Last week I wrote a post about how Facebook is following you, also when you visit other websites. But, is there a way in which you can surf online without letting the big giants really know who you are, where you are, and what you are doing? Is there a way for you to not give away your information when you surf the net?

![surf securely.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/unbiasedwriter/kSo0O3sC-surf20securely.jpg)

## I don't care, I don't give them any information now either!
Is that you? Well, maybe you haven't really given them any information, but, you have probably given them tons of information still. Do you know why? Facebook (and Google) is following you around the Internet. Do you have a Google account? Do you have a Facebook account? If your answer is yes, they already know something about your age, your origin, and so much more. If you have given Facebook even more information on your profile page, that is just so much more they know about you.

But, that isn't enough. When you visit a website with a Facebook button on, this is registered by Facebook. In other words, they know which websites you visit. And guess what, Google does as well (because you most likely search the net using Google). 

Have you ever wondered why ads show up on Facebook of products you just visited in a different online store? Because they collect data from websites you visit and use them for their ads. And stores purchase ads on Facebook to bombard you with ads of a product if you visit one of their websites. It is a win/win for the businesses and for Facebook... but maybe not for you!

Google is following you around in the same way, and they know about your interests, hobbies, questions, and more. So, after I searched for information about nail fungus, I keep seeing ugly nails with fungus on whenever I search Google... isn't that both creepy and disgusting? 

![nail fungus.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/unbiasedwriter/N52aYoMI-nail20fungus.jpg)
*Nail fungus - Source: Mayo Clinic*

*Unfortunately, I search for nail fungus in Google to find the picture above. Now I will be bombarded with even more nail fungus ads in the coming months... that is, if I don't follow my own advice.*

## How to become invisible to Google, Facebook, and other websites?

You don't have to delete your Google account or Facebook account, but it would for sure help. Or you can keep them, but not really use them. Or whenever you want to enjoy an Internet experience without being followed by those big companies, do as follows:

### Search the net using a secure browser
First of all, you should probably use a browser such as [Brave](https://brave.com/ipa935). This is a privacy browser that blocks cookies and information stored about you on many websites. Even so, it blocks ads, which makes your experience smoother. 

![brave browser.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/unbiasedwriter/QGdpoeMh-brave20browser.jpg)

### Use incognito mode/privacy mode
You can also use your existing browser, but use it in [privacy/incognito mode](https://www.ipaddressguide.org/how-to-surf-privately-in-chrome-firefox-edge-brave-and-opera/). If you do that, no information is stored about you in your browser, and you start surfing with a clean sheet. That is why you always need to log in to every website over again whenever you use privacy mode.

### Use a VPN
A VPN is a way of encrypting your data online and changing your IP address. If you do that, your search experience will be different, and your ISP and others will not know what you are doing online. As a result, you might see Google portraying completely different results because they believe you to be somewhere else. That might not be a good thing, but who said you have to use Google? You can read more about different [VPN providers here](https://www.ipaddressguide.org/vpn-reviews/).

### Skip Facebook and do not use Google
Why use the services of those giants? If you want to remain anonymous, search using Ecosia (if you want to search green) or use DuckDuckGo. These are way better browsers, and not at all storing that kind of information about you. As a result, you will see the actual search results you should see based on your search, and not what the search provider believes to be the best for you.

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These are just some pieces of advice for those who want to surf anonymously.

I know, many people don't really care if Facebook and Google know a lot about them. I don't really either (always), but still - it is a fake feeling to believe that you are using those services for free because Google and Facebook earn their money because you work for them for free. What do I mean?

It is like telling a boy to gather strawberries for you. He does it gladly and even gets to eat some strawberries. You take all the strawberries, sell them, and get rich. The little boy is doing the job, while you earn the money. 

We are giving Google and Facebook the strawberries (our data) and they make money because we work for them for free!