In today’s internet, privacy isn’t a feature, it’s a fight. Trackers, advertisers, data brokers, and even ISPs quietly map your behavior every second you stay online. If you’re still running stock browsers, free email services, and default search engines, you’re basically leaking metadata everywhere.

There is a purpose behind privacy checklists like the one from PrivacyTools.io. Security researchers, journalists, and red teamers who genuinely care about operational security utilize these battle-tested setups; they are neither theory-heavy nor driven by fear.

Without superfluous details or the advice to “install everything and pray,” this guide adheres to that precise checklist lineup and demonstrates how to apply each layer correctly.

Table of Contents

• Secure Browser
• Secure VPN
• AD Blockers
• Privacy Email
• Password Managers
• Privacy Seqarch Engine
• Privacy Messaging
• Cloud Storage
• Conclusion

Secure Browsers

Your browser is the biggest attack surface on your system. Chrome based defaults are optimized for data collection, not privacy.

Librewolf

LibreWolf is a fork of Firefox designed for users who value transparency and control over privacy. It removes telemetry and unnecessary features, offering a lean, privacy-focused experience.

Ideal For: Open-source enthusiasts and advanced users who prioritize maximum privacy.

https://librewolf.net/

Brave

Brave is a Chromium-based browser that emphasizes privacy without compromising speed. It blocks ads and trackers by default, reducing your digital footprint while improving browsing performance.

https://brave.com/

Mullvad Browser

Mullvad Browser is developed with the experts on privacy-focused browsers: the Tor Project. It’s a browser with the standards of Tor, to use with a VPN.

https://mullvad.net/en/browser

Hardening Steps

• Install uBlock Origin immediately
• Enable strict blocking mode
• Use container tabs to isolate banking, social media, and work accounts
• Disable WebRTC leaks manually or via uBlock rules

If your fingerprint looks “too unique” dial back extensions. Uniqueness is also a fingerprint.

For more details on privacy-focused browsers and hardening techniques, refer to this guide:

https://www.hackingarticles.in/privacy-protection-browsers/

Secure VPN

NordVPN

NordVPN is about being in control. With NordVPN, you get peace of mind knowing that your internet connection is encrypted, your devices are shielded from malware and unwanted snoopers, and your digital life belongs to you.

https://nordvpn.com/

Surfshark

Surfshark connects, reconnects, stays alert, and protects you online 24/7 wherever you go. With its intuitive design, you will master it in no time.

https://surfshark.com/

https://www.hackingarticles.in/privacy-protection-cover-your-tracks/

Ad Blockers

NextDNS

NextDNS filters at DNS level across all devices/apps, 100k+ blocklists (Hagezi/EasyPrivacy), granular per-device profiles, CNAME cloaking detection. Custom rules for affiliate links, parental controls, analytics blocking.

• Link: my.nextdns.io → custom config ID in router/Android
• Enable Hagezi Pro++ + EasyPrivacy lists
• Block disguised trackers (CNAME hiding)

https://nextdns.io/

AdGuard

AdGuard runs system-wide via local VPN profile (no root), browser extensions + DNS filtering, family porn/malware blocks, HTTPS enforcement everywhere. Stealth Mode kills WebRTC leaks.

• Install AdGuard app (F-Droid) → Protection → DNS filtering
• Enable “Default” profile + Stealth Mode
• Add custom filters: oisd.nl, 1hosts

https://adguard.com/

For advanced tracker blocking and privacy browser extensions, check:
https://www.hackingarticles.in/privacy-protection-browser-extensions/

https://www.hackingarticles.in/privacy-protection-encrypted-dns/

Privacy Email

Tutanota

Tutanota is a secure and privacy-focused email service based in Germany. It emphasizes end-to-end encryption, open-source technology, and no ads or tracking. It’s a solid choice if you’re looking for a private email provider that protects your data from surveillance, whether by corporations or governments.

https://tuta.com/

Proton Mail

Proton Mail is a privacy-focused, end-to-end encrypted email service founded in 2014 by scientists at CERN (Switzerland). It’s designed to protect user data from surveillance, hackers, and advertisers.

https://proton.me/mail

Why they matter:

• End-to-end encryption by default
• No ad scanning
• Zero-access architecture
• Disposable aliases per service

Migration Tips

• Use IMAP bridge to import old emails
• Create aliases for every signup
• Enable 2FA with hardware keys
• Avoid phone-number-based recovery

This instantly kills spam correlation and data resale.

