The Fashionista’s Guide to IP Anonymizers
Writing by Green Guy on Wednesday, 19 of March , 2008 at 6:32 am
Fashionista drama means everyone can take hints from the goons and griefers
by Tenshi Vielle
When one is browsing the web and doing nefarious things, wouldn’t you just hate to leave a trail of IP address footprints that will show up if, say, you were dumb enough to post on a website as both your main and your alt account? Most websites instantly log IP addresses, leaving the next best thing to a unique ID with your comments - your IP footprints! Just changing your screen name isn’t enough to hide yourself.
Thinks about it. Wouldn’t it SUCK to finally have someone be able to identify your alts if you were faking an identity with a screen name? In an effort to reduce the drama in the SL fashion world, here is a protip: if you simply must attack other people with sockpuppets, use an IP Anonymizer. “But Tenshi,” you may ask, “How on earth does that work? I can barely work prims!”
Oh, dear, sweet reader. It’s really quite simple! IP anonymizers are all about bouncing through a proxy to hide your real IP. Downloadable programs are available to assist you in this process. You might say, “Uh, duh, I can do (insert task here), and have a new IP address.” Sure, but not quite - you need to have a really different IP address. If someone was interested in tracking you, the difference between 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.1.2 is only one number. You’re still not invisible. IP addresses are assigned by your internet service provider in easily guessed blocks. Even if you can force a change (i.e, restarting your modem) your address is probably similar enough and will resolve to a close enough location via a trace.
One solution: Tor ( http://www.torproject.org/ ). Available as free software through the 3-clause BSD license, the bundle also includes Vidalia and Privoxy, which are supporting applications distributed under the GNU GPL. I know, lots of acronyms. Get over it and get on with the downloading.
However, be aware that it doesn’t just work by installing it - you will have to tweak some programs. For instance, if you’re using Firefox to search the web, you will want to add the Torbutton ( https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/2275/ ) extension. Various browser plugins like Java and Flash can and more than likely will be manipulated to give information on your IP. You will have to disable those. You will also need to clear your cookies frequently - cookies will give over your IP and other information even if Tor is running.
Another solution: Secure Tunnel ( http://www.stayinvisible.com/cgi-bin/out.cgi?a=st ): Pay proxy server, useful for personal use. This is best for people who aren’t doing website development or any sort of mass form submissions. This gives enough privacy protection for most internet users - it will blind you to the sites you surf, including news, email and IRC and ICQ. (If you don’t know what those last two things are : Why are you reading this article?)
One last idea for you is Proxyway Pro ( http://www.stayinvisible.com/cgi-bin/out.cgi?a=pw ), a proxy surfing software which will work with anything from instant messengers to web browsers. It provides an extended proxy management system that enables you to search for proxies, analyze those proxies, and even create proxy chains. You can update your proxy list via an included scheduler. Proxyway Pro will also allow you to clear history, block ads and popups, and block harmful codes.
Thanks to these IP anonymizers, you can both run AND hide! Just watch out for more experienced government agencies - they’ll still get you if they need to. Now get out there and have fun with your sockpuppets - they help make the SL fashion world great!
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