The Best Tools to Help You Stay Private Online

Staying private is one of the things most people want while they’re connected to the internet. As we all know, even if we’re on incognito, we’re not safe from our internet service providers (ISPs). But can you really stay anonymous online? The answer is yes, in fact, there are certain tools you can use to help you stay private online.

The internet or the World Wide Web (www) has meant so much to us that it actually became an extension of the world we reside in. This is why millions of valuable information is stored in it. Commercial businesses and governments take advantage of this. They use this information for their own sake and the only way to counter this is by staying hidden.

So how can you stay private while you’re online? There are a couple of essential tools and programs you can use so that you can get the privacy you’re looking for. In fact, it can be just one tool, or it can be combinations. Don’t worry because in this article, we’ll be providing some of the best tools to help you stay private online.

Different tools you need so you can protect your privacy online

Just to clarify, these tools cannot fully protect your privacy. However, by using these tools with one another, you can drastically increase your chances of staying “incognito” while you’re online.

VPN

A VPN or a Virtual Private Network, is a type of connection that acts as a tunnel between a device and the network. It’s secure because it’s only you and the network meeting each other. Not even your ISPs can monitor whatever you do online.

That said, you can somehow evade censorship and blocks that your country has. Yes, you’ll be able to access sites that your country does not allow.

There are a lot of VPN clients and providers out there. Their prices vary and it’s up to you what you’ll choose. One tip, though, in choosing a VPN, choose a provider that does not allow DNS leaks and won’t have your records stick around in their servers.

Ad blockers

If you’re a regular internet user, chances are, you’ve seen a pretty great deal of ads. Not to mention some ads being exactly what you’ve searched for within the past few days. There are ads, however, that redirects you to unwanted software such as malware.

Installing ad blockers on your device not only helps you get rid of those pesky ads, it also allows you to be free-from danger specifically those sinister ads which redirect you to unwanted software.

Password managers

Passwords are one thing that attackers want from you. It can either be for your social media profile, your banking information, or even your PC password. Once they get their hands on them, consider yourself to be in big trouble.

Having a password manager that generates and can save a strong password for you is essential nowadays. A strong password is an added layer of security you have so ensure that your passwords are different and strong.

A private and protected browser

Regular browsers such as Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox gather your data without you knowing it. After all, that’s what they use to target you to seeing specific ads you “randomly” see on websites.

They literally know all searches you’ve made; all websites you’ve visited – they know more about you than your neighbor. So, having a secure and a browser that doesn’t store data is what you need.

Apart from browsers, you can do yourself a favor and download extensions that would make all of your searches and your website visits anonymous.

Private search engines

Little did we know that even search engines take advantage of what they get from us. Whatever you’ve searches on Google, Bing, and MSN, it’s stored in their databases. There are private search engines that are downright honest that they don’t care about what you search for.

There are a couple of them; you might want to consider using them than your unsecure browser.

Anti-virus

All things we’ve mentioned above are prevention tools. Anti-virus software, however, is the one that battles for your privacy. An anti-virus solution is the program which protects your privacy, in a reactive method.

When a malware suddenly appears out of nowhere, your anti-virus solution will be behind your back, ready to defend you. You can consider this program to be the last line of defense between an attacker and you.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

With all the data being stored in our devices, a two-factor authentication (2FA) is a must. Having 2FA can easily save you from being stolen from. If someone successfully enters the correct password, you’re done. But if you have 2FA, the system will ask you if you’re the one who logged-in for an added layer of security.

Spyware removal

Spyware can be anything from a downloaded email attachment, or something you clicked from ads. This digital pest can steal your browsing data and monitor your activity. Even worse – it can steal your credentials. So, having a spyware removal tool can help you be stress-free from spyware lurking around.

There are various types of spyware removal tools in the web. And once you have it installed, make it a habit to scan whatever comes in your device on a regular basis. It can detect adware, malware, spyware, viruses, even worms and Trojans.

Protecting your online privacy is not actually a hard thing. People just make the miss because of their negligence. Most people think that identity theft is something that’s “not real” or something that’s “exaggerated.” What they don’t know is that these cyber-criminals are always on the hunt for prey.

So, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you want complete protection for your online activities, consider installing these recommendations we have. And although one of these might not be enough for all types of trouble, having all of them builds you a fortress you can lean on.