Anonymous Freebies

The Web is one place where it actually may be a good idea to be paranoid, because "they" may really be watching you. Many people surf around unaware that they might be leaving a trail of information about themselves scattered across the Net. Most folks are also unaware of how vulnerable their E-mails are to snoops and hackers.
Every time you visit a site, it's possible that you're leaving a trail of personal data. When you surf the Web, send E-mail or post to newsgroups, be sure to protect your privacy

MailWasher
This handy freeware E-mail management program lets you fight back against spammers and E-mail viruses and helps protect your privacy. MailWasher lets you check and manage your E-mails before you download them. You can also use it to bounce E-mails back to spammers, so that it looks as though your E-mail address is no longer valid. (For Windows).

NowMyMail
Here's a free, easy-to-use service that lets you instantly create disposable E-mail addresses. These are useful for protecting your privacy and avoiding spammers when you're filling out online forms. The service is available in English and Spanish.

SpamBlade.com
This is a helpful new free service that protects your E-mail from spammers. SpamBlade.com offers a state-of-the-art real-time filtering engine that blocks spam and viruses before they arrive at your E-mail server. The service is easy to use and is customizable.

AplusProxy.com
This easy-to-use free service lets you surf the Web anonymously by letting you select PHP and CGI proxy addresses that hide your IP address and protect your privacy. You can also use this service to bypass any filters placed on your Web connection by your school or company.

< SuperPrivacyGuard.com
Worried about your privacy on the Web? You can protect your privacy online with this free service that lets you surf the Web anonymously. This speedy proxy site lets you bypass firewalls and hides your IP address (your computer's unique identification code).

SpamBog.com
Are you reluctant to enter your E-mail address in an online form, for fear of being spammed? This free service lets you sign up for a temporary disposable E-mail address that you can use to protect your online privacy and avoid spammers.

TemporaryInBox.com
At this site, you can get a free, temporary disposable E-mail address that you can use to avoid spammers and protect your privacy. It's a helpful service to use when you're reluctant to use your primary E-mail address when you're filling out online forms.

ProxyDom
This free proxy service protects your privacy and lets you surf the Web anonymously. ProxyDom masks your IP address and removes ads from Web sites you visit. The service also lets you access blocked Web sites.

Protect Web Form
This easy-to-use free service offers you protection against Web form spam (using CAPTCHA images that foil spam bots). The service also offers protection again E-mail spam (using images and JavaScript).

Ghostphrase
Worried that someone is monitoring your E-mail? Here's a free program that encrypts your data, which you can send as an E-mail attachment using any E-mail client. Note: your recipient will also need a copy of Ghostphrase to decrypt your message. Ghostphrase employs three passwords, as well as a mouse-clicked keyboard (which makes it impossible for others to log your keystrokes). (For Windows).

< SpySurfing
This is a handy free service that lets you surf the Web anonymously through a proxy server. SpySurfing also lets you bypass filters and helps you steer clear of spyware.

< myTrashMail.com
This free service offers temporary, disposable E-mail accounts that you can use to protect your privacy and also reduce the spam you receive. It's a handy service to use when you're reluctant to use your main, primary E-mail address when you're prompted to enter an E-mail address online.

Eraser
Are you worried about prying eyes browsing through sensitive content on your hard drive? (Even if you delete such data, it can be easily recovered by an experienced user). Eraser, an excellent free program, offers an advanced security tool, which allows you to remove private data from your hard drive by overwriting it several times with "carefully selected patterns." (For Windows).

ProxyLord
This free anonymous proxy service lets you protect your privacy when you're online. ProxyLord allows you to surf anonymously and masks your IP address. The service also lets you access blocked Web sites and removes ads from sites.

PC Security Test
How secure is your computer? This freeware program checks your computer's security against viruses, spyware and hackers and grades the effectiveness of your protection software (including anti-virus programs, spyware scanners, and firewalls). (For Windows).