How to Stay Anonymous Online: VPNs, Tor & More

Our every step online can be traced—by websites, advertisers, governments, and even cyber hackers. If you care about privacy, need to access blocked content, or simply enjoy the concept of being invisible online, it's time to learn how to remain anonymous. This blog will take you through the fundamentals of online anonymity and introduce you to tools such as VPNs, Tor, and more—described in a way that makes sense. Prefer watching instead of reading? Here’s a quick video guide Why Online Anonymity Matters Each time you get online, your device reveals some information such as: IP address (your online address) Location Device and browser details Sites you visit Search terms This information is gathered by ISPs (Internet Service Providers), websites, apps, advertisers, and even hackers at times. If you're not cautious, it can be used to: Construct detailed profiles about you Target you with advertisements Track your behavior Censor your access to content Track your identity or location If you’re someone who values freedom, privacy, and security, online anonymity is worth considering. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) A VPN hides your real IP address by routing your internet traffic through a secure server in a different location. To anyone watching, it looks like you’re accessing the internet from the VPN server—not your real device. How it helps: Masks your IP address Encrypts your data (even from your ISP) Bypasses geo-blocks (access content from other countries) Prevents websites from tracking your location How to use it: Choose a good VPN provider (e.g., NordVPN, ExpressVPN, ProtonVPN) Download and install the app Choose a server location Connect and browse securely Tip: Don't use free VPNs—they sell your data or have poor security. Browse with Tor (The Onion Router) Tor is a unique web browser that redirects your internet traffic through several random servers worldwide before it arrives at its destination. This makes it very difficult for anyone to track your activity. How it helps: Strong anonymity Stops tracking Access to the dark web (use caution) Suitable for whistleblowers, journalists, and privacy enthusiasts How to use it: Go to https://www.torproject.org Download the Tor browser (free) Open it like any browser and begin surfing Note: Tor may be slower because of the multiple relays. It's not perfect for streaming or large downloads. Private Search Engines Each time you search on Google, your searches are recorded and linked to your identity. To search anonymously: Use: DuckDuckGo – No tracking, no ads tailored just for you Startpage – Provides Google results without logging your data Brave Search – Privacy-centered and open These search engines don't record your search history or observe what you click. Disable Tracking in Your Browser Most browsers monitor your activity and provide it to third parties. You can restrict this by: Switching to Privacy-Focused Browsers: Brave – Blocks ads and trackers by default Firefox (with privacy settings turned up to the highest level) Tor Browser – Highest level of anonymity Use Browser Extensions: uBlock Origin – Ad and tracker blocker Privacy Badger – Stops invisible trackers HTTPS Everywhere – Compels websites to use secure connections Be Clever About Cookies and Logins Cookies keep information about you. To minimize their effect: Clear cookies frequently Disable third-party cookies in browser options Use private/incognito mode for sensitive use Logins: Do not log in to personal accounts (such as Google or Facebook) when attempting to remain anonymous. By logging in, your actions are traced back to your true identity. Use Anonymous Email Services Don't use your personal email to sign up with services you don't completely trust. Try: ProtonMail – Anonymous and encrypted Tutanota – Secure email alternative SimpleLogin or AnonAddy – Create email aliases to mask your actual address Pay Anonymously using Cryptocurrency Using your credit card to pay online betrays your identity. If anonymity matters, consider: Bitcoin (only if you use it responsibly) Monero – Privacy-centric Privacy wallets (such as Wasabi Wallet for Bitcoin) Note: Be cautious—if you cash out crypto without caution, you can still be tracked. Don't Use Real Names and Photos Anonymity online also relies on what you post. Don't use: A real name on anonymous profiles Reverse-searchable real photos Real personal info such as address, school, or workplace Use avatars, nicknames, and maintain separation between your online self and offline identity. Use Encrypted Messaging Apps Well-known messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Messenger can store your metadata (with whom you communicate, when, where). Instead, try: Signal – End-to

Apr 23, 2025 - 06:09

How to Stay Anonymous Online: VPNs, Tor & More

Our every step online can be traced—by websites, advertisers, governments, and even cyber hackers. If you care about privacy, need to access blocked content, or simply enjoy the concept of being invisible online, it's time to learn how to remain anonymous. This blog will take you through the fundamentals of online anonymity and introduce you to tools such as VPNs, Tor, and more—described in a way that makes sense.

