@JtB's PM/rating request...
JtB mentioned the Tor project, which provides an anonymous proxy service. Well if you have SO's that you wish to hide your habits from, then maybe consider using the "Tor Browser Bundle" (https://www.torproject.org/download/download.html.en). The downloaded package will basically consist of the required Tor software as well as a portable version of a modern browser (currently FireFox Aurora) preconfigured to make your browsing experience "optimally" anonymous (as deemed by the Tor project developers). The benefit of such a bundle is that it is all self-contained and thus easily placed on a USB stick (totally distinct from your normal browser). I've tested this out in the past within a virtualised Linux OS (e.g. VirtualBox or VMware, etc) with a password-protected login. It works, but I found the browsing speeds a little unacceptable due to going through the Tor proxy (depends on your patience I guess).
To additionally make trackability very difficult (maybe even impossible):
- Set browser to always block all cookies;
- Go into Private mode (I think the bundle defaults to this);
- Get NoScript to block JavaScript;
*Edit* Actually when I last used the bundle I don't think it supported Flash because it was a known risk to anonymity, so probably won't need FlashBlock unless you manually enable/install Flash {- Get FlashBlock to block Flash}; and
- Get AdBlock to block adverts
Another interesting new development I just came across when visiting the Tor website is Tails (https://tails.boum.org/). From what I can tell - you download the package, then burn it as a bootable CD or make a bootable USB stick that will have the Tails software on it. Put your new Tails CD/USB stick into a PC and boot the PC up from this CD/USB stick, which boots you into a self-contained OS (Linux based) + Tor software + browser (so this environment is now totally distinct from your normal OS). The unique thing about Tails, is that apparently *all* traffic will be forwarded through the Tor network (the "Tor Browser Bundle" will only forward your browser traffic through the Tor network). I was kind of emulating this separate OS (via running "Tor Browse Bundle" within my virtualised Linux OS), but Tails would work even better due to all internet traffic being forwarded through Tor rather than just the browser traffic. In theory, this would mean that even plugins like Flash won't be able to circumvent the Tor proxy. Would be glad to hear how well it works if someone has the time to fiddle with Tails 
In any case, keep your USB stick hidden/with you and your alter ego browsing habits will probably never be revealed (well unless someone catches you red handed  ). Also I just realised if you go with the Tails, then I can't imagine how it would be able to store any history assuming it will never save anything to your harddrive (since a CD will be read-only and the USB stick is kept separate and safe). So Tails may appeal to the ultra paranoid, since even the virtual memory on your harddisk* (or in my case a virtualised OS's harddisk) may contain some content your SO might find objectionable. Then again you'd be pretty unlucky to have an SO that is a computer forensics expert to really need to take such a measure  .
*Side note: Most modern OS's will move some data temporarily from RAM to virtual memory on the harddrive to make space in RAM for faster performance (since RAM currently faster than disk).
However, as mentioned before, the Tor network (esp. being free) is going to slow down your browsing (a sacrifice you'll have to accept).
Whilst I'm here... Also keep an eye out on the progress with SOPA/PIPA bills proposed by the US govt (and other similar bills around te world) that recently received a lot of attention. Recall the Wikipedia blackout period? Well it was in protest against these two bills, because they may well affect the ability to even allow the operation of Tor as an anonymising service (amongst other online freedoms we currently enjoy). So be vigilant and actively participate in exercising your right to democracy should care about the future of privacy and other online freedoms.
Some more info about Tor and Tails:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tor_(anonymity_network)
- https://tails.boum.org/doc/about/warning/index.en.html
Some links to read about SOPA/PIPA:
- https://blog.torproject.org/blog/blackout-against-copyright-overreach-stop-sopa-and-pipa
- https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/01/how-pipa-and-sopa-violate-white-house-principles-supporting-free-speech
- http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/English_Wikipedia_anti-SOPA_blackout
[ Last edited by yyy111 at 2-3-2012 19:13 ] | |
). Also I just realised if you go with the Tails, then I can't imagine how it would be able to store any history assuming it will never save anything to your harddrive (since a CD will be read-only and the USB stick is kept separate and safe). So Tails may appeal to the ultra paranoid, since even the virtual memory on your harddisk* (or in my case a virtualised OS's harddisk) may contain some content your SO might find objectionable. Then again you'd be pretty unlucky to have an SO that is a computer forensics expert to really need to take such a measure 
.