What is the best way to stay as anonymous as possible on the internet?

[Azorx]

Do you use a VPN, or is it better to set up your own private server in a random location and connect through that? I’m trying to understand how someone can hide their IP address and protect their identity online.

I want to have one dedicated computer used only for crypto-related activity, with the strongest possible privacy and anonymity setup. What would be the safest and most practical way to do that?

Also I know it has do to do with a lot more then just your IP. Internet anonymity depends on many factors including device fingerprinting, browser behavior, account history, payment trails, metadata, and operational mistakes.

If some people on this forum have any input i would gladly hear it.

[Aylanan]

If you’re building a dedicated rig for crypto, skip the standard VPNs, they’re still a central point of failure. The gold standard I’ve seen work is running Tails OS from a USB stick on a laptop with the battery and Wi-Fi card physically removed, using only an Ethernet connection through a Whonix gateway. Setting up your own VPS can actually backfire because the server is tied to your payment method, creating a paper trail. For the browser, stick to Tor, but never maximize the window or you’ll leak your screen resolution fingerprint. Honestly, the biggest hurdle isn't the IP; it's the "human" metadata, avoiding reuse of usernames and never logging into any personal accounts on that machine is where most people slip up.

[Azorx]

If you’re building a dedicated rig for crypto, skip the standard VPNs, they’re still a central point of failure. The gold standard I’ve seen work is running Tails OS from a USB stick on a laptop with the battery and Wi-Fi card physically removed, using only an Ethernet connection through a Whonix gateway. Setting up your own VPS can actually backfire because the server is tied to your payment method, creating a paper trail. For the browser, stick to Tor, but never maximize the window or you’ll leak your screen resolution fingerprint. Honestly, the biggest hurdle isn't the IP; it's the "human" metadata, avoiding reuse of usernames and never logging into any personal accounts on that machine is where most people slip up.

Great input, thank you so much.

Regarding the paper trail, would you recommend keeping the Wi-Fi card installed but only using the laptop on public Wi-Fi, so it cannot easily be connected to my identity? Or would using Ethernet still be the better option?

Also, if I may ask, what would be a good laptop for running Tails OS?

[debianbtc]

You can setup your own vpn on a vps you pay for with bitcoin.  You r in control of your anonymity, how linked your coins are to your identity will determine your payment anonymity.  @Aylanan is correct, most failures of op sec occur from "human" op sec error.   You can find vps providers who accept bitcoin:

Bitcoin Talk Services https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=52.0

and

https://lowendtalk.com/categories/offers


Do your own research.  Both in op sec and vps providers

Cross referencing Bitcoin Talk Service offers with lowendtalk offers may yield some useful providers

Good Luck

[Azorx]

You can setup your own vpn on a vps you pay for with bitcoin.  You r in control of your anonymity, how linked your coins are to your identity will determine your payment anonymity.  @Aylanan is correct, most failures of op sec occur from "human" op sec error.   You can find vps providers who accept bitcoin:

Bitcoin Talk Services https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=52.0

and

https://lowendtalk.com/categories/offers


Do your own research.  Both in op sec and vps providers

Cross referencing Bitcoin Talk Service offers with lowendtalk offers may yield some useful providers

Good Luck

Thank you, i will buy an new laptop for this, any recommendations?