Want to stay anonymous on the internet? It might not be easy these days, but with our 21+ internet anonymity tips, you’ll be able to improve your privacy in no time.
In 2022, it can really feel like everyone’s after your data:
- Your internet service provider (ISP) keeps tabs on all your entire internet activity.
- Social media companies mine your data and target you with ads.
- Websites you visit use cookies to follow you around the internet.
Want to win back your privacy and become nearly anonymous on the internet?
In this guide, we’ll teach you how you can do that with our 21+ tips from the world’s leading cybersecurity and online privacy experts.
Let’s dig in.
Tip #1. Use a VPN
A VPN is a must-have tool if you’re serious about finding anonymity on the internet.
The right VPN allows you to:
- Hide your IP address, making it harder for your online activity to be traced.
- Protect yourself from network cyberattacks, including unauthorized MITM, fake Wi-Fi networks, and several others.
- Encrypt your data, ensuring that even if hackers are spying on your online activity, they can’t decrypt it and see what you’re doing.
Tip #2. Avoid Social Media
Most social media companies mine your personal data and use it to target you with ads, and the amount of your data they have can be pretty alarming.
Want to know what kind of data social media companies have on you? For example, here’s how you can view all the data Facebook has on you:
Head over to your privacy settings and click “Download Your Information.”
Facebook then prepares a file with all your data and makes it available to download.
And a lot of this data can be very personal – pretty much everything you’ve ever done through Facebook:
- Messages with your friends.
- All the posts you’ve ever made.
- Ads you’ve interacted with, and much more.
So, if you want to stay anonymous on the internet, stop using most social media platforms (or at least minimize your activity).
Tip #3. Block Trackers
Most websites you visit use trackers to follow you on the internet and keep tabs on your activity.
And yes, this is extremely common. The average website you visit has from 10 to 20 trackers on it, logging whatever you do on (and sometimes off) the website.
Want to avoid this? You can use a tool like Privacy Badger to block these trackers.
Keep in mind, though, that by disabling trackers, Privacy Badger can interfere with the code behind specific online applications, making them impossible to use.
If you want to avoid trackers without wreaking havoc on your online experience, use a VPN.
Tip #4. Delete Cookies
Cookies are small text files with some specific type of data, such as:
- Your username and password for the given website.
- How you’ve interacted with the website.
- Which web pages you visited on the website.
Usually, cookies are harmless and only exist to make your internet experience smoother. For example, if you save your username/password on a website, it’s saved through a cookie. So whenever you log in to a website automatically, your browser extracts the data from the cookie.
Sometimes, albeit rarely, some cookies can be harmful: they can be used by the website to track what you do on the internet, even after you’ve left the website.
So, it might be a good idea to occasionally delete all cookies on your system. To do this easily, you can use a tool like CCleaner.
Tip #5. Use TOR
TOR (or Tor, short for The Onion Router) is open-source software that enhances your privacy on the internet.
It works a bit like a VPN, but with some key differences. While a VPN connects you through a single server that routes your traffic, Tor routes you through three servers.
With Tor, whenever you load a website, your data is transferred to a random server on the Tor network. Your data is then routed through two other servers, finally arriving at the destination (as in, the website you’re trying to access).
This provides you with another layer of anonymity on the internet.
However, there are many issues with using Tor, including:
- Safety risks from relays and bad exit nodes.
- Significantly slower internet speed.
- Inability to download files or stream videos.
- Restricted access to some specific websites.
So, overall, you’re better off using a VPN.
Want to learn more about the differences between VPN vs Tor? Check out our article.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Keep in mind that you should use Tor at your own risk. While it does provide some anonymity, it’s often used for illicit purposes on the deep web.
Even if you’re using it to remain anonymous on the internet, your computer might be used as a relay by someone else for illegal actions.
Tip #6. Install HTTPS Everywhere
You’ve probably noticed how some websites on the internet have this lock icon here:
And others don’t.
The lock icon usually means that the website is using HTTPS, which is a secure version of HTTP.
HTTP, which stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol, is a protocol used for communication over the internet. The ‘S’ in HTTPS stands for ‘secure’.
When you visit a website with HTTPS, your connection is encrypted. Your connection can’t be intercepted by hackers trying to steal your personal information.
Most websites today use HTTPS, but not all of them. Luckily, you can install HTTPS Everywhere, a small nifty plugin from the Electronic Frontier Foundation that uses an HTTPS connection for every website you visit.
Tip #7. Use a Privacy-Focused Search Engine
Most popular search engines track your search data and use it to personalize your experience on the internet and to target you with tailored ads.
Google (or any other search engine you use) knows everything you’ve ever searched on the internet.
