You may assume you are in a peaceful, private atmosphere when sitting in a comfy bed at home, checking social media and surfing the web. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. When you go online, your privacy is threatened by data brokers, trackers, and hackers. It’s not the same as having your purse stolen because you won’t notice anything right away. However, if you don’t keep your personal information safe, you might suffer consequences ranging from annoying spam mailings to actual identity theft.
It’s impossible to stay completely anonymous on the internet. Still, there are steps you can take to restrict your exposure, such as using a VPN or paying a service that deletes your data from authorized data aggregators. The following is a list of app ideas for your phones, laptops, and other devices that can significantly help in protecting your privacy and security.
1. VPN
A VPN shields your data by routing your online traffic through an encrypted connection to a distant server. ExpressVPN is an excellent option as its fundamental features are robust and provide numerous levels of privacy protection worldwide. High-end encryption protects your traffic from snoopers. Secure DNS stops your ISP from viewing your data and if the VPN goes down, a kill switch disconnects your internet connection and keeps you safe.
2. DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo is one of the most secure search engines on the market today. DuckDuckGo does not monitor or keep your browsing data. Even though it is a free service, your information is only saved each time you search for something. Furthermore, your searches are not shared with other parties, nor do they develop a user profile based on your searches. As a result, there will be fewer advertisements. DuckDuckGo is available in iOS, Mac, and Android apps as an extension for Google Chrome.
3. 2ndLine
2ndLine is a phone software that allows you to have a second phone number without switching SIM cards or switching to another phone. The phone numbers you receive from this app are from the United States or Canada. This app allows you to call and text, and receive calls and messages without keeping the app in the forefront. It is suitable for anyone who needs a second phone number, such as freelancers, company owners, and entrepreneurs.
4. ProtonMail
Google’s tracking techniques are not limited to its search engine. Gmail data allows Google to create more targeted advertisements and personalized recommendations.
ProtonMail is considerably more secure than Gmail and other competitors. It is an open source option, allowing its code to be inspected whenever necessary. This company also offers its own Google Drive replacement, password manager, all of which are mobile-friendly.
You may use the software to send password-protected emails and messages that self-destruct after a certain period. Because all messages are encrypted, even the corporation cannot decipher the content of your conversations.
6. LastPass
LastPass password manager allows you to use lengthy, random and unique passwords while keeping them all safely stored in one location. You may also use it to preserve your social security, and credit or debit card numbers.
LastPass is safe, has exciting features, and is reasonably priced. They use military-grade encryption to protect all user data, have a zero-knowledge policy, and offer several two-factor authentication solutions and biometric logins.
Conclusion
You may be surprised at how much personal information hackers have access to. Failure to secure your data increases the risk of identity theft, online fraud, or data abuse. However, if you follow well-thought data protection practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of compromising or losing your credentials.