Last Updated: November 21, 2025
Secure Browsers
| Browser | Privacy Level | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tor Browser | Maximum | Anonymity, censorship bypass | Slow but most private, routes through Tor network |
| Brave | High | Daily browsing with good privacy | Chromium-based, built-in ad/tracker blocking |
| Firefox (hardened) | High | Customizable privacy | Open source, extensive privacy add-ons |
| Mullvad Browser | Very High | Privacy without Tor slowness | Firefox fork, Tor Browser features minus Tor network |
| LibreWolf | High | Firefox privacy out of box | Pre-configured Firefox with privacy defaults |
Essential Browser Extensions
uBlock Origin
Best ad/tracker blocker, lightweight and powerful
Privacy Badger (EFF)
Automatically blocks invisible trackers
HTTPS Everywhere
Force HTTPS connections (built into most browsers now)
Decentraleyes
Local CDN emulation to prevent tracking
ClearURLs
Remove tracking parameters from URLs
Cookie AutoDelete
Automatically delete cookies when tabs close
CanvasBlocker
Prevent canvas fingerprinting
Bitwarden
Open source password manager extension
Secure Messaging Apps
| App | Encryption | Metadata Protection | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signal | E2E (Signal Protocol) | Minimal metadata | Most recommended for everyday use |
| Session | E2E (Signal fork) | No phone number, onion routing | Maximum anonymity |
| Threema | E2E (NaCl) | No phone number required | Swiss-based, paid app (one-time fee) |
| Element (Matrix) | E2E (Olm/Megolm) | Decentralized, self-hostable | Open federation, developer communities |
| Wire | E2E (Proteus) | Good | Business/team communication |
| Briar | E2E | P2P, no servers | High-risk situations, works offline |
Email Services (Privacy-Focused)
ProtonMail
E2E encrypted, Switzerland, free tier, zero-access encryption
Tutanota
E2E encrypted, Germany, free tier, open source
Mailbox.org
Encrypted, eco-friendly, Germany, paid
StartMail
From creators of StartPage, Netherlands, PGP support
Posteo
Anonymous payment, Germany, sustainable, €1/month
Mailfence
OpenPGP support, Belgium, free tier
Search Engines (Private)
| Search Engine | Privacy Approach | Results From |
|---|---|---|
| DuckDuckGo | No tracking, minimal logs | Bing, own crawler, 400+ sources |
| Startpage | Anonymous Google proxy | Google (anonymized) |
| Brave Search | Independent index, no tracking | Own crawler |
| Searx/SearXNG | Self-hostable metasearch | Multiple engines aggregated |
| Qwant | European, no tracking, GDPR | Own index + Bing |
| Mojeek | Independent crawler, no tracking | Own index (UK-based) |
Password Managers
| Tool | Type | Platform | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitwarden | Cloud/Self-hosted | All | Open source, free tier, audited, best overall |
| KeePassXC | Local database | Desktop | Fully offline, open source, no cloud |
| 1Password | Cloud | All | User-friendly, team features, Travel Mode |
| Proton Pass | Cloud | All | From ProtonMail team, E2E, aliases |
| KeePass (classic) | Local | Windows | Original, highly extensible, offline |
Cloud Storage (Encrypted)
Proton Drive
E2E encrypted, from ProtonMail, Switzerland, free 5GB
Tresorit
E2E encrypted, zero-knowledge, Switzerland, enterprise
Sync.com
E2E encrypted, Canada, generous free tier (5GB)
Cryptomator
Client-side encryption for any cloud (Dropbox, Drive, etc.)
Nextcloud
Self-hosted, open source, full control
MEGA
E2E encrypted, 20GB free, controversial history
Operating Systems (Privacy-Focused)
| OS | Base | Privacy Level | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tails | Debian | Maximum | Live OS, amnesia, Tor by default |
| Qubes OS | Fedora/Debian | Very High | Security by compartmentalization |
| Whonix | Debian | Very High | Tor-focused, runs in VMs |
| GrapheneOS | Android | Very High | Hardened Android for Pixel phones |
| CalyxOS | Android | High | Privacy Android with microG |
| Linux Mint/Ubuntu Privacy Remix | Ubuntu/Debian | Good | Daily use with privacy tweaks |
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Aegis Authenticator (Android)
Open source, encrypted backup, local storage
Raivo OTP (iOS)
Open source, encrypted iCloud sync
andOTP (Android)
Open source, encrypted backup
YubiKey (Hardware)
Physical security key, phishing-resistant
Nitrokey (Hardware)
Open source hardware key
Authy (avoid if possible)
Cloud sync but proprietary and can't export
DNS Providers (Privacy-Respecting)
| Provider | DNS Addresses | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Quad9 | 9.9.9.9, 149.112.112.112 | Malware blocking, no logging, non-profit |
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1 | Fast, minimal logging (24h), DNSSEC |
| NextDNS | Custom | Customizable blocking, analytics, free tier |
| AdGuard DNS | 94.140.14.14, 94.140.15.15 | Ad/tracker blocking, family protection |
| OpenDNS | 208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220 | Phishing protection (owned by Cisco) |
File Encryption Tools
VeraCrypt
Full disk/container encryption, TrueCrypt successor, cross-platform
Cryptomator
Cloud storage encryption, open source, mobile apps
GnuPG (GPG)
File encryption, email encryption (OpenPGP), signing
7-Zip with AES-256
Archive encryption, cross-platform
age (modern alternative)
Simple file encryption tool, modern replacement for GPG
BitLocker (Windows)
Built-in full disk encryption (TPM support)
FileVault (macOS)
Built-in full disk encryption
LUKS (Linux)
Standard Linux disk encryption
Metadata Removal Tools
ExifTool
Remove EXIF data from images (GPS, camera info)
MAT2 (Metadata Anonymisation Toolkit)
Remove metadata from documents, images, audio
Scrambled Exif (Android)
Remove metadata before sharing photos
ImageOptim (macOS)
Strip metadata while optimizing images
Anonymous Services
| Service | Purpose | Features |
|---|---|---|
| SimpleLogin/AnonAddy | Email aliasing | Create disposable email addresses |
| Guerrilla Mail | Temporary email | Disposable inbox, no registration |
| MySudo | Virtual identities | Temporary phone numbers, emails |
| Privacy.com | Virtual cards | Disposable credit card numbers (US only) |
| JMP.chat | Phone number | XMPP-based virtual number |
Privacy Audit Checklist
Use password manager for unique passwords
Never reuse passwords across services
Enable 2FA on all critical accounts
Use authenticator app or hardware key
Switch to private email provider
ProtonMail, Tutanota instead of Gmail
Install privacy browser extensions
uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger minimum
Use private search engine
DuckDuckGo, Startpage instead of Google
Review app permissions on phone
Remove unnecessary permissions
Use VPN on public WiFi
Always encrypt public network traffic
Enable full disk encryption
BitLocker, FileVault, or LUKS
Review social media privacy settings
Limit data sharing and visibility
Delete unused accounts
Use justdelete.me or accountkiller.com
Opt out of data brokers
Use services like DeleteMe or manually opt out
Use encrypted messaging for sensitive chats
Signal for personal, Element for teams
💡 Pro Tip:
Privacy is a spectrum - you don't need to use all tools at once! Start with the basics: password manager, browser extensions (uBlock Origin), and private search engine. Then gradually add Signal, private email, and VPN. The best privacy tool is the one you'll actually use consistently. Remember: convenience and privacy often trade off, so find the balance that works for your threat model!