Hello, Everyone! Do you know that all your actions in the Internet are being logged? Search engines, websites you visit, even your own Web browser collect your personal information on different levels. Your habits, your location, your recent OnLine purchases. All your information is being collected and analyzed by thousands of companies and agencies. The most disturbing fact is that all your information can be sold and used without your permission. One side of such trade is rather unpleasant, but not very disturbing. It is when it’s performed by advertising agencies, OnLine markets, banner exchanges or spammers.
The other side is much more dangerous. That is if it’s done by your local ISP or government agencies that log your entire Internet traffic (We all remember Edward Snowden’s stories). Why do they do it? The answer is simple: they want to control everything and know everything you do to fully control you. We all read stories of poor people being sentenced to big fines or even a real time in jail because they’d downloaded a song or a video file.
I don’t argue the fact that it is illegal to download copyrighted files, but I just don’t like the fact that all my action are being recorded and analyzed. I don’t want anyone to know what websites I visit, what kind of music I listen or what color underwear I prefer.
So how can you protect yourself? How to avoid the feeling that someone’s watching all the time? I’ve tested 4 FREE technologies offering OnLine privacy and would like to give you my opinion on all of them.
1. Web surfing privacy. Usage of special software and technology such as, Tor, Cocoon, I2P, etc.
These services provide good level of anonymity and privacy in the Internet based on rerouting your traffic through their encrypted servers (cocoon) or through alternative encrypted Peer-to-peer system (Tor, I2P).
How it works (TOR, I2P):
This technology is pretty safe and secure. The only weak link of the network is the last PC in the mesh c
alled “exit node”. It can see the final website you’re going to but can’t see you as a source. There are articles in the Internet explaining that it’s not true and there are ways to trace the entire routeh down to you but such technology is rather complicated and can be used only if someone REALLY needs to catch you.
Pros:
- High level of privacy, if you don’t compromise it yourself and follow the rules
- secure and anonymous web surfing
- Simple setup (Tor, Cocoon)
- Free (TOR, I2P)
Cons:
- You need to study the technology and follow the strict rules. Otherwise, your privacy will be compromised
- Very low speed
- Additional software installation required
- Not suitable for downloading
- Your ISP can see that you work in TOR or I2P network
2. Proxy
Proxy server is an intermediate server between you and you addressee. The main advantage of Proxy server is that it can substitute your data with it’s own so the final server sees the Proxy servers IP and other information instead of yours.
How it works
There are many websiteis in the Internet offering Proxy services (eg. hidemyass.com, http://www.proxy4free.com/ etc.). There are both free and paid services. Before starting work with Proxy services I would recommend looking for user ratings and reviews because you need to really trust the publisher of Proxy server to safely work with it.
Regarding downloads, it depends on a proxy service chosen. Generally, free servers don’t give high speed.
Pros:
- Many free servers are offered
- high anonymity (if the Proxy is anonymous)
Cons:
- Very low speed when free services are used
- You really need to trust the company or individual that provides Proxy services
- You need to setup an Internet access rule for each application
- Limited access ports
3. VPN
VPN – virtual private network(VPN) extends aprivate networkacross apublicnetwork, such as theInternet. It enables a computer to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if it were directly connected to the private network, while benefiting from the functionality, security and management policies of the private network.
How it works:
Pros:
- There are many free VPN services (http://www.vpnbook.com/, http://www.hotspotshield.com/ etc.)
- High level of anonymity
Cons:
- You need to set up a VPN connection or a VPN software
- Free VPN services are often very slow and unreliable
- You need to fill-up your personal information including your full name, address, phone number, etc. during registration for VPN service
- As for the Proxy services you really need to go through all ratings and user reviews to choose the right service you can trust.
- Some client software cannot reconnect automatically after system restart. You need to be aware of it and be very careful.
4. Good for unskilled Internet users. No need to set anything up. No technical skills required. There are Internet services that provide you some privacy of Downloads. I’ve tested Filestream.me which positions itself as an advanced OnLine cloud storage.
All you need to do is sign up for the service and paste HTTP or MANET links to the corresponding fields in your member’s area. Filestream will download files to your personal cabinet. All you need to do is download or stream those files to your PC or Mobile device.
How Filestream.me works
Pros:
- Encrypted SSL connection through the whole website
- No need to set-up additional applications
- Anonymous downloads from the Internet
- You can download several files to your cabinet simultaneously.
- No need to keep your computer on during download.
- You can use the service as a Cloud Storage.
- Free for occasional downloads
- Low prices for Premium subscriptions
Cons:
- Service provides secure and private downloads only. They don’t protect your entire Internet activity.
- Limited traffic on free accounts. Heavy “downloaders” need to purchase Premium accounts.
- Lack of mobile website
- Mobile client is available only for Android devices
The most important note: THERE IS NO PRIVACY IN THE INTERNET, but you can make it much harder for third parties to spy on you.
