dev-ops-and-chill

Creating an Anonymous Internet Identity

Introduction

In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step process to create a 100% anonymous internet identity. This guide is ideal for anyone who wants to protect their privacy online, whether you’re looking to engage in anonymous browsing, secure communication, or even operate under a pseudonym for content creation.

Why Create an Anonymous Identity?

In today’s world, protecting your identity from surveillance and data mining is crucial to maintaining privacy online.

Step 1: Choose Your Anonymity Tools

To build an anonymous identity, you’ll need a few essential tools. These include email, VPNs, phone numbers, and secure browsing methods.

  1. Secure Email: Use ProtonMail for anonymous email communication. This service does not require personal information to sign up.
    • How to set up ProtonMail: Follow the ProtonMail sign-up guide.
    • Enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) for additional security.
  2. VPN (Virtual Private Network): Use a VPN like ProtonVPN or WireGuard to mask your IP address and secure your online activities.
    • How to set up ProtonVPN: Follow the ProtonVPN setup guide.
  3. Burner Phone Numbers: Use services like Hushed or Burner to acquire temporary, untraceable phone numbers for SMS verification.
    • How to set up Hushed: Go to Hushed.com to get a temporary number.
  4. Anonymous Browsing: Use TOR Browser for private web browsing.
    • How to install TOR: Follow the TOR installation guide.
    • TOR Browser routes your internet traffic through multiple relays to anonymize your IP address, making it one of the most effective tools for secure browsing.

Step 2: Set Up Your Anonymity Stack

Now, let’s combine all the tools to create your anonymous identity:

  1. ProtonMail Setup:
    • Register for ProtonMail without using any personal information.
    • Use ProtonVPN and ensure your internet connection is routed through a secure country.
    • Set up a Hushed or Burner number for phone verification during registration.
  2. TOR Browsing:
    • Install TOR Browser and ensure it’s configured to prevent any leaks of your identity.
    • While Brave with TOR mode can offer privacy, it may not be as fully anonymous as using the standalone TOR Browser. Always prefer TOR for complete anonymity.
  3. Create a Disposable Online Presence:
    • Create pseudonymous accounts on social media platforms or forums with no identifiable information.
    • Use username generators to ensure your pseudonym cannot be traced back to you.

Step 3: Secure Your Identity

After setting up your tools, follow these steps to further ensure your privacy and security:

  1. Use Strong Passwords: Use a password manager like Bitwarden to generate and store complex passwords.
  2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Always enable 2FA on your email, VPN, and other services.
  3. Be Careful of Public Wi-Fi: Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks without a VPN, as they can expose your data.
    • VPNs also help protect your data from Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks that can happen on public Wi-Fi networks.

Step 4: Maintain Your Anonymity

Maintaining your anonymous identity requires vigilance:

  1. Do Not Link Your Anonymous Identity to Personal Information: Avoid linking your anonymous email, phone number, or social media accounts to your real identity.
  2. Be Mindful of Metadata: When sharing files or documents, ensure they don’t contain personal metadata (e.g., EXIF data in images).
    • Use tools like ExifTool to remove metadata from images or documents before sharing them online.
  3. Use Disposable Credit Cards: When making purchases, use prepaid cards or virtual credit cards.

Conclusion

With these steps, you can create a truly anonymous online identity. By following the guide and staying mindful of privacy risks, you’ll protect your personal information from unwanted exposure and maintain control over your digital footprint. Remember, maintaining an anonymous identity requires constant vigilance. Stay updated on privacy tools and best practices to ensure your digital footprint remains secure.