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Key Takeaways:
- Strategies for being invisible on the Internet include using a VPN, avoiding spam, using secure browsers and software, avoiding social media, and more.
- To boost your privacy on the internet, you will need to use a variety of online privacy tools simultaneously.
- Complete and total invisibility on the internet is impossible, but you can be functionally invisible.
Online privacy and security are increasingly valuable as technology evolves to keep us all the more interconnected. And since ISPs, government agencies, and other companies watch and harvest our data all the time, the need for privacy is clear. If staying private matters to you, a few smart tools can make a big difference.
You’ll need to familiarize yourself with a variety of online tools and strategies to use as you surf the web. Being 100% invisible is impossible, but any little boost in privacy and security helps.
Below, we’ve listed several things you can do if you want to learn how to be invisible on the internet.
1. Use a VPN
One of the quickest and best ways to make your browsing more private is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). VPNs work by routing your online data through an encrypted tunnel to a remote VPN server. From there, the server decrypts the data, directs it to the right website, then encrypts and sends the response back to you.
A major vulnerability of browsing online is that your IP address can identify your physical location. It’s also possible for ISPs (Internet Service Providers) to monitor your browsing, and for websites themselves to track your activity and send you targeted ads.
When you use a VPN, your data goes to a remote server, not a location-based one. This means your location and browsing activity are hidden from outside eyes. VPN apps vary in price, user-friendliness, and strength of security features.
What Is the Best VPN?
Looking for a private VPN? Burner VPN is fast, easy to use, and offers servers in 70+ countries. It uses secure protocols like WireGuard and IKEv2—but remember, no VPN makes you invisible. It’s one part of staying private online.
2. Use the Tor Browser
Google is the most commonly used search engine, but it’s also known for collecting user data. If you want to browse more privately, consider switching to the Tor browser.
Tor uses the same base principles as a VPN, hiding your IP address and online activity. Tor encryption is limited to the browser itself; it won’t encrypt other web apps you use. To use Tor to its fullest, pair it with a VPN.
What About Incognito Mode?
Incognito mode is a seemingly private browser mode available on regular search engines like Google. While incognito mode appears private, it actually does little to help you stay invisible. Incognito mode only wipes your browsing history after you’re active online. All this does is prevent the next person who uses your device from seeing your activity.
Incognito mode does not hide your IP address or your browsing activity from ISPs the way VPNs do. It also won’t allow you to stream restricted content like foreign Netflix shows.
3. Don’t Use Social Media
Social media makes it easy to share and overshare. You can post a dance video on TikTok, share pics of your beach vacation on Instagram, and post your new workout routine on Facebook.
While it’s fun to engage in these interactions, the more you willingly post about yourself and your life, the harder it is to be invisible on the internet. Even private accounts aren’t truly private. If staying off the radar is your goal, limiting or avoiding social media is one of the most effective steps you can take.
4. Never Give Out Personal Information
It’s already far easier than it should be for hackers to find your address on Whitepages or con you into downloading spyware on your device. If you’re trying to stay private, don’t make it easier. Avoid sharing your real name, address, phone number, or birthday unless absolutely necessary, even with sites you trust. All PII (personally identifiable information) should be kept to yourself.
5. Reject Cookies
On many websites you visit, you’ll see a pop-up that asks you to allow or not allow cookies. And no, they’re not talking about the chocolate chip kind.
Cookies refer to the data collected from your online activity and used to inform companies what targeted ads are right for you based on your interests and habits. Click ‘Reject’ or ‘Manage settings’ to limit tracking where possible.
The flip side of rejecting cookies is that sites use them to personalize your experience by identifying who you are. While this does mean you won’t be invisible, it’s not always bad.
For example, online shopping websites can remember what you like to buy and show you products you’re more likely to purchase, saving time. If invisibility is your goal, you should reject cookies. Just keep in mind the website may not function as smoothly, and you won’t get a more personalized experience.
6. Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager
Reusing the same password is one of the easiest ways to get hacked. If anyone gains access to that password, say goodbye to any and all concepts of invisibility. To reduce this security threat, you should use strong, diverse passwords across all of your online accounts.
A strong password should have:
- At least 16 characters
- A mix of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters
- No words or meaningful number combinations
If you adhere to these three tips, it might be hard to remember your password for each and every account you have. This is where a password manager comes into play. A password manager is a program that creates and stores complex passwords. Web browsers like Google have built-in password managers, but you can also use an independent program.
