How to protect your identity and access the project anonymously

We understand that our project addresses highly sensitive and potentially stigmatized issues. That is why we provide a little guide on how to maintain your privacy when accessing our website, surveys and when communicating with us. Keep on mind, there is no 100% certainty, but these are ways to help get closer.

Private Browsing

Start by using your web browser’s private or incognito mode. For an even more secure browsing experience, consider using browsers that prioritize user privacy, like Mozilla Firefox or Brave. This section on Incognito Mode is taken from ProtonVPN’s Blog (https://protonvpn.com/blog/incognito-browsing-privacy/#what-does-Incognito-mode-do) as well as from our partners at the Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine.

If you surf the web Incognito, when you close all your private windows, your browser won’t save:

• The addresses (URLs) of the sites you’ve visited
• Your cookies, which contain personal information like login details and language preferences, and other temporary files
• Any information you’ve entered in online forms
• Any permissions you’ve given websites, for example, to use a camera for a video call

What Incognito mode doesn’t do

• Going Incognito prevents anyone else using your device from seeing your browsing history

But there are many other ways you can be tracked.

• Your internet service provider (ISP) can still see everything you do online.
• Websites can see your IP address (the unique address that identifies your device on the internet), which gives them an idea of your physical location.
• Your employer or school may see what you do online if they supplied your device or control the network you use.
• Any files you downloaded while Incognito will still be available in your Downloads folder or wherever you saved them.
• Any bookmarks you save will still appear in your Bookmarks or Favorites.

Different browsers have different methods to enable private or incognito mode:

Google Chrome: Press Ctrl+Shift+N

Mozilla Firefox: Press Ctrl+Shift+P

Safari: Press Command+Shift+N

Microsoft Edge: Press Ctrl+Shift+N

Brave Browser: Press Ctrl+Shift+N

How to use a VPN and the Tor Browser

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) or The Onion Router (Tor) can hide your IP address, making your online actions virtually untraceable. Here’s a comparison for some of these services:

Recomendable options are Tor Browser (https://www.torproject.org), MULLVAD VPN (https://mullvad.net), Express VPN (https://www.expressvpn.com), and Proton VPN (https://protonvpn.com/). The level of anonymity is generally high for all of them, they have DNS Leak Protection or it’s inherent due to the network design for the TOR Browser. They do not log any data, but differ in terms of speed and cost. While Tor Browser is free, but relatively slow due to the network design, it is still fast enough to use our services. All VPN Providers come with moderate to high speed and cost about 5 to 10 Euro per month.

If you are primarily concerned about anonymity and do not mind slower connection speeds, Tor is a great, free option. If you need a faster connection and are willing to pay for a premium service, we recommend ProtonVPN for its combination of security features and cost-effectiveness.

How to use a VPN

• Download and install the VPN application on your computer or mobile device.
• Open the VPN application and connect to a server. This can typically be done with a single click.

How to use the Tor Browser

• Visit the Tor Project’s official website (https://www.torproject.org/) and download the Tor Browser. It is available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, and Android.
• Open the Tor Browser and start browsing. Your connection to our website will be private and anonymized.
• How to get an anonymous email adress
• If you would like to provide an email address, consider creating a new one that does not include your name or any identifiable information. There is a great opportunity to communicate anonymously. Providers like ProtonMail (https://proton.me/mail) offer free, encrypted email services without the need to provide personal information.

Do not use providers such as Google or Microsoft for anonymous or confidential communication, as they automatically search for abuse-related content.

Reminder

Remember, the goal of these instructions is to enhance your privacy, but they can not offer complete anonymity. It is essential to remain mindful of what you share online and use these tools to add additional layers of privacy. Your comfort, privacy, and security are our top priorities. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact our team via email: VERANDA-Study@protonmail.com