Into the Cyberverse

The ultimate list of apps/services for better Security, Privacy & Anonymity; Defense against Surveillance.

What sets this list apart is its commitment to authenticity:

  • No Sponsorship: Choices are made without commercial bias.
  • No Affiliate Links: Purely user-benefit-focused.
  • No Brand Deals: Independent and unbiased evaluations.

Strict criteria ensure the tools prioritize user welfare and software quality:

  • Opensource Preference: Prioritizing transparent and community-driven software.
  • Cross-Platform Availability: Emphasizing tools usable across multiple systems.
  • Active Development and Security Updates: Selecting only actively maintained tools with regular security enhancements.
  • Proven Track Record: Requiring a history of reliability and positive feedback.
Sooraj  Sathyanarayanan
Sooraj SathyanarayananList by Sooraj Sathyanarayanan, last updated 
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  1. Check for Breaches

  2. Website repository that checks what sites your email address was used on were compromised.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    Have I Been Pwned screenshot 1
  3. Data Broker Removal Tool

  4. Mozilla Monitor arms you with tools to keep your personal information safe. Find out what hackers already know about you and learn how to stay a step ahead of them.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    Mozilla Monitor screenshot 1
  5. DeleteMe icon
     Like

    Privacy service sending opt-out requests to remove your personal data like names, addresses, and emails from data brokers and reduce Google search results.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    DeleteMe screenshot 1
    DeleteMe screenshot 1
    DeleteMe screenshot 2
    +14
    DeleteMe screenshot 3
  6. Have you ever looked yourself up? You'll probably find a bunch of sites sharing your name, address, phone number, and email address without your consent.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Their homepage as of January 2024
    EasyOptOuts.com screenshot 1
  7. Permission Slip helps you control the data companies have about you. It’s no secret that companies are collecting, buying and selling data about us. Swipe through companies and start taking action. We’ll show you what data companies collect so you can set boundaries and regain...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • Android
    Permission Slip screenshot 1
    Permission Slip screenshot 2
    Permission Slip screenshot 3
  8. Websites, Apps & Files Safety Check

  9. VirusTotal is an online service that allows users to scan files and URLs for malwares using multiple antivirus engines. It provides additional information about each scanned file and offers a premium API for integration into other security products and services. It is a valuable resource for quickly checking the reputation of files and URLs and for community-driven collaboration on identifying malware.

    Acquired by Google in 2012.

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Scan results for alternativeto.net
    the macOS/Linux desktop uploader
    the VT4Browsers Firefox extension
    +1
    Home
  10. Who is peeking over your shoulder while you work, watch videos, learn, explore, and shop on the internet? Enter the address of any website, and Blacklight will scan it and reveal the specific user-tracking technologies on the site—and who’s getting your data.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    Blacklight Privacy Inspector screenshot 1
  11. Exodus helps you to know which trackers and permissions are embedded in apps installed on your device.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Exodus Privacy screenshot 1
    Exodus Privacy screenshot 2
    Exodus Privacy screenshot 3
    Exodus Privacy screenshot 1
    Exodus Privacy screenshot 2
    +12
    Exodus Privacy screenshot 3
  12. Take potentially dangerous PDFs, office documents, or images and convert them to safe PDFs

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Dangerzone screenshot 1
    Dangerzone screenshot 1
  13. