Surf anonymously with ZenMate*

Normally we try to feature software for as many of you as we can. This week we’re featuring a browser extension that works only in Chrome, Firefox and Opera on Windows. And it works on Apple and Android devices as well  – same browsers + Safari on Apple. We realize that leaves any of you who Internet Explorer (and/or Edge) in the lurch, but you can get Chrome, Firefox or Opera free and you can use the free version of ZenMate free. Free is good. Free, free, free.

And if anonymity is important to you, you will give ZenMate. Many of you already use Firefox and/or Opera and/or Chrome and that’s great – you can start using Zen right now. We suggest Firefox or Chrome but if you really want Opera, that’s fine. We’re not impressed with it, but your mileage may vary.

Let’s see…the most important question is: Does it work? Yes it does. Mostly. See for yourself:

With ZenMate
Your I.P is: 207.244.77.16

Without ZenMate
Your I.P is: 65.189.XXX.XX (Hey! This is my real IP!)

With ZenMate:

Your IP Address Is:
207.244.77.19
Your IP Details:
ISP: Leaseweb USA
City: Manassas
Region: Virginia
Country: United States

I’m really not in Virginia — I promise!

If I get tired of the good old USA, I can be from London, old chap:

Your IP Address Is:
109.200.26.2
Your IP Details:
ISP: Redstation Limited
Services: Network Sharing Device
Country: United Kingdom

Cheerio! But I’m really not in London, though I wish I were. Some good old fish & chips sounds great for breakfast and a banger or two or three. But no warm beer, please.

ZenMate offers many different countries, so you can switch between them whenever you like.

It’s the simplest, easiest way, for you to hide your real IP address and therefore your location from prying Web sites. It’s as simple as installing the extension, signing up for an account (only an email address and password needed — and you can make up any email address you want. As far as I can tell they haven’t sent me any mail. But they may send me updates, so I used a real email address.

*Words of caution:

#1. ZenMate will mask your IP address and your location which is great to keep Web sites from prying. And it’s great if you’re living somewhere in the world and visit a site like Pandora that only provides its services (music) to users in the USA. You can switch to an American IP address and fool Pandora and get what you want.

But masking your IP address may have unattended consequences if you log into a location sensitive site like your Google account or PayPal account. However, if you’re from the USA and you use the USA location on ZenMate you probably won’t have any problem. If you choose Hong Kong, you’ll probably get a warning message that someone other than you may be trying to access your account.

#2. *CAUTION!

ZenMate does not mask you from the prying eyes of government surveillance, the sharp eyes of the law, or the super-prying eyes of the NSA. Your real IP can be determined with sophisticated analysis. You can learn more about IP leaks and test yours at http://www.cloakfish.com . So you know what we’re sayin’ right? Don’t use ZenMate to do anything illegal. OK?

ZenMate offers a premium version and the premium version may not leak your real IP address like the free ZenMate does, but we don’t know we haven’t tested it and ZenMate hasn’t given us a license free – and it’s highly unlikely we’re going to spent approx $7 a month just to test the premium version. Besides! This is a freeware pick, I tells ya!

Those cautions aside, ZenMate is a great way to hide your IP address and your location from Web servers — they kind you visit every day. If you want to be from Switzerland, go ahead. if you prefer Germany, that’s great? You like London? No problem. You like Chinese food? Hong Kong is there for you. If you prefer the USA, it’s available to you.

ZenMate is an extension for Chrome/Firefox/Opera that’s about as easy to set up and use as anything we’ve ever tried. You just install the extension, set up your account (email address/password) and ZenMate turns itself on. You can turn it on and off anytime you like — it has a simple on/off switch, kind of like a lamp 🙂

Here’s some info from the ZenMate Web site:

Internet security

Securely encrypt everything – Whether you are at home, travelling, or using a public WiFi network – ZenMate encrypts and secures your connection and protects your privacy while browsing. No sniffing, tracking or wiretapping. Security ensured – Privacy protected!

Privacy protected

Browse anonymously – By encrypting your traffic and routing it through our cloud-network of highly protected servers, your personal IP address will not be visible to any website. Unless you enter personal information yourself, your identity is hidden and replaced by a generic ZenMate IP address.

Get what you love

Unlock your favorite content and access ANY website! We don’t believe in limiting or blocking content. With ZenMate running in the background, your internet access is open and unrestricted so you can roam the web and unblock websites, free to explore as you please!

There’s a lot more where that came from. If you’re interested in your privacy and your anonymity on the Web then give ZenMate a try. For more info or to download this great browser extension for Chrome, Firefox or Opera, visit https://zenmate.com/  – you’ll be glad you did. Oh yes, it’s free and there are no shenanigans going on with their Web site.

ZenMate works on Windows XP through Windows 10, both 32bit and 64bit systems. It also works on Apple and Android. It’s a slick, one-click, VPN client for Chrome Firefox and/or Opera that works as advertised. But please read our cautionary statement in this article.