Tenebril GhostSurf & GhostSurf Platinum

Tenebril publishes a handful of software products aimed at improving consumer and business security and privacy. Its flagship product is the relatively well-known SpyCatcher, but it also publishes GhostSurf, a software product that allows end-users to partially anonymize what they do on the Internet, and block ads at the same time to save the annoyance – and bandwidth – associated with them.

 

By ‘partially anonymize’, understand that the software is still subject to the same limitations of any proxy service that acts on your behalf. Those limitations are described in our article Why you shouldn’t trust anonymous web browsing and other proxies. Yet, for what it does, GhostSurf does it well.

 

The software is sold in two configurations: GhostSurf Platinum $39.95 USD and GhostSurf 2005 for $29.95 USD The platinum version incorporates Tenebril’s popular SpyCatcher features and an encrypted file vault capabilities. We evaluated both, and because we already had spyware and encryption needs met we chose the simple GhostSurf 2005 version.

 

At the heart of GhostSurf is a privacy control center that essentially offers three capabilities: the ability to route data through anonymous Internet proxies run by Tenebril, the ability to encrypt all communications to and from Tenebril’s proxy servers and the ability to block personal information, including cookies, to and from the Internet through Tenebril’s proxy servers. Used together, these capabilities can make it hard for anyone to intercept what you’re doing on the Internet, particularly between you and the Tenebril servers.

 

GhostSurf does a good job of managing its various capabilities through a simple “slider” interface, allowing you to surf the web in one of four basic modes:

There are good, geeky features like configuring sites for which GhostSurf’s features can be disabled. Or for adding additional encryption packs for things like anonymous IRC and news. But by and large the software does what it’s supposed to with little user intervention and fuss.

 

As we (and Tenebril) are based in the U.S., performance has been great. We’re impressed with the speed at which the proxies relay data back and forth on our behalf. There’s little appreciable delay in the performance of our broadband connection. It feels like there’s no relaying happening at all, yet faithful IP identity services confirm that our IP is, for the Internet’s intents and purposes, one of Tenebril’s.
 

Cleaner included
In both the regular and Platinum versions of the software, a “TracksCleaner” capability is offered, allowing users to flush many of the traditionally incriminating places data collects in Windows. Read our article Places in Windows that your data could be lurking.

 

The TracksCleaner element of GhostSurf can be scheduled to do automatic cleaning regularly, such as when the computer starts, or when all browsers are closed, or it can be run at any time on demand. Nine levels of wipe strength can be specified, and there are a considerable number of options and algorithms sure to please those who are concerned about overwriting data securely.

 

We’re impressed that the TracksCleaner is as sophisticated as it is, given that it’s bundled for free with both GhostSurf Platinum and the low-end GhostSurf 2005. If you don’t already use similar software, it’s almost worth buying GhostSurf just for the TracksCleaner.
 

How to buy
As with all things privacy-related, don’t necessarily fire up your home computer’s browser and rush to enter your credit card information when buying GhostSurf. If you’re concerned about protecting your privacy, buy the product from a computer not associated with your real identity, and pay for it with a credit or debit card also similarly divorced from your real name and address. You’ll be issued an order number that you can then enter into the software to register it once you’ve downloaded it (see below.) The software also requires an email address in the registration process, so ensure that you don’t use one associated with your real identity.
 

Summary
While users of GhostSurf can still be found and persecuted if pursuers were sufficiently motivated, given that Tenebril could always be subpoenaed to turn over its logs (remember: when using a proxy, it always knows who you are!), GhostSurf is our recommended solution when seeking to mask your IP address to services you visit. If you don’t have anything significant to hide and simply want to appear to be coming from somewhere else, Tenebril GhostSurf is the Porsche 911 to the Mini Coopers of open proxies. It’s highly recommended.
 

Related Content
Tenebril website - GhostSurf 2005
Tenebril website - GhostSurf Platinum
Why you shouldn’t trust anonymous web browsing and other proxies
Places in Windows that your data could be lurking

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