How to Be Anonymous Online: 19 Tips to Protect Your Identity

Can you be completely anonymous online?

First, let’s answer the most burning question—does online anonymity even exist? 

In theory, it’s possible to go anonymous. But staying anonymous constantly is a way more challenging task. That would require significant effort. You will need to completely revamp your browsing habits, behavior, and general attitude to what you share (or rather not share) online. 

There are some examples of people who keep their identities anonymous, from street artist Banksy to the founder of Bitcoin Satoshi Nakamoto (those cases are quite rare, though).

At the same time, many still confuse going completely incognito and simply protecting their personal information online. In fact, while anonymity and privacy are closely related, there’s a drastic difference between these two concepts. Here are some details.

Anonymity vs. privacy: The difference explained

Online privacy means that you control which data you share online, avoid unwanted monitoring, and prevent your confidential information from being compromised. In most cases, it means that you want to stay away from public attention. 

In contrast, online anonymity is when you want to go public without exposing your real identity. Usually, this decision is made by activists, journalists, whistleblowers, and artists who prefer to stay unnoticed (mostly because of safety concerns).

If you’re looking to protect yourself from unwanted monitoring and keep your data safe, it will probably be enough to follow some basic online privacy rules. If that is the case, check out our detailed blog post revealing what digital privacy is and how to maintain it in your everyday life. But if your true goal is to hide your identity fully, we will soon explain the main steps to take.

But can’t you erase your digital footprint by simply entering the incognito (private browsing) mode in your web browser? Well, you can, but it won’t really make you an Internet ninja. Here is why.

How anonymous is incognito mode?

The incognito mode (in Google Chrome), also known as the private browsing mode (in Safari and Firefox) and InPrivate mode (in Microsoft Edge) is a way to ensure your online activities, including search history, won’t be saved on your device after you close the window. However, it has nothing to do with true Internet anonymity. 

To be more specific, let’s see what the incognito does and what it doesn’t do in terms of your privacy.

Simply put, the incognito mode isn’t enough to hide yourself online. So, what do you need to do? Below, we’ll overview the key practices that will allow you to conceal your digital identity and make sure nobody can track you online.

19 tips on how to stay anonymous online

As mentioned, maintaining anonymity online is a tough challenge that requires a lot of effort, as well as the use of specific tools, programs, and even operating systems. Following one or several of the tips described below won’t make you anonymous. Only combining them all gives you a chance of erasing your trace online. With that in mind, let’s look at the key tips on how to remain anonymous on the Internet.

1. Use a VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) is a digital privacy and security tool that comes with several benefits for those striving to protect their data or stay anonymous online. Here are the most significant advantages of a VPN:

• It hides your IP address. A VPN spoofs your IP and replaces it with an anonymous address associated with a remote server.
• It encrypts your traffic. A VPN ensures reliable end-to-end encryption for all your Internet traffic, using several tunneling protocols to ensure a stable and secure connection.
• It prevents unwanted tracking and security risks. A VPN is a must-have tool if you don’t want anyone, including your ISP, websites, advertisers, and the government, to snoop on you online.

But note that not all VPNs come with these benefits. Some may even do the opposite thing, causing more harm than good. In particular, free VPN providers often record and share customer data to make a profit. To avoid this outcome, pick a reputable paid VPN like VeePN, which ensures the following:

• A transparent No Logs policy 
• AES-256 encryption
• RAM-only VPN servers
• DNS and IP leak protection
• Double VPN (runs your traffic through two remote locations for greater privacy)

2. Use the Tor browser

Another important component of your online anonymity toolkit is the Tor browser. Similar to a VPN, The Onion Router (Tor) ensures data encryption and hides your IP address. It moves your traffic through several independent nodes run by volunteers around the globe (this process is also known as onion routing). Originally designed for anonymous communication between American intelligence agents, Tor remains a decent solution for privacy enthusiasts, human rights activists, and journalists working in countries with strict Internet censorship. 

But keep in mind that Tor is much slower than Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and other common web browsers. Also, note that it encrypts your traffic on the browser level only, while a VPN covers all of it.

3. Use Onion over VPN

It’s also possible to combine the key features of a VPN and Tor for even greater protection and anonymity. Here’s how to use Onion over VPN on your device:

1. Download and install VeePN.
2. Pick a pricing plan and subscribe.
3. Activate VeePN by connecting to the preferred server location.
4. Open the Tor browser and choose the Safest mode in its settings.
5. Done! You’re ready to start your anonymous browsing session.

