5 great open source tools that keep your personal data safe

Whether Windows is watching you or your browser affects privacy, there are many reasons for you to be cautious about your personal data. Fortunately, there is a solution that helps you manage and store personal data that is open source software and tools. This article will introduce some open source tools that help keep your data safe.

1. Monica

Enterprises many years ago, created customer relationship management software (Customer Relationship Management - CRM) to record customer information, helping to provide better services. But what if there is a personal CRM software, which helps you improve your relationship and control your confidential data?

Monica is an open source personal CRM software, designed to help you keep track of people in your life. Using web-based apps, you can add notes about one's family, keep track of how often you contact them, schedule reminders, and even track the gifts you've shared with them.

The dashboard page gives you an up-to-date overview of planned events and tasks related to your contacts. In addition, Monica has a journaling feature to record your daily life (and even improve mental health). Apps for both iOS and Android give you access to data on the go. If you find yourself sharing this much data with their server, you can choose to host it yourself.

2. OpenSSL

Prior to 2014, Secure Socket Layers (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) were not widely known except for developers and security. Later, one of the key security holes was discovered: Heartbleed. It affects about 17% of servers running OpenSSL providing secure connection to the site.

Although Heartbleed was widely reported, the vulnerability was patched on the same day it was discovered. The fast patching time made many people impressed, but more impressive is the OpenSSL development team size, they only have 13 people and of which 10 are volunteers.

OpenSSL was first established in 1998 as a branch of an open source project that no longer exists - SSLeay. From its humble origins, it has grown to become web server coding standard. Not long after discovering Heartbleed, Google separated OpenSSL to create BoringSSL. Although this project is open source, they warn users not to use it on OpenSSL because they have separated them for their own use.

3. OnionShare

Sending large files over the Internet is still a challenge with privacy. Cloud storage services make it easier than ever to share your files online, but often leave privacy issues for users. Although there are options to share files without additional software, they also require you to upload data to a third-party server.

You can use a service like Takeafile, which allows file sharing without uploading to any third party server. But anonymity and high security are your top priorities, OnionShare is the tool you should use. In addition to being an open source, it also uses the TOR network to share files securely and anonymously. The software creates a web server on the TOR network and is available for Linux, macOS and Windows.

Usage is simple, just drag the file into the window to create a unique .onion URL to share with the recipient. You can refer to the article Sharing any size file with Onionshare. Files are stored on your computer, so third parties cannot know your data. To download the file, the recipient needs to open the link in the TOR browser so this may not be the choice of many people. However, if you want to secure your file, this is the right choice.

4. OpenWRT

In May 2018, researchers for Cisco's intelligence group Talos discovered evidence of VPNFilter malware targeting routers around the world. Malware that exploits the firmware was found on many popular routers that still use the default login information.

Of course, this is not the first time the router has security risks. The router's firmware is often the cause of these vulnerabilities, but it is developed but not supported by your mobile service providers.

OpenWRT is a Linux-based open source software developed for embedded devices such as routers. It has an available web interface and is considered more stable than most other router firmware.

OpenWRT helps you monitor network traffic, can run a BitTorrent client, configure VPNs across the network, etc. Although there is currently no evidence that OpenWRT is sure to protect you from VPNFilter but at least it does Make sure you don't use the default username and password.

5. OpenVPN

Virtual private network (VPN) is an important factor in the IT systems of companies for decades. Previously, people knew little about VPN, but now they are used as privacy protection tools, helping us to cope with censorship and data away from prying eyes. The surge in interest in VPNs has led to an explosion of new service providers. There are free services, high-end providers and Netflix VPNs.

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OpenVPN, first released in 2002, is an open source VPN protocol. It supports all major platforms including Linux, macOS and Windows with mobile apps available for Android and iOS. Although many VPN providers have their native applications, these applications are not always available on all platforms, making OpenVPN an ideal alternative. You can also configure VPN for work, home and other specific applications, store and connect via OpenVPN.

OpenVPN uses 256 bit encryption via OpenSSL to protect data when forwarding. A typical use for VPNs is to bypass firewalls, such as China's Great Firewall, and OpenVPN also excel at this task. By hiding your data to make it appear as regular Internet traffic, it can break the packet check. Because OpenVPN is open source, it encourages developers to submit bug reports to improve the protocol.

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Open source for everyone

If you meet someone on the road and promise to keep your money safely, you probably won't give it to them. However, technology companies continue to persuade us to deliver data to them even though there are many reminders not to trust them but we are still doing it. Open source software is not a panacea for all data threats, but at least this is where you can "trust".

Open source not only shares files, as you see Linux is one of the most successful open source projects of all time with many distributions to choose from. You don't have to change the operating system, there are many open source software and tools for you to explore and choose to suit your needs.

See more:

1. 11 free open source applications for small businesses
2. 15 open source tools to "manage" Windows
3. 7 Great open source security apps you may not know yet