For secure and privacy friendly email services, refer to:
https://www.hackingarticles.in/privacy-protection-email/

Password Manager

Bitwarden

Bitwarden protects your passwords against the most sophisticated threats with end-to-end encryption, cross-platform compatibility, and a trusted open-source framework.

https://bitwarden.com/

1Password

1Password is a secure password manager that helps you generate, store, and autofill strong passwords across all your devices. It offers end-to-end encryption, a zero-knowledge architecture, and features like password vaults, secure notes, and two-factor authentication storage.

https://1password.com/

To begin, the image displays the 1Password app, where saved logins and account details are organized for secure and quick access.

https://www.hackingarticles.in/privacy-protection-password-manager/

Private Search Engines

Privacy search engines like DuckDuckGo, Startpage, Brave Search, Qwant, and Searx protect user data by not tracking search history

Better Alternatives

• Brave Search
• MetaGer
  

Brave Search

Brave Search serves fast, accurate results from its own independent index of the Web, and offers unique features like a powerful AI-answer engine

MetaGer

MetaGer protects against censorship by combining the results of multiple search engines.

Key advantages:

• No query logging
• No personalization tracking
• Independent or anonymized indexes

Set them as the default and remove Google apps that silently revert your search engine. After a week, you won’t miss “personalized” results at all.

https://www.hackingarticles.in/privacy-protection-encrypted-dns/

Private Messaging Platforms

Session

Session is a private messenger that aims to remove any chance of metadata collection by routing all messages through an onion routing network.

https://getsession.org/

Status

Status is a decentralized app that combines messaging, a crypto wallet, and a Web3 browse

• Enable private groups only
• Turn off cloud backups
• Use wallet-generated usernames

Security Testing

• Safety numbers match both sides
• Onion routing confirmed (3 hops visible)
• No IP leaks via Wireshark

To explore secure instant messaging platforms and metadata risks, read:
https://www.hackingarticles.in/privacy-protection-instant-messaging/

Encrypted Cloud Storage

Cloud providers like Dropbox/Google Drive let admins read files/metadata. Encrypt client-side first uploads become gibberish even if breached.​

NordLocker

NordLocker offers a simple way to protect your most sensitive files using encryption, yet easily share them when necessary.

https://nordlocker.com/

Proton Drive

End-to-end encrypted file storage from Switzerland that lets you securely back up your files on the cloud, access them anywhere, and share them with anyone.

https://proton.me/drive

Security Verification

• Zero-knowledge confirmed (independent audits)
• File recovery: NordLocker snapshots, Proton versioning
• Cross-device: All platforms (Proton edges Linux/web)

For encrypting files before storage or sharing, refer to:https://www.hackingarticles.in/privacy-protection-file-encryption

Conclusion

Privacy is not about disappearing from the internet or deploying every tool at once. It’s about reducing unnecessary exposure and controlling what you leak by default. Every layer in this checklist browser hardening, VPN usage, DNS filtering, encrypted email, password management, private search, secure messaging, and client-side encrypted storage removes a class of passive tracking that most users unknowingly accept.

You don’t need to switch everything overnight. Start with your browser and DNS, then move outward based on your threat model. Consistency matters more than complexity. A well configured setup used daily is far more effective than a perfect setup used occasionally.

This checklist follows real-world OPSEC practices used by security researchers and privacy conscious professionals. Apply it step by step, verify your configuration regularly, and adapt it as your needs evolve. Privacy isn’t a one-time task it’s an ongoing process of staying intentional online.

Author: Muskan Sen is a Researcher and Technical Writer specializing in Information Security. Follow her – LinkedIn