Anonymizer Protects Users' Privacy On All Search Engines; Free Trial Of Anonymous Surfing

Current Google issue highlights the need for users to protect their identity when on the Internet.

San Diego, Calif. January 23, 2006

Anonymizer® Inc., the leader in online identity protection technology and software solutions, today commended Google's efforts to protect their customers' privacy by refusing the federal government access to a week's worth of online search records.

Google was asked to turn over tens of millions of search engine queries in an online investigation. They heroically refused, contending that by doing so, it would suggest that they are willing to reveal information about the people who use their service. Unfortunately, several other Internet search engines have already complied with such requests, thus sharing the search activities of all their customers within a given timeframe.

The Internet's top four search engines, Google, Yahoo, MSN, and AOL, state in their privacy policies that they automatically record information on user searches, including Internet browser and language, computer IP addresses, unique cookie information, and the URL of the page requested.

"Although the Google subpoena didn't request personal information, that information is readily available and this raises a red flag," said Lance Cottrell, Anonymizer founder, chief scientist, and online privacy advocate. "Just as you wouldn't want anyone listening in on your private conversations, you don't want anyone watching your every move on the Internet. This simply underscores the importance of protecting your identity when on the Internet."

Anonymizer's newest identity protection solution, Anonymous Surfing™, protects users' privacy when on the Internet, regardless of the search engine used. Anonymous Surfing leads the market in IP address shielding through innovative patent-pending processes. In addition, it provides Wi-Fi data security, proactive protection against phishing and pharming threats, and 128-bit encryption that creates a virtual tunnel from the PC to the Anonymizer identity protection network. Plus, Anonymizer never keeps any logs on its users' activities.