How to Be Online Anonymously Posted: 12 Mar 2021 04:00 PM PST The truth about online anonymity is that that there's no such thing about being completely anonymous online. There will always be some part of your internet connection that's trackable to someone. But if you want to keep yourself safer in this digital age, you can do so by taking some basic precautions which serve to closer hiding or disguising your identity. This wikiHow teaches you the basics of staying as anonymous as possible on the internet. [Edit]Learning How You're Tracked Online - Be aware of what your ISP can track. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is the service you use to connect to the internet. When your modem or router makes a connection to the internet, it is assigned an IP address—this address is trackable to your account. This means that at the very least, anyone who can see your IP address can identify your ISP. If you do something illegal from this IP address, a government jurisdiction (such as the local police or even the FBI) can serve a subpoena to your ISP to find out who was using that IP address at that time, and what sites and services were accessed. Some other things that your ISP can identify based on your IP address:
- Website content: If you visit https:///www.wikiHow.com while connected to the internet, your ISP logs that domain name.[1] In theory, they can tell how often you visit wikiHow, what you downloaded (if anything), and how long you spend on the website. Although they can find this information, they won't be watching unless they are serviced with a subpoena that requires them to do so. If you frequently visit websites that focus on illegal content, your activity may be flagged by your ISP.[2]
- Your MAC address: A Media Access Control (MAC) address is an address assigned specifically to your computer's Wi-Fi or network card. Your ISP can determine which MAC address on your network was used with an IP address at a specific time—this means that if you're on your school, work, or home network, the network administrator can identify the sites and services used by your computer.
- Port numbers: If you make connections to (or receive connections on) certain port numbers, your ISP can often determine what kind of services you're using, such as browsing the web (usually ports 443 and 80) or sending emails (usually ports 25, 587, 587, or 465).
- Your VPN service: If you use a VPN on top of your internet connection to hide what you're doing online, your ISP can see which VPN you're using and when you connected. They cannot, however, see exactly what you're doing on the VPN.
- Find out what websites can learn about you. Most websites make money by displaying ads. To successfully get visitors to click (and make purchases from) ads, site owners and ad networks need to know what your interests are and how you use the internet so they can show you relevant ads. Websites collect data by installing tracking cookies on your computer, which can tell them what other sites you visit, your location, the browser and operating system you're using, how long you spend on their site, which links you've clinked, whether you're signed in to certain social media sites like Facebook, what you search for, and even your laptop's battery level.[3] All of this occurs automatically when visiting sites doing this data mining, without you noticing.
- To get an idea of what a website can learn about you just by visiting it once, check out https://webkay.robinlinus.com. As soon as you load the page, you'll see some startling information.
- Not all cookies are bad. In fact, it's important to allow some cookies. Cookies are used to store pieces of data on your computer to make your browsing experience easier. For example, cookies make it possible to sign in to accounts that require passwords, add items to shopping carts, and more. However, some cookies, called "tracking cookies" or "third-party cookies" are meant to track your activity on all websites, just not the one you're visiting.
- Google plans to ban all third-party tracking cookies from the Chrome web browser by 2022.[4]
- Know your wireless access point. Do you connect to public Wi-Fi access points, such as those in cafes? How about at your friends' homes? The reality is that any time you connect to public Wi-Fi (or a Wi-Fi access point that you don't manage yourself), there's a possibility someone is actively snooping your data. If a malicious user has access to the public Wi-Fi access point, connecting your computer, phone, tablet, or smartwatch to that wireless network can see almost everything you do while signed in—including entering your passwords, viewing your banking data, and finding out your contact info.[5]
[Edit]Using Anonymity Tools and Practices - Install privacy-protecting browser add-ons/extensions. If you want to avoid being tracked on the web, there are a variety of tools you can install through your web browser:
- HTTPS Everywhere: This browser extension ensures that you're always visiting the encrypted (https) version of a website. You can get it for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera web browsers. It comes pre-installed in more security-focused web browsers like Brave and Tor.[6]
- Privacy Badger: This tool, designed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) blocks third-party tracking cookies so advertising services and websites can't keep tracking you once you leave their pages.[7] You can get Privacy Badger for Firefox, Edge, and Opera web browsers.
- Ghostery: This is another tool similar to Privacy Badger that blocks third-party tracking cookies. It also blocks ads and allows you to customize your blocking preferences. Available for Firefox, Chrome, Edge, and Opera.
- NoScript: A Firefox-only add-on that blocks all JavaScript on websites. Since many websites need JavaScript to work properly, you can manually manage a whitelist to allow JavaScript on sites you trust.
- Replace your web browser with Tor. The Tor web browser routes all of your traffic through its own network, making your web browsing virtually anonymous. When you browse through Tor, it's very difficult (not impossible, but close) for your ISP, a network administrator, or a Wi-Fi hacker to see the websites you visit or the sites you sign in to.
- Never download Tor from anywhere other than https://www.torproject.org.
- If you don't want your ISP to know that you browse with Tor, you'll need to use it over a VPN.
- Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN encrypts everything you do on the internet, keeping you essentially anonymous on the internet. The general rule is that if you're using a solid VPN service, all of your internet activity will remain private. Using a VPN also prevents your ISP from seeing what you're doing online. However, many VPN servers do keep logs of your activities and can be subpoenaed in the event you're suspected of a crime.
- Although your ISP or other people on your local network can't see what you're doing when you're connected to a VPN, the VPN provider can. Unfortunately, there's no sure way to verify that a VPN provider doesn't log what you do on their service. Research VPNs thoroughly before selecting one.
- Spoof your MAC address. Your MAC address is the hardware address that identifies your computer to your router. Every time you connect to a network, your MAC address broadcasts itself to announce your presence. You can use a fake MAC address to anonymize your activity on the network. However, websites you visit and sign into will still be visible to your ISP and network administrators, although you can use a VPN as another layer of protection.
- Browse from a public Wi-Fi access point (with exception). To stay truly anonymous, your connection to the internet should not involve your ISP. That's where public Wi-Fi services come in. However, it's super important that you not pass any personal information over one of these networks that you don't want others to see.
- Do not connect to a public access point if you need to do something private pertaining to your own identity, such as banking or dealing with social security numbers. Even if you see that there's an open network available, make sure you know it's the legitimate one for the location. Hackers often set up Wi-Fi networks that look similar to existing ones specifically to steal data. Even if the wireless network is legit, someone shady may be running a tool that can sniff all active traffic.
- A good quadruple-whammy solution would be to spoof your IP address, connect to public Wi-Fi, connect to a VPN, and then browse through TOR.
- Try your browser's private mode. If you're worried about people finding out what you do on a shared computer, browse in your web browser's private or incognito mode. Nearly all web browsers come with a built-in browsing mode that prevents your web browsing history and cache from saving to your computer. Chrome allows you to open a new "Incognito" window, Safari and Firefox allow you to open "Private" windows, and Edge calls their private mode "In Private."[8]
- Use an alternative search engine that focuses on privacy. Search engines like Google, Bing, and Yandex store your search queries along with your IP address (and account if you are logged in). They also use cookies to track how you use the search engine and to keep tabs on what sites you visit. This information is compiled and analyzed to more accurately target ads and provide relevant search results. To avoid this sort of tracking, use an alternative, privacy-focused search engine like DuckDuckGo or StartPage.
- Use a throwaway email or a privacy friendly email provider to register for sites. Make sure that the email address you create does not contain any personal information, and is not tied to any accounts that store your personal information. Email providers claiming being secure and privacy-friendly are ProtonMail, Tutanota, etc.
- Some popular free email providers that make it fast to sign up for new accounts are Gmail and Yahoo Mail.
- Try Protonmail if you want to send encrypted email messages without providing any personal data.
- No matter how much you cover your tracks, there is always some information that can potentially be used to profile and potentially identify you. The goal of using anonymity tools is to reduce the amount of information available, but due to the nature of the internet, you cannot ever be truly anonymous.
- When browsing online, you have to make the choice between convenience and anonymity. It's not exactly easy to stay anonymous online, and requires a significant amount of conscious effort. You'll face much slower connections when browsing websites, and you'll have to jump through more hoops before you even go online. If your anonymity is important to you, be prepared to make some sacrifices.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
How to Grow Bush Tomatoes Posted: 12 Mar 2021 08:00 AM PST If you love the taste of a home grown tomato but you aren't a fan of pruning and taking care of vines, bush tomatoes might be a great choice for you. Bush tomatoes, also called "determinate" tomatoes, grow outward instead of upward, so they don't require much maintenance at all. After you plant your seeds and nurture the seedlings, you'll be able to start harvesting fresh tomatoes in 50-80 days! [Edit]Planting Seeds - Start your seeds between late January and mid-March. You'll keep your seeds inside for the first few months, so there's no chance they'll get too cold. Grab a packet of seeds from your local nursery to get started.[1]
- Make sure the seeds say "determinate" or "bush" somewhere on the label. That way, you'll know they aren't vine tomatoes (or "indeterminate" tomatoes).
- Purchase a wide pot for every seed. Pick out pots with drainage holes at the bottom so your seeds don't get too soggy. Make sure every seed has its own pot to give it enough room to grow.[2]
- You can find pots this size at most garden supply stores.
- Fill each pot with compost. Leave about of room at the top of the pot. Every pot you use will give you one tomato plant, so use as many or as little as you'd like.[3]
- Press your seed into the compost and cover it with vermiculite. Place 1 seed on top of the compost and lightly press it into the dirt. Add a thin layer of vermiculite, a mineral that will aid nutrients to your compost. Make sure every seed is fully covered before you move on.[4]
- You can find vermiculite at most nurseries.
- Water the seeds generously. Give all of your pots a good, long drink of water to set the seeds in the soil. Keep watering until water comes out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.[5]
- Tomatoes need a lot of water, especially when they're sprouting. Keep the soil evenly moist.
- Set your pots on a windowsill with 8 hours of sunlight. If you have a heated propagator, use that instead. Try to keep your seeds around for the best growing environment.[6]
- If it's still super cold where you live, you can cover the pots with plastic wrap to trap heat and condensation.
[Edit]Transplanting Seedlings - Pick a spot in your yard during late spring that gets 8 hours of light. Even if you grow your tomatoes in pots, you still should choose their location carefully. Your tomatoes will be ready to go outside when the final threat of frost is over. Choose a sunny, unsheltered spot in your yard that gets at least 8 hours of sun per day.[7]
- Bush tomatoes are great for planters and pots since they won't get very tall.
- Transplant your sprouts into wide pots or containers. Fill your pots with compost and top them with a thin layer of soil. Use a spade to carefully dig your sprouts out of their pots and plant them in the new ones, being sure to cover the roots entirely. Press down lightly on the dirt to make sure the plants are secure.[8]
- Pots that are are the perfect size for tomatoes because you'll have plenty of depth for the roots to grow.[9]
- Use a good quality soil for your containers to ensure your tomato plants are healthy.[10]
- Bury the seedling about so it will be sturdy.[11]
- Plant sprouts apart if you're planting them in the ground. If you don't want to use containers, dig a small hole that's deep enough for the roots of each sprout. Press your sprouts into the soil, then cover them with a layer of dirt.[12]
- You can also put your tomato sprouts in a raised bed.
- Tie each plant loosely to a wooden stake. Plant the wooden stake directly next to each tomato plant. Use twine or string to tie the main stalk of your tomato plant to the stake so it doesn't fall over.[13]
- You can find bamboo stakes at most nurseries, or you can make your own.
[Edit]Maintaining and Harvesting - Water the tomatoes every day to keep the soil moist. Tomatoes need a lot of water since they get direct sunlight every day. Make it a habit to water your tomato plants thoroughly at least once a day, and more if it's really hot out.[14]
- Try to keep the roots moist but not soggy.
