Privacy and personal security is not
sacrosanct in the online world. People cannot afford to take them for granted.
The prospects of phishing or cyber stalking are real and present dangers that
net users face on a daily basis and there are no automatic solutions available.
Everything that we do on the internet is a footprint that can be exploited by
the unscrupulous and it is therefore important to take precautions. The only
way to safeguard privacy is by taking measures to cover the online footprints. The
easiest and most convenient method for internet anonymity is using private
proxies for browsing.
When we use the internet to browse a site,
we are directly establishing a connection between our computer and the server
on which the site is hosted. This seemingly simple process belies the amount of
privacy that we forego. Now that server knows our geographic location through
our IP. It also knows what browser we use. By monitoring the browser, the
server is also able to know what kind of sites we browse and can even monitor
our private transactions (if it so chooses!).
It can spy on the number of times we login to the computer every day; it
can collate all of this information and use it to target us with ads or even
sell this information to another unscrupulous entity.
Internet users are virtually handing over
their online privacy to every site they visit and it is up to those sites to
maintain integrity. That is a scary situation because we do not have any
control over our own privacy. This situation can be easily offset by using
private proxies. When we use a proxy to browse a site, we are establishing an
indirect connection. The proxy server acts as an intermediary between our
computer and the site server. The site cannot actually see our details nor can
it leave cookies to track our logins. The proxy gives us the benefit of
anonymity and luxury of online safety.
When people start browsing anonymously,
they are also negating the malicious efforts of cyber stalkers. Cyber stalking
is on the rise and its repercussions are often traumatic (sometimes even
tragic). The internet has emerged as the biggest mode of personal interaction
(networking) for people. Facebook, Twitter, emails, etc, are a way of life for
us and stalkers spy on this exchange of private information. Social networking
sites are hotspots for online creeps and their primary method of stalking is by
tracing the IP of potential victims. Using a private proxy can completely
negate this method and coupled with proper social networking etiquette, online
stalking can be completely eradicated.
The word ‘proxy’ invokes a mixed response
with internet browsers. Many people think that there is no need to use a proxy,
unless some kind of ‘cloak and dagger’ stuff is involved. They will be
surprised to know that the reality is the exact opposite of what they think.
People who use proxies, do it to protect their privacy and safeguard their
personal information online. It is time to spread the word and make people
understand the real benefits of proxies and their usage.
