Ever feel like you’re being watched online? That’s because… you probably are.
Between trackers, advertisers, data brokers, and even your internet provider — your digital life is constantly being monitored. But what if you could turn that off?
Good news: You can. All you need is the right set of privacy tools.
So, What are privacy tools?
Think of them as your digital cloak — a set of apps, extensions, and services that help you:
- Hide your IP address
- Block trackers and cookies
- Stop surveillance
- Encrypt your communication
- Store data securely
Must-have privacy tools for 2025
Let’s break it down by category:
1. Secure browsing: Brave + uBlock Origin
- Brave blocks ads and trackers by default.
- Add uBlock Origin for extra filtering — goodbye creepy cookies.
- Bonus: Brave includes a built-in Tor window for anonymous browsing.
2. Private email: protonMail / tutanota
- End-to-end encrypted email.
- Zero access to your inbox — even by the provider.
- Based in privacy-friendly countries (Switzerland, Germany).
3. Encrypted messaging: signal
- Used by journalists, activists… and probably your most paranoid friend.
- No ads, no tracking, just pure encrypted communication.
4. Anonymous browsing: tor browser
- Routes your traffic through multiple encrypted layers.
- Slower, but ultra-private.
- Ideal for sensitive research or bypassing censorship.
5. VPN services: Mullvad / ProtonVPN
- Hide your IP, encrypt your internet traffic, and stay anonymous.
- Mullvad doesn’t even ask for your email to register.
- ProtonVPN integrates perfectly with ProtonMail for a full privacy suite.
🗄 6. Secure storage: Tresorit / Sync.com
- Cloud storage with client_side encreption.
- Not even the company can see your files.
⚠ A quick word of warning
Privacy tools aren’t magic.
They work best when combined with:
- Good habits (no sketchy websites!)
- Strong passwords
- Two-factor authentication
- Awareness of what apps you install
Final verdict: Build your privacy stack
You don’t have to be a spy to care about privacy. In fact, not caring is what data companies rely on.
Start simple: pick 2 or 3 tools above and integrate them into your routine. You’ll be amazed how quiet the internet becomes when no one’s watching you.