Recommended Tech

I’m always asked what I use to keep my data private and secure. I’ve compiled the following recommended tech, which I’ll continuously update. Some of these suggestions might be a bit techie and may not fit everyone’s level of consumer polish. Learning how technology works and taking control of it is integral to becoming a true Data Overhauler. 😉

Software

SoftwareReplace ThisWith ThisComplete Replacement
Operating SystemMicrosoft WindowsLinux Mint (or any Linux distribution), Apple OSXYes
Productivity SoftwareMicrosoft OfficeLibreOffice, FreeOfficeYes
BrowserMicrosoft Edge, Google Chrome, Apple SafariFirefoxBraveTor BrowserYes
Digital NotebookMicrosoft OneNote, Google Keep, Apple NotesJoplinTurtlYes
Password Manageryour brain/memory, sticky note on your monitor, your phone’s address book etcBitwarden, a KeePass Client,
1Password (commercial)
Yes
Two-Factor Authenticationnot using it, codes sent via SMSAegisFreeOTPAndOTP
NitrokeyYubiKey
Yes
PDF ReadingAdobe Acrobat ReaderYour browserYes
PDF EditingAdobe AcrobatMaster PDF Editor (not OSS)Yes

Services

ServiceReplace ThisWith ThisComplete Replacement
Email, Calendar, ContactsGmail, iCloud, Outlook, etcProton, Tutanota, MailfenceDisroot, NextcloudYes
Online StorageGoogle Drive, Amazon Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, etcNextcloudInternxt, Keybase, or use CryptomatorYes
Bookmark SyncingGoogle Chrome, Apple SafariBraveYes
PrintingGoogle Cloud PrintWiFi or USBAlmost
MusicGoogle Play Music, Spotify, PandoraPlex No
VPNPrivate Internet Access PIAMullvadTor BrowserProtonVPNYes
Search EngineGoogle, BingDuckDuckGoQwant, SearxMostly
Credit CardGiving your credit card number Privacy.comYes
Video ConferencingZoom, Join.me, WebEx, Microsoft TeamsJitsi MeetYes
Mobile Phone ServiceAT&T, T-mobile, Verizon, etcPrepaid providers like Mint Mobile or Silent LinkYes
Video StreamingYouTubeInvidious & LBRYYes

Hardware & Networking

Hardware/NetworkReplace ThisWith ThisComplete Replacement
Laptopmost consumer laptopsPurism Librem Laptops, Apple laptops with attention to configurationYes
WiFi RouterGoogle WiFi, your provider’s routeranonaboxFlashRoutersYes
Home Assistant/ AutomationGoogle Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomePodDon’t use these, but maybe MycroftNo
DNSYour ISP’s or Google’s DNSNextDNSYes (WAY better)

Mobile

Hardware/AppReplace ThisWith ThisComplete Replacement
SmartphoneApple iPhone, most commercial Android-based phonesCalyxOS, GrapheneOSPurism Librem PhonePinephoneAlmost
MessagingiMessage, Android MessagesSignal, Briar, JamiYes
BrowserChrome, SafariBrave, Bromite, Firefox Focus/KlarYes
KeyboardGboardAnySoftKeyboard, GrammarlyMostly
WiFi managerNot using oneWiFi AutomaticYes
VPNGoogle or othersMullvadTor BrowserProtonVPN, Wireguard (with trusted VPN)Yes
App FirewallNot using oneTrackerControl, NetGuard, LockdownYes
WeatherGoogle Weather, WeatherBug, etcForecastie or OpenWeatherYes
PDF & Book reading, TTSAdobe, iBooks, FoxitLibrera PROYes
AudiobookSmart AudioBook Player, Listen Audiobook PlayerVoiceYes
PodcastAnything from Google Play AntennaPodYes
Android App LauncherYour manufacturer’s launcherKISS launcher, reviewed othersYes
Email AppGmail, OutlookNine Email, K-9 Mail, ProtonMail, TutanotaYes
Background Noise Generators for Focus and ProductivityWhite Noise, Sleepa, etcNoice, Binaural BeatsYes
Voice Recorderbuilt-inVoice Recorder, Audio RecorderYes
Location ServicesGoogle Maps or Apple Find MyHauk, OpenTracksMostly

Want More Recommendations?

Throughout this blog, I’m constantly referring to other resources, channels, etc., in the industry. Explore more with me:

Tools We Use To Bring You This Site

ToolWhat it does
MissinglettrGenerate creative social media posts and schedule their release on Twitter, Mastodon, and other social networks.
BeaconProduce beautiful guides, checklists, e-books, etc. using existing blog entries or easily create from scratch.
RelayThatCreate eye-catching thumbnails for videos and social media, along with informative infographics.
GrammarlyForge consistent compositions with industry-leading grammar checking and plagiarism detection. Mostly open-source alternative: LanguageTool
DreamstimeHunt down the perfect illustration, photo, or video for your projects.
Happy ScribeCreate amazingly accurate subtitles and transcripts for your videos with a blazingly fast editor that includes multi-language translations.
WiseEasiest online business bank for storing and transferring multiple currencies. I use these guys for personal and business banking.
YNABYes, You Need A Budget can handle your business books too. I use the Profit First method with it.
EzoicAccelerates website performance and includes AI-powered display advertising.