- Tomatoes are fairly drought tolerant, so don't overwater them.[15]
- Feed the plants tomato fertilizer once tomatoes start growing. Pick up a package of tomato fertilizer and mix in a handful with some plain dirt. Sprinkle the mixture around the base of the tomato plant to add extra nutrients to the soil.[16]
- You can add fertilizer about once a week until the growing season is over.
- Try not to put fertilizer directly on the roots or stalk of your plant. Fertilizer is pretty harsh, and it might chemically burn your plant.
- Thin out the foliage if the tomatoes aren't getting sunlight. Bush tomatoes don't require a ton of pruning since they don't get super tall. If you notice that any flowers are getting shaded out, use pruners to cut the leaves that are getting too tall.[17]
- Bush plants are known for their easy, low-maintenance pruning schedule. Realistically, if you don't notice any problems throughout the growing season, you can leave your tomatoes to grow on their own without any maintenance.
- Place plant pots underneath heavy branches for support. If your tomatoes look droopy or the fruit is too heavy, set up overturned plant pots for some support. Bush tomatoes tend to grow outward instead of upward, so they might need a little extra help throughout the late growing season.[18]
- You can expect your bush tomatoes to get between tall.
- Pull off any damaged or diseased leaves to keep plants healthy. Your tomatoes will probably be fine on their own, but there is a chance they could get pests or diseases. If you notice any leaves that look dead, crispy, or brown, gently pull them off the plant and throw them in the garbage (not the compost).[19]
- If you notice any insects eating your tomatoes, like aphids, try spraying a mixture of water and 10 drops of peppermint essential oil onto your tomato plants.[20]
- Pick the tomatoes when they're fully ripe. Your tomatoes might take between 50-80 days to ripen depending on the time of year. Try to keep them on the plant as long as you can until they look large and red.[21] When your tomatoes are ready, gently pick them off the plant and bring them inside to enjoy.[22]
- If it starts to get cold out before your tomatoes are fully ripe, pick them while they're still green and let them ripen inside. They might not taste quite as good as tomatoes ripened on the plant, but they'll still be great!
- Store fresh tomatoes at room temperature for about 1 week until they go bad.
- Refrigerating tomatoes can help them last longer, but it may give them an unpleasant texture.
- If you live in a colder climate, plant your tomatoes as early as possible.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Tomato seeds
- pot
- Compost
- Vermiculite
- pots
- Spade
- Wooden stakes
- Twine
[Edit]References |
How to Make a Routine for Your Dog Posted: 12 Mar 2021 12:00 AM PST Having a steady routine will help shape your dog's behavior, make training easier, and reduce the dog's stress levels. It can also help your dog adjust to being home alone, and it may even make it easier for you to spend time with your pet when you are home. Just stick to a consistent routine, including feeding and bathroom breaks, and watch how content your dog will become! [Edit]Making a Feeding Schedule - Feed your dog at consistent times each day. Choose a time in the morning and evening when you're home to feed your dog. Make sure to keep the time consistent so your dog knows when to expect their meal. Keeping your dog on a feeding schedule will help it develop a healthy metabolism and prevent it from begging for food at other times.[1]
- For example, feed your dog in the morning before you leave for work and again when you come home.
- Choose a place in your home where you'll give your dog meals. Pick a quiet and comfortable area to keep your dog's food bowl. Stand in the area with their bowl and ask your dog if it is hungry to train it to come to the spot at meal time.[2]
- Avoid doing any other activities with your dog in their meal area. That way, it'll learn to go there only when it's time to eat.
- Set its food down for 5 to 10 minutes before picking it up again. When you're ready to feed your dog, set its food bowl on the ground so it can eat. Regardless of if it eats or not, pick up the bowl and put it away after 5 to 10 minutes. This helps train your dog so it will eat whenever the bowl is on the floor.[3]
- If you leave food on the ground, your dog may leave some to nibble on throughout the day so it won't have a consistent routine.
- Give your dog the same amount of food during each feeding. Use the same kind and amount of food whenever you feed your dog so it can develop a healthy metabolism. Significant changes to your dog's diet could stress it out.[4]
- For example, don't give your dog 2 scoops of food after a long day away if you normally give it 1 scoop on other days.
