Protect Yourself w/ Untraceable Online Purchases
Insure anonymity when you make purchases online…
Security and privacy should be a big concern for anyone who shops online. With search engines tracking every move you make, and online retailers storing all transaction and credit card data– your personal information could be vulnerable if you’re not careful. It’s easy to insure anonymity when you shop offline by using cash to make purchases. But how can you shop online with that same assurance? Here are a few ideas:
Use a Proxy Server
A proxy server is a computer system that breaks the connection between you and the receiver and encrypts or ‘masks’ your IP address from prying eyes. Functioning as a relay between you and the website you are visiting, a proxy server acts on your behalf. Requests you make on the internet go to the proxy server first where it is evaluated and if allowed, re-establishes the request. In return, requests coming to you go to the proxy server. Both you and the server think they are communicating with one another, but, in fact, are dealing only with the proxy.
Use an Anonymous E-mail Address
Never use an e-mail address that may identify you. For instance, don’t use an address that includes your name. Sign up for a Yahoo or Hotmail account with an anonymous e-mail address that you can use specifically for purchases.
Pay with an E-pay Service
To protect your financial security, consider using an e-payment service like Paypal that will allow you to transfer funds using only your email address. If you agree to accept payments through the service, remember that you will have to divulge your bank information.
In-house Escrow Account
Guru.com is an example of a site that will allow you to pay for services using their in-house escrow service. Both you and the person you’re paying will be identified only through your identification number.
Keep Your Cookies Clean
Cookies are small files that are placed on your hard drive to show and track what sites and pages you have visited. If you want to be completely anonymous you should disable cookies from system configuration.
Never Save Login Information
Turn off any option that saves your passwords, account names, numbers and other pertinent information related to the pages you visit. If you are asked to save log-in information, say “no”. Be sure to use the sign-off or log-off option to insure that the page can’t be retrieved without inputting all login information.
Eliminate Package Tracking
The US Postal Service delivers your packages anonymously with no tracking information collected. FedEx and UPS track all of your shipments. If you accept this last tip, you may lose some of the advantages that go along with be able to track your packages. But if you want serious privacy you will opt out and use the USPS with delivery to a PO box.
