Technology

Here’s How You Can Browse the Web Without Being Tracked

How to Search the Web in Private Mode Without Being Tracked

(Image: Shutterstock)

Most everyone already knows when you search for things on the Web, advertisers are picking up on that and quickly turning data around into marketing to attract you. As soon you search “sterling silver necklace” for mom’s birthday, lo and behold, the next website you go to — completely unrelated to the necklace — has ads from Overstock.com featuring none other than potential necklaces you may be interested in.

(Related: FTC privacy report calls for ‘do not track’ and data broker disclosure)

This may or may not bother you, but as CNET points out, there are times when you may not want more, shall we say, sensitive searches resulting in ads. The tech blog was recently asked ”How does one browse sensitive subjects without being tracked via cookies?”

It is possible. CNET describes this as “private mode,” which is available on most Web browsers:

But even this won’t completely stop ads. According to CNET, there are further “do not track” measures that can be used, including Abine’s Do Not Track browser add-on and AVG’s Do Not Track, which lets you customize what you’re blocking.

Hot Spot Shield hides IP addresses, which can be used to associate data with other information a particular website may already know about you, even if cookies have been disabled. IP addresses are often what Internet service providers are asked for by law enforcement for investigations.

For those who are what CNET calls “hard core,” there is Tor Project, which offers completely anonymous browsing over encrypted channels. This, CNET acknowledges, could be a little “overkill” for the average user but you won’t see any ads corresponding with your recent searches here.

Update: A Blaze reader called up another search engine that doesn’t record IP addresses: StartPage. There are many options out there and we can’t name them all, but this is a good start. Read more about StartPage in this Digital Trends review here.

This story has been updated since its original posting.

Comments (98)

1 2 3
  • LuvsYeshua
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:25pm

    For Safari on a Mac, the “Private Browsing” option doesn‘t mean it’s private from cookies, cache, or any imbedded website data. It simply means it doesn’t record browsing history for any other users of that computer to see.

    Report Post »  
  • KevINtampa
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:01pm

    For those who are what CNET calls “hard core,” there is Tor Project, which offers completely anonymous browsing over encrypted channels.

    NOT TRUE

    If you are connected to a node belonging to an intelligence agency, like DHS, you are not obscured. And there’s no way to tell if you are or not.

    Report Post »  
    • Wolf
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:19pm

      Not that it matters- you can pretend Uncle Shyt knows nothing about you, but he’s been tracking you from the moment your mother had her first PG checkup.

      Report Post »  
  • ICanComment
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:53pm

    For many sites it’s hard to get away with not using cookies, but you can set up Firefox or whatever browser you have to clear history on exit. You’ll still be tracked, just minimally. Stay in “private” browsing mode constantly to minimize history.

    Use Startpage as your search engine. It’s Google, but by proxy. That way, you get decent search results without having your life surreptitiously tracked.

    Better yet, use Tor – originally developed by the military, it routes your traffic all over the world so the website you’re visiting has no idea who you are. It also tunnels through most corporate firewalls. I just got a call from my bank today. They asked me if I was traveling abroad, and if it was indeed me who I had started a transfer — logged in from the Netherlands. I was using Tor via my Ironkey. (look it up) It’s not as hard as it sounds – it’s actually pretty straightforward to use.

    With the publicity surrounding the “Flame” Trojan horse, I’m strongly considering moving all of my browsing and important stuff to a Linux PC. I’ve been lazy about it – I should have done this years ago.

    Report Post »  
    • KevINtampa
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:08pm

      Kudos on Linux, make the leap, it’s worth it. But know this, the only truly secure code on Linux is the code you’ve validated yourself. Otherwise it might as well be a compiled OS like Windoze or crApple.

      All that said, I’m typing this from my Window7 boot partition at the moment. GBTV and my Fedora don’t get along. When can we move past the Flash framework? Incredible insecure ware that’s lousy at what it does anyways. Shheeesh.

      Report Post »  
    • Kankokage
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:27pm

      Flash is another one of those things that can compromise your security with Tor (hence why the TorBrowser blocks it). Those creeps at Adobe want to know every last bit of info on everyone utilizing their “free” product (a line from Mr Burns comes to mind – “the only collateral I require is your soul”). Same with Google no matter what precautions you take. Better to stick with a reputable and honorable search engine like duckduckgo or startpage – even when using Firefox.

      Report Post » Kankokage  
    • wdittgasn
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:05am

      Thanks KANKOKAGE I did not know these pages existed, every little bit helps.

      Report Post » wdittgasn  
    • dalek
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 4:05pm

      I been using Linux for years. I use Gentoo so I get the source code and compile my own, at least that way I know nothing got past the people writing the code. I have used Firefox and tor for some things as well and it is easy enough to use and disable when not needed. My bank don’t like it nor does facebook.

