Introduction
The Anonymous Proxy
Configuring Firefox
Basic Firewall settings
General Rules of Thumb
Introduction
One this page, I'll desctribe some hints and tips on how to protect your idendity online. This will make it more difficult for spammers and the like to ruin your online experience and circumvent predatory behavior by those who are unscruplous. I'll show you how you can download free privacy products or configure well known products to be more secure.
The Anonymous Proxy
If you're interested in protecting
your IP on the Internet one of the ways is to install an application
which redirects your traffic through an anonymous proxy. The benefit of
doing this is that the IP of your request becomes that of the anonymous
proxy. Anonymous 4 proxy is an example product which does this and
masks your IP. You can try out a trial version here.
This is one of many products which privacy advocates promote and use.
The downside is that your traffic is going through a proxy and will
undoubtedly be slower but that's the price of some level of privacy. It
could be argued; what do you have to hide, why do you need privacy at
all? These are good questions and I'll leave that up for the individual
to decide on their comfort level. The choice is there...
Configuring Firefox
Firefox contains many plugins. One of these is called the Switch Proxy Tool. Essentially, you can configure it to use an anonymous proxy so your IP is hidden or you can configure it to point to a proxy of your choice. What's nice about it is that it's built into your browing experience so you can switch on/off very easily.
Basic Firewall Settings
There are two types of Firewalls available to a broadband user. You modem will more than likely contain a Firewall which you can configure to block malicious incoming traffic. On the other hand, Windows comes with its own Firewall software. Plus if you download virus protection software, it will also have one. You only really need one! So make your choice carefully on your needs.
General Rules of Thumb for Safe Surfing
If the offer is too good to be true like a 30 inch flat screen TV for $20 then don't put in your credit card details.
Choose site you trust
Beware downloading free software. Lots of it contains Spam and Ads. Only go to recognized sites.
Don't reveal your idendity online unless you trust the site
Be careful about providing your email address to a site as you may get a lot of spam from sites which may sell your email address.
Use products like Net Nanny http://www.netnanny.com/ to monitor your kids Web usage.
