No online service is 100% guaranteed to be safe. You need to have faith in the providers, the software your ISP, and trust that your device hasn’t been compromised. Use these in conjunction with other safety measures, like a VPN
Email Privacy
Virtru – developed by the NSA, and surprisingly open source. For corporations.
ProtonMail – Swiss service providing free, encrypted email. Their paid version has extreme security
Burner Mail – disposable email addresses for when you sign up for something that isn’t important. Great for scenarios when user lists are sold… Free option.
Secure Messaging
Wickr – P2P encrypted messaging. Trusted by world leaders, including the PM of Australia. Free! UPDATE: Bought by Amazon and will not operate, for individuals, beyond 2023
Bridgefy – mesh network for IOS and Android. Works well in crowds/protests as long as participant are no more than 100m apart. Does not use cellular networks, but does use WiFi and Bluetooth. Potential privacy issues due to be fixed late-2020.
Element – free, decentralised, secure, and cross-platform (including browsers). Text, voice and video.
Signal – used by Edward Snowden! Secure (there is no insecure option, you can’t fail). Free, and has text, voice and video.
Telegram is not safe!
Online Privacy
Twister – uses Bitcoin technology to enable a peer-to-peer version of Twitter. Includes encrypted direct messaging
Namecoin – an alternative domain name system using the .bit top-level domain. It operates separate to ICANN, so could become an alternative internet.
Tor – a general system for avoiding online scrutiny. Covers IM, downloading, browsing and more. You need this to access the Deep Web, including the Silk Road.
Tails – an operating system that combines Tor and Linux.
Disconnect – browser extension that lets sites load faster, use less bandwidth, and stops tracking services to improve your privacy. They also offer private searching via Disconnect Search.
Disconnect Secure Wireless – public Wi-Fi services aren’t safe, and your data/passwords etc can be eavesdropped. This app switches you to a VPN service if the network is potentially insecure. Or just use a VPN of your choice instead.
Aegis 2FA – for when you don’t want to use Google’s authenticator
BitWarden – free for individuals, secure password manager
Currency
Venmo – if you pay from your Venmo balance, bank account or debit card, transferring money to another user is free. You only get charged (3%) if you pay with a credit card. USA only.
Phone Privacy
Silent Circle are the most trust-worthy company in this space. They have apps for Android and Apple phones, with encrypted messaging and calls and their own phone. Targeted at corporations.
CoverMe has disposable phone numbers, disappearing messages, with the addition of a secure vault.
Librem 5 is a Linux phone (not an Android) with a strong focus on security and privacy.
Make your own “de-Googled” phone with /e/ OS or CalysOX – phones can’t be low-spec…
Try a second phone number from Hushed – affordable in the US/UK/Canada
Computer Privacy
Use VeraCrypt to keep your files private. I mean 100% no way that anyone can get in. All commercial encryption software has backdoors that allow the authorities to take a look if your PC is ever taken from you.
General Info
Lots of Defensive Technology info at EFF. They also have a guide regarding protecting yourself from the NSA and GCHQ.
