Here are my recommended private and secure services. I’ve chosen services that are reasonably easy to use and don’t require deep technical knowledge.
If you need more information on these services, please see the other articles on this site.
VPNs (Virtual Private Networks)
Private Email & Phone
- I recommend Hushed for creating phone number aliases
- I recommend Simplelogin for creating email aliases
- I recommend ProtonMail (Switzerland) for creating encrypted email accounts
- I recommend FastMail (Australia) for non-encrypted but private-friendly email
Private Cloud Services
- A personal cloud that offers both encryption and non-encrypted file storage: pCloud
- A business-oriented encrypted cloud service based in Europe: Tresorit (Switzerland)
Ad-Blockers
- The best ad-blocker for computers: AdGuard
- The best ad-blocker for mobile devices: AdGuard Pro
- For DNS level ad-blocking: AdGuard DNS or Pi-Hole (self-hosted)
Passport Manager & Multi-Factor Authentication
- The best encrypted cloud-based password manager: Bitwarden (U.S. server or self-hosted)
- OTP Auth is an authenticator app with a focus on data privacy
Web Browsing
- I recommend these privacy-friendly search engines: DuckDuckGo (USA) or StartPage (Netherlands)
- I recommend using the Firefox web browser. These are the five essential extensions for Firefox: LocalCDN, Firefox Multi-Account Containers, CanvasBlocker, Cookie Autodelete
- An anonymous web browser: Tor Browser
Usenet Services
- The best Usenet provider: UsenetExpress
- The best Usenet search engine with open registration: NZB.SU (USA) or NZBGeek (USA)
- A reliable Usenet client: SabNZBd
- The best automatic Usenet downloaders: Sonarr and Radarr
Torrenting
- Best VPN for torrents: Private Internet Access
- Best torrent index: 1337x.to
- A good torrent client that is optimized for VPN use: qBittorrent
- A streaming torrent client: Webtorrent
- Best tor-based torrent indexes: PB Onion (requires Tor Browser)
eBook Downloads
- The best eBook index is ZLibrary
Instant Messaging
- A chat app with end-to-end encryption: Element
- A mobile app for encrypting phone calls and messages: Wire (Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux)
- An open-source instant messenger app: Pidgin (Linux, Mac, Windows)
DNS (Domain Name Service)
- The most private and decentralized DNS: OpenNic
- An ad-blocking DNS: AdGuard DNS
- A reasonably private, adult-content-blocking DNS: OpenDNS
File & Disk Encryption
- I recommend this app for file encryption: AES Crypt
- For encrypted files in a cloud drive: Cryptomator
- For disk encryption: Veracrypt (fork of TrueCrypt)
- For encrypted file syncing (computer to computer): SyncThing
Cryptocurrencies
- I recommend these cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (pseudo-anonymous), Monero (anonymous)
- For purchasing cryptocurrencies with USD: CashApp
Media Players and Managers
- The best media manager/streamer: Plex
- The best command-line YouTube downloader: youtube-dl
- The best Youtube downloading app: MediaHuman YouTube Downloader
- A reliable video and audio player: VLC
- A free multi-platform audio player: foobar2000
Media Converters
- The best free audio converter: MediaHuman Audio Converter
- The best free video converter: Handbrake
- The best free ebook converter: Calibre
- The best free image converter/editor: PhotoScape X
Operating Systems
- I recommend these privacy-friendly operating systems: Tails, Whonix (inside VirtualBox), Qubes
- This is a good Linux replacement for Windows/MAC: Elementary OS
Here are some other guides to private software:
Hello, friends
Thanks for infos…
Can you help me adding my https://audiobb.com/ Download Free Audiobooks to your list.
Thanks in advanced. 🙂
privacy badger. switch to privacy possum
decentraleyes. switch to localcdn
Australia is largely totalitarian.
Usecrypt Messenger – secure messenger. Created our own systems by Polish programmers that make it possible to hold encrypted messages and calls in HD standard. Whole communication via Usecrypt Messenger is secured with end‑to‑end encryption with all cryptographic operations made on user’s device. No backup no logs, ever no recovery. You can not transfer your history from one smartphone to another.
