How to Browse the Web Anonymously: Completely Free Tools

You’ve probably noticed ads that match your recent searches, making it feel like your internet history isn’t so private. Is someone tracking you online? The short answer is yes — many websites, advertisers, and even internet providers track your activity. According to a study, 38% of websites collect data without users' explicit consent¹, and 56% of websites are missing a reject button for cookies, making it difficult for users to opt out of tracking².

Another survey found that 57% of Americans are concerned about government tracking, 46% about companies tracking their data, and 34% fear online tracking in general³. But don’t worry — this guide will show you simple ways to browse anonymously, protect your identity, and keep your online habits private.

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10 Ways to Surf the Web Anonymously

If you’re ready to take control and keep your browsing genuinely private, these 10 effective methods will help you stay anonymous on the web.

1. Choose a Secure Browser

The average website has 48 trackers, with the number going up to 160 on social media sites⁴. Regular browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Edge are also built to track your activity for ads and analytics. This compromises your anonymity by logging your data and sometimes even handing it over to third parties like marketing companies.

Secure browsers are designed to block trackers, prevent browser fingerprinting, and avoid scripts that could leak your identity. There are several options, including DuckDuckGo, Tor, Firefox, and Brave. With these browsers, you can limit the amount of data websites collect.

How to Install DuckDuckGo on Your Device

Step 1. Open your browser, navigate to the DuckDuckGo download page, and click on the Download button.

The DuckDuckGo app is available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android

Step 2. After the download is finished, click on it to open the setup file. Proceed with the installation by clicking on the Install button.

DuckDuckGo can also be installed from the Microsoft Store

Step 3. With the installation done, you can start using the DuckDuckGo browser and surf the web privately.

Enjoy protection from trackers, cookies, and targeted ads

2. Change Your Search Engine

In a recent survey, 48% of Americans said they believe they have no control over who has access to their online searches⁵. Indeed, most popular search engines, like Google, track your search history and link it to your identity data, making it difficult to stay protected.

The good news is that switching to a privacy-focused search engine such as DuckDuckGo or Startpage means your search queries aren’t logged — and your IP address isn’t tracked. These search engines are designed to prioritize user privacy by not storing your search data and helping you browse anonymously.

Here’s how to change your default search engine:

Step 1. Open Settings on your browser and look for the Search Engine section (I’ve used Chrome). In Chrome, you can also open a new tab and search for chrome://settings/search.

You can also open Chrome settings from the 3 vertical dots

Step 2. Click on Change, select the search engine from the list, and tap the Set as default button. Chrome doesn’t let you add a search engine of your choice, so I recommend selecting DuckDuckGo.

Chrome only lets you choose from a set list of search engines

3. Try BugMeNot

When you’re required to create an account for websites, providing your personal details for logins exposes you to tracking and data collection. BugMeNot allows you to bypass the need to create accounts by offering shared login credentials.

This means you don’t have to use your actual email or personal information, so your identifiable data won’t be connected to your activity. Here’s how to use BugMeNot:

Step 1. Open BugMeNot on your browser and enter the URL into the search bar.

BugMeNot doesn't have credentials for every website, but it caters to most services

Step 2. Once you’re presented with the logins, copy the username and password and use the shared account to keep your information private on the website you’re visiting.

BugMeNot gives you a success rate in percentages, so you can see which logins work best

4. Get an Anonymous Email Account

Using your regular email to sign up for services or websites often leads to tracking and data collection. Anonymous email services allow you to create accounts without providing personal details. The best services also offer encryption for added privacy. That way, your email activity can’t be linked back to you either.

5. Use a Random MAC Address

When you connect to WiFi, especially in public places, your MAC address can be used to track your device. By randomizing your MAC address, you prevent networks from recognizing your device over multiple sessions. This keeps your identity hidden and prevents your movements from being tracked based on your device identifiers.

For PC (Windows)

Step 1. Press the Windows key to open Search. In the search bar provided, search for the WiFi settings and click on the first result.

You can also open Windows settings by pressing "Windows key" + "I"

Step 2. After the WiFi settings window is loaded, turn on the toggle next to Random hardware addresses to use a random MAC address.

Turning on the toggle enables MAC randomization

For Mobile Platforms

Both Android and iPhone offer MAC address randomization to enhance user privacy. iOS randomizes MAC addresses by default, but you’ll need to manually enable it on Android. Here’s how:

1. Open Settings, go to WiFi, and tap the gear icon next to the connected network.
2. Select Advanced or View more.
3. Set the MAC address type to Randomized MAC.

MAC randomization isn't enabled by default on Android

6. Prevent WebGL Fingerprinting

WebGL fingerprinting is a more subtle tracking technique that identifies your device based on its graphics hardware. Websites use this method to create a "fingerprint" of your device, even if you’re using a VPN.

