How to Post on 4chan with a VPN
The internet can be a dangerous place, especially if you aren’t careful where you wander about.
While there are risks to being online that you have to be aware of, there are also many benefits to using the net. One of the most interesting places to be is 4chan, where you can find anything and everything – from the bizarre to the shocking. If you’ve never posted there, here’s how to do it safely.
Set Up A VPN Account
Before you begin posting on 4chan, you will need to set up a Virtual Private Network account. A VPN allows you to securely connect to servers all over the world, providing you with an encrypted private connection that is always available whenever you need it.
You can choose from many different providers, all of which offer a free trial, so you can find the one that is best suited for your needs. Keep in mind that some providers limit the amount of data you can send and receive each month, so make sure you check their caps before you post something sensitive.
Install Anonymously
To keep your personal information private, you must install the anonymous software onto your device. This software allows you to browse the web anonymously, meaning that no personal information is being collected about you. This is a necessary step to take before you begin posting on 4chan. If you don’t have, it’s highly recommended that you download it now.
While some might see anonymity as a negative, it’s actually quite the opposite, as there’s a lot that you can do online that you might not want others to know about. For example, if you’re posting about your political views, you don’t want anyone to know about them. But if you’re posting about your love for anime, you don’t want to keep your identity hidden. So, in that case, anonymity is very much a plus.
Use A Dedicated Device
To stay safe while posting, you must use a dedicated device for that purpose. Since the internet is not exactly ‘secure’, using a VPN on a laptop or smartphone can be risky, as they are easily compromised. As a result, you must use a dedicated device, such as a dedicated server or a virtual machine.
A VPN keeps all of your online activity secure, so you don’t have to worry about your device being compromised. Even if your computer or smartphone is infected with malware, your VPN will protect you, meaning that none of your personal information will be exposed. In addition, many VPNs have a kill switch, which will disconnect you from the internet whenever you wish, removing the risk of cybercrime.
Use A Hostname Instead Of A Personal Email
Another thing you must do to stay safe while posting is use a dedicated hostname instead of your personal email address when registering with 4chan. By creating a dedicated account under a pseudonym, you are able to keep your personal information hidden while also posting on the site. This is especially important if you’re a creator, as often times they will ask for your personal information in order to verify your account. If you don’t want to give them that information, then you must create a dedicated account under a pseudonym.
This is also why you should use a VPN to login to 4chan. Not only will it keep your personal information secure, but it will mask your actual IP address, preventing others from finding out who you are. Your VPN provider will also give you the ability to hide your online activity, which can be beneficial if you want to keep your personal information private.
Use A Temporary Email
Even if you do create a dedicated account using a pseudonym, you must still use a temporary email address while you’re actively using it. Since you will be posting under a pseudonym, you do not want your email to be tied to your real identity. So, while you are actively using your account, you must use a temporary email in order to prevent any suspicion.
Why? Because 4chan will sometimes ask for your personal information in order to verify your account. If they suspect that you’re not who you say you are, then you could find yourself banned from the site. So, in that case, using a temporary email address is a necessary step before you can begin using your dedicated account.
Only Post When You Must
Keeping your personal information private is one of the main purposes of using a VPN. If you don’t want to post when you’re on a public Wi-Fi network, then you must use a VPN. The chances of you being hacked while on a public Wi-Fi are fairly high. So, even if you aren’t posting anything sensitive, it’s still a good idea to use a VPN.
In addition, if you don’t have your own Wi-Fi network or hardware at home, then you must be careful about what kind of connections you make when on the move. Even the simplest of tasks, like checking emails or browsing the web, can put you at risk of hacking. And if you are using hotel Wi-Fi, then you must be careful about what kind of connections you make. Many hotels have a corporate attitude towards security, so they will frequently update their software without warning, or turn on the server without warning, which could put your personal information at risk.
Protect Your Computer With Security Software
Since you will be creating a dedicated account using a pseudonym, preventing others from finding out who you are, you must also ensure that your computer is always protected. This security software must be kept up to date, as well as configured correctly in order to provide the best possible defense. There are many free security suites, such as Norton Ghost and Bitdefender in addition to more sophisticated paid options, like Kaspersky Internet Security and Miele VPN.
Whichever option you choose, make sure that it is configured correctly and that it has all the latest patches, as well as offering the best possible performance. Sometimes updating your computer’s security software can help prevent certain types of attacks, or at least alert you to them. In addition, you should also scan your computer for malware at least once a week.
Use A Strong Password
If you are using a dedicated device to login to 4chan, then you must use a strong password. Since this is the case, you should ensure that your user account password is not only unique and long, but also difficult to guess. One way to make it more difficult for others to guess your password is by using a different, and preferably a longer, password for each website or service that you have an account with. This way, if someone gets hold of your password for one website or service, they won’t be able to use it for other sites or services without being detected.
In addition, you should use a password manager, such as LastPass, in order to generate strong passwords that are easy to keep track of. Using a password manager will also mean you never have to worry about remembering complex passwords, as everything will be stored securely and, in many cases, automatically updated.
Use Two Factor Authentication
Two factor authentication is an added layer of security that is often required when logging into websites or accounts that you have already verified. Using this option adds an additional step during login, where you must enter a code that is sent to your phone as a challenge. Many websites now have this option enabled, so you don’t have to go through the trouble of turning it on manually. In addition, some websites and services require you to enable two-factor authentication as a security measure, even if you’re using a VPN to protect your information.
If you have an Android device, you can install a security app, such as Google Authenticator, that will produce a one-time-password (OTP) code for you to enter, along with your normal login details, whenever you need to log in to a site or service that requires two-factor authentication. In addition, if you have an iPhone or iPad, you can use the Phone Factor app, which is a free, optional upgrade to the iCloud system. With this option, when you login to a secure site or service with two-factor authentication, you will be asked to enter a code sent to your device via text message.
Be Careful With What Apps You Use
While you are busy browsing the web on your mobile device, you must be careful with the kind of apps you use. There are many dangerous apps out there that can easily compromise your personal information, if they get into the wrong hands. To keep your privacy intact, only download apps from reputable sources, or at least from sources you know and trust.