Protect Your Identity While Surfing the Web

Douglass Doggett, Sr.

Your personal information is extremely important. Everyone takes steps to keep their credit card information, address, and phone number safe, but there’s one piece of information you may not even know you need to keep safe – your IP address. Your IP address is your computers numeric address on the Internet. As you send and receive data,other computers use your IP address as the location that the data comes from, and goes to. Unfortunately, if someone who is up to no good gets a hold of your IP address, they can use it to push data to your computer, or intercept the traffic coming from it.

Fortunately, there are a couple of things you can do to keep your IP address safe from prying eyes.

Proxy Servers

A proxy server is a server that just relays all of the data coming to and from your computer. To the rest of the Internet, the proxy appears to be sending and receiving the data, but in actuality, your computer is handling all of that work. If someones trying to break into y our computer, using a proxy server can be a great way to keep them out.  Every web browser on the market today provides built in functionality for using a proxy server. All you have to do is enter the information your proxy provides you with into the proper section in your browser’s settings, and your IP will be effectively masked.

Onion Routing

If someone is really dedicated to getting into your computer, they will find their way past a proxy server. If you’re concerned about having a deeper level of protection, you can set up onion routing on your computer. Onion routing combines advanced encryption technology with a series of proxy servers to keep your computer safe from intruders. Setting up onion routing is fairly simple. You’ll have to install, and configure a piece of onion routing software, and then set up all of your software to use the proxy provided by the onion routing service, but once it’s all set up, your data will be secure, and your IP will be safe.

Your online security is important. Don’t take it for granted that you’re browsing the Internet safely. If you’re concerned with keeping your computer, and your personal information safe on the Internet, consider using a proxy service, or onion routing.

Douglass M. Doggett, Sr. is a principal at Manufacturers Technology Outlet and has over 39 years experience in the computer technology industry.  The firm is an authorized HP and Lenovo partner for new and manufacturer refurbished products.  We focus on helping business and education users throughout the country gain value and save money.  You can visit our website www.mantecho.com for free resources and great deals on computer products for your home, school, or office.  Feel free to read our other articles and leave comments on any of them at www.mantecho.com/blog.