Turning off WebGL in your browser settings or using privacy-focused browsers like Tor addresses the issue by blocking this type of tracking, ensuring your device can’t be uniquely identified. Secure browsers like DuckDuckGo, Brave, or Tor come with WebGL disabled by default.

You can also use specific WebGL spoofers like WebGL Fingerprint Defender to report a fake value instead of your device data. But most of these tools can be a bit wonky, so it’s usually easier to use a secure browser instead.

7. Opt Out of Targeted Ads

Targeted ads collect data on your browsing habits, creating a profile that can track you across the web. By opting out of targeted ads, you can minimize data collection.

Turn Off Targeted Ads for Microsoft (Windows)

Step 1. Press the Windows key to open Search. In the search bar provided, type Privacy Settings and click on the first result.

This is where you'll find the option to toggle personalized ads

Step 2. In the privacy settings, turn off the toggle next to Let apps show me personalized ads based on my advertising ID.

Just note that this only stops tracking for your Windows advertising ID, not for third-party sites or services

Turn Off Google Targeted Ads

1. For PC (browser). Open Google Ad Center on your browser and sign in with your credentials. Click on Personalized Ads in the top right corner and tap on Turn off in the tab that appears.

You can also turn off location tracking for added privacy

2. For Android/iPhone. Go to Settings and search for Ads in the search box provided. Tap on Ads > Ads privacy > Ad topics, and turn off the toggle for Allow ad topics.

Turning off ad topics blocks personalised ads

Turn Off Apple Targeted Ads

1. For macOS. Click on the Apple menu from the desktop and then System Settings. After the settings are loaded, click Privacy & Security and then turn off the toggle next to Personalized ads.

This prevents Apple from using your MacBook data to determine which ads you see

2. For iPhone/iPad. Open Settings and tap on Privacy and Security. Now, scroll down, tap on Apple Advertising, and turn off the toggle for Personalised Ads.

Improve privacy by disabling personalised ads on your iOS device

8. Set Up an I2P

For those looking for a higher level of anonymity, I2P (Invisible Internet Project) is a great option. I2P is a privacy-focused, peer-to-peer network that enables anonymous communication and browsing. It hides your online activity by sending your traffic through several layers of encryption and routing it through different nodes, making it extremely difficult for anyone to track who you are or what you’re doing.

There are limitations, though. You can’t use I2P to access the regular internet anonymously — only sites that are already on the network (eepsites). To access regular websites, you would need an outproxy, but this compromises anonymity. I2P can also be slow because of the amount of encryption and rerouting. For the everyday user, a VPN is probably an easier and more practical solution.

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9. Use Anonymous Crypto Payments

When making online purchases with traditional payment methods, your identity is linked to each transaction, leaving a trace that can compromise your anonymity. Third parties can use this information or even leak it in data breaches, exposing personal details.

Anonymous cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Monero allow you to make purchases without revealing personal details. For more information, check out our detailed guide on using anonymous payment methods.

10. Install Secure Browser Extensions

Browser extensions like uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, and HTTPS Everywhere can further enhance your security by blocking ads, trackers, and malicious scripts. Here’s how to install secure browser extensions in Chrome:

Step 1. Open the Chrome Web Store Extension page and search for the secure browser extension you want to use. For example, I chose uBlock Origin.

You can also download the extension from uBlock Origin's official page

Step 2. Click on the extension from the results. Once loaded, tap Add to Chrome to install it.

You can also install the extension using its setup file

How Does Web Tracking Work?

Every time you visit a website, bits of data about your activity can be collected, and this is known as web tracking. Web tracking is often used for things like personalized ads or improving user experience. However, there are also unethical practices where this data is sold or misused without your knowledge, putting your privacy at risk.

Web tracking works through different methods like cookies, small pieces of data stored on your device by a website to remember information about you. There are also more advanced techniques, like tracking pixels, scripts, and browser fingerprinting, which uses unique characteristics of your device and browser settings to identify you and track your movements across the internet. Your search engine history can be tracked too.

By taking steps to minimize the data being collected, you can reduce your digital footprint and stay more anonymous online.

What’s the Difference Between Privacy and Anonymity?

Privacy and anonymity are often confused, but they aren't the same thing, and understanding the difference is crucial for protecting your online presence.

Privacy is about controlling what information you share and with whom. When you browse the web with privacy in mind, you’re focused on limiting who has access to your personal data, like your browsing history or location. You still have an identity online, but what you do with it is kept hidden.

Anonymity means hiding your identity entirely. When you're anonymous online, nobody knows who you are, and your online actions don’t include personal information. With this, you can browse without leaving any trace that could be used to identify you.

Both are important, but if you want to avoid any form of tracking or identification, aiming for anonymity will offer you the highest level of protection.

How Do I Check if I’m Anonymous Online?

After implementing the recommended methods to stay anonymous online, you might be wondering if you’ve truly achieved anonymity. It's important to understand that, even with various tools and techniques, certain factors could still expose your identity.

