I love tools that make the internet a more private and secure place, and here are a few products and services that I use. Many of them will be overkill for the average consumer, but you might not be the average consumer.
- NextDNS: Cloud-based DNS service that lets you control and monitor DNS resolution on your devices with a focus on privacy, security, and content filtering. Blocks ads, trackers, and prevents your ISP from snooping on your DNS traffic.
- 1.1.1.1: CloudFlare’s super-fast, privacy-respecting DNS resolver that doesn’t log or track your browsing activity. There’s also a companion mobile app that works like a VPN and securely connects to the Cloudflare network.
- Flashrouters: Wi-Fi routers that come with open-source and highly customizable software installed, allowing you to enjoy an expanded feature set, better security, and improved performance. I run an Asus mesh network at home.
- Tailscale: A secure networking tool that creates a private, encrypted network between your devices. Works like a VPN, and uses the Wireguard protocol.
- Proton: Suite of high-quality, privacy-focused tools created by former CERN scientists. Their mail, VPN, password manager, and secure notes app are top-notch.
- Brave: Free, privacy-focused web browser based on Chromium (which powers Google Chrome) that blocks ads by default.
- Ente Photos: End-to-end encrypted, open-source, cross-platform photo backups.
- Signal: Secure, end-to-end encrypted messaging. SMS is not secure.
- Advanced Data Protection for iCloud: An optional security feature from Apple that gives you end-to-end encryption for your iCloud data.
