6 Best Security Apps You Can Use on Any Device

Most modern apps track your activities, location, and even habits. The best way to prevent this is to switch to privacy-first alternatives that don't collect your data.

 

User tracking and data collection has become the norm for most modern apps, even if you don't always agree with it.

6. Tor Browser

 

Tor Browser is one of the most reliable tools for anonymous web surfing. When you use Tor, it provides you with an anonymous identity and hides your IP address from websites by routing your traffic through a series of volunteer-run servers (called nodes), making it nearly impossible for anyone to track your activity or location.

In the process, it encrypts your traffic so that no one can track what you do online, including your ISP. It doesn't collect any user data and is built with privacy in mind to protect your activity from intrusive trackers. Tor automatically blocks third-party trackers, protects against fingerprinting, and automatically deletes cookies when you close the browser.

5. Signal

 

Signal is one of the best instant messaging apps for privacy because it's owned by an independent non-profit and is completely open source. It doesn't track any data and uses end-to-end encryption, so no one, not even Signal, can read your messages or listen to your calls.

Signal supports text, calls, and file sharing. Group chats can support up to 1,000 participants, and group calls can accommodate up to 50 participants. Plus, you get access to most of the features offered by competing apps like WhatsApp , including self-deleting stories, text editing, and more, without the intrusive tracking.

4. Quad9

Quad9 is a free recursive DNS resolver designed from the ground up with privacy and transparency in mind. It is owned and operated by a non-profit organization based in Switzerland, so you can rest assured that it complies with the country's internet privacy laws, which are some of the strictest in the world. As a result, Quad9 does not log your IP address or store any personally identifiable data, making it a great choice for anyone looking to avoid surveillance or data collection.

 

As for encryption, Quad9 supports several modern encrypted DNS protocols, such as DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT), which help prevent your queries from being intercepted or spoofed. Additionally, it validates Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) records by default, which helps prevent you from being redirected to fake or compromised websites.

3. Mullvad VPN

Mullvad VPN is one of the most trusted names in the security industry, and for good reason. Unlike most VPNs that simply promise not to collect logs or anonymous user data, Mullvad VPN takes a different approach by allowing users to remain completely anonymous.

Creating a Mullvad VPN account doesn't require your email address or payment information. Instead, you're assigned a randomly generated account number, and you can pay with cash or cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. This approach removes any trace of personal data, cementing Mullvad's position as one of the most privacy-focused VPN providers out there.

 

2. Proton Mail

Proton Mail is one of the most privacy-focused email providers out there. What makes Proton Mail one of the best privacy-focused Gmail alternatives is its Swiss roots. Another important aspect of Proton Mail's focus on privacy is its end-to-end encryption, which ensures that no one, not even the company itself, can view your conversations.

Emails between Proton Mail users are end-to-end encrypted, and the service offers options for encrypting messages sent off-platform, such as setting a custom password or sending emails with an expiration date. Additionally, Proton Mail is open source and has undergone multiple independent security audits. It doesn't track your usage, and it's ad-free, unlike most mainstream options like Outlook and Gmail .

 

1. Proton Drive

If you're looking for a cloud storage service that prioritizes your privacy, Proton Drive is a great choice. Like Proton Mail, the service is based in Switzerland and is protected by the country's strict privacy laws.

The service also offers end-to-end encryption for all your files. Despite its privacy-first focus, it still offers all the same features as Google Drive and Microsoft's OneDrive , including collaborative editing and secure file sharing with granular access controls.