Web Browsing
To avoid tracking by mainstream browsers:
- Brave: Based on Chromium, it natively blocks ads and trackers thanks to its "Brave Shields" engine. It's often the most comfortable compromise for users coming from Chrome, offering speed and maximum website compatibility, although it includes some cryptocurrency-related features.
- LibreWolf: A "hardened" version of Firefox that removes all telemetry and includes enhanced privacy settings by default. It's an excellent choice for daily use if you want to maintain Firefox extension compatibility and a classic browsing experience without Mozilla's tracking. It includes uBlock Origin.
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Mullvad Browser: Developed in collaboration with the Tor project, this browser applies fingerprinting resistance techniques from Tor Browser without using the Tor network. It runs in private browsing mode by default, erases everything upon close, and includes uBlock Origin. Ideal for being indistinguishable from other users, especially when paired with a VPN (optional).
Why choose Mullvad Browser: This browser standardizes your digital fingerprint to make you indistinguishable from other users and blocks trackers by default. It erases all data on close and discourages extension installation to preserve fingerprint uniformity. Unlike Tor Browser, it offers fast browsing since it doesn't use the Tor network. For near-total anonymity, it's designed to be used together with a VPN (not necessarily Mullvad's) to mask your IP address.
- Tor Browser: The reference for total anonymity. It bounces your connection through multiple volunteer nodes around the world, masking your IP address and location. It's noticeably slower than others and reserved for activities requiring strong anonymity or to bypass censorship.
Password Management
Never use your browser's password manager. Prefer:
- Bitwarden: The reference open-source solution. It offers unlimited password storage on all your devices for free. Its code is regularly audited, guaranteeing the security of your encrypted data.
- KeePassXC: A local password manager that stores your data in an encrypted file on your device. There's no cloud or automatic synchronization, offering full control for advanced users.
Secure Messaging
Forget WhatsApp and Telegram (which collect metadata) for sensitive conversations. Prefer:
- Proton Mail: The encrypted email service based in Switzerland. The free version is sufficient for secure personal use.
DNS
- Mullvad DNS: A free DNS service that blocks advertising trackers and malicious domains. It keeps no logs (no-logs) and can be easily configured on most devices to improve privacy.
- Quad9: A recursive DNS service that automatically blocks malicious domains (phishing, malware). It doesn't keep activity logs and respects privacy, with an emphasis on security.
Other Essential Tools
- uBlock Origin: A lightweight and efficient extension for blocking ads and trackers on Firefox and Chromium-based browsers. It's often considered superior to native browser blockers.
- Proton VPN: One of the few reliable free VPN services. It offers unlimited data without logging (no-logs), although speed is limited and server selection is restricted on the free version.
- Have I Been Pwned: A free website allowing you to check if your email address or phone number has been compromised in a known data breach.
Conclusion
For maximum free protection, an effective combination is to use LibreWolf (or Mullvad Browser depending on your needs), Bitwarden or KeepassXC for passwords, Signal or Session for messaging, and Proton Mail for emails. This approach covers the main data collection vectors without financial cost and offers superior protection compared to most paid consumer solutions.