Here are some online tools that can help you check your current status and improve your privacy:

1. IP and DNS Leak Tests

Your IP address is essential for websites to determine your location and identity, but a VPN is designed to hide it by giving you a different IP. Likewise, VPN encryption hides your DNS requests from your ISP. However, not all VPNs are up to scratch. Sometimes your real IP or DNS requests can leak from a VPN tunnel, revealing your personal data.

To test for leaks, use an IP address test tool. These tools scan for exposed IP or DNS information. If your real IP or your ISP’s DNS server shows up in the results, your VPN isn’t working correctly — meaning you're not fully anonymous.

2. WebRTC Leak Test

WebRTC is used by browsers for real-time communication, but it can expose your real IP address even when you're using a VPN. A WebRTC leak leaves you vulnerable to tracking.

You can test your connection with our WebRTC & IP Address Leak Test Tool. If your real IP is shown in the results, WebRTC is leaking information. To fix this, disable WebRTC in your browser settings or use a VPN that blocks WebRTC automatically.

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3. Browser Fingerprinting

Browser fingerprinting uses unique elements of your browser, like fonts, plugins, and screen resolution, to create a profile that tracks you across different sites. This method can be used to identify you, even if you’re using a VPN.

Check your fingerprint using amiunique.org or panopticlick.eff.org. These sites show how trackable your browser is. If your browser has a highly unique fingerprint, you're easier to track. To reduce your fingerprint, use privacy-focused browsers like Tor or tweak your browser settings to be less distinctive.

4. Email Tracking Tests

Email trackers are invisible tools that monitor when and where you open an email. Tools like Ugly Email or PixelBlock detect and block these trackers, alerting you if your email activity is being monitored.

If these tools flag any trackers, your emails are being watched. To further protect your privacy, consider using a disposable email address for services or subscriptions you don't fully trust.

5. Cookie and Cache Checks

Cookies track your online activity across websites, often without your knowledge. To prevent this, clear cookies regularly or use tools like Cookie AutoDelete.

Privacy browsers like DuckDuckGo and Tor block tracking cookies automatically. You can also try enabling stricter privacy settings or using incognito mode to minimize cookie tracking further.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Top Tips to Stay Anonymous Online

Even if the above tests show that you’re relatively anonymous, small mistakes can still compromise your privacy. Here’s how to avoid them:

• Stay logged out of your accounts. Forgetting to log out of your accounts can make tracking easier across multiple websites. Always log out, especially on shared or public devices.
• Don’t use the same password across multiple sites. This might seem convenient, but if one account is compromised, all your accounts could be at risk. Use a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords.
• Clear browser cookies. Websites often track you using cookies. Regularly clearing your cookies or using incognito mode can help reduce tracking.
• Use two-factor authentication. Even if your VPN and browser are secure, accounts can still be hacked. To add an extra layer of protection, always enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on accounts when possible.
• Don’t use public WiFi without protection. Public WiFi networks are notoriously insecure. Always use a VPN when connecting to public WiFi to prevent potential attackers from accessing your data.
• Regularly update your device and software. Failing to update your browser, operating system, or security tools can expose you to vulnerabilities. Regular updates often include security patches that help protect your data.

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

FAQs on How to Browse the Web Anonymously

Is Incognito mode anonymous?

No, Incognito mode isn’t fully anonymous. It only hides your browsing history from others who use the same device, but websites, advertisers, or your ISP can still track your activity. It's better to use a secure browser to stay anonymous.

Is there a completely anonymous browser?

No, there isn’t a browser that offers complete anonymity. While secure browsers can provide strong privacy features, it’s best to use them with other privacy tools that help keep you anonymous online.

Can I use a free VPN to stay anonymous online?

Relying on a free VPN isn’t ideal. Free VPNs often have limitations such as data caps, slower speeds, and weaker privacy policies. At worst, they can log your online activity or sell your data to third parties. For better security and anonymity, it’s recommended to use premium VPNs with trustworthy money-back guarantees.

Conclusion

Achieving full anonymity online isn’t easy, but it’s definitely possible with the right approach. My advice? Use a secure browser, pair it with a VPN, and make privacy-focused habits part of your daily routine to minimize your digital footprint.

References

1. https://www.equancy.fr/en/news/insight/38-of-websites-collect-data-without-consent
2. https://www.uva.nl/en/shared-content/faculteiten/en/faculteit-der-rechtsgeleerdheid/news/2024/03/control-your-cookies.html
3. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1412577/us-consumer-concerns-tracking-user-data/
4. https://www.sitepronews.com/2022/12/29/research-websites-have-48-trackers-on-average/#:~:text=The%20newest%20research%20by%20cybersecurity,an%20average%20of%2028%20trackers
5. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2019/11/15/americans-and-privacy-concerned-confused-and-feeling-lack-of-control-over-their-personal-information/