Internet privacy and anonymity

Web browsers now allow « private » browsing, by leaving no activity traces on the computer. And anonymizing websites mask the user’s identity, but beware!

While browsing the Internet, the user leaves a number of traces behind and is most probably not fully aware of this fact. Two types of personal information are involved : data that remains on the computer when web pages are viewed or when information is entered; and data provided to websites by the browser, such as the computer’s IP address or the pages the user previously viewed. All this information aims at improving the user’s experience, with a history of visited pages, suggestions when filling in forms, or personalization of web pages.

:: The web browser keeps storing data

To improve the user’s experience, the web browser stores a large amount of information : it builds a browsing history, keeps download paths of saved files, and can memorize data entered in search fields or forms, or passwords ; the web browser also stores temporary files to improve performance, and cookies to allow websites to recognize returning users – this will allow the user to find items placed in his cart but not purchased, when returning to a website for instance.
If, for whatever reason, the Internet user wants to avoid his every move from being recorded, it can be done: private browsing leaves no trace on the computer once the browsing session is closed. This option is now available with the main web browsers.

:: Web browsers include a “private” browsing option

Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.0 includes an option called InPrivate Browsing, which can be found in the Security tab. In Google Chrome, the Incognito mode is available in the tools menu. Mozilla Firefox will include private browsing starting with its 3.5 release (currently still in Beta). Private browsing is already available for Firefox through add-ons, and has been an option on Macs for some time, with the Safari browser. Google Chrome’s Incognito mode and Internet Explorer’s InPrivate Browsing open a new window, which allows to switch between private and standard modes. However Firefox 3.5 will close all active tabs when initiating the private mode, and will allow to restore them once the user reverts to standard mode.

:: Beware anonymous browsing

Anonymous browsing is completely different. The idea behind anonymous browsing is to hide the Internet user’s identity from websites he is visiting. The web browser has the ability to forward various information. In addition to the user’s IP address, it can mention where the user is coming from, in other words the webpage he was browsing previously, or the software he is using.

To counter this, some websites provide anonymous proxy services: the proxy website acts as a middle man between the user and the websites he is visiting, by connecting to the websites and relaying web pages to the user. Potential associated risks are pretty obvious. How can one be sure that the website, which has visibility over all communications, is legitimate and has ethical boundaries? Not to mention the possibility it is hosting malware that could spread to the user’s computer. Whatever the Internet user’s motivation for considering using anonymous proxy services, he must be fully aware of these potential security risks, and only proceed if ready to deal with those risks.

Annabelle BOUARD for BNP Paribas