Privacy and security can be achieved in a number of ways. That’s why there are so many companies out there making a difference. Each company takes a unique approach in protecting people’s information online.
Cryptocat
Cryptocat is an open source privacy-enhanced messaging platform. It uses encryption to keep your conversations confidential. Cryptocat lets you continue your conversations across all your devices. Within its messaging features it also features encrypted file sharing.
Similar to Search Encrypt, Cryptocat offers forward secrecy, so even if your encryption keys are compromised, your messages are safe.
Cryptomator
Cryptomator is a free, client-side encryption software for your cloud files. It’s totally open source and relies only on donations for its revenue. When installed on your device, Cryptomator uses transparent encryption which means you won’t notice a difference when working with your encrypted files. It makes it easy to access and work with your files even in their encrypted form.
Cryptomator lets you create vaults anywhere, even within your existing Dropbox or Google Drive.
Dock
Dock is a tool that wants to give you back the power to control your information on the internet. It recognizes the problems associated with sharing information with data brokers who then pass your information along to advertisers and corporations. With a single login, Dock can manage permissions you grant to other apps and service on the internet.
Dock uses blockchain technology to decentralize the storage of your information.
Exodus Privacy
Exodus Privacy is a French non-profit that analyzes and audits privacy practices for Android applications. It lets you use a single app to view all of the apps you have installed on your Android device and the permissions you have granted each one. It can then give you reports on which trackers are embedded into a given application. Exodus gives you more information into how the tracker works and what information it’s collecting.
Laverna App
Laverna is a note taking app that keeps the contents of your notes private and encrypted. It also lets you keep to-do lists, import and export notes and keep code snippets securely organized. Laverna works with Linux, MacOS and Windows. It has a self-hosted option and an Android version is coming soon.
Phrozen
Phrozen is a security software provider and a resource for whitepapers on cybersecurity and threats. Phrozen makes security apps that are ad-free, virus free and user-friendly. Each of Phrozen’s programs is designed to use minimal computer power while still providing complete protection from viruses and malware threats.
Prism Break
Prism Break is a resource launched by Peng Zhong in 2013. PRISM is the code name for a surveillance operation by the NSA and other governmental agencies. It collects email, chat, videos, file transfer and other information about your internet use. Prism Break shares information about alternative products which help to circumvent government monitoring.
PrivacyHaus
PrivacyHaus‘ Privacy Checklist is a great resource of simple and easy-to-understand steps to protect your privacy. It also has a complete directory of apps, from private search engines to notes and productivity apps, that make your privacy a priority.
PrivacyTools.io
PrivacyTools.io is a blog that focuses on “encryption against global mass surveillance with privacy tools”. It provides a list of services that have additional privacy protection measures against surveillance programs.
Standard Notes
Standard Notes is an alternative to other note keeping apps, but in an open-source, completely encrypted format. With Standard Notes, the company claims that only you can access and read your notes.
It lists many functions beyond just note-taking that people use Standard Notes for: personal notes, tasks & to-dos, password storage, etc. Standard Notes is available in a free version, but also offers an “Extended” version with additional features. Standard Notes has undergone and passed an independent security audit. See the results.
Tresorit
Tresorit is a file encryption tool for syncing and sharing files across multiple devices. It features zero-knowledge encryption which means that Tresorit knows nothing about the contents of your encrypted files. Tresorit is based in the EU which means it’s data practices fall under GDPR, some of the strictest privacy laws in the world.
Even though Tresorit uses top-notch security features, it doesn’t come at the cost of user-experience. The interface is extremely simple and easy to use and makes security barely noticeable.
Turtl
Turtl is an application available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android and iOS. It is a bookmarking and notetaking app comparable to Evernote, but with added privacy protection. The notes, research, bookmarks, photos and whatever else you choose to store in Turtl are protected with encryption.
Turtl is open source with all of its source code available on Github.
VeraCrypt
VeraCrypt is a disk encryption software for Windows, MacOS and Linux. It works by making a virtual encrypted disk within a file and mounts it as a real disk. This way you can store your files on your physical hard drive, but they are protected in this virtual disk. You can also use VeraCrypt to encrypt external storage devices like flash drives or external hard drives.