How do you protect your privacy while surfing the Internet?


Quick Answer

The easiest way to protect your privacy while surfing the Internet is not to use your personal data when creating a website profile. Alternatively, use the privacy modes of various Web browsers or install add-ons that mask personal information.

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How do you protect your privacy while surfing the Internet?
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Full Answer

The privacy modes of browsers such as Firefox, Internet Explorer and Chrome allow users to navigate websites without being tracked. These modes prevent the websites from storing cookies, which are used to identify the user, and disable recording of the navigation history. Access the privacy mode on Internet Explorer, called InPrivate Browsing, through the Safety menu. Firefox and Chrome activate their privacy modes by opening a new tab or window labeled Private or Incognito, respectively. The downside of this method is that websites visited still have access to the user’s IP address, while Internet service providers are able to track the browsing habits of their users.

The ultimate solutions to privacy issues on the Internet, as of 2015, include browsers that completely mask browsing traces, such as the Tor Browser. Tor Browser is a self-contained piece of software that protects users by routing the communication signals through a distributed network of servers, effectively preventing websites and ISPs from determining locations and personal information.

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