Why does Google know my true IP address when using a proxy?

True anonymity is almost impossible. You'd have to get an untraceable/untraceable internet connection for one...

On the other hand, making google think you're someone else is quite easy.

If they can see your ip through a proxy, you're not using the right kind of proxy. It's transparent, or something is wrong with the way it's set up.

That's not the only thing you have to worry about.

Google will most likely track the following:
ip address
cookies
flash cookies (LSO files)

You'll need to delete all cookie trails and have a new ip in order to not be associated with the previous user. When registering for other things like google checkout and adsense, I believe they go as far as to track the MAC address of the computer. I don't believe they track the MAC for purposes of browsing or making a gmail account. However, that's sort of easy to get around as well.

Your ip address can be changed without a proxy by usually resetting your modem, or just getting an additional internet connection. Maybe using your phone as a modem, or getting dial up. Good and inexpensive proxies are about 2 dollars a piece per month, and can be reset once per month with a good provider. Don't use something like hide my ass ip... it's not worth the hassle.

Cookies can be deleted easily with mozilla... or you can use a program called ccleaner. It's free.

Flash cookies are deleted on the adobe website, or you can download a plugin for mozilla called better privacy. You'll want to make sure all cookies and cookie folders are deleted to remain unlinked to a previous user.


Google and youtube are also really good at tracking behavior.

Could you elaborate more on changing MAC address ?

JCena said:

Could you elaborate more on changing MAC address ?

Click to expand...

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=how+do+you+change+the+MAC+address

since there is questions being asked here.

I frequent Mcdonalds and use their free wifi, I notice they all seem to be using proxies and when I use a ip checker, I am shown in a different part of USA then I actually am.

Even google assumes the same, like when using yellowpages, or maps, google shows me as being in the wrong state.

So given that, just how hidden am I from the world?

I used to do GPT sites quite a bit, and the admins had to somehow allow me in as they knew I wasn't cheating, but shiftcode was constantly booting my ass.

I just read this whole thread. Sum it up for you. Google can track your proxy so don't bother, go to McDonalds and use their internet. Sounds correct?

Don't use chrome, firefox with foxyproxy and cookie cleaning always works on Google for me.

I heard that GoogleUpdate/Google Crhome allow them to know who's connecting regardless of the proxy. Check your process and use firefox (or better, use backtrack)

BIGBIGBIGMamas said:

Do proxies not work against Google's search engine?
I notice when I google a site like whatsmyipaddress after enabling a proxy Google's search engine detects my actual IP.

How is this possible? Makes me think proxies aren't effective with Youtube as well, seeing that they were purchased by Google.

Anyone have a a legit answer?

Thanks

Click to expand...

You need to a use a private proxy. One that hides uses it's own IP address and hides that fact that it's a proxy server. Most proxies by default send headers identifying you, and the fact that it itself is a proxy server.

Try one of these here, try searching for 'Private proxy' or 'uk proxy server' on Google. (Would post a link but i'm not allowed )

main reason is not clearing the cache folder and cookie
folder as the op said above

if you are using a high anonymity proxy you should clear your browser cache and cookies, a free tool that is doing this is called CCleaner ... I hope it helps

rockong said:

Try using HMA VPN - that'll mask you up real good. Or if you choose to go the proxy route, I'd definitely ensure that it is anonymous.

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Those work for me

One other solution is this: VPN + Highly anonymous proxy (L1) but you still must clean cookies/flash and disable java script. This solution is actually slow and painful.

I would recommend the following: Install any user-friendly VPS software on your PC such as vmware and install on a VPS 2nd windows which has flash/JS disabled and use L1 proxy.

Regardless of a solution things are getting harder than before in terms of anonymity.

Just in case for those who don't know about headers nor proxies anonymity levels:

What type of proxy is high anonymous, anonymous or transparent?

Level 1 L1 [High Anonymous]: A proxy that does not identify itself as a proxy to site or reveal your IP-address
Level 2 L2 [Anonymous]: Identifies itself as a proxy to site you visit but still hides your IP-address.
Level 3 L3 [Transparent]: These proxies are leaking your IP-address via proxy headers.

SOCKS 4, 5 and 4/5 proxies are always high anonymous.

Click to expand...

I have two laptops in the house, pretty similar, both win7.
With one i can't connect with a proxy to piratebay, i mean it's always shown my real IP ( they show you your ip, on your profile page)
The other one works perfectly, same proxy used on both laptops.

On my first laptop every proxy i use doesn't work, they always see my real IP.On the second laptop proxy works anytime.

General Lee said:

G00gle stole skyhook's technology so if you're using a wireless connection chances are they know it's you even if you have the best proxies on the planet. Look into it, its pretty interesting stuff..

Click to expand...

Thanks. A little more valuable answer than the rest here.

google will soon take over the world. xD

To clarify, Google may be using the following:

Non-Anonymous Proxy Headers (X-Forwarded-For, Via, etc) - these must be configured not to be sent on the proxy server, and can be checked using a number of online websites.

Cache and Cookies - These are little bits of data stored on your computer by the web browser on behalf of Google. Google may then be able to detect whether or not you are using a proxy by using this data.

Java Applets - As these are run on your local computer, they have the ability to access much more internal information than just a standard HTML page.

Google will not be using the following:
MAC Addresses
Voodoo

Make sure your proxy is not sending the revealing headers, clear your cache and cookies and don't launch any Java applets from Google - you should be safe!

As long as Google can't track the IP of link creators on blog posts, etc.

LXXIII said:

As long as Google can't track the IP of link creators on blog posts, etc.

Click to expand...

and add this was worth bumping a thread from 5 months ago

google is using flash cookies and java to detect your real ip ... you have to use a software like proxifier, or simply manually erase the .sol flash cookies ...

SPPChristian said:

simply manually erase the .sol flash cookies ...

Click to expand...

How to do that?