But remember that combining Tor and VPN will significantly slow down your Internet speed due to multiple data encryption layers. Use this solution only when dealing with something particularly sensitive.

4. Don’t log in to your Google account

It’s not a secret that Google collects and stores tons of customer data, mostly for advertising purposes. Once you enter your Google account, you expose many private details, including the following:

• Your precise geolocation
• Your browsing behavior and habits
• Your search history on platforms partnering with Google
• Your interactions, such as likes, comments, and more

The least you can do to cover up your data is logging out of your Google account (and remaining logged out when possible).

5. Use a private web browser

We mentioned Tor as the best encrypted browser out there. But again, it’s much slower than Chrome or Edge. So, is there a safe alternative that works slightly faster? 

Although no other browser will run your traffic through multiple encrypted nodes, there are a couple of decent options to consider. In particular, Mozilla Firefox, Brave, LibreWolf, Iridium, and Ungoogled Chromium are known for their enhanced privacy and security settings. For more information, feel free to check out our detailed overview of the best Internet browsers for privacy.

6. Use a private search engine

Remember we told you that Google is not quite privacy-friendly? Even if you don’t log in to your Google account, the search engine itself will keep collecting some pieces of information about your browsing activity. Luckily, there are several private search engines that protect users from unwanted monitoring attempts. Some decent examples include DuckDuckGo, Brave Search, MetaGer, and Mojeek. 

Of course, these search engines won’t provide a personalized experience as Google does, as your search results won’t be based on your online habits. But that’s the price you should pay for your anonymity. 

7. Adjust your privacy settings

Digital privacy and anonymity are not limited to securing your online experience with an alternative search engine and an encrypted Internet browser. You will also have to reconfigure privacy and security settings on your devices for every application you use. Here are some basics in this regard:

• Remove all questionable apps and programs from all devices.
• Don’t install unverified software.
• Limit app permissions and location services on your mobile devices.
• Avoid allowing apps to access your location, microphone, camera, contacts, and other sensitive data that may expose your identity.

Eager to learn more? Jump into our detailed guidelines on the essential iPhone and Android privacy settings.

8. Update your software regularly

Don’t forget to update your system and software on a regular basis. Outdated programs are more vulnerable to hacking attempts, as they lack important security patches and other improvements. If a hacker manages to steal your data through an outdated program, they can expose your real identity or even sell it on the dark web.

9. Don’t overshare your data on social media

If you’re striving for complete anonymity, it’s not a good idea to use any social media at all. None of those platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (X), Reddit, and TikTok, are privacy-friendly. Strangers can learn a lot from your social media page—in fact, even governments use advanced AI algorithms to analyze this information and create detailed profiles about citizens.

If you can’t quit your social media, follow these essential measures to preserve your anonymity:

❌ Don’t use your real name in your accounts.

❌ Don’t post any pictures or videos that could potentially link to your real identity and location.

❌ Don’t add your friends, family, and other people you know in real life to any groups or lists.

10. Use encrypted messaging apps

Data encryption is a crucial aspect of your journey to online anonymity. But many popular messaging applications, including Facebook Messenger, lack this protection level and thus threaten your privacy. In turn, some encrypted applications may look trustworthy yet have some significant security flaws (for instance, WhatsApp has suffered from major data breaches, while Telegram relies on its own encryption protocols instead of using proven ones).

Look for open-source messaging applications with default end-to-end encryption and additional privacy features, like no metadata collection, compliance with data protection laws, and self-destructing messages. Some decent examples of such apps are Signal, Wickr Me, and Wire. Dive into a more detailed overview of the most secure messaging apps in our blog if curious.

11. Use encrypted email services

Not only your messages, but also emails should be end-to-end encrypted. Unfortunately, just like with messaging apps, many popular email services lack this essential protection measure. So, if you send or receive something confidential, you need a safer alternative to Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, or Outlook. Encrypted email services, such as Mailbox.org, Tutanota, and ProtonMail are among the most notable options.

Also, consider using burner email accounts during registration on websites or platforms. This way, you will avoid sharing your real personal email, replacing it with a temporary address that isn’t linked to you.

12. Use an encrypted data storage

Storing your files, photos, and any other private data online can also be risky, as popular services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and iCloud aren’t 100% secure. To avoid potential leakage of your private information, look for encrypted cloud storage services, such as Sync.com or pCloud. That’s the only way to make sure that even if somebody manages to break in, they will only see gibberish text instead of real data.

