1. Service Provider Account

Get an anonymous internet service provider account. (I would choose a smaller provider in favour of Optus and Big Pond, etc.) Do not use AOL as their software will make widespread changes to your computer. Hence, the class action lawsuit against them in the US.

1. Go into a computer shop, explain that you would like to buy internet block hours and that your fax is faulty, so can they please receive the fax from the provider with your connection details.





2. Give an alternate name, address and phone number - use your imagination.





3. Pay cash for say 25 hours. (Do not buy any more; it may not be a good provider).





4. Go back to the shop the next day to collect your fax with your user name and password and all the other details of the service provider. If you are happy with the service after the 25 hours is used pay for more hours but always with cash.





5. On your computer, left click on the "My Computer" icon, left click on "Networks", and left click on "Make new connection". Follow the instructions for setting up a new connection. Close all windows when you are finished.





6. On your computer, left click on the "My Computer" icon, left click on "Networks", and right click on the new network connection you just made. Left click on "Make short cut" and, when prompted, click "Make short cut on desktop?" Close any open windows and right click on the new icon on your Desktop and left click on "Make short cut". Left click and drag the icon next to the others near the "Start" button and drop it there.





7. Repeat F. for each network connection you have. You can now launch each individual provider by clicking on the designated icon. The more providers you have, the harder it is to keep tabs on what you do.

2. Use a Proxy Server

1. Using a proxy server makes it almost impossible for the sites you visit to spy on you - all they can see is the proxy, not you who are directing it. Start the Netscape browser. (See below why you should not use Internet Explorer). Click on "Edit", click on "Preferences", click on "Advanced" and click on "Proxies". In the window which pops up select: "Manual proxy configuration" and click on "View". The manual proxy window pops up if you have any information in the white fields. Make a note of it and delete it all. In the line next to http type: "proxymate.com" The port to use is "8000". Press "OK". Your local provider's log will show that you are going to only one place - proxymate. (Rumours at the time of writing is that proxymate has been sold to: www.navipath.com).





2. Start the browser. It will contact www.proxymate.com for the first time. Just follow the screen instructions; they are quite clear. You can now browse the net anonymously. (You don't have to use proxymate. You can use any proxy server. Just check at the various test sites, that your IP address is not contained in the information, and that you get reliable browsing).
   
   "So what is an IP address?", I hear you ask. That is your browser's address on the web. Almost all people in Australia use a Dial-up modem connection. This means that you get a new IP address every time you connect. That is very good from a privacy point of view as it is much harder for a hacker to locate you.
   
   (Imagine locating someone who moves to a new street number every night). To identify your IP address, go to Steve Gibson's web site www.grc.com/files/IP-Agent.exe and download his free IP identifier program. Download it to a place where you can locate it easily e.g. C:\Program Files. Then all you have to do in the future is to open Windows Explorer, click on Program Files and then on the red IP logo and your IP address is displayed in a small window.
   
   With the proxy server in place you are now ready to set up your anonymous email account.





3. Go to www.mail.com (or any other free email service with forwarding), and set up an account by following the screen instructions. When it comes to your personal details put in anything except the truth. You now have a (semi) anonymous email account. It will remain the same if you change your local service provider. You can get it to hold mail for you, so you can check in from any ISP (internet service provider) account you might have in any country around the world, (saving you an ISD call and protecting your privacy), or you can get the web account provider to forward it to your anonymous local provider account.





4. Change your address in your email account setup so that your email reads: From: XXX@mail.com and not from your actual service provider as everyone would keep answering you there.

   If you do not request it to be re-directed, then you have to go to the website e.g. www.mail.com to read and send your mail from there. It is in this instance that it is especially important to set up and access the account using a proxy.
   
   If you have your mail forwarded and sent from your normal email program, this change will stand up to a quick glance scrutiny, but if the investigator knows how to read email headers, your local account as the originator is there to be found e.g.: your.account@ozemail.com.au or your service provider's IP number. To get around this, set up a POP 3 Email account like www.crosswinds.net / www.softhome.net or for ultimate privacy use www.anonymizer.com