No Use for a Name: Torpark Makes Anonymous Surfing Possible
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by Ben Piper September 22, 2006 - 3:16pm, 1 Comment
Hacktivismo, a group concerned with computer security and human-rights, has released a Firefox-based browser designed to allow stealthy Web-perusal.
Torpark,
a new browser from Hacktivismo allows users to surf the web in public places with complete anonymity. Ported from Firefox, Torpark can be used in cybercafes and other public domains by running directly off of a USB drive. In order to maintain its invisibility, the browser connects to the TOR (The Onion Router) network, which rotates between a myriad of different IP addresses.
Hacktivismo explained in a statement:
Torpark causes the IP address seen by the Web site to change every few minutes, to frustrate eavesdropping and mask the requesting source.
For example, a user could be in a New York coffeeshop, but sites would record an IP address from a library in Sweden, or any of the other addresses belonging to the TOR network. The server connection can be changed at the click of a button, which is conveniently located in the browser window.
The only potential downfall of the browsing experience is a somewhat slower session than with an unmodified Firefox, testers report. An application called Torbid is also available, which taps into the TOR network for e-mail security purposes.
[via cnet]
Free anonymous web surfing sites allow you to bypass work filters by fetching the website’s data themselves, and then sending it back to you through the free anonymizer. These free anonymous surfing sites are powered by software that resides on the server. Not only do they allow you to circumvent filters put in place by network administrators, they also protect your online privacy by masking your IP Address, thus allowing you to surf the web anonymously. When you surf without a free anonymizer, your computer is exposed to all types of potentially harmful content (like viruses and spyware), and your personal information can easily be recorded by data trackers, effectively eliminating any privacy at work.
Mark Carter