Internet use is like wading through a puddle of mud. Everywhere you walk, you leave a visible trail for others to follow. While doing so might allow you to interact with more users, it also makes your personal information public, compromising your online security and privacy.
No wonder some people wish to completely break relations with the internet after learning how easily their actions can be traced. But protecting online privacy is simpler said than done.
Digital Footprint and Anonymity
Online anonymity is nearly impossible, and we can’t simply unplug since we’re living in a digital era of the online world. For example, we depend on the internet to connect with potential customers, stay in contact with friends and family, locate places, find phone numbers, and more. Consequently, you may lessen your digital imprint rather than completely unplugging.
You leave bits of information behind every time you use the internet. A Search by Google, a social network post, or an online purchase are examples of tidal actions. The bits and pieces become together to form a whole, your digital footprint, which may be exploited to identify your true online identity.
Digital footprints provide precise identification. Your real-world identity is typically connected to your digital footprint (including your name, birthday, address, and more). A digital footprint allows analyzing your online behavior for marketing or other targeting reasons. Digital footprints are a privacy nightmare, to put it simply.
There is a widespread misperception that only individuals with anything to hide want to minimize their digital trace. In fact, you should consider doing so if you respect your privacy or think your data belongs to you and you alone. You may find these steps helpful:
Apply a VPN
You and your privacy are protected by an additional layer of protection known as a VPN, or “virtual private network.” It lessens the chance that websites may monitor your online activity and gather data about you. There are several reliable and free VPN services available.
Check your accounts
Perform an audit of the online profiles or accounts you have created. Most individuals have likely opened several accounts throughout time, whether for online gaming, shopping, socializing, or even just out of curiosity. These are simple to overlook but must be managed.
Simple rule – Avoid posting private information
On many websites, you are prompted to provide your information via optional forms. This is particularly true regarding profiles on social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. But the more data you publish online, your privacy is more compromised. Please fill out as little information as possible when it’s optional.
Use Disposable email address
If you’ve spent some time online, you’re probably familiar with entering your email address to register for a new account or app or make a purchase. However, that seemingly innocent action can result in unwanted spam, targeted advertisements, and in the worst-case scenario, exposure of your personal information.
And here is where a one-time use email address comes as very useful. You may create a temporary email account or disposable email address, also known as DEA. You may avoid spam emails, targeted advertisements, and data dumps if your site or server is attacked.
Use Tor
Free software called Tor (The Onion Router) protects your online conversations from prying eyes. It is intended to prevent monitoring and eavesdropping, resist fingerprinting (where services link information from your browser and device to an identity), and conceal users’ whereabouts.
If trying to maintain anonymity while browsing the internet, use the Tor browser.
Get Anonymous VPS
Only a hosting service called anonymous VPS (Virtual Private Server) allows you to host your data anonymously or start an anonymous blog. To prevent PII (personally identifiable information) disclosure, anonymous VPS hosting providers utilize bitcoin payment gateways and anonymous sign-up procedures. Anonymous VPS offers a dedicated hosting environment using virtual cloud servers.
Your true identity can’t be disclosed, and all you need to provide is your email address. To be honest, anonymous hosting is now one of the most private and secure hosting alternatives.
Anonymous image hosting, or anonymous video hosting, is possible only thanks to anonymous VPS. Designed for the most comprehensive range of various production workloads, including anonymous web applications, anonymous blogs, databases, and enterprise applications.
In Conclusion
Digital footprints are like snow prints. Your trails follow you everywhere. Footprints in the snow, however, usually vanish with each new fresh snow. On the other hand, a digital footprint is usually recorded forever; our online presence will last longer than we will.
Therfore, always try to minimize the chance of your public exposure. To buy Anonymous VPS is your only way to host your data without possibly linking your true identity to your hosted content. Combining all the steps mentioned above, you should be able to protect your privacy and stay anonymous.
