51 Free Tools to Stay Informed and Invisible on the Internet

If you value your rapidly disappearing privacy while surfing the Internet you need to know about these tools. Whether you want to protect yourself from snoopers, want to spy on those out to get you, or want to be able to track trends that you know will lead to something big, then these tools will help you get the job done. The best part about them is they are FREE!

Without a Trace

If you want to use the Internet without anyone knowing who you are or leave an untraceable phone number or email address, then these tools are for you.

• Big String. Big String offers self-destructing IMs and emails for those who don’t want any evidence of their online communications. Use with many popular IM clients.
• Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition. This free web browser leaves no personal information on your computer. Not only can you use this anywhere, but no one will know you were there.
• x Paranoia mod. This Firefox extension is great for those who want to leave nothing behind on the computer. With a couple of clicks you can clear all your Internet history, passwords, cookies, and cache.
• Bugmenot.com. If you’ve ever had to register with a site just to read an article or watch a video, then you will want this tool. Find login information for many websites that require registration and never have to give your information again.
• 10 Minute Mail. Use this tool to get an email address that is good for 10 minutes, then expires. This is a great way to register with sites that require an email validation or just to cover your tracks.
• inumbr. Get a disposable phone number that you can use to forward calls to any other phone in the U.S. No one will be able to trace you with this number.
• GrandCentral. Here’s another phone option when you don’t want to be traced by your number. Consolidate all your phones into one with this tool that gives you one voice mailbox and one number for all your phones.
• drop.io. Want to share a top-secret online file with someone and then have no sign of the evidence later? This is the tool for you. The file is deleted after 30 days.
• Fake Name Generator. If you need a name, address, email, or even a UPS tracking code, use this handy tool to generate any one of the necessary fakes.
• cl1p.net. Create a note or upload a photo that you can keep for yourself or share, then delete it when you are finished with absolutely no sign of what you had.

Browsing Security

If you want to browse the Internet in privacy, these tools will help you do just that. Use these to do the actual browsing or to check the security of your browsing privacy.

• Hide My Ass!. Hide your identity with this free tool. This proxy service will hide your IP address so no one will know you.
• Tor. Like getting secreted away, this free service allows you to hide your Internet identity with a “network of virtual tunnels.” Join journalists, government agencies, and more who use Tor for the ultimate in Internet privacy.
• Guardster. Another proxy service that hides your IP, this one is available in both free and for a fee versions. The free version does not work with encrypted SSL sites.
• Megaproxy. Paste the URL for whatever website you want to visit into this tool and you will have a completely private look at your target site. No registration or downloads needed to use this tool.
• Scandoo. Get real time protection when surfing the Internet with warnings about websites before you click on them. Based on ScanSafe technology, this home version is free.
• ShieldsUP!. Check out this tool to learn what information your browser is sending out. You can also test the effectiveness of your personal firewall when running ShieldsUP! testing.
• Privoxy. Privoxy is an open source non-caching web proxy with advanced filtering capabilities for enhancing privacy, modifying web page data and HTTP headers, controlling access, and removing ads and other obnoxious Internet junk.
• What Is My IP Address?. Use this tool to ensure your IP blocking software is working correctly and not revealing your true IP address.
• Clusty. Use this search engine when browsing. Clusty doesn’t save your information or track you at all when you use it.
• Scroogle. Try searching Google with this tool. Scroogle uses SSL to send your search terms to Google with encryption, then does the same when sending the results back to you.

Computer Security

Using the Internet is a huge open door for people to stick their nose in your business. Use these tools to slam that door tightly shut.

• Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware. This anti-malware software is one of the best tools available for removing crap from your computer. Best when used in conjunction with Ad-Aware to keep your PC 99.999% malware free.
• avast!. This free anti-virus software is one of the best available (for free or for a fee) at protecting your computer. This tool will alert you any time malware is detected and even checks incoming email. avast! also includes a boot-time scan option.
• Ad-Aware. The free version of this software does an excellent job of protecting your computer against spyware and adware. The paid version gives you real-time protection which is not available with the free one.
• Sandboxie. This free tool is great for both protecting your computer and getting rid of evidence. It works as a temporary storage area for information that would normally go to and from your hard drive. When you are finished in the “sandbox,” you can just clear it out.
• ThreatFire. Use this in conjunction with your anti-virus to fend off malware. ThreatFire detects malicious behavior such as capturing keystrokes and also serves to defend against zero-day threats.
• SnoopFree Privacy Shield. The ultimate free software for the ultra-cautious, this tool will detect any method of privacy invasion through your keyboard, screen, and open windows.
• Comodo Firewall. Keep out hackers with this free firewall. This program is one of the best when it comes to protecting your computer.
• WinPatrol. Protect your privacy and your computer with this free tool that works by alerting you to “hijackings, malware attacks and critical changes made to your computer without your permission.”
• AVG Free Anti-Virus. Get anti-virus and anti-spyware protection from this free software. This software also includes a scheduled scan option.
• TrueCrypt. This disk encryption software will keep nosey-parkers at bay. You can create a virtual encrypted disk, encrypt USB flash drives and hard drives, and more.
• Trustable Downloader. Download files from the Internet without worries of Trojans, worms, or viruses with this free application. As described, this tool will help guard you against government spying on its citizens.
• SiteAdvisor. This software alerts you before you visit a website that has spyware or harvests your information for spam. Use their color-coded system to alert you to the potential dangers of websites.
• Peer Guardian 2. This IP blocker is capable of blocking incoming and outgoing connections. You can also select to block spyware, adware, and educational and government ranges.
• GlowWorm FW Lite . Mac users can use this software to be informed when a program attempts to make an outgoing connection. Not only will this tool protect your information, it also guards against malware.

Laptop Tracking

If someone makes off with your laptop, know how to stop them with these tools.

• Adeona. If you want to guard against someone taking your laptop, check out this tool. This software continually tells you where your laptop is located without the interference of any third party to help you track and recover your computer.
• iAlertU. Another laptop protection and tracking device, this one specifically for Macs, this software is based off mouse and keyboard movement which sets off an alarm, takes a photo of the thief, and emails the photo to a specified email address.

Spying on Those Out to Get You

If you know someone is trying to get to you, then turn the tables on them with these tools that will help you get the dirt on them.

• GotVoice. Take advantage of the 14 day free trial to have your target’s voice mail sent directly to you. If you need more time, get another 14 day trial with different information.
• Decoding Social Security Numbers in One Step. You can’t get everything out of that magical number with this tool, but you can narrow down the state and year of issue with any social security number instantly.
• Keylogger. This free software allows you to log everything entered on the keyboard so you can track computer usage. Be sure to use the stealth mode so your target doesn’t know you are tracking him.
• Decode Your License. This article describes how you can get a driver’s license from any state and decode the barcode on it to receive personal information. You will need the Internet tool described in the article and a scanner.
• Webcam Spy. Use this software to spy on your target using a webcam. The software activates the webcam with a motion sensor for an auto on and off feature. Spying on your target isn’t the only use for this–you can also use it in your home to see who comes by when you are gone.

Maps for Monitoring Occurrences

Whether you are looking for evidence for your conspiracy theory or trying to put all the pieces together on a plot you know is about to be hatched, then these maps will help you get all the information you need.

• Global Incident Map. Find out where terrorism is occurring around the world with this mapping tool. You be able to find plenty of patterns to put together your own theories.
• HealthMap. This tool will keep you posted on health alerts. Find outbreaks by geographical location, disease, or chronological occurrence.
• Who is Sick?. This Google map-based tool shows symptoms for any geographical spot. You’ll be able to track any type of outbreaks with this tool.
• Incident1. Track police, fire, and emergency services on this map. You can also do a search by zip code or select a region within the states.
• Incidentlog. If you live in the northeast and couldn’t find anything on Incident1, try Incidentlog for more options. This map is populated from a different pool of data.
• Havaria Information Service Alert Map. Find everything from earthquakes to hazmat incidences to biological hazards on this world map. You can narrow the results by country if you don’t want to see the world view.
• GeoMAC Wildfire Information. This map shows where wildfires are currently burning throughout the United States or check out past wildfires since 2002.
• Piracy Attacks Maps. Pirates on the high seas are not a thing of the past. Use this map to track current piracy around the world.
• UNEP: Atlas of Our Changing Environment. Sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme, this map includes incidents that document environmental changes around the world. Click on each incident to see photos and read the story.
• Google Maps Mania. This unofficial site follows the incredible array of various interactive maps being used in conjunction with Google Maps. Find a map that tracks your favorite passion or create one of your own.