Usecrypt Messenger is checking phone OS is has been hacker by known malware or even spyware Pegasus, because its use own encryption not the Phone OS.
Israel’s government recommended using in its own internal officials. Spyware Pegasus was created by Israel’s intelligence community so…
Downsides
Well need phone number to register
Hi !
I wanna share with you the system I’ve been testing for some time now and its awesome.
It’s Kodachi 7.4 The Secure OS.
Linux Kodachi operating system is based on Xubuntu 18.04.5 it will provide you with a secure, anti-forensic, and anonymous operating system considering all features that a person who is concerned about privacy would need to have in order to be secure.
Kodachi is very easy to use all you have to do is boot it up on your PC via USB drive then you should have a fully running operating system with established VPN connection Tor Connection established DNS crypt service running. No setup or Linux knowledge is required from your side its all been automated for you. The entire OS is functional from your temporary memory RAM so once you shut it down no trace is left behind all your activities are wiped out.
Kodachi is a live operating system that you can start on almost any computer from a DVD, USB stick, or SD card. It aims at preserving your privacy and anonymity, and helps you to:
Use the Internet anonymously.
All connections to the Internet are forced to go through the VPN then Tor network with DNS encryption.
Leave no trace on the computer you are using unless you ask it explicitly.
Use state-of-the-art cryptographic and privacy tools to encrypt your files, emails and instant messaging.
Some features:
Onion Circuits/Onion share
Random Mac Generator
RAM Wiping
Built in secure Web Browser (I prefer Tor Browser)
Built-In VPNs from different providers your own if you wish
i2p,GNUNET
Mymonero, Electrom BTC wallet
DNS Crypt, with many other dns options
Multi Tor exit node changer with eye country exclude feature
Multi DNS options – Love this option ! Works Great with Tor Browser
Stacer linux tuner
Rkhunter/Nuke os or device
Sync thing/Session messenger/Stegehide-GUI
Wipe Ram/Wipe Free Space/USB Guard/USB Kill/Kill and Nuke OS!
Bleach bit/Nautilus-wipe/KeepassXC/Seahorse/Gpa/Gnupg2/Enigmail/ufw/gufw/fire jail
Geany/Meld/Shutter/Flotilla/Audicity/Terminator/Transmission, Mat
Htop/Rdesktop/Gksu/Nadu/Xtrlock/Nmap/McManus/Cairo-dock/Geoip-bin/MPV/Iridium-browser/tenta
Disper/Smbclient/Syslinux-utils/Fcitx/Ibus/Pidgin-Otr/ Coyim/wire/Bettergram/noisy/Element/Demon saw
Zulu crypt/Zulu mount/Signal/SiriKali/Deny hosts/Steghide/GnomeNettool/Resolver/OpenS hot
System and Security Info on Desktop with Panic room unique tools
Especially Zulu crypt simple, lightweight feature rich and powerful solution for hard drives encryption is my favourite can work with True crypt, Vera crypt containers. Linux Only !
Plus Tor Exit Node Script allow you to choose the county of Exit node. You can exclude Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, 14 Eyes Counties.
What do You think about it ?
Wait for comments.
PS. One of my the precisions is to use multiple layers of encryption (Tor !). So In Zulu (or VeraCrypt/TrueCrypt) container
I keep sensitive file encrypt another layer like GPG for example.
Good information! So many tools in one place. Thanks.. I basically use Hushmail and web browser Tor. And I have one more tool not from your list,, for single files security I downloaded free encryption software Nordlocker (https://nordlocker.com), that is very easy to use
Why Fastmail? Crypto-hating, FVEY-loving Australia? What’s next, Runbox (because their whole country is secure)? 🙁
I like Brave as a second browser, but if Libre Browser turns out to be decent, I could be tempted to move on.
On your Media Converters section, consider pandoc – it’s a great document format converter.
I would like to recommend WishSimply.com for the privacy friendly wishlist service. E.g. over the Amazon wishlist. Perhaps to your cloud services section, where is also Bitwarden listed.
Otherways a few comments other topics.
I have been using also Elementary in several laptops. Installed it to mine and my children’s from usb stick. No problems with drivers. My biggest issue with Elementary is that they don’t offer a path from one version to other, but you will need to make the installation again.
