Digital Privacy & Technology Guide: Big Tech Alternatives: Tools & Software

A list of services, tools and knowledge to protect against private and state-sponsored organizations that are monitoring and recording online activities.

A comprehensive list of alternatives from Restore Privacy.

Excellent list of privacy-friendly alternatives to Google that don't track you.

Say goodbye to Google Analytics with Matomo Analytics, a powerful web analytics platform that gives you 100% data ownership.

Is Google Chrome installed on your computer? Spend time reviewing your settings, and consider these tips to improve your privacy.

From Computer World, a fresh look at the pros and cons of Google Voice and how to leverage its functionalities.

Google's official Privacy Checkup page.

LineageOS is a free and open-source operating system for various devices, based on the Android mobile platform.

A helpful post about CyanogenMod and its new successor LineageOS, and why you might want to try it.

An alternative Android firmware that is user friendly and focused on security and privacy. Support is available with a Calyx Membership.

Basic information on what is HTTPS and why it matters.

A post From EFF.

Project for setting up HTTPS on websites.

CertBot client for Let's Encrypt

Learn the basics of a VPN, how they work, and the benefits they offer.

A personal VPN service.

Learn more about VPN security.

Librarian and internet activist Alison Macrina, Director of Library Freedom Project, discusses Tor Browser, intellectual freedom and surveillance technologies in the digital age.

Shea Swauger’s talk delves into the library profession’s problematic framing of and approach to privacy. Shea challenges the profession to reconceptualize privacy – “Privacy isn’t the thing, it’s the thing that gets us to the thing.”

From the Internet Society.

Free Software Foundation explains principles of free software.

Learn about the GDPR that was passed by the European Union, and the ongoing work by EU States to comply with the regulations.

You're being watched everywhere you move. Here’s how to start reclaiming your location autonomy.

Blog from Malware Bytes that explains how bluetooth and beacons work, and how to safeguard personal privacy.

Tips from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada on how to leverage privacy settings on personal devices to reduce tracking.

A full featured, free software office suite including presentation and vector graphics tools.

End to end encrypted cloud based office tools: etherpad, text editor, polls, project boards

Create online, temporary, collaborative text documents.

VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols.

From Tech Radar, the best open source software of 2021.

From Wired, learn about the benefits of moving towards privacy-first email provider.

ProtonMail is an end-to-end encrypted email service. Basic plan is free.

Secure email provider, fee based service.

Article outlines the numerous privacy violations by Facebook's Messenger app, and why moving towards secure messaging platforms is necessary.

Consider these privacy forward alternatives to WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and other major messaging platforms.

A tool to help you decide which privacy forward messaging platform is best for your needs.

Encrypted texting and calling that can be installed on mobile devices and computer equipment.

Learn how to set up Signal messenger without providing your personal phone number.

An open source video conferencing tool. The interface is accessible via web browser or with a mobile app and is great for quick meetings.

Private browsing on your computer is possible!

Free web browser backed by Mozilla, a non-profit dedicated to internet health and privacy.

Consider making these adjustments to Firefox's settings to improve your privacy.

A dedicated privacy browser with automatic tracking protection and ad blocking. Works on iOS and Android devices.

An internet search engine that emphasizes protecting searchers' privacy and avoiding personalized search results. It does not show search results from content farms.

Do you save your passwords in your web browser? You may want to reconsider that!

Learn the benefits of password managers and Wired's recommended tools.

An article about the benefits of 2-Factor Authentication (2FA), password managers and why they are critical to personal cybersecurity.