[Jeret]

This question is about privacy, anonymity and security when on the net.

I have installed the Vidalia bundle of TOR and Privoxy programs on my computer. The intent of those programs is to route your internet activity through several, often many servers, thus making it difficult to find the origination point.

However, on their webpage Tor: Download - there is a section that explains that it won’t protect your traffic if plugins, such as Java, Flash, ActiveX, RealPlayer, Quicktime or Adobe’s PDF are used. Since most people will have those plugins, I’m wondering why Tor is considered useful.

Prior to reading the above, I went to a site using Java and was surprised to see them displaying my IP address. If my IP address is known, my local area is known and it’s possible to get my name and street address from my ISP.

I reconfigured and went to the site What Is My IP Address? - Lookup IP, Hide IP, Change IP, Trace IP and more... - and, again, my IP address was displayed. But, a note said, (Now detects many proxy servers). If my IP address is shown, what’s the point of many proxy servers?

So, is there anything I can do to ensure my privacy?

[ScottGem]

Prior to reading the above, I went to a site using Java and was surprised to see them displaying my IP address. If my IP address is known, my local area is known and it’s possible to get my name and street address from my ISP.

That's not necessarily true. Knowing your IP leads someone to your ISP. But depending on your ISP, that doesn't pinpoint your location. For example, you could find out that I use Optimum Online as my ISP. But knowing that could mean I may be anywhere in the Greater NYC area. That could mean being in NYC, LI, NJ or CT. That's a pretty large area. My sig pinpoints me even closer. And to get my name and address from my ISP would require a court order.

So, is there anything I can do to ensure my privacy?

Why do you need to? Like I said, other then a general area, knowing your IP doesn't get one too far. So what are you doing that you need greater anonymity?

[Curlyben]

Prior to reading the above, I went to a site using Java and was surprised to see them displaying my IP address.

Well Tor answered that one for you

If my IP address is known, my local area is known and it's possible to get my name and street address from my ISP.

NOT without a court order they won't!

I reconfigured and went to the site What Is My IP Address? - Lookup IP, Hide IP, Change IP, Trace IP and more... - and, again, my IP address was displayed. But, a note said, (Now detects many proxy servers). If my IP address is shown, what's the point of many proxy servers?

Did you also disable ALL plug ins?

So, is there anything I can do to ensure my privacy?

The real question is WHY do you want to remain so anonymous on the net.
Do you use Webmail, e-mail, cell phone, ISP, etc, then you will NEVER have true privacy anyway.

It's not a case of hiding your location, but misdirection.
Do you use the same or similar ID's elsewhere ?
Think smarter ;)

[vingogly]

Ghostsurf will let you surf anonymously (you're essentially "hiding" behind their IP addresses) - you have to purchase the service yearly, and it only runs on Windows.