The SurfEasy -
The SurfEasy is a small USB key that contains a version of Firefox mobile on it. This version of the Mozilla browser has been modified to work with SurfEasy’s servers so that any time you run the executable (or open the app on a Mac) you are directly connecting to the SurfEasy proxy network. This is very similar to the way that the Tor Bundle (or Vidalia) works in that opening the application performs the connection and opens a preconfigured browser optimized for use on that network.

To gain access you will need to setup an account with SurfEasy. This will require some information (which registers the device to you) and yes they do store limited information about you during each session. Most of this is for billing purposes. After all when you buy the SurfEasy you only get 2GB of data per month through their servers.

Once the setup is complete you will connect to the internet through an encrypted proxy (run by SurfEasy). This network will allow you to mask your IP and most of your personal information from the rest of the world. We say most because as with any proxy network there are still going to be some items that can get access to your information if you are not careful. Certain java scripts, corrupted Flash information and if you go crazy and start trying to download a bunch of stuff you could be pegged. Fortunately with the point to point encrypted connection you are using with SurfEasy you do not have to worry about DNS leaks like you do with the basic Tor applications. Here your DNS requests will be processed by SurfEasy’s servers over the encrypted connection.

Another benefit to the encrypted connection is that there is little chance of causal eavesdropping of your data. You could browse the internet over an open network and you will be safe from most attacks. This does not mean you are invulnerable; there is no system that is 100% safe, but you can be sure that the majority of attempts will not get through.

Another benefit of using the SurfEasy key is that the browser is on a read only partition. This means that it would be very hard to infect the system or to force something into its operating space. This is basically like running a live CD of Firefox. There is a small 228MB partition on the key that allows plug-ins and data to be run, but the actual browser is protected. Again, there are always ways to get around things like this so you should not get the feeling that you are secure when using this. The Protection gained here just makes you less likely to get infected or to have your personal information skimmed off the surface of the browser. As an additional level of protection all of the data on the writable partition is erased when you close the SurfEasy connection or remove the key.

So far the SurfEasy plug-in privacy device is looking really good for most applications, but it is not going to protect you from a serious attack or make you completely anonymous on the internet.