- Keep a bowl of water available for your dog at all times. Even though dog food should be kept on a set routine, dogs prefer to have access to water whenever they're thirsty. Keep a bowl out and available throughout the day so your dog can drink when it needs to.[5]
- Change the water in your dog's bowl every day.
- Clean the bowl every other day so bacteria can't grow.
[Edit]Setting an Outdoor Routine - Let your dog outside after you wake up and before you sleep. Try to wake up at a consistent time each morning so your dog knows when it's time to start the day and go outside. Keep it outside for 5 minutes before letting it back in. About 10 minutes before you go to bed, tell your dog it's bedtime and let it out again for 5 minutes.[6]
- If your dog doesn't go to the bathroom while it's outside, try bringing it in and keeping it in its crate or kennel for 2-3 minutes before letting it back out. This helps train your dog to relieve itself during the time it is outdoors.[7]
- Put your dog outside after it eats so it learns when to go to the bathroom. As soon as your dog has finished meal time, let it outside for 5 minutes so it knows it's time to use the bathroom. Make sure your dog goes potty before you let it back inside.[8]
- Large adult dogs should be let outside at least once every 4-6 hours, and puppies should be taken out every 1-2 hours, or every 20 to 30 minutes when you are training a puppy to go potty outside.
- Play with your dog for 15-30 minutes each day. Even though your dogs will be less stressed while they're on a routine, playing with them each day helps calm them down more. Throw a ball around for them to fetch, play Frisbee, or run around with them so they can burn off extra energy and spend quality time with you.[9]
- Make sure to differentiate between play and discipline. For example, use a stern voice when you're telling your dog to drop something it shouldn't have, but a playful voice when they're fetching a ball.
- Take your dog for at least 1 walk a day at a consistent time. Taking your dog on walks allows them to get outside and interact with different environments. Let your dog sniff around while you're walking so it can relax. Keep a consistent pace so your dog keeps walking rather than stopping every few feet.[10]
- If you don't have the time to walk your dog, consider hiring a dog walking service to take the dog for you.
- Make sure your dog is up-to-date with its vaccines, or else it could be more susceptible to illnesses.
[Edit]Altering Your Routine - Change only 1 aspect of your dog's routine at a time. Don't try to make multiple changes to your routine all at the same time since it could stress your dog out. Instead, try to focus on 1 thing at a time so your dog gets used to them.[11]
- For example, if you're going to move to a new home, don't change your dog's food or the schedule you've kept it on. Focus instead on getting your dog used to eating and living in a new place.
- Make gradual changes so your dog grows accustomed to them over time. A sudden change can cause your dog to get stressed and misbehave. Start by changing a small part of your routine, like feeding your dog 15 minutes earlier than usual or making your walks slightly shorter. Each week, make another small change so your dog has time to get used to its new schedule.[12]
- If you need to change your dog to a different food, start by mixing a little bit of their new food with the old food. Each meal, keep adding more of the new food until it completely replaces what it used to be eating.
- Have a friend or neighbor check on your dog if you're going to be gone. If you know you're going to be gone for most of the day, ask a friend or neighbor if they can help maintain your dog's schedule. That way, your dog won't get stressed from you being away and it'll still have a consistent routine.[13]
- If you know you're going to be away longer, such as going on a vacation, take your dog to a pet daycare so it can get the care and attention they need.
- Talk to a veterinarian if your dog develops behavioral issues. If you're maintaining a regular routine with your dog but it is still acting out, take it to a veterinarian to discuss options. The vet may prescribe medication to help your dog destress and help with behavioral problems.[14]
- While routines can be helpful, too much routine can lead to behavioral issues. Make sure to introduce your dog to new experiences every so often to keep them mentally healthy.[15]
- Dogs that have a structured routine react better when there are small changes in their day-to-day lives. Keep a routine to help your dog stay less stressed.
- A dog's behavior may change as it gets older. Slowly adjust your dog's routine accordingly.
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