Do you really need Anonymous Surfing online

Well, I guess that the simple answer would be no, no you don't.  You don't actually NEED anonymous surfing online.  There are, however, quite a few reasons why you might WANT anonymous surfing online.  As a researcher, promoter, and blogger about VPNs, proxies, and other online security tools, I know there are a few cool things you can do when you're anonymous online.  Here are some ideas.Anonymous, Controversial BlogsOne thing that keeps people from saying what they really mean and meaning what they really say is accountability.  With the internet between you and the people you talk to, lots of bloggers get cocky.  The problem with this is that most people are just a stone's throw away from your IP address, your physical address, and your real identity. Just because you use some clever moniker to blog with doesn't mean that you're email address can't be found on the 'contact me' form that you forgot to delete.  That's connected with your ISP or at least your hosting account, which is then connected to your ISP, and of course through your ISP it's not that hard to find you IRL.  If you have a controversial blog and want to keep it separate from your personal or professional life - anonymous surfing.Unblock WebsitesThough we might like to think so, most of the time we're not 100% in control of what we can and can't see on the internet. Your boss has firewall settings that blocks Facebook.  Your school blogs gaming sites.  Someone you share the internet connection with only allows devout Christian websites, or you're in the Middle East and your Government only allows Halal (Muslim) internet.When you remove your real IP from the restricted network and get a fake IP on a private network, you jump these firewalls settings and access anything you damn well please!  Plus, it's private and can't be traced back to you (unless you're breaking international laws, in which case there's no hiding)Watch TV from other countriesTV sites like Hulu and Netflix are only available in The US.  iPlayer is only available in The UK.  I don't know what the specific names of sites are in other countries, but they exist.  Every country is going to have a restricted movie and at least a few TV channels on the internet.   Once you leave the country, you get blocked, even if you're an active member.  When you change your IP through a VPN, ahem, otherwise known as anonymous surfing online, then you can choose an IP address from any country, and access the websites from that country!