Part 2 – Identifying Data and Preserving Anonymity

Step 2: In the previous part of the session, you discussed the different kinds of Online data traces that could potentially identify somebody. Now, you will highlight one that is especially relevant to an Online context – the IP address:

•What is an IP address? Explain to participants what it is, its purpose, and how in an Online context it can be an especially crucial piece of information (especially when attempting to navigate anonymously in Online spaces);
•To demonstrate some of the anonymity implications of IP addresses to the group, have them use a website like https://whatismyipaddress.com/ to find out their individual IP addresses, and how they reveal other kinds of potentially sensitive or identifying information.

Step 3: Now, you will present the following tools to participants and explain how each is important to preserving anonymity Online – note that each one provides anonymity in a different way or to a different level:

•Tor Browser: https://www.torproject.org/download/download-easy.html.en
•Virtual Private Network (VPN): https://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_private_network
•Tails (The Amnesiac Incognito Live System): https://tails.boum.org/
•HTTPS Everywhere: https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere

It is important to explain some of the key practices to consider to use each of the above tools safely, and to allow enough time for participants to install and practice using them.