Internet Privacy for Everyone

That should be everyone's answer when it comes to surfing the web. If you've been online for any significant amount of time, you will no doubt agree that things are certainly much dicier these days. Running virus software, anti-spyware, firewalls, ram enhancers, pop-up blockers, etc. is the norm now, and it's all because these sneaky websites are downloading dll files, tracking software and all kinds of garbage to our systems through their web pages.

It used to be that you were only worried about files that you downloaded; not anymore. Now, you can simply visit a website and get zapped. It's terrible. They're watching where you're going, following you around the net and selling your info to the highest bidder. The only way to protect yourself is to use a Private Proxy, which means that you surf the net through a site that hides your IP address and other information. Technically, it makes you invisible.

And I warn you, not all anonymous proxy sites are the same. The free sites you can access online usually offer no data encryption, which means that any information you enter can be seen on the servers in its entirety once it's sent. Your login names, your passwords and your credit card information are open to whoever can access it. People often don't understand how their information has been collected. They use Secure Socket Layers when they place orders.

Well, that doesn't work well on an anonymous proxy server that's not encrypting the information that's being sent. And, often those anonymous proxy servers work in a chain, so your info is all over the Internet in a matter of hours.

Make the decision today. Make the move to use a tried and true anonymous proxy. Don't take any chances with free anonymous proxy services that fail to securely encrypt your data. Here's what you should look for when purchasing anonymous proxy software. You need software that will:

1. Protect your personal information
2. Ensure your internet banking is secure
3. Keep your ISP from logging every move you make
4. Stop search engine profiling (we get enough of that already)
5. Hide your IP address
6. Let you post what you want to post as many times as you want to post it
7. Let you get into sites that may have unfairly banned you
8. Let you take it with you when you're on the road
9. Safely browse the net from hotspots
10. Protect you from evil twin hotspots

Is this too much to ask? No, it isn't. It's a real jungle out here on the Internet. Everyday, programs are being designed to infiltrate your privacy, steal your identity and maybe even destroy your computer system. I don't know about you, but I can't afford to lose my hard drive. And I don't like the idea of someone following my electronic trail for marketing purposes or for whatever reason. I didn't volunteer to be a part of that and I'm sure you didn't either. So, it's crystal clear that an anonymous proxy is the way to go, hands down.

Years ago I owned a sailboat and named it TANSTAAFL which stands for There Ain't No Such Thing as a Free Lunch. Unfortunately that adage holds true across all sorts of endeavors, not just boating.

We recently posted an article on Free Anonymous Proxy websites. To sum it up, there is always a mechanism for someone to benefit out of what they do. Anonymous proxies are no different. In some instances the benefit is Google Adsense revenue. In other instances there can be a truly malicious intent.

You do get what you pay for, so be careful. Remember the old saying: "If something is too good to be true, it probably is."

Author: Tino Bruno

Anonymous proxy servers are used by people for different reasons which include: keeping businesses anonymous, securely connecting to the Internet when traveling, and protecting personal privacy. An anonymous proxy is used for all three purposes by hiding your IP address and encrypting your connection; allowing you to be invisible while you surf the Internet.

Anonymous surfing for business use is ideal for many different reasons. Most websites record your IP address and can tell where you are surfing from, your port number, and a lot of other information. Proxy servers allow you to remain anonymous while researching competitors, since they have no record of your IP address. You can also bypass restrictive posting limits and anonymously publicize on your own website without breaking any spamming policies. Anonymous proxies can also save company money since you don't have to hire someone to post for you. Since your IP address is like your ID card for the Internet, websites and forums block you based on your IP address. You can unblock yourself from sites where you might have been previously banned since you will be surfing with a fresh IP address.

As a traveler anonymous surfing is important too. You might want to use the Internet in a local hotel or an airport that offers high speed internet. These are the most common places people are hacked since most of those lines are unsecured and can be easily infiltrated. Someone sitting across from you at the local Starbucks can hack your connection without disrupting your system. You can now check your finances or other sensitive information, worry-free, since anonymous proxy servers protect all of your wireless activities when you are in a hotel or an airport. Your connection is secured with data encryption.

Anonymous proxy surfing is the best way to maintain personal privacy on the Internet. Surfing through a proxy can protect all of your personal information and thwart identity thieves. Identity theft can occur by having your sensitive information snooped through an unsecured connection, or by tracking your IP address. An anonymous proxy can also stop marketing companies and search engines from tracking and recording your surfing habits. Anyone trying to track you will not be able to tell your location because anonymous proxy servers will mask your IP and make it look like you are surfing from a different location.

Anonymous surfing provides total protection for personal use, business use, and traveling. You can rest assured no one is tracking your online activities when you are surfing the web, or sniffing personal information from an unsecured connection. Your data will be encrypted and secured, and the only information a company can track is what the server allows them to.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/security-articles/uses-for-anonymous-proxy-surfing-620575.html

About the Author:
Tino Bruno is the Internet Marketing Specialist for award-winning software developer Privacy Partners. He has been with Privacy Partners since college and strives to ensure all computer users maintain their Internet privacy and online safety. Come visit www.PrivacyPartners.com for more information on staying protected while surfing the Internet.