Wire is recommended in many places, but I find that a bit strange as the person behind the project doesn’t have so good record.
Curious about Fastmail as I always understood them to essentially be a US company (despite their HQ being in Australia) and that most of their servers are in the US. Is this no longer the case?
It seems they are still operating out of Australia = see this article
The main servers are located in New York City and Amsterdam.
What about the browser Brave?
Yes, Brave is another browser with useful privacy-friendly features. Soon it will be a complete alternative to Firefox once all the add-ons are fully supported.
Brave is not updated as it is now built on the chrome engine.
I have been using with these apps
uBlock Origin
Privacy Badger
HTTPS Everywhere
Cookie Autodelete
Decentraleyes
Wow really interesting article, may later be able to share other helpful information are more interesting. Thank you!
Thoughts on Ghostery? I use and would appreciate your insight.
Do you have any opinions on good software wallets for cryptocurrency (for the moderately interested user that is dipping their toe in and doesn’t want to spring for Trezor just yet)?
Thanks, love your site!
For amounts less than $5000 I use Copay, an open-source wallet which works well. It uses multiple signatures which means it allows for multiple accounts and users. It also supports the full Bitcoin Payment Protocol (BIP 0070-0073).
Based on your recommendation, I gave elementaryOS a try. While I think it’s a really interesting project, I found too many weird quirks/bugs to make the switch. ElementaryOS has not hit it’s 1.0 release yet (Loki is a 0.4 release). I think you should consider recommending a more stable Linux distribution for everyday use.
I’m sorry elementaryOS didin’t work out for you. I’ve been using Loki since it came out, and it been very stable for me. Could you let me know the what type of issues came up for you?
The biggest quirk was that out-of-the-box elementaryOS seems to be missing a driver for my MacBook Pro network interface controller. After I live booted my machine with elementaryOS, I set up connection to my wifi and still could not connect to the internet. My network card was not listed using `ifconfig` or `lspci -vnn`. After I plugged in a usb wifi dongle with a ralink wireless card, my wifi automatically connected. There were some other smaller quirks. For example, sometimes after a live boot I cannot open the Epiphany browser. I plan on spending more time with this OS as well as providing my feedback to the elementaryOS community.
Thanks again for the suggestion. Keep up the good work!
Also, I would love to hear your feedback on ParrotOS and Ghostery!
Thanks for the details. I’m sure other readers will find your notes useful. Unfortunately, driver issues are continue to be problematic, especially on laptops.
I bought my machines pre-configured from ThinkPenguin, so I avoided some configuration issues. I also hope to check out some of the other distributions that you mention.
I’ve used Air VPN for several years. Lately I’ve experienced some slowdowns and inconsistent connectivity. When I tried to talk to their support team about it I was told it was “impossible” for ANY errors to occur and that I was “irrelevant” , “stupid”, and “absurd” to even think such a thing. I have read responses to people in the forums that are equally personal and dismissive. Although Air VPN is cheap compared to others you recommend, that low cost comes with a price: no respect for clients and zero customer support. And, given my recent experiences, I now question their reliability. I’ll be switching to another VPN as a result.
Claudia, that doesn’t sounds like a good experience. I will investigate further, and I will change my recommendation if necessary.
Hi,
Right now, I am using Google Chrome and I have been using these extensions together for quite a while:
– uBlock Origin
– Privacy Badger
– HTTPS Everywhere
– Cookie AutoDelete
– Decentraleyes
– ExpressVPN
What do you think of the extensions I used and please advice if whether I should add anymore recommended extensions or remove any extensions I am using right now? Thanks so much.
I use those exact extensions with Firefox, so you are in good shape I believe.
Curious if you have any opinions on pcloud?
Thank you for the update ,
i like your blog and reading your rich info posts is enjoyable..
Keep up
Would mind sharing an opinion over https://wire.com ?
Proton has a vpn now also
Just curious why you don’t reccomend PIA anymore? My subscription is about to expire… wondering if I need to jump ship to one of these?
I still recommend Private Internet Access (PIA). It is a reliable and inexpensive provider. However, ExpressVPN and IPVanish offer a bit more of a seamless experience, in terms of support, apps and documentation.
Been using pia for a long time. Nice updated interface recently.