Maintaining online privacy and anonymity has become necessary because the Internet has become scary and unpredictable. Although the Internet has offered convenience and made lives more accessible, users are more concerned about online privacy than ever. With cybercriminals and hackers lurking about, just waiting for an opportunity to steal user’s confidential data for fraud or financial gain, users are looking for the best ways to maintain their online privacy and anonymity.

What’s even trickier is that it is hard to remain anonymous in the digital era because of the ads that we’re constantly bombarded with advertisements and constant surveillance through our phones and social media. So, how can you stay anonymous on the Internet? What steps can you take? We’ll discuss all that in this guide, so without further ado, let’s begin.

What Are The Consequences Of Having No Online Privacy Or Anonymity? 

There are various risks to having no online privacy. Without any online privacy, people have no control over their information. Third parties, including corporations, governments, and malicious actors, can easily access and exploit their data, browsing history, location, and personal communications. If you don’t keep your data private, it can easily be collected and used for targeted advertising, identity theft, and profiling.

Identity theft can lead to financial loss and negative consequences for your credit score. Big corporations are also collecting data without users’ consent. They collect personal data from millions of users to improve their experience and offer personalized ads that interest them. The Cambridge-Analytica scandal of 2016 should prove enough how big companies like Facebook collect user data without their consent. This begs the question – do we have privacy on the Internet and social media?

Companies use the customer’s data to target them with specific ads that the company knows they’d be interested in. Privacy breaches and personal data misuse also contribute to financial losses for individuals and organizations. Users would be cautious when making online transactions or using eCommerce websites. To be safe, ensure you’re not sharing PII (Personally Identifiable Information) like your house address, phone number, or Social Security Number, as sharing these can lead to identity theft.

How Can I Completely Stay Incognito Online? 

Here are some ways you can stay anonymous on the Internet:

1) Use A VPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) conceals your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, ensuring that third parties like advertisers or malicious actors cannot intercept or decipher your data. It would be best to opt for reliable VPN providers like AstrillVPN as they have a strict No-Logs Policy, meaning that they keep no records or store anything related to your online activities. Remember that VPNs don’t help you stay anonymous since they focus on privacy.

2) Use Signal

Using encrypted messaging apps like Signal will help you stay anonymous online. With Signal, all communications have end-to-end encryption. No one can see your messages and calls since all your communications are encrypted. Since no ads or trackers exist, you can send text, voice messages, and video and audio calls without interception.

3) Check App Permissions

 Mobile apps on both iOS and Android request way more permissions than necessary. They are known to collect personal information on users and transmit these details to the app makers unethically and without gaining the user’s consent. If you’re using a photo app, then it doesn’t make sense for the app to be asking permission to use your microphone. So, necessarily manage app permissions.

4) Use Ad Blockers

Gone are the days when you only had to watch ads on the television. In the digital era, it’s a different ball game. Advertisers can now easily track your online activities to provide you with personalized ads and recommendations that you’d be more interested in. Facebook & Google are notorious for collecting user data.

 All of it comes at the cost of your privacy, as they have to collect information on you to be able to provide you with targeted ads. By using Adblockers, you can prevent advertisements and advertisers from tracking your online activities. The Brave Browser, for example, blocks ads and trackers by default.

5) Use Tor Browser

The Tor browser is specifically designed to help users stay anonymous online. The Tor network provides anonymity by routing the internet traffic through a series of volunteer-run servers. When you’re browsing through Tor, it makes it difficult for any third party to track your whereabouts or your online activities.

There are, however, a few drawbacks when it comes to using Tor. Tor is slow and is not suitable for streaming and torrenting. You are only restricted to browsing the web and nothing else due to a lack of volunteer resources and competing traffic from others.

Privacy vs. Anonymity: Are They The Same? 

Although the terms Privacy and Anonymity are used side by side, there are distinctions between the two. When you’re anonymous, your identity is completely hidden. No one knows anything about you, from your name to your occupation and where you live. Anonymity is often used when you want to keep your identity hidden when accessing sensitive data or making financial transactions. Anonymity is not always used for legal purposes. Sometimes, it is used for illegal purposes, too, such as cybercrime.

On the other hand, privacy is the ability of individuals to control their personal information and who gets access to it. Privacy involves keeping your information private from others. Privacy is essential for protecting your personal and confidential information from getting into the wrong hands.

Conclusion 

Can you really achieve anonymity online? Well, the truth is, you can. However, it’s not easy and takes a lot of effort on the user’s end to make it happen. Nowadays, it’s easy for malicious actors to steal your data and use it for fraud if you’re not careful, and that’s because information is so easily accessible online. If you’re willing to work hard and adopt the privacy practices mentioned above, your information will be safe and away from prying eyes. You browse the web safely, securely, and anonymously without worrying about compromised data.