Certain circumstances on the Internet require special attention to protecting your privacy. By creating a fictitious identity, you can avoid many unpleasant experiences on the web. In this article, we'll show you how to surf discreetly while protecting your sensitive information.
Protecting your personal space on the Internet is a real challenge. The web is full of all kinds of threats, forcing Internet users to remain constantly vigilant. Most people use an antivirus on their PC, for example, but this type of solution doesn't solve all the problems.
More and more users are now turning to VPNs, which add an extra layer of security. It's an essential tool for those who want to remain anonymous while protecting their personal data. But you can go even further by creating an alternative identity.
Hide your IP address
The first step to protecting your identity online is to change your IP address. It's a unique identifier that can easily be traced back to a user. With your IP address, your ISP can track your online activities. It can also transmit sensitive information to law enforcement or institutions as part of a judicial investigation, for example.
By using a VPN, you can avoid this traceability. This type of application allows you to replace your real IP address with a substitute address. The websites and web services you interact with therefore do not see your real IP address. Moreover, thanks to the encryption of all your traffic, your data remains secure. Neither your ISP, hackers, nor surveillance agencies can see what you do on the internet.
However, it is essential to choose a reliable VPN. Many solutions, especially free ones, do not offer all the necessary security guarantees. So opt for a quality VPN, especially a No Log VPN like Surfshark, which has a strict privacy policy.
How to create an alternative identity?
Changing your IP address is essential to remain anonymous, but you can go even further by adopting a fictitious identity. You can, for example, create alternative email addresses, with a random first and last name.
It is preferable to use such addresses in many scenarios. For example, when you register on websites that you are not very familiar with. This is often the case when you want to test an online service, register on a forum, or participate in a survey, among other examples.
More than just a VPN, Surfshark also offers a feature called Alternative ID. As its name suggests, it allows you to create an alternative identity by generating a substitute email address, with a randomly chosen first and last name.
How it works:
- The Alternative ID feature is integrated into all Surfshark VPN subscriptions. So you need an account.
- Open the Surfshark app
- In the left menu, go to Alternative ID
- Then click on the Create
- Surfshark will open a new page in your browser.
- First, you will need to create your Alt Persona, that is, your fictitious identity (name, first names, age, gender, and address). You can enter the information manually or generate it automatically (randomly). We recommend choosing the random mode. Then click on Create an Alt Persona.
- The next step is to create your fictitious email address. You can keep the automatically generated address, then click on Continue.
- Next, enter a real email address to which your messages will be automatically forwarded. This will never be accessible to the sites on which you use your fictitious address. Then click on the Create an Alt email button.
- Surfshark will send you an email to your real address. Return to the web page and enter the code received to confirm the connection.
So, these are the steps to follow to create a fictitious identity using Surfshark. You can now use your alternative email address, as well as all the information linked to it (first name, last name, address, etc.).
The other good news is that this information can be saved on your browser. You can enter it in one click in forms on the Internet. As a reminder, Alternative ID is included in all Surfshark plans, available from €1.99 per month.
Create an alternative phone number
Surfshark also allows you to generate an alternative phone number. Just like the substitute email address, you can use this number on the internet instead of your real phone number. This will allow you to receive text messages or calls.
This is a very interesting feature for those who want to avoid cold calling or spam text messages. For the moment, only US numbers are assigned by Surfshark. And unlike Alternative ID, the Alternative Number feature is paid. You will therefore need to purchase a plan.
Full features of Surfshark VPN.
This article is a sponsored post brought to you by Surfshark
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