      Also, I use adblock. It disables about 95% or more of the ads. I also use startpage for searches but wish they had the shopping part like froogle.

      For those interested in Linux, Ubuntu flavors are real easy to install and work fairly well. If you want it to look and act a lot like windoze, try Kubuntu.

      I can honestly say I have never bought anything Microsoft. I’m 44 years old and proud to say that.

      Report Post »  
    • suffolkva
      Posted on June 23, 2012 at 1:43pm

      Problem is with duckduckgo, for example, it does not produce results as useful as those produced by google in many cases. This is not idle speculation, but a statement of fact based on actual usage of both search engines. Regardless of duckduckgo’s policies, google’s search results are superior in many cases. You can always use both.

      The best way to be as anonymous and untracked as is reasonably possible while maintaining the best of what is available on the net is to habitually and regularly use a combination of programs that work for you to clean your computer of the tracks that all uses of the web leave by their very nature. What works for me is a combination of Webroot’s anti-virus and security software and, just for good measure, the very good free program CCleaner. I also do a full scan using MS Security Essentials once a week or more.

      There ain’t no magic folks… it takes a little work. Good luck.

      Report Post »  
  • mbck1491
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:05pm

    The NRA has been trying to get in contact with me via phone calling almost everyday for a couple of weeks, I just never answered the phone, because I know they just want money. The other day at 9:00pm I opened up an email from the NRA, and not even three minutes later my phone rang and NRA showed up on caller id. I didn’t pick up the phone, but I immediately got on their web site and sent them quite a scathing email. I don’t think they will pull that stunt again. In my book that’s borderline harassment with the calling almost everyday and not leaving a message, I would even say that’s pretty darn close to cyber stalking since now they knew I was home and available. I’ve not cancelling my membership, but I will certainly be more careful when it comes to dealing with them.

    Report Post »  
    • TRUMPETCALL
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:43pm

      Same thing happened to me!

      Too creepy!!

      I called them – the NRA HQ, and told the person that I wanted the conversation to be recorded.

      After excusing the woman who took my call (not her fault, job to do, etc) I BLASTED them with a litany of facts relating to my Constitutional Second Amendment, and I didn’t appreciate being hounded like they were some Bill Collector, about me giving them MORE money to “fight ” for what is LEGALLY MINE to begin with!!

      I’ve been an NRA member since I was 12 years old, so STOP with asking me for MORE money – and DO YOUR JOB as a Lobbyist!

      But I never, and I mean NEVER, want to get another phone call from the NRA again!

      Do I make myself clear?

      I thought so.

      And I haven’t heard a peep.

      Report Post »  
    • jcldwl
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 5:19am

      Hmmm….I’ve been a member for sometime and never once have I received a call from the NRA. Just occaissional e-mail and snail mail. I must have done something right to not be bothered on the phone.

      Report Post » jcldwl  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 6:44pm

      Report them. Telemarketers are not supposed to be calling before 9 am or after 9 pm nor on the weekends. If they keep doing it, you can take them to court and be awarded somewhere around $1500. Make sure you keep records and have proof.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • CharlesMartel
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 8:47pm

      Are you sure it was really from the NRA and not some anti-gun group trying to get your money?

      When I get a call asking for money, my standard answer is:

      “We don’t give to telephone solicitations and if any group we do donate to calls and asks for money, we we delete them from our donation list.”

      I usually hang up before they have a chance to respond.

      Report Post » CharlesMartel  
    • mbck1491
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:38pm

      The NRA just did it to me again tonight. I just called them up and I am going through the process of cancelling them. I am going to have to search for another pro second amendment organization.

      Report Post »  
    • Smokey_Bojangles
      Posted on June 23, 2012 at 1:21pm

      I Kept Having the same problem.I Finally Dropped my NRA Membership.Must be what it is like to be in a public sector Union.I Would get three calls a week to get me to order a Wild Game Cook Book,and my phone message machine would be full of hang ups.I Do Not Hunt(Regulations and fees) and at the time I was a vegetarian.
      I Warned my Kid but he joined anyway.Now He keeps getting DVDs and stuff in the mail he has to pay for or send back.

      Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
    • primarybufferplate
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:44am

      MBCK1491 goto Gun Owners of America. not just better than the nra.

      Report Post »  
  • chazz47
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:40pm

    Thanks for the info. I’m not a techno-bug so I appreciate anything I can pick up to protect my self, not only from advertisers but from this ever expanding, intrusive big brother government and their lackey, Google. Again, thanks.

