Let’s face it—we live online. We work, shop, chat, bank, stream, and scroll our way through the day. And guess what? Everything you do leaves a digital trail. A very juicy one, if you’re a data broker or advertiser.

If the idea of companies (or nosy strangers) spying on your every click gives you the ick, you’re not alone. While complete online anonymity is tough, it is possible to make it really hard for anyone to track you. It just takes some effort—and a few tools and habits.

Here’s your ultimate guide to going stealth mode on the internet. 🚫👀

Quick Win: Use a VPN

If you’re looking for a fast way to cover your digital tracks, start with a VPN (Virtual Private Network). It won’t make you totally invisible, but it will:

  • Hide your IP address

  • Encrypt your internet activity

  • Block snoopers like your internet provider

It’s like putting on digital sunglasses. NordVPN and Surfshark are solid picks.

22 Ways to Go Full Ninja Online 🥷

Want the real deal? Here’s what to do to maximize your anonymity:

1. Use Encrypted Messaging Apps

Texting with your default SMS app? Not great. Try Signal—everything’s encrypted end-to-end and there are no ads or trackers. Nice.

2. Switch Your Browser

Google Chrome tracks everything. Instead, go for something like Tor for maximum anonymity. Combine it with a VPN for better coverage.

3. Change Your Email Provider

Gmail is easy, but it’s also a data goldmine for Google. Try ProtonMail. It’s encrypted, private, and based in Switzerland (aka outside the reach of U.S. surveillance programs).

4. Use a Throwaway Email

For signing up for stuff you don’t care about, use TempMail or something similar. Zero commitment. No spam.

5. Store Files Securely

Skip Google Drive. Use encrypted storage like Tresorit or ProtonDrive instead.

6. Don’t Overshare

Your address, phone number, or birthday? Keep that stuff off public profiles. Hackers love that kind of info.

7. Check Your App Permissions

Some apps don’t need access to your camera, mic, or location 24/7. Disable the stuff you don’t use.

8. Actually Read Privacy Policies (Sometimes)

Boring, yes. But some companies are super shady about selling your data.

9. Use Ad Blockers

AdBlock, uBlock Origin, and others can stop ads—and the creepy tracking that comes with them.

10. Ditch Voice Assistants

Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri—they’re handy, but they also record way more than you’d expect. Go manual when you can.

11. Avoid Social Media

Easier said than done, but social media is one big privacy leak. If you can’t quit entirely, at least lock down your profiles and be stingy with what you post.

12. Try a Proxy (Sometimes)

Proxies are a lightweight way to hide your IP address. They’re not as secure as VPNs, but good for one-off situations.

13. Only Visit HTTPS Websites

That little lock in the URL bar? It means your connection is encrypted. Avoid sites that still use plain old HTTP.

14. Disable Cookies

Cookies track your moves all over the web. Block third-party cookies in your browser settings and clear them regularly.

15. Stop Using Google for Everything

Search with DuckDuckGo or StartPage. Both keep your search history and identity private.

16. Use a Password Manager

Stop reusing passwords! Use something like 1Password or Bitwarden to generate and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts.

17. Use a Privacy-Friendly Operating System

If you’re serious about this, ditch Windows or macOS and try Linux, Tails, or Whonix. They’re designed with privacy in mind.

18. Go with Anonymous Cryptocurrency

Not all crypto is private. If you need real anonymity, check out Monero instead of Bitcoin.

19. Turn Off JavaScript

JavaScript makes websites interactive, but it can also be a security risk. Use extensions like NoScript to block it when you don’t need it.

20. Avoid Phishing & Spam

Don’t click on sketchy links or emails. If something smells fishy, it probably is.

21. Use a File Shredder

Deleting a file doesn’t mean it’s gone. Use apps like File Shredder to really wipe sensitive files for good.

22. Understand the Difference: Anonymity vs Privacy

Privacy = keeping your stuff to yourself.
Anonymity = hiding who you are.
Both matter. Sometimes you want one, sometimes the other.

What About Incognito Mode?

Sorry to break it to you: incognito mode is mostly useless. It hides your activity from others using your device, but not from your ISP, your employer, or any website you visit. It’s basically a privacy placebo.

Can You Really Be Anonymous Online?

Not 100%. There’s always some kind of trace, somewhere. But if you follow even a few of these steps, you’ll be way ahead of the average internet user—and much harder to track.

Why It Matters

Still wondering why you should bother? Here’s what can happen if you don’t care about privacy:

  • Identity theft: Your info gets stolen and used to open credit cards or take out loans in your name.

  • Data misuse: Tech giants collect a scary amount of data. Think: the Cambridge Analytica fiasco.

  • Creepy targeting: Ever feel like Instagram knows you want sushi tonight? It probably does.

TL;DR

Want to keep your digital life under wraps? It takes a combo of smart tools (like VPNs and encrypted email) and habits (like not oversharing). You don’t need to do all 22 things at once—just pick a few and build from there.

You’ve got this. 🕶️

2025 Onion Observer

Exploring the darknet. Onion Observer serves guides about privacy, security and cryptocoins and about the TOR network and how to access the hidden services. Sometimes we write about drugs and marketplaces too.