I'm really interested in browsing the web without sending any data back to websites. I just want a computer that can pull information from the internet without giving anything away, like my location or interests. I've heard that computers typically have to send information to access data, but I feel like a device like this would be super popular if it existed. Can someone clarify if it's seriously possible to create such a setup, or am I imagining something that's unrealistic?
3 Answers
Unfortunately, what you're asking for isn't really feasible. The way the internet is structured requires that when your computer wants to pull data, it first sends out a request. This request includes your IP address and other identifiers. Without sending this information, you wouldn't be able to load a webpage or get any data at all. It's the way the web works!
What you want is not entirely impossible; you just need to think about it differently. For full anonymity, look into using Tor, which lets you browse without revealing much about your identity. But remember, every device still has to communicate over the web in some way!
You can't build a computer that doesn't send info at all because internet protocols require back-and-forth communication. But, if privacy is your main concern, consider using a VPN and a privacy-focused browser like Brave. This doesn't stop you from sending info, but it hides your identity and keeps your browsing history private, which can reduce targeted ads.
That sounds like a much better approach! Plus, using browser add-ons like ad blockers can also help minimize the tracking you're worried about.
Exactly! Even if you want to just view a page, your browser sends requests for each element, like images and scripts, or else they wouldn't load. It's a two-way communication process.