WEB SURFING ANONYMIZERS

In the last two weeks I received several emails regarding web surfing anonymizers. These critters are portals through which you surf. They are reputed to prevent the sites you visit from identifying your personal computer.

In the words of one of the more prominent anonymizers, here’s what they claim:

“The software is called GhostSurf Pro. It is designed to protect your personal information from ISPs, websites, other users of your computer, and malicious “spyware” software both while you browse and when you are off line. GhostSurf addresses each potential source of online privacy abuse. By routing your information through anonymous proxy servers or hubs around the world, GhostSurf makes it impossible for websites to see who you are or from where you come, allowing you to surf anonymously. GhostSurf blocks personal information from being sent by your web browser, lets you see everything that is sent and manage the cookies on your PC. GhostSurf’s SpySweep rids your computer of snooping spyware applications, and its GhostWipe feature removes information about your preferences that could be seen by other users of your computer. GhostSurf also allows you to send anonymous e-mail.”

But are these claims true? The first clue that the anonymizer is not all it claims is its add-on application SpySweep. If GhostSurf “makes it impossible for websites to see who you are or from where you come..” then how is it that you need SpySweep?

I searched a few forums for discussions of GhostSurf and anonymizers in general. I only came up with a few discussions. This indicates that anonymizing web surfing is not a hot topic.

What follows is a typical discussion:

I wouldn’t suggest you follow the links. You’ll be way over your head with people who don’t like intruders.

As you can see, anonymizers are not held in high regard. If someone is really out to get you, the anonymizers won’t help. They will stop some random intrusions. But Webroot’s Spy Sweeper that I recommended a couple weeks ago should get rid of them.

GhostSurf’s SpySweep probably is not as good and is redundant. If you run it and Webroot’s Spy Sweeper both at the same time (which is the default of both applications) they may interfere with one another and cause crashes. They certainly will slow down your computer with no benefit to you.

Nevertheless if you wish to use a web surfing anonymizer, GhostSurf is as good as any. I say this not having had the time to thoroughly test and compare between several alternatives.

GhostSurf’s link is http://www.tenebril.com

Download the trial version. If you are using Webroot’s Spy Sweeper, in your installation options for GhostSurf, choose not to run SpySweep on startup. If you are not using Spy Sweeper, install using the default options. SpySweep will run at all times, hunting for intruders that get through (ahem!).

Next week we’ll look into basic cryptology applications to keep your important emails private.

Dennis Turner