Anyone who sends confidential data via chats or dubious websites must always be aware that it could be hacked or traced back to the sender.
But secured emails and online banking have also fallen into disrepute several times. And it's not just the data itself that is at risk, but also the sender and recipient. Unless they can remain anonymous. But how anonymous are you on the Internet?
What happens if you don't go unnoticed online?
The user, who is inexperienced on the Internet and checks news or checks the cinema program, is then transparent and easy to understand. Most sites require confirmation that cookies are allowed. approximate location can always be located using the IP address
There are also further details about the PC or laptop used, for example the access browser or data on the screen right up to the fonts used. Advertising providers use this data to identify the computer and thus also the owner or user. You can use the access data to determine where the user logs in from (on mobile devices), which pages they access and which apps they use.
Security gaps invite hackers to steal profiles.
Security gaps offer hackers enough attack surfaces to access data anywhere. Celebrities are usually popular, but also politicians, government bodies, banks and companies. But the sender can also be screened if he is not online incognito. And if the sender is no longer anonymous, their data can be used to create fake profiles and access their bank account - or worse.
How safe are you on the Internet and can it be avoided at all that an unauthorized third party obtains personal data? And what happens if the hacker can precisely trace the origin of the data? Can you be completely anonymous online?
That’s what the government does – security by law.
After all, the EU tightened existing data protection laws in 2016 in order to protect personal data, but also to create a level playing field between companies. Unfortunately, the protective measures provided are not as useful as hoped, as resourceful hackers are experts at discovering even the smallest gaps.
Nevertheless, data protection in the EU and also in Germany is at least improved if the user ensures that the server location of the service provider is in Germany. The new Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force in May 2018.
But the security authorities not only want to protect citizens, but also monitor them for security reasons. Therefore, in addition to the data protection law, there are also attempts to develop a well-functioning Trojan, the so-called state Trojan. He can access all data on computers and laptops before possible encryption. The user is no longer anonymous in front of such a program.
How do users try to hide their identity?
In social media and on various platforms, users register with nicknames or abbreviated names . also encrypt their emails with common programs and make sure to delete their browser history and cookies . Many people forego online banking and internet shops and do n't have Pay-Pal ... But these are only minimal options that don't do much good. Because hackers still find ways to find out everything they want to know - regardless of whether it is about trivial or highly explosive topics .
What are the hackers doing with the data?
This creates movement profiles that even enable a regular timetable. When is the user where? Is he active on social networks and which ones? This is determined using plugins. And then it happens at the latest: The user, who you know when and where he shops, suddenly has a face, a circle of friends and other usable data based on his Instagram or Facebook profile.
In the best case scenario, only individually tailored advertising be sent to the user. In the worst case, however, it becomes known how the user is politically involved, what they vote for, what religion they belong to or even more intimate data.
Does he have specific sexual preferences that can be determined in more detail based on the sites he visits? Does he search for different terms online because he may have certain illnesses? Such data not only leads to tailored advertising, but also to exposure, bullying or blackmail .

How can you counteract this?
Precisely because it is known that you are never really anonymous online, users are trying to counteract this. There are various apps that are used to block trackers. Special browsers should also block plug-ins and cookies so that no history can be created. Unfortunately, this doesn't help much because in this case the IP address is not hidden and you can still easily find out everything about the user using this IP.
For this reason, programs that start at this point and disguise the IP . VPN services (virtual private network services) are available for this purpose, which connect a server for a monthly fee. When the user surfs the Internet, the IP address of the intermediary server is visible on the pages selected, not that of the user. However, you should rely on reliable and reputable providers who keep user data secret and do not pass it on to authorities or sell it.
A third popular option is to use the Tor server , which connects several computers in series and thus obscures the IP multiple times. In addition, Tor changes the intermediary computers within its network every few minutes. This makes it considerably more difficult to identify the IP address and the user. However, it won't be completely impossible.
No one is truly anonymous on the internet.
If you really want to get certain data, you can always use security gaps. Mistakes also happen if you surf anonymously but are also logged into social media (where your IP address is not hidden). Or when you visit unencrypted pages or download documents that interact with the PC programs and the unencrypted IP address.
Anonymity on the Internet is therefore not 100% feasible , even if there are at least ways to offer hackers a smaller attack surface.
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1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