People are conducting more online transactions, business and other activities each year, and the amount of individuals engaging in online activities is in a state of constant growth. A lot of money is changing virtual hands and a lot of people out there want to illegally grab as much of that money as possible, and don't care who they hurt while they do it. So you really need to be on guard and make sure you don't become a victim of internet scams and fraud because you haven't done your homework on online security.

Here is a list of the seven most common and avoidable mistakes made online by internet users.

1. Not Using a Secure Connection for Financial Transactions.

Your information is placed in serious jeopardy when you use unsecured shopping carts and forms to complete transactions. You don't know who is collecting your bank account or credit card numbers. Make your purchases at only well-known big named sites or use a credit card processor such as Paypal for greater safety and protection.

2. Putting Personal Info on Networking Sites

Young people often fall victim to this mistake, entering their telephone number or home address on a social website. This can result in meeting less than savory individuals or even harassment both on and offline.

3. Accepting Cookies from Unknown or Unfamiliar Sites

Although cookies can make surfing easier, they can be devastating to your security. Cookies can be spyware that records your password and your keystrokes. All of your private data can be collected without your knowledge. Stay on the safe side and accept no cookies from sites you don't know.

4. Using the Same or Similar Passwords and User Names for Different Accounts

It's simply a bad idea because once access is gained to one account, then the security of all your other accounts is compromised. Use different log ins and passwords to increase protection.

5. Storing Passwords, Account Numbers and other Identification on the computer.

Information of this type should NEVER be stored on your computer. Putting it on a CD or USB memory stick is a better option, or even keeping it on a notepad in a secure place. No hacker alive has ever designed a program that can lift information out of a notebook.

6. Not Monitoring Children Online

All activities of children should be monitored, both for their own safety and your own. If you find that they are involved in activity that is dangerous and threatens your security, immediately take action to end the behavior. Having strict rules in place about internet conduct is a good way to protect your children and yourself.

7. Using Anti-Spyware or Anti-Virus Programs Properly

Spyware and Malware can be installed on your computer just by visiting a site. You'd never know it. These programs can send sensitive information as well as write executable programs that take over your system over time. The best thing to do is keep anti-virus and anti-spyware software installed and properly updated for comprehensive protection. conduct and safety is a good way to minimize risks for everyone.

Take online security serious and educate yourself concerning the risks you take every time you surf or do a transaction online. Use the information in this article to make your online experience safe and secure for yourself and your family.

Right now, the men and women of the US Military are overseas fighting for your freedom. They chose to serve in the military knowing full well that someday they might be put in harm's way. These brave men and women put country above their own safety. Now in far away lands, they defend us on the front lines. Over the years, these front lines have changed. Yes, the danger is still there, but so are options to relieve their boredom. Enter the world wide web. Just like us, they have access to the Internet.

The first thing to consider is that a soldier would definitely want to watch American television. Sure they might have access to some TV shows while they're overseas, but those shows might actually be outdated. With the advent of the internet, American television shows are now available to any soldier, regardless of where they happen to be in the world. This is just one of the things that a soldier might want to do overseas, and it is a very important one. After all, what could be more relaxing than keeping up with the happenings on American television? There are so many new shows and new things to see. But that's not all a soldier might want to do!

There are also several social networking websites out there that they can use to keep in touch with friends and family. Sure e-mail works to an extent, but if you have ever used any form of social networking, you know exactly how much simpler it is. You can type a message on your homepage, and suddenly all of your friends and family will be able to see it. Soldiers are very pressed for time, and sometimes there just isn't an opportunity to respond to every single person. This makes social networking extremely important. There is a problem however, a huge problem. Sometimes soldiers cannot get to the websites that they need. Why exactly? Well let's talk about it.

While Internet access is common around the world. And while our soldiers can usually access the Internet while overseas, many times the sites they want to visit are blocked. That's right, blocked. There are two types of blocks. The first type is put in place by the country they are in. Many countries have restrictive Internet censorship. Apparently watching US TV or reading the New York times online is considered subversive or dangerous. Think I'm joking, do a Google search on Internet censorship and see what pops up. It's downright scary. They other blocks are understandable and just as annoying. Many US websites block access from overseas. They do this by looking up the IP address of the surfer to determine their location. If it's not in the US, it get's blocked. They do this because it costs money to run a site. And many of these websites make their money with advertising. And advertisers don't pay to advertise to people that they cannot sell to. Think about it, do you think it does Ford any good to advertise their US versions of their cars to consumers in Iraq? Not really. There is a way around these blocks though. Anonymous proxies.

An anonymous proxy changes the IP address of the surfer to one it has control over. A good anonymous proxy is also encrypted and protects any information sent over the Internet. With the change in the IP address to an IP address in the United States, the surfer can access US websites that are blocked because of the IP address. With encryption, the surfer can by pass in country blocks out in place by restrictive governments. For many people an anonymous proxy is a way to protect their Internet identity. For our servicemen, it's a way to access the Internet freely just as all people in the US can.