IP addresses are unique numerical addresses assigned to computers accessing the internet, which can be traced back to individuals. Websites track and log IP addresses for security, site improvement, and to monitor popular pages. Anonymous browsing can be achieved through proxy servers or web-based anonymous services, but caution is advised as some proxies may not be truly anonymous.
An Internet Protocol or IP address is a unique numerical address assigned to a computer when it accesses the Internet. The IP address can be traced back to a specific individual with the help of Internet Service Provider (ISP) records. Virtually every website on the World Wide Web (Web) will track and log IP addresses as visitors click through to pages on the site. Two main reasons for this are security and site improvement.
Each website is hosted on a server. When a visitor clicks through to a website, the user’s browser sends a request to the server for a web page at the location. The server returns the web page to the IP address upon request. The page is then loaded on the visitor’s computer screen.
If the server is bogged down with traffic (handling many requests at once), pages may load more slowly for visitors. If there is an overload of simultaneous requests, the server will “crash” or stop, leaving the site temporarily unavailable. This can be a form of attack, called a Denial Of Service (DoS) attack. If the attack comes from a network of infected computers called a botnet, this is called a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack.
A malicious hacker could infiltrate a web server in an attempt to obtain information from secure databases that contain customer data such as credit card numbers. So-called “script kiddies” may simply want to defame a site by uploading images or text to the website.
For these and other reasons, websites track and record IP addresses as a matter of course, storing the numerical addresses in server logs. Every request from the IP address is logged, along with a timestamp. Older data is regularly purged from logs to make room for newer data. The length of time a website keeps IP logs is variable, configured by the site administrator, and depends on many factors.
Websites also track and log IP addresses to know which pages are the most popular. The site can build on popular pages to increase site traffic. Monitoring IP addresses on the site can also reveal traffic leaks. For example, a page providing information about a product might have a link to a remote site with additional information. If the server logs reveal that a large amount of traffic is clicking on the other site, the admin can improve the page content or design to keep the traffic longer.
Website policies generally refer to IP addresses as “anonymous” data. However, with the help of computer cookies there are many ways for websites to link identities to IP addresses, even when the address is dynamic or changes with each web session. Many websites also contain “web bugs” or some pixel linked to an advertising company that can track and log IP addresses across the Web, from site to site, surreptitiously compiling detailed browsing profiles of individuals over a period of months or years.
A visitor does not have to register on a website to be tracked and profiled. Typically, all visits to a site are timestamped and recorded in a cookie, if cookies are enabled in your web browser. All pages and links visited within the site are commonly added to the cookie (in addition to the site logs). server). While server logs are deleted, cookies are usually retained. Deleting a cookie from a user’s computer does not remove the duplicate cookie on the Web server. On a subsequent visit to the site, the server could “recognise” the navigator from various system and software data that browsers usually transmit; even when the navigator is careful to allow only temporary cookies, or no cookies.
Because of these concerns, many savvy web users prefer to browse anonymously. In this case a proxy server stands between the surfer’s computer and the Web. All requests from the browser are sent to the proxy which forwards them to the Internet. Web servers return pages to the proxy’s IP address, logging its address instead. The proxy receives the page, forwards it to the surfer, acting as an intermediary. Web servers do not log your IP address (however, your proxy server will track and log IP addresses).
If you use a proxy service, it is important to know if it is truly anonymous. Some proxy servers forward the IP address of the requestor in their headers, defeating the purpose. Only anonymous proxy servers hide this information. Some proxies claim to be anonymous but are not, so a personal check using the available proxy tools is recommended. Using international proxies can also increase anonymity because the proxy logs will not be subject to the jurisdiction of the netizen’s home country. That said, proxy services are designed to help maintain freedom and privacy for legal activity, not to protect illegal activity.
The Firefox browser has an additional plug-in called FoxyProxy that allows users to maintain a list of proxies and easily switch between them to prevent records from accumulating on just one proxy server. You can also link proxies, putting two or three proxy servers in a chain, however, this slows down your browsing. Also, if one of the proxies fails, requests are lost. Also, there are various shareware programs for proxy browsing.
Web-based anonymous services allow visitors to browse the web through an onsite interface. Browsing from the site, the requested pages are displayed in a window. The only IP address revealed to the Internet is the website address. But again, the website itself will log and track the IP addresses of those who use its services.
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