13. Block cookies

Cookies are small pieces of data that track your activity when you land on a website. It may include the time you spend on the page and your interactions with it. Later on, online services use this info to personalize your experience—but that’s definitely not what you need when going anonymous. 

It’s possible to block cookies altogether in your browser settings. Alternatively, you can avoid them with the help of a privacy-focused browser extension like Ublock Origin or Ninja Cookie. Also, you can clear the cookies remaining after each browsing session with one of such add-ons. But it’s also important to note that removing cookies completely may significantly affect your browsing experience.

14. Use a password manager tool

Creating strong and unique passwords for each account can be challenging. After all, the same combination of characters is way easier to memorize. Sadly, it also makes it easier for a hacker to compromise you online. Once they learn your password, they will be able to access anything, from your emails to digital wallets and social media accounts. 

To avoid this outcome, make sure you use different passwords everywhere and update them regularly. Besides, it’s a good idea to use a password manager tool, such as LastPass or Keeper, which will allow you to store your security keys in a safe place.

💡 Pro tip: Do not save your passwords in your browser. Linking this confidential information to your Google account may sabotage all your efforts to become anonymous.

15. Avoid JavaScript

JavaScript is a popular programming language many websites use in their visuals, animations, and other appealing design components. But there’s the other side of the coin: JavaScript collects lots of data about users. 

There are ways to block JavaScript completely, but you may not want to do that since it will result in a much more limited online experience. Another option is to use a browser extension like ScriptBlock to keep JavaScript elements active only on trustworthy websites.

16. Use a live OS on your PC

Standard operating systems, like macOS and Windows, may collect your data even if you don’t download any questionable applications. The thing is that certain pre-loaded programs are designed to log your info (mostly, to share it with developers and improve user experience).

If you want to avoid sharing even the smallest pieces of your information, switching to live OS might be your go-to. Such systems usually run through a USB drive, so you should connect it every time you turn on your device. Some famous examples are Linux-based operating systems, such as Porteus, Puppy Linux, Tails, and Linux Lite.

17. Don’t use a smartphone (if possible)

Have you ever had a feeling that your smartphone is spying on you? It might not be as literal, but mobile devices actually come with lots of security and privacy pitfalls. Many apps simply wouldn‘t work properly without access to your location, microphone, contacts, and other data. From Google Maps and Uber Eats to simple weather and fitness apps are true privacy nightmares. 

Ideally, you should avoid using such devices at all, as it’s very difficult to stop them from monitoring you at all levels. But if you can’t do without a smartphone, consider getting as private and secure mobile device as possible. iOS is generally considered more protected than Android. But if you’re striving for anonymity, you need a device with more advanced functionality, such as Purism Librem 5, Blackphone PRIVY 2.0, or Bittium Tough Mobile 2C. Feel free to explore the full list of the best phones for privacy in our blog.

18. Make payments in crypto

Crypto payments are more private, as they are much harder to trace than transactions via credit or debit cards. But while switching to crypto will allow you to avoid unwanted monitoring, it’s not completely anonymous. In fact, a snooper can track you if you use popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. In turn, encrypted crypto coins, such as Monero, Dash, and Zcash, are encrypted, making it nearly impossible to trace them back to your digital wallet. 

Also, mind the risks associated with cryptocurrencies. Learn about the most widespread crypto scams and fraudulent techniques and stay away from questionable investment schemes.

19. Read privacy policies carefully

Many users accept privacy policies without reading them, which may be extremely harmful to privacy. The presented information warns you about all the potential pitfalls—for example, a website may collect and share your private data with their partner services and other third parties. And there’s nothing you can do with that after accepting the privacy policy. So, don’t skip this step, as it may come at the cost of your anonymity. 

Final thoughts

Online anonymity is not unreachable — but is that really what you want? Hiding every single aspect of your digital life requires significant effort, and your online experience won’t be as seamless and comfortable as you’re probably used to.

While in some cases anonymity is vital, most people are actually looking to make their online presence more private. And for that purpose, you won’t have to give up all your browsing habits. Following some basic cyber-hygiene rules, such as using a VPN and creating unique passwords, will provide the essential protection level without overhauling your online behavior completely. 

But no matter whether your goal is to be anonymous or just maintain your digital privacy, a reputable VPN like VeePN is a must. With your IP address hidden and the entire traffic encrypted, you will be able to browse with peace of mind. 

Try it out today and check out VeePN’s premium features risk-free with a money-back guarantee!

Written by VeePN Research Lab VeePN Research Lab is dedicated to provide you latest posts about internet security and privacy.

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