Is there an anonymous proxy that works faster than Tor? I don't need the
elborate multiple servers scheme used by Tor. Just enough to prevent search
engines from collecting my search history.

Is there something free and is constantly on -- does not require going to a
web site to enter a new URL?

I tried anonimyzer.com. It seems to fit my need, just not free. Although the
fee is not high in exchange for peace of mind, I don't want to pay for it
only to find out later that something free works just as well.

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peter wrote:

> Is there an anonymous proxy that works faster than Tor?

No. Anonymous proxies are very few and very far between. There's Tor,
and there's Tor. 

> I don't need
> the elborate multiple servers scheme used by Tor. Just enough to
> prevent search engines from collecting my search history.

Then you don't need an anonymous proxy. In fact an anonymous proxy
itself won't help you because you can still be tracked, albeit as an
anonymous entity. Your habits, patterns, and collation with other
activity is exposed even though it's not attributable to a known person.

If you want to prevent search engines from "collecting your history"
don't use search engines. If you want that information kept private
then use a reputable proxy like Cotse and take care of your house
cleaning (cookies, temp files, etc.). If you want to be anonymous use
Tor. If you want to be private and anonymous use Tor, a good proxy, and
judicious house cleaning.

Don't waste time on so called "open proxies". They are with very few
exceptions honey pots or broken servers who will eventually want to
know whose using their network resources. Either way you're going to be
tracked.

Pay a little bit of money for a reliable, reputable privacy service
like Cotse, and configure your software properly. Stay away from any
service that claims to make you anonymous, it can't be done using a
single server setup (or multiple servers except under very special
circumstances).

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On Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:59:52 +0000, peter wrote:

> I tried anonimyzer.com. It seems to fit my need, just not free. Although
> the fee is not high in exchange for peace of mind, I don't want to pay
> for it only to find out later that something free works just as well.

Have you tried using SwitchProxy addon for Firefox and just finding your
own set of proxies. Superscan, which used to be available from Cotse.com,
can be used to find  and test proxies. That way you get fresh proxies that
few other people are using, so they tend to be pretty fast, or at least
that was the case when I used to do it. I ought to stop posting her cos my
info could well be out of date.

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Nodice wrote:

> On Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:59:52 +0000, peter wrote:
> 
>
> Have you tried using SwitchProxy addon for Firefox and just finding
> your own set of proxies.

Crap! You'd be using "open proxies", most of which are compromised or
misconfigured machines. If there's not someone sitting there watching
and logging everything you do, there's going to be an angry admin
sitting there watching and logging everything you do after they
discover the unauthorized traffic.

You think the recent buzz about Tor nodes being evil is something to
consider? HA! If you knew what I know about some "open proxy" operators
you'd soil yourself. ;-)

> Superscan, which used to be available from
> Cotse.com, can be used to find  and test proxies. That way you get
> fresh proxies that few other people are using, so they tend to be
> pretty fast, or at least that was the case when I used to do it. I
> ought to stop posting her cos my info could well be out of date.

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