Step 1 - Identify the information to protect
To protect data, you can start by considering the types of information that are important or valuable to you, such as personal or confidential information, financial or business data, or other types of sensitive information. You can also think about the potential risks or consequences of this information being accessed or misused by others, such as identity theft, financial loss, or damage to your reputation.
Once you have identified the sensitive or valuable information that you want to protect, you can then take steps to secure and protect this information, such as by using encryption, secure communication channels, or other security measures. It is also important to regularly review and update your list of sensitive or valuable information, and to ensure that your security practices and tools are effective and up to date.
Step 2 - Use encryption to protect your information
To use encryption to protect your information and increase cybersecurity, you can use encryption tools or software to encode your data so that it can only be accessed by someone who has the correct decryption key. Encryption can be used to protect a wide range of information, including files, messages, and other data. In addition to using encryption, you can also use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) and DNS (Domain Name System) services to further enhance the security and privacy of your information.
To use encryption, VPN, and DNS together to protect your information, you can follow these steps:
1. Install encryption software or tool on your device, such as GnuPG (GNU Privacy Guard), AxCrypt, VeraCrypt, or NordLocker. Encryption software is a type of software that is used to encode messages or information in such a way that it can only be accessed or read by someone who has the correct decryption key. The purpose of encryption software is to protect data from unauthorized access or tampering, and to ensure the confidentiality and security of communication.
2. Use a privacy-focused search engine such as DuckDuckGo instead of a mainstream search engine like Google. This will prevent the search engine from tracking your search queries and personalizing your search results. Other search engines to consider are StartPage, Qwant, and Brave Search.
3. Use a privacy-focused web browser such as Brave, TOR, Firefox, or Mullvad that has built-in support for encryption and privacy-enhancing features. Also consider adding services like uBlock Origin, uMatrix, and Privacy Badger to these browsers. This will prevent websites from tracking your online activity and will also prevent third parties from intercepting and reading your web traffic.
4. Connect to a security VPN to encrypt your internet connection and hide your online activity and location. VPNs, or virtual private networks, are tools that can help protect your online privacy by encrypting your internet traffic and hiding your IP address. They do this by routing your traffic through a remote server, which makes it appear as if you are accessing the internet from a different location. This can help you avoid online tracking and surveillance, and can also allow you to access websites and content that may be blocked in your location.
When choosing a VPN, it's important to consider which country the provider is based in. This is because different countries have different privacy laws and regulations, and the location of the provider can affect how much privacy you can expect while using their service.
Here are some of the best rated paid VPNs with jurisdiction:
Proton VPN - Switzerland (#1 choice)
Mullvad VPN - Sweden
NordVPN - Panama
Express VPN - British Virgin Islands
Private Internet Access - United States
CyberGhost - Romania
If your not willing to commit to a paid VPN solution there are great free VPN alternatives available. Here are our top-rated free VPNs in 2023:
PrivadoVPN - Great free VPN for Windows and Mac
Atlas VPN - Free on Android and iOS
ProtonVPN - VPN free plan offers unlimited data
One thing to consider is the so-called "Five Eyes," "Nine Eyes," and "14 Eyes" alliances. These are groups of countries that have agreed to share intelligence and surveillance information with each other. The Five Eyes alliance consists of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The Nine Eyes alliance adds Denmark, France, the Netherlands, and Norway to the group, while the 14 Eyes alliance includes all of these countries plus Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden.
While a VPN provider based in one of these countries may still offer strong encryption and other privacy protections, it's important to keep in mind that they may be subject to legal pressure to disclose user information to these governments. If privacy is a top concern for you, you may want to consider a VPN provider based in a country that is not part of these alliances.
Check out this article about the worst VPNs - those that should be avoided.
5. Use a DNS service, such as Cloudflare, OpenDNS, or SmartDNS proxy to protect your internet traffic and prevent your information from being accessed or tampered with. DNS services can help to block access to malicious websites and services, and to improve the security and privacy of your internet connection.
6. Keep your decryption key, VPN credentials, and DNS settings secure and private, and avoid sharing them with others. It is also important to regularly review and update these security tools and settings, and to use strong and unique passwords to protect your information.