7. Avoid Spam and Scam Messages
Another easy way to get hacked (and therefore put your privacy at risk) is by answering spam/scam emails, texts, or calls. Once you answer a scammer, you confirm your number/email address is active and encourage further communication. And especially if you reply with personal information, you actively hand over your privacy.
Be sure to avoid clicking on links or downloading files that come from unknown senders. This will reduce your risk of downloading malware that can steal your data and compromise your device.
8. Use a Second Phone Number
While using a second phone number app doesn’t automatically equal anonymity, it certainly is better than using your real phone number. Every time you use your number to sign up for an account or communicate online, you run the risk of it being leaked, hacked, or tracked.
Using an app like Burner and creating a custom phone number can help you avoid giving out your real number and make it harder for companies, hackers, and people online to learn your true identity. Try Burner today to experience the privacy perks of a second number.
9. Use Ad Blockers
Nothing’s more annoying than a giant advertisement popping up on a website you’re trying to see. Some ads might even contain malicious links or redirect you to pages that track your activity while you’re on them, undermining your privacy efforts.
If you install ad blocker software like AdBlock Plus, Ghostery, or Surfshark CleanWeb, you can get rid of these pesky and potentially dangerous ads.
10. Read the Terms and Conditions
Most of us scroll past the fine print, but it’s worth paying attention. While terms and conditions and privacy policies for apps, devices, and websites are often boring and long, you want to make sure you know what you’re signing up for.
Many apps have customizable conditions you can turn on or off depending on your preferences. This can include whether the app can know your location, track your data across other apps, and more. The same goes for websites.
Companies that operate online have policies that disclose whether or not they collect your data when you’re on their site. Look for privacy settings and data-sharing policies you can adjust.
11. Use an Encrypted Storage Provider
Services like Google Drive are convenient but not built for privacy. Google as a whole is well known for tracking and collecting user data. Instead, explore other encrypted storage providers like Sync and Proton Drive. This is an especially good idea if you’re storing files with sensitive information that you don’t want falling into the wrong hands.
12. Use a Secure Email
Google’s Gmail is user-friendly and conveniently part of Google’s larger workspace, but don’t forget about Google’s reputation for keeping user data. Gmail stores emails on its servers, which may not align with your privacy goals. To avoid this privacy breach, try using a renowned secure email platform like Proton Mail or StartMail so your messages are never stored online.
It’s also worthwhile to take a look at disposable email services like Temp Mail so your identity is never linked to a singular email.
13. Delete Your Information From People Search Sites
People-search sites like Whitepages collect personal information from public sources and display it online. This includes names, phone numbers, addresses, and family member connections. On most of these sites, you should be able to find your profile, verify your identity, and request that your data be removed from their site.
Why Should You Care About Online Privacy?
Even if the thought of Google tracking your browsing activity doesn’t concern you, internet privacy is no joke. By surfing the web free of any cybersecurity protections, you make yourself vulnerable to data theft, hacks, identity theft, stalking, scams, software viruses, and more.
These risks are real and can affect anyone who spends time online. Recovering from a privacy breach can be frustrating, time-consuming, and in some cases, serious.
We all have better things to do than change our primary phone numbers and replace our credit cards because our data has been leaked. The best way to avoid online hacks, scams, and data mining is to prevent them from ever reaching you. And while full invisibility isn’t truly possible, any little bit of protection helps keep you and your information safe.
FAQs
Is it possible to be completely invisible on the internet?
Any time you go online, regardless of the security strategies you use, you leave a trace of some kind. Technically, 100% invisibility is impossible. But by using all of the tools and tips listed above at once, you will be as invisible as possible.
How can I reduce what others see when I browse the web?
For web surfing in particular, you can search without oversight by using the Tor browser, enabling ad blockers, disabling cookies, and using a VPN. Be sure to check that the websites you’re visiting have privacy policies that tell you they won’t track your data.
How do I stay anonymous on public Wi-Fi?
A VPN helps protect your activity and location on public Wi-Fi. It hides your IP address, which masks both your physical location and the Wi-Fi router you’re connected to. It adds a layer of privacy, but it doesn’t make you anonymous.
So, How Do I Stay Anonymous Online?
Total invisibility isn’t possible, but stronger privacy is. These tools work best together, not alone. The more layers you add, the harder it is for others to track, target, or collect your data.
But if you take the time to set up a good privacy arsenal of digital tools, you can be as invisible as anyone can be online.
Sources:
How To Remain Anonymous on the Internet | Security.org
Do Ad Blockers Protect Your Privacy?
How to protect yourself and your data online by reducing visibility | TechRadar