Want to avoid this? Try DuckDuckGo.
DuckDuckGo is a privacy-first search engine. They don’t track or keep any of your search data and don’t target you with ads, either.
But be warned: there is a tradeoff to using a search engine that doesn’t know what you might look for. Your search results won’t be as relevant as with Google. Since DuckDuckGo doesn’t track your data, there’s no way for them to tailor your search experience to your interests.
Tip #8. Use a Privacy-First Browser
Most web browsers are not privacy-focused. Some of them track your online activity and use this data to target you with ads.
If you want to avoid this, we recommend using a privacy-first browser, like Brave.
Brave is a free and open-source web browser with a very strong focus on privacy and security. It comes with a built-in ad blocker, tracker-blocker, and several other essential features.
For more recommendations, check out our list of secure browsing alternatives.
Tip #9. Use a Proxy
A proxy is a bit like a VPN.
Your traffic is routed through a proxy server and your IP address is hidden from any website you visit. As such, a proxy helps you stay anonymous on the internet.
It is, however, not as secure as a VPN, because the connection is not encrypted.
Want to get both a VPN and proxy? At IPVanish, we offer a free SOCKS5 proxy for all of our VPN subscribers!
And yes, there are more differences between a VPN and a proxy besides encryption. Check out our article on VPN vs Proxy to learn more.
Tip #10. Go Incognito
Most internet browsers in 2022 come with the incognito (or private browsing) feature.
When browsing in private mode, your internet browser does not keep track of your activity (browsing history, cookies, etc.).
While this ensures your browser doesn’t track your online activity, it doesn’t protect you from anyone else that might be spying, including:
- Websites you visit. They can trace back your activity back to your IP and clearly see your interaction with their website.
- Your employer or school, if you’re using their internet network.
- Your internet service provider (ISP).
We recommend using incognito mode in tandem with the other security measures we’ve covered in this post.
Want to learn more about how incognito browsing works? Check out our article ‘Is Incognito Private?’
Tip #11. Use an Email Provider That Offers Encryption
Most popular email providers aren’t too privacy-friendly.
Gmail, for example, has been caught secretly reading the emails of their users. While they’ve since stopped, sometime in 2018, they admitted that they still let their partner companies read or mine your email data.
Want your inbox to be truly private?
We recommend you try one of the following secure email providers:
Tip #12. Use an Email Encryption Plugin
Alternatively, if you don’t want to switch email providers, you can use a browser add-on like Mailvelope to encrypt your existing email.
Mailvelope encrypts all your outgoing emails and makes sure that only your recipients can read your emails.
However, keep in mind that Mailvelope encryption only works if the recipient also has the same plugin. Otherwise, they won’t be able to decrypt the email.
Tip #13. Use Disposable Emails
Alternatively, you can also use disposable emails like Mailinator, Temp Mail, and EmailOnDeck.
All of these websites allow you to create a one-off email, which you can use for whatever purpose.
If you’re signing up on a slightly shady website, for example, you can use Temp Email to create a disposable email address for use with the website. This way, they won’t be able to get their hands on your real email.
Here’s how disposable email websites work:
- You come up with a random email address, and input it on the website.
- The website instantly creates an inbox for the corresponding email.
Then, you can use this temporary email to sign up for a website, confirm your account, and never use the email again.
Tip #14. Use a Password Manager
In 2022, data breaches happen more often than ever before.
If you’re registered on a website that gets breached, there’s a good chance that your login credentials get leaked online.
And since the average person reuses the same password for 14+ websites, hackers can use the same email/password combo to hack into most online accounts the person uses.
Once some of your accounts (especially your main email account) are compromised, there’s no limit to the damage a hacker can do.
So, how do you protect yourself if you can’t memorize different sets of credentials?
You use a password manager tool.
Here’s how it works:
- You sign up for a password management tool.
- Then, whenever you create a new account, the password tool generates an automatic, random password.
- Whenever you visit a website, the password management tool automatically logs you in.
This way, you have a completely random password for every single website you visit. Even if hackers breach one or two of these websites and your password gets leaked, they won’t be able to access your other accounts.
Some password manager tools we recommend are:
Need help selecting a secure password? Try the free IPVanish Password Generator.
You might be wondering: what happens if a password manager tool gets hacked?
It likely won’t. Password managers use powerful security protocols & cybersecurity policies to prevent hacking.
Tip #15. Install an Antivirus
Getting hacked isn’t just bad for your security. It’s also a privacy nightmare.
When a hacker manages to compromise your device, they can:
- Steal access to your accounts (social media, email, online banking).
- Hold your data captive for blackmail with a ransomware virus.
- Install a backdoor to your device, giving them complete control over your computer.