7. Avoid using cloud-based services, unless it's decentralized, to store sensitive information. Instead, use a local storage device or an encrypted external hard drive to store your data. This will prevent anyone from accessing your data even if the cloud-based service is hacked or compromised.
Some examples of decentralized cloud storage providers include Storj, Sia, and Filecoin. It's important to carefully evaluate the features and capabilities of different decentralized storage solutions to determine which one best fits your needs.
Step 3 - Use private communication channels
Secure and private communication channels are methods of sending and receiving information over the internet or other networks that are protected from being accessed or intercepted by unauthorized parties. These channels can include encrypted messaging, email, and other forms of communication that use encryption and other security measures to protect the information being transmitted. By using secure and private communication channels, you can help to protect your information from being accessed or misused by others, and to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of your communications and ensure cybersecurity.
Here is a brief overview of each of the some private messaging apps:
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Signal: An encrypted messaging app that was created by Open Whisper Systems, a nonprofit organization. It is known for its strong privacy features, including end-to-end encryption for all messages and calls, as well as its commitment to not collecting or storing any user data.
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Telegram: A cloud-based messaging app that is known for its fast messaging and ability to support large groups, with a limit of up to 200,000 members per group. It offers end-to-end encrypted messaging, but it does not use end-to-end encryption by default, and its security practices have been criticized by some experts.
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WhatsApp: A messaging app owned by Facebook that offers end-to-end encrypted messaging. It is popular worldwide and has a variety of features, including the ability to make voice and video calls, send photos and videos, and share location information.
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ProtonMail: A secure email service that offers end-to-end encrypted email messaging. It was created by the Swiss company Proton Technologies AG and is known for its strong privacy protections and commitment to not collecting or selling user data.
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Tutanota: A secure email service that offers end-to-end encrypted email messaging. It was created in Germany and is known for its strong privacy protections and commitment to not collecting or selling user data.
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StartMail: A secure email service that offers end-to-end encrypted email messaging. It was created by the Dutch company StartMail BV and is known for its strong privacy protections and commitment to not collecting or selling user data.
These services use encryption and other security measures to protect your information and to prevent it from being accessed or intercepted by unauthorized parties. It is important to use reputable and trusted secure and private communication channels, and to avoid using public or unencrypted communication channels, such as regular text messaging or email, as these can be easily intercepted or monitored.
Overall, using secure and private communication channels can help to protect your information from being accessed or intercepted by unauthorized parties, and to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of your communications. It is important to use reputable and trusted secure and private communication channels, and to regularly review and update your security settings and practices.
Step 4 - Take control of your own information
Taking control of your own information involves protecting and managing your information in a way that is safe, secure, and private. By using encryption and other security measures, storing and accessing your information on your own devices, and regularly reviewing and updating your security practices, you can help to safeguard your information and maintain control over your own data privacy.
Data removal services like DeleteMe, Kanary, and Incogni help individuals remove their personal information from the internet. This can include things like removing personal information from social media profiles, removing old posts and comments from forums, and removing personal information from online databases. The goal of a personal data removal service is to help individuals take control of their online presence and protect their data privacy.
In today's digital age, where our personal data is constantly collected and shared, it becomes increasingly crucial to take proactive measures to protect our privacy. Faraday bags and sleeves, particularly those offered by reputable companies like Go Dark and Off Grid, can serve as invaluable tools in this endeavor.
These specially designed products employ advanced shielding technology to create a secure barrier, blocking external electromagnetic signals and preventing the transmission of data from our devices. By utilizing Faraday bags and sleeves, individuals can confidently limit their exposure to surveillance, tracking, and hacking attempts, allowing them to regain control over their information and preserve their privacy in an increasingly interconnected and centralized world.
By combining decentralized technologies, VPN services, physical security measures, and an understanding of centralization versus decentralization, individuals can take proactive steps to protect their data and maintain their privacy in an increasingly interconnected world.
“All human beings have three lives: public, private, and secret.”
― Gabriel García Márquez
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