerce site dedicated to clothes, all the advertising we will see online will show clothes, t-shirts and jeans on offer. This phenomenon is called tracking advertising and it uses the habits of each individual user to create ad hoc advertising campaigns. If at first it may seem like a very useful service to facilitate online purchases, after a while we’ll begin to understand that it’s actually our privacy that is being endangered. Every single movement we make online is tracked in order to improve the profile that companies have created about us.
A situation very much like “Black Mirror” (a TV series that explores the dangers of technology), but that can be mitigated using simple tools. If we want to keep our surfing anonymous, it is possible to do so. It’s enough to use the right tools. They are not always very effective, but at least they allow us to block the tracking of our online habits. Here’s how to surf anonymously without leaving a trace.
Use Incognito Mode
The first trick to surfing anonymously is to use the Incognito mode found in all major browsers. Pages opened in incognito mode are not saved in your history or cookie file. The same happens with searches, Google or other search engines simply do not store them. Unfortunately, the incognito mode does not work 100%. In fact, browsing remains anonymous only locally, while your IP is still visible and providers know very well what sites you have visited. This tool is great in case you want to hide your habits from those who use your computer, but otherwise it’s completely useless.
Use a VPN
Another tool that turns out to be very useful for safe surfing is to install a VPN on your computer. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and is mostly used by companies to protect their data from hacker attack. Using a VPN creates a sort of private tunnel between the computer and the VPN servers and it is difficult for hackers to sneak in. Moreover, VPNs are also used to mask your real location and leave false leads. By using VPN along with incognito mode you are able to increase your chances of remaining anonymous. Unfortunately, VPN is also not 100% efficient. For example, providers know perfectly well when a user is connected or disconnected, despite the use of VPN. So, when surfing, even if protected by VPN, you should be aware that you will never be completely anonymous.
Tor browser
As you may have guessed, surfing in total anonymity is not simple at all. If the VPN + incognito mode combination didn’t satisfy you, the last card to play is to install Tor browser on your computer or smartphone. This is a browser that uses an anonymous communication system that bounces user requests (online searches, access to a website) from one part of the world to another, making it very complicated for companies to track online browsing. The only token to pay is the slowdown in opening websites, but to secure your personal data you can put up with this small flaw.