Free Anonymous Web Surfing

Free anonymous web surfing sites operate like a buffer between a surfer's PC and destination web sites.

The steps to use a service are as follows:

1. Surfer logs onto the internet as usual and then navigates to an anonymizing site.


2. Surfer enters the URL of the destination site and is connected in due course.


3. Connection is made using the IP address of service provider, making the surfer anonymous.

To anyone tracking the user's IP address it appears that the anonymizing site is like a sponge. All inbound traffic is just soaked up and goes no further.

As maybe expected there is an overhead associated with redirecting, which is compounded by limited bandwidth typical of free sites. Predictably, free anonymous web surfing is slow.

Is it Secure?

Free anonymous web surfing is one of several different ways to achieve anonymity on the internet. Anyone concerned about laptop security should understand the differences between these options:

• Virtual private network (VPN)
• Encrypted SSL/SSH tunnels
• Anonymous proxy servers

Each option provides a different level of anonymity and security. As a general rule, free options are at the bottom of the scale. A service can be setup by anyone. Many operate only briefly and then disappear. In the worst case a service maybe setup for no other reason than to harvest confidential data from unsuspecting surfers.

Sites may use their own proxy servers to accomplish redirection, or they may route the connection through to lists of public proxy servers. Whoever controls the proxy server(s) has access to the full log of click stream data as well as the ability to match IP addresses with destination URL's. It's impossible to control how long these logs are maintained or whether or not they are ever erased. It's also unlikely that a provider of free services would resist attempts by law enforcement agencies to subpoena the logs.

Anonymous web surfing sites only offer support for web browsing and not other services such as email, IRC or ICQ. Typically they don't work with secure https sites using SSL or SSH encryption, which means that while surfers may be anonymous their data is visible.

These are not necessarily concerns for all users of free anonymous web surfing sites. Students and employees use sites to surf anonymously during school or work hours. Similarly, anyone who has a one off project requiring web research, but wants to avoid attention from competitors or internet marketers will find the facilities useful. The risks increase dramatically when used for banking, on-line shopping, or buying / selling on auction sites.

Proxify

Proxify is a stark exception to most Web-based anonymous proxy sites. By clicking on "https" it will conceal IP addresses and encrypt sessions. Users can choose which privacy and security features to turn on or off. It's also more reliable and faster than other free services. The free service is funded via advertising.

Proxy Lists

Sites regularly become victims of their own success. Really popular sites are black listed in the same way as the sites they provide anonymous access to. To keep up with the frantic pace of coming and going, lists of sites need to be maintained in near real time. Some of the more popular lists of free anonymous web surfing sites include:

• Public Proxy Servers
• Proxy 4 Free