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netraider2017

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 15, 2017
1
0
Hi, I would like to able browse the internet privately, I mean really private no traces at all. I know there is private browsing on my mac but is there an app or service that allows private browsing. Either paid or free.

thanks.
 
If you don't want to go as far as Tor, try the EPIC privacy browser.

EPIC will "shroud" your IP address from the sites you visit (as well as other info), by connecting through proxy servers. I've tried it and it works.

Perhaps not as complete as Tor, but a step above nearly all other browsers...
 
This is one of those questions where the answer is "if you have to ask, you are definitely going to screw it up."

Anyway, as mentioned above, a starting point is a good VPN plus TOR.

A good VPN is harder to find than you might expect, and of less effectiveness than you might believe. The problem with VPNs is that you normally have no idea what they really do. Do they keep logs or not (in reality, not just in their P.R. pitch), are they actually independent of governments and companies interested in your information, etc? Definitely avoid the "free" ones, at least, and consider one that's based in a country with strong privacy laws.

Then there's TOR. Governments around the world are intensely interested in piercing TOR's security (ironically, it was developed by the U.S. Navy). They have clearly compromised it in the past, and likely may still be doing so. But it likely provides at least some protection.

Then there's the rest of "operational security," in which one naive mistake or slip-up will reveal who you are regardless of the above.

But true, impenetrable anonymity? You aren't going to achieve it.
 
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I think a lot of the solutions that are mentioned may be useful. I also think, the purpose behind you need for privacy can be a factor in what solution you use.... If you are trying to hide from your wife that you are visiting a porn site, it should not be too hard.. If you are trying to use your computer for potentially illegal or fraudulent activity, then that could be much more difficult.

If you are planning to use it for fraudulent activity, I suggest that you just turn your computer off and go eat some tacos instead.
 
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