Proxies, VPN, VPS, TOR, Being 100% Anonymous

So I'm new here.. Figured this place would be one of the best places to post this. I'm trying to determine how to be 100% anonymous on the internet. Untraceable. Anything and everything I do cannot and will not be traced back to me through the uses of proxies, VPN's, VPS's, TOR, etc.

Currently I'm on a VPN from private internet access.

It's cheap and decent. However, I want to go another step further. I'm looking for suggestions and the knowledge of all you smart people here in this wonderful community to help and point me in the right direction.

Would this work?:
Connect to VPN on home computer > Connect to VPS while on VPN at home computer > Install and run different VPN with proxies while on VPS > Constantly clear cookies when logging in and out of sites.
Is this achieving 100% pure anonymity?!?

First mistake is using a VPN company (PIA) based in the United States. Make sure to disable javascript and any other scripting. Running TAILS operating system is smart. Those are some tips to help protect your privacy.

But, that seems like a solid setup.. Another route some people go is to buy the VPS server with bitcoin, but make sure the bitcoins aren't link to you. Like, don't buy them from Coinbase or Circle and expect to have your privacy regarding where you spend your coins.

PS: My post is for educational purposes only.

Of course. We're all trying to learn more about everything! Can you recommend a decent non-US based VPN service that would accept bitcoin?

jakobe said:

Of course. We're all trying to learn more about everything! Can you recommend a decent non-US based VPN service that would accept bitcoin?

Click to expand...

I have heard https://airvpn.org/aboutus/ is good

I'm not an expert but this is the way I see it.

TLDR: From a purely technical standpoint that setup should be reasonably resilient to low level law enforcement and comparable adversaries, but there is a long list of other things that could be your downfall.

100% anonymity is impossible and I'd bet vital organs on that claim. I'm not trying to split hairs I'm just saying that you have to ask yourself who is my adversary and what resources can they use against me? Hiding your identity from Google requires different tactics then hiding your identity from the FBI. The key to good operational security (OPSEC aka staying free) is knowing your enemy. Obviously I'm not asking you to post details (the less I know the better I sleep at night) but these are questions you need to ask before you move forward.

The big key when using VPN/VPS is making sure that the billing can not come back to you. Look at the recent drug market busts: the guy running SR2 got popped because he used a personal email address to register the host. It's easy to point and laugh but these kinds of mistakes are simple to make and more common then people like to think. You have to analyze your adversaries, understand their capabilities, and come up with a concise list of things you have to get right or you are screwed. Also remember that law enforcement can and will work your contacts and try to inject agents into whatever you are doing. Going back to SR2 the Feds had informants working inside the market that were a major factor in pulling off the bust. OPSEC is hard and no amount of technomancy is going to change that.

Finally, global adversaries like the NSA (they work directly with FBI/DEA/ETC) and GCHQ are basically insurmountable. You can keep ahead of them for a while but have an exit strategy and know you are on a ticking clock to get to a safe country (like Snowden did).

Whatever you are up to good luck. PS: This post is for causing chaos and other forms of misanthropy only.

Ahhh.. Great post. Thank you for shining your viewpoint and knowledge into this thread. I'm sure some chaos will ensue.. maybe.

But if you rethink the original question and change the question .. there are so many ways of staying "relatively" anonymous

I enjoyed foundme's post... BUT... I'll clarify...I'm not looking to beat out the FBI/DEA/NSA and remain anonymous from them. No plans for any exit strategy.. yet
My reason for asking this question is to gain some knowledge of good techniques to hide and mask my IP, identity and location at a level that most individuals, groups or websites won't be able to trace. Achieving safe and private internet usage is something I want to accomplish. And I know using just a VPN isn't the ticket.

Patel said:

Another route some people go is to buy the VPS server with bitcoin, but make sure the bitcoins aren't link to you. Like, don't buy them from Coinbase or Circle and expect to have your privacy regarding where you spend your coins.

Click to expand...

Going back to this..

How would you protect yourself from showing your location when connecting to the VPS server? I'm sure companies have logs showing IP's/connections to their servers. Would using a VPN while connecting to a VPS be good?

Yes, VPN to connect to VPS would be good

Thank you for the reply Patel. One final question, can you recommend a good windows VPS provider that accepts bitcoin?
I'm looking at liberty vps.. they are off shore, accept btc, and have windows os installed and fully managed. but they are kind of expensive.

Yes, I recommend:

www.vpswindows.biz, contact apignard
www.hostamus.com, contact hellomotow07

They are both BHW members. There are lots of others, but I'd pick one of these two if you want to keep business local in the forum.

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Comparison_of_VPS_providers Has a good chart here.

(1) Clearing cookies won't keep you safe. There are other ways to track users like LSOs.

(2) VPN logs can be subpoenaed or secured through less legal means. If anonymity is your primary concern, you are better off using TOR, but be advised that in certain countries, using a certain protocol (e.g. TOR) will in itself arouse the suspicion of local authorities.

(3) If we want to maximize anonymity, access the internet at public WiFi hotspots with little to no video surveillance and through an 802.11 adapter with a masked MAC address. However, public WiFi hotspots offer little protection from eavesdroppers, so be sure to throw in an extra layer of encryption or two.

What about masking useragents?

-Patel
Thank you. I've browsed their sites before and have sent them a few inquires about their services. You've been a great help Patel


-Masterptc
I haven't really considered this since I'd be mainly operating on a VPS + VPN's. I think it'd be a good additional level of security though. Thank you.

Do you really really want to be anonymous? Then take out an hour. Make some coffee. And read this carefully?

Great thread and great read. Thank you for sharing!