    Report Post »  
  • MAMMY_NUNN
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 7:53pm

    Use a live CD
    https://tails.boum.org/

    Report Post »  
  • garylee123
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 7:44pm

    I don’t know. I get about 150 Oblameo ads a day on AOL and I KNOW I don’t do any searches for him.

    Report Post »  
    • wdittgasn
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:01am

      I am not computer savvy at all, but I realized LONG AGO that AOL sucks and I try to have as little to do with it as possible.

      Report Post » wdittgasn  
  • TheSitRep
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 7:17pm

    I like regular cookies but I use an adblocking hosts file.

    Report Post » TheSitRep  
  • nocommie
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 6:48pm

    One way to combat this problem is for everyone search for random and unusual items as this will make their research useless and let them know that you are doing this.They wont know whats real and whats fake.I do this all the time.Just search for stupid things or very bad things or dirty things and do this every time that you turn on your computer,overload the system

    Report Post » nocommie  
    • scuba13
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 7:14pm

      I tried to search for stupid things but it keeps popping up with stuff about Encinom.

      Report Post » scuba13  
    • hi
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 7:50pm

      Scuba
      LOL!

      Report Post » hi  
    • wdittgasn
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:36am

      Scuba, Good one LOL, I was reading posts the other day and found posts from publiuspencilman to be exactly like encinom.

      Report Post » wdittgasn  
    • RedManBlueState
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 2:49pm

      I think you just invented something.

      A browser page that runs in the background Googling random words from the dictionary, don’t limit it to English words either.

      Report Post » RedManBlueState  
  • tharpdevenport
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 6:30pm

    Anybody who believes you can’t be tracked just from that, or that everything, down to the word and the computer, or flash drive used, can’t be traced, tracked, or data stored perminently in one of those nifty Despotic Data Centres, is folling themselves.

    Report Post » tharpdevenport  
    • wdittgasn
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:38am

      I wonder if some of these so called blockers are not actually the gubment themselves hooking you into an ever more easy way for them to spy on people. HMMMMM.

      Report Post » wdittgasn  
  • takurax
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 6:12pm

    peer block

    Report Post »  
  • dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:58pm

    Your IP is still tracked. Use tor when searching for canning or homebrew supplies so .gov won’t label you an extremist and raid your home.

    Report Post » dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot  
  • Gourdy
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:42pm

    It amazes me how much information people give up about themselves willingly online. If you use your Blaze screename, for example, on other sites (Facebook, twitter, Amazon, etc.) it’s pretty easy to get a lot of interesting information not only personal but political as well.

    Report Post » Gourdy  
  • peterpiper
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:35pm

    I have used anonymizer.com for years and generally very satisfied.. They use proxy servers

    Report Post » peterpiper  
  • affinity
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:29pm

    Before I use the internet I create a new restore point. I use http://duckduckgo.com/ and https://www.ixquick.com/ for searching. I clean my computer with CCleaner a free download at http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner each time I am done surfing the net. Also, I check for malware after each surfing session using Malwarebytes at http://www.malwarebytes.org/.

    Report Post »  
    • HowardSternIsABigot
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:21pm

      you probably wear a belt AND suspenders.

      Report Post »  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 4:28am

      Nothing wrong with a belt AND suspenders, Howard. Err on the side of safety.

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
    • Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 7:54am

      I use all of the Firefox plugins for this: AdBlock Plus, Request Policy, and Ghostery. I don’t use NoScript, but I know people who add that to their plugin stacks as well.

      Report Post » Lesbian Packing Hollow Points  
    • wdittgasn
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:52am

      I have been using CrapCleaner for a long time, I love it and recommend it. It is one way to clean unwanted crap from you pc, but unlike other cleaners it has never cleaned something that you do not want cleaned which will harm your system or make it unstable.

      Report Post » wdittgasn  
  • lylejk
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:16pm

    I use ixquick (https://www.ixquick.com) if I want to do sensitive searches, but my main defense from all cookies/tracking period is sandboxie virtualization inside a virtual machine. I frequently delete my sandboxie sessions and quite often recover my VM from a saved set point so neither cookies or supercookies with against me. That folks is how you browse securely on the web. :)

    Report Post » lylejk  
  • Mikev5
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:14pm

    First stop using Google for searches only use it when you need it.

    Second add security/privacy lists to internet explorer they can block many web ads from popping up or even showing on web pages and protect you.
    Look here http://windows.microsoft.com/is-IS/internet-explorer/products/ie-9/features/tracking-protection

    http://ie.microsoft.com/testdrive/Browser/TrackingProtectionLists/

    Report Post » Mikev5  
  • broker0101
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:39pm

    This must be welcome news to all you Closet-Porn-Addict Blazers. Oh, and you tinfoil hat types, too.

