Hiding IP address

[rpk2006]

I am using ZoneAlarm FREE edition firewall. Recently I ran a privacy test to test my system. The privacy test successfully detected what browser I am running and my IP address. The firewall did not alert either, however the test was not able to detect the host name.

How to protect these type of informations from being leaked? Should I use another firewall and set it to ask each time the communication occurs?

---------------------------------
Securing a computer system has traditionally been a battle of wits: the penetrator tries to find the holes, and the designer tries to close them. � M.Gosser

 

[vop]

That is the nature of the Internet. No firewall can block such information. By initiating any process from and to your computer, an IP address has to be exchanged as part of the information and connection process between machines.

Fortunately, you can proxy (to an untraceable anonymous agent) your IP address if so desired. The following tool and URL offers testing, expanations, and proxy server logistics:

Anonymity 4 Proxy (A4Proxy)- Web anonymizing software for surfing with privacy with free public proxy servers, fake IP address, hide IP address.

http://www.inetprivacy.com/a4proxy/

Rated 5 stars at

http://www.webattack.com

(now

http://www.snapfiles.com).

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/a4proxy.html

 

[rpk2006]

I visited the link, but it is not a FREEWARE. It asks to download the demo. Any other FREE alternative? Have you heard of JAP?

---------------------------------
Securing a computer system has traditionally been a battle of wits: the penetrator tries to find the holes, and the designer tries to close them. � M.Gosser

 

[rpk2006]

Please let me know any such tool but with no backdoor. Any trusted product?

 

[chiph]

When your browser makes it's connection to a web server, one of the things it automatically transmits is a series of variables which describe your browser, operating system, language preferences (in descending order), and so forth.

This other site (was it Steve Gibson's site at

http://www.grc.com?)

is doing nothing more that reporting back to you information you've already sent him. Not rocket science -- just the way the web works.

Chip H.


If you want to get the best response to a question, please check out FAQ222-2244 first

 

[vop]

Try this freeware alternative - rated 4 out of 5. Overall rank is fairly high (447 is the position of the program in the overall download statistics vs 1271 for A4P).

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/multiproxy.html

I have not personally pursued these tools but know of satisfied others who have used A4P. Some appear to have acquired a greater comfort zone as a result.

Others, like myself, do not feel the need for added complications and complexity especially where a router (and NAT gauntlet) is present and where widespread Port lockdowns are addressed. Would it not be more important to worry about what app might be trying to phone home (sw firewall) than who can see my dynamic (ever changing) NAT IP address.

Perhaps there are mechanisms to force IP lease renewal on a less than 24 hour basis.