The Internet can be a dangerous place these days. Malicious software apps (“malware”), viruses, and phishing scams are growing in number and sophistication. Data breaches and identity theft are becoming commonplace. Even among “reputable” sites, there are ever-multiplying ways that your personal data is being tracked, collected, and stored. The use of your personal data and the manner in which it is saved and secured can create real risks to your privacy and even to your finances. Being able to maintain your privacy on the Internet is becoming harder, but it’s never been more important. Here’s a Top 10 Websites for Online Privacy Protection and help you stay anonymous to some extent on the Internet.
1) Tor:
The Onion Router, more famously known as TOR, is by far one of the best ways to protect your online privacy. TOR is free software that directs the Internet traffic through more than 6,000 relays worldwide. TOR conceals your identity and encrypts your query, thus, giving you safe passage inside the World Wide Web. TOR saves you from the direct cyber attack. You will be amazed to see the intensity of cyber attacks across the globe in the Norse Map taking place right now.
2) DuckDuckGo:
DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused search engine and since last two years has witnessed a whopping 600% growth, especially after the NSA leaks. DuckDuckGo goes by catchphrase of “the search engine that doesn’t track you”. The website promotes strict online privacy measures and claims that it doesn’t collect information about its users, and neither sends your IP address while crawling the web. DuckDuckGo is the search engine you would want to prefer to protect your online privacy.
3) StartPage:
Startpage submits Google searches for you and then returns the results. Google sees searches from Startpage’s servers, but nothing more. The site discards IP addresses and doesn’t keep a record of any of the searches it has performed.
4) My Permissions:
With the help of MyPermissions, users can find out which apps are connected to online accounts such as Facebook, Dropbox and Google and clean up those permissions. There’s also a proactive element: Users will receive notifications when new apps connect to those accounts going forward. MyPermissions will also inform of such actions in case you install new apps, thus, helping you to protect your privacy online.
5) Hide My Ass:
This VPN service usually costs $11.52 per month, but occasional specials, promote rates as low as $4.99/month for a 12-month plan. When users visit websites, this VPN gives out one of their IP addresses, rather than the user’s real IP address. In addition to remaining anonymous online, Hide My Ass! is also helpful when it comes to navigating content locked by government censors.
6) Express VPN:
Express VPN brags of both the security and speed. Express VPN is SSL secured with 256-bit encryption and optimizes continuously to provide the users a super fast encrypted network. Express VPN provides online privacy and secure surfing for $12.95 per month and an annual subscription of $99.95.
7) IP Vanish:
For $10 each month or an annual subscription for $77.99, IP Vanish lets users surf anonymously and access blocked websites from anywhere around the globe. Once users establish a VPN connection using the site, all of their information passes through an encrypted tunnel — without compromising speed, according to the company.
8) Just Delete Me:
To help erase your digital footprint, this site provides a directory of links to use so you can delete your account from Web services. Delete yourself from public record searches or social media accounts, for example.
9) Buffered VPN:
Buffered VPN is in the list of paid VPN services that protects your privacy by hiding your IP Address and allows you to overcome firewalls. You can use Buffered VPN for a secure browsing experience and protect your online privacy.
10) TOS;DR:
If you’re continually perplexed by terms of service, you might want to consider enlisting some help to decode the lingo before actually agreeing to the terms. TOS;DR translates terms of service into succinct and meaningful messages, so that you can take to develop a full understanding and remain in the driver’s seat when it comes to how services use your data.