    Report Post » broker0101  
    • Kankokage
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:50pm

      I wonder if I took off my custom-built tinfoil hat I wouldn‘t be able to see the massive NSA data mining center they’re building out by Lehi, Utah. It is intended to track everything.

      http://www.torproject.org

      Go on and click the link, I know you’re thinking about it. And remember the line from Sneakers: SETEC ASTRONOMY

      Report Post » Kankokage  
    • blaaaaackwoman
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:41pm

      What is this closet porn that you speak of?

      Report Post »  
    • 4xeverything
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 6:09pm

      @BROKER0101

      So, you’re not a “Blazer”? With your online trading(?) name and your fancy schmancy fish picture and your constant comments. What would you call yourself?

      Report Post » 4xeverything  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:02pm

      That’s easy……….a “Flamer”

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • LLATPOH
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 9:16am

      Or just a moron. :)

      Report Post »  
    • BORNINTOAWORLDATWAR
      Posted on June 23, 2012 at 3:17am

      Hey Brokenback

      Glad to hear about your dear friend and mentor from Penn State.
      Hope the “boys” in the pen get to enjoy him, you too when you drop by to visit him.

      Report Post » BORNINTOAWORLDATWAR  
  • GoodStuff
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:34pm

    How about Startpage .com

    Report Post »  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 7:49pm

      ixquick is the same as startpage without google integration.

      Report Post »  
    • wdittgasn
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 11:21am

      I can’t seem to find out what the difference is between the two, ixquick vs startpage?

      Report Post » wdittgasn  
    • wdittgasn
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 2:17pm

      Iv’e figured it out…..Startpage uses Google results….. and…..ixquick uses results from a variety of search engines…. though they both are private with ip addresses not recorded.

      Report Post » wdittgasn  
  • theblazerunner
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:31pm

    make sure to get ghostery, use proxies, adblockers, script blockers if like…

    16 to 18 at theblaze…more than alot of pooorrn sites.

    Report Post » theblazerunner  
    • Rex Corvinus
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:50pm

      All good recommendations. Better recommendation, esp. for sensitive data transactions (banking, purchases, etc.) — Sandboxie. And definitely STOP using Google. They don’t just track your searches, they build a unique profile for you and use it to “bubble” you as well. Use ixquick.com or duckduckgo.com instead.

      The only thing more secure would be booting to a live CD (Linux, BSD, or whatever). Nothing written to disk, and the only local record (in the RAM) is wiped on reboot.

      That said, it is impossible to totally avoid being tracked online. What you CAN do is reduce significantly how easy it is for others — be they companies, governments, or individuals — to do so.

      Report Post »  
    • The_Pointy_End
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:26pm

      This site is far worse than most others.. with 20+tracking options it‘s obvious Glenn Beck talks a good talk but when it comes to making a buck doesn’t respect your privacy. He will point to others about privacy while his sites are rank with offenses.

      Those who point to Google or Facebook with privacy concerns though are just naive/ignorant. Your ISP and the telco’s make those site look like rank amateurs in terms of the ability to track and profile.

      Others have mentioned Ghostery.. http://www.ghostery.com/ install it and check the 3rd party tracking results on this page and on The Blaze yourself.

      Report Post » The_Pointy_End  
  • WhatsYerProblem
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:30pm

    Please stop pretending that this is what you use to keep your wife from finding out what you’ve been looking at on the internet. If you don’t want cookies saved on your computer, there are ways to do that. But Incognito or Private Browsing and the like… I’m telling you now, stay away from it. If any of you have teenagers, BELIEVE ME!!! Your kids are using this to hide the sites they’re going to

    Report Post » WhatsYerProblem  
  • Kankokage
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:06pm

    There is only one secure way: Tor. The downside is that you lose access to flash content when using it, but it is completely untrackable…when set up right >.>

    And seriously, what is with the Blaze and the cookie deluge here?

    Report Post » Kankokage  
    • wdittgasn
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 11:37am

      I have checked out Tor and it appears to be way too complicated for my lack of computer savvy.

      Report Post » wdittgasn  
  • damnedifwedont
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:44pm

    17 adtrackers blocked JUST ON THIS PAGE!

    Report Post »  
  • damnedifwedont
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:43pm

    I use Do Not Track and am constantly amazed at all the companies that WERE tracking me!

    Report Post »  
  • Coded-Dude
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:42pm

    and here I thought this was going to be a lesson in using proxies………

    Report Post » Coded-Dude  
    • Pontiac
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:30am

      Nah, they still want you tracked by your IP address. Don’t want to get too crazy with anonymity.

      Report Post » Pontiac  
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