The most straightforward way to keep your device clean and free of threats is to use an antivirus.
All you have to do is install antivirus software, which will automatically scan your device for threats on a regular basis.
Whenever it finds something, it will quarantine the virus before it causes damage.
Simultaneously, an antivirus also scans everything you’re installing on your computer, ensuring that it’s not infected.
Not sure which antivirus to try? We recommend VIPRE, a best-selling, lightning-fast antivirus solution. VIPRE even checks for security patches from the software on your computer, so you’re always up-to-date with the safest builds.
Tip #16. Secure Your Phone
To maintain strong anonymous internet layers, don’t stop at securing your computer.
Your unique activity can be tracked across devices, so don’t ignore your mobile electronics. Implement all the security and privacy measures we’ve covered for your phone and tablets too. Some of the most important things you can do include:
- Install a VPN.
- Install an antivirus.
- Use a password manager.
- Browse incognito.
Tip #17. Make Payments with Cryptocurrency
Want to make your internet payments anonymous too?
You can try using cryptocurrency. Keep in mind though, that not all cryptocurrencies provide anonymity.
Some of the most popular cryptos that come with serious encryption and security standards are:
- Monero: conceals both sender and receiver’s information plus the amount of the transaction.
- Dash: allows you to choose whether you want to send an anonymous internet payment or not.
- ZCash: essentially the HTTPS of cryptocurrency.
Tip #18. Use an Encrypted Messaging App
Most popular messaging apps are a threat to your privacy. Facebook Messenger, for example, uses your texting data to target you with ads.
Even Telegram, a messaging app famous for being safe and anonymous on the internet, has some serious flaws.
If you want a safe, privacy-first messaging experience, we recommend using one of the following tools:
All three of these apps come with top-of-the-line security and encryption protocols.
Tip #19. Check Your App Permissions
Whenever you install a new app onto your phone, it asks your permission to use specific hardware features or personal information on your device.
This includes things like:
- Viewing your photo albums.
- Connecting to your contacts list.
- The ability to make or receive calls.
- Access to your microphone.
While most apps only ask for permission for features and data they need (e.g. Instagram needs access to your camera to take pictures), some apps often try to ask for unnecessary privileges to access your personal data.
We recommend you review the permissions each of your apps have and evaluate if they are necessary for the app to work.
Tip #20. Use an Adblocker
Most ads on the internet are pretty harmless.
Ads on social media websites like Facebook or Reddit, for example, are always vetted for not containing malware.
However, some websites run very shady ads. And these ads take you to virus-infected websites that install malware or spyware.
These types of ads can be an even bigger threat if you have a young child who doesn’t know how to use the internet safely (and doesn’t know how to avoid such ads).
In order to minimize your chances of clicking a questionable ad, you can use an adblocker to block online ads altogether.
And if you find legitimate ads on the internet to be useful, you can always whitelist specific websites.
Tip #21. Use a Virtual Machine
A virtual machine is an operating system inside your operating system. It’s a great way to open questionable files without taking the risk of catching a virus.
Let’s say you want to download a file that you think might have a virus. To avoid the risk, you can download and open it through your virtual machine.
Even if the virtual machine gets infected, there’s no way for the virus to transfer to your real OS.
To install a virtual machine, all you have to do is download a tool like VirtualBox.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to go through the hassle of using a virtual machine every time, you can install an antivirus.
Tip #22. Pick a Security-Focused Operating System
Some operating systems are more secure than others. Linux, for example, is famous for having few security flaws.
But you will only take this step if you value your security and privacy over user experience. Many of these operating systems can’t run most applications that run on Windows or Mac devices.
Tip #23. Disable Javascript
Most websites on the internet use javascript to provide a user-friendly browsing experience for their visitors.
While javascript is mostly harmless, it can be used by a malicious website to infect your computer with a virus.
Disabling javascript also makes it harder for websites to track your data, which can be another positive aspect.
For 99% of people, disabling your javascript is overkill. It will interfere with your online experience, as it will clutter website layouts and prevent you from viewing media (images, videos, etc.) on websites.
How to Stay Anonymous on the Internet: Key Takeaways
And that covers our top internet anonymity tips!
Now, let’s do a quick recap of the most important ones:
- Use a VPN to protect your real IP privacy and make it harder for your online activity to be traced.
- Avoid social media, as most of the platforms track much of your personal information.
- Use an antivirus to protect yourself from cyberattacks.
- Use a password manager to protect yourself from security breaches.
- Install HTTPS Everywhere to ensure that all of your browsing activity is encrypted.
- Install Tor for an extra measure of online anonymity. Keep in mind, however, that Tor will significantly slow down your internet experience.