Prefer watching instead of reading? Here’s a quick video guide

Why Online Anonymity Matters

Each time you get online, your device reveals some information such as:
IP address (your online address)
Location
Device and browser details
Sites you visit
Search terms

This information is gathered by ISPs (Internet Service Providers), websites, apps, advertisers, and even hackers at times. If you're not cautious, it can be used to:

Construct detailed profiles about you
Target you with advertisements
Track your behavior
Censor your access to content
Track your identity or location

If you’re someone who values freedom, privacy, and security, online anonymity is worth considering.

Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN hides your real IP address by routing your internet traffic through a secure server in a different location. To anyone watching, it looks like you’re accessing the internet from the VPN server—not your real device.

How it helps:

Masks your IP address
Encrypts your data (even from your ISP)
Bypasses geo-blocks (access content from other countries)
Prevents websites from tracking your location

How to use it:

Choose a good VPN provider (e.g., NordVPN, ExpressVPN, ProtonVPN)
Download and install the app
Choose a server location
Connect and browse securely

Tip: Don't use free VPNs—they sell your data or have poor security.

Browse with Tor (The Onion Router)

Tor is a unique web browser that redirects your internet traffic through several random servers worldwide before it arrives at its destination. This makes it very difficult for anyone to track your activity.

How it helps:

Strong anonymity
Stops tracking
Access to the dark web (use caution)
Suitable for whistleblowers, journalists, and privacy enthusiasts

How to use it:

Go to https://www.torproject.org
Download the Tor browser (free)
Open it like any browser and begin surfing

Note: Tor may be slower because of the multiple relays. It's not perfect for streaming or large downloads.

Private Search Engines

Each time you search on Google, your searches are recorded and linked to your identity. To search anonymously:

Use:

DuckDuckGo – No tracking, no ads tailored just for you
Startpage – Provides Google results without logging your data
Brave Search – Privacy-centered and open

These search engines don't record your search history or observe what you click.

Disable Tracking in Your Browser

Most browsers monitor your activity and provide it to third parties. You can restrict this by:

Switching to Privacy-Focused Browsers:

Brave – Blocks ads and trackers by default
Firefox (with privacy settings turned up to the highest level)
Tor Browser – Highest level of anonymity

Use Browser Extensions:

uBlock Origin – Ad and tracker blocker
Privacy Badger – Stops invisible trackers
HTTPS Everywhere – Compels websites to use secure connections

Be Clever About Cookies and Logins

Cookies keep information about you. To minimize their effect:

Clear cookies frequently
Disable third-party cookies in browser options
Use private/incognito mode for sensitive use

Logins: Do not log in to personal accounts (such as Google or Facebook) when attempting to remain anonymous. By logging in, your actions are traced back to your true identity.

Use Anonymous Email Services

Don't use your personal email to sign up with services you don't completely trust.

Try:

ProtonMail – Anonymous and encrypted
Tutanota – Secure email alternative
SimpleLogin or AnonAddy – Create email aliases to mask your actual address

Pay Anonymously using Cryptocurrency

Using your credit card to pay online betrays your identity. If anonymity matters, consider:

Bitcoin (only if you use it responsibly)
Monero – Privacy-centric
Privacy wallets (such as Wasabi Wallet for Bitcoin)

Note: Be cautious—if you cash out crypto without caution, you can still be tracked.

Don't Use Real Names and Photos

Anonymity online also relies on what you post. Don't use:

A real name on anonymous profiles
Reverse-searchable real photos
Real personal info such as address, school, or workplace

Use avatars, nicknames, and maintain separation between your online self and offline identity.

Use Encrypted Messaging Apps

Well-known messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Messenger can store your metadata (with whom you communicate, when, where).

Instead, try:

Signal – End-to-end encryption, minimal data collection
Session – No phone number needed
Threema – Paid, but highly secure

These applications value your privacy above surveillance or ads.

Bonus: Layer Tools for Maximum Privacy

No single tool will make you 100% anonymous. The most effective approach is layering tools:

Use Tor + VPN for double protection
Mix private search engines with privacy browsers
Employ anonymous email when signing up for accounts

Imagine wearing a disguise with gloves, a mask, and a different pair of shoes—you want to leave no trace.

Final Thoughts

Being anonymous online doesn't indicate that you are hiding something. It indicates you are taking command of your online footprint. When your data is currency, your privacy is power.

If you're a privacy fan, a journalist, or simply a regular user tired of ads and trackers—these resources can make you anonymous, secure, and in command.