The odds of being targeted by hackers or scammers online depend on various factors, such as the type of data you are transmitting, the type of websites you visit, and the security measures you take to protect yourself. 

However, the best way to protect yourself from online theft is to stay anonymous and keep your online activities private. Taking the necessary steps to ensure anonymity can significantly reduce your risk of being targeted by malicious actors.

By staying anonymous, you can be sure you are not leaving behind a digital footprint that can be exploited. Furthermore, staying anonymous can help you avoid being targeted by malicious actors, such as hackers and scammers.

10 Steps to Increase your Anonymity and Protect Your Privacy Online.

Here are ten steps that you can take to increase your anonymity and protect your privacy online:

1. Use a non-commercial (private) virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection and hide your IP address. Public VPNs can be dangerous, so be careful. Here’s my VPN cheat sheet from a couple of years ago https://craigpeterson.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/24-VPN-Cybersecurity-Cheat-Sheet-v0.6.pdf
2. Use the Tor network, which routes your internet traffic through multiple layers of encryption and randomly selected servers, making it difficult to trace your online activities.
3. Use a browser with built-in privacy features like the Tor or Brave browser.
4. Use a search engine that doesn’t track your searches, such as DuckDuckGo.
5. Use a secure messaging app that offers end-to-end encryption. I prefer Signal (business) and iMessage (for every day.)
6. Be mindful of the personal information you share online and limit the amount of personal information you share on social media or other websites.
7. Be cautious when clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown or untrusted sources.
8. Use privacy settings on social media to control who can see your posts and personal information.
9. Be aware of your device’s cookies and location tracking settings.
10. Avoid using your personal email address or phone number when signing up for online services or accounts.

It’s important to remember that even with these steps, it’s nearly impossible to be completely anonymous online. Many organizations, governments, and hackers have advanced tools to track online activities. Additionally, certain activities, such as illegal activities, can increase the risk of being discovered.

The Tor Browser

The Tor Browser is a free and open-source web browser based on Mozilla Firefox that allows users to browse the web anonymously using the Tor network. It routes user traffic through the Tor network, a volunteer-run server network that anonymizes user data and makes it challenging to trace user activity. This provides a high level of privacy and security, as well as access to websites, services, and networks that are otherwise blocked or not accessible. The Tor Browser also includes additional security features, such as a script blocker, an anti-fingerprinting system, and support for HTTPS Everywhere.

The Onion Network

When using the Tor Browser, users can access websites only available through the Onion Network, designed to provide anonymity, privacy, and security. The Onion Network, more commonly known as Tor, is a free and open-source network and browser that provides users with anonymous communication and browsing services. It was initially developed in the mid-1990s by the United States Navy to protect government communications with dissidents and operatives in other countries. Since then, Tor has become a widely used online anonymity tool, with millions of users worldwide. 

The Tor network is based on the concept of onion routing, an encryption method that allows users to remain anonymous while using the internet. It passes data through several servers, each encrypting it before sending it to the next server. By the time the data reaches its destination, it is encrypted and untraceable, making it impossible for anyone to track the source of the data. The Tor browser is a web browser that is specifically designed for use with the Tor network. It is based on the Mozilla Firefox browser and has been modified to use the Tor network. In addition, the browser includes several additional features, such as built-in security and privacy settings, designed to make it easier for users to remain anonymous while browsing the web.

The Tor browser also includes a variety of add-ons and plugins that can further enhance the user’s privacy and security. Overall, the Tor network and browser provide users with a secure and anonymous way to browse the web and communicate with other users without fear of being tracked or monitored. It benefits people concerned about privacy or who want to access websites blocked in their country.

Tor’s Risks

The Onion Network, like any other internet-based service, has some potential risks associated with it. The most common risk associated with using the Onion Network is that your data is sent and received over the network and can be monitored and tracked by malicious actors. 

Malicious actors can exploit the network by setting up malicious Tor nodes that intercept traffic and steal data. Other potential risks associated with using the Onion Network include the possibility of spreading malware and viruses through the network, which can cause damage to users’ systems. 

It is also important to note that there are no guarantees that the websites visited through Tor are secure, as they may be spoofed or otherwise malicious. 

As always, it is essential to remember that Tor is not a substitute for using strong passwords and other security measures, as it can only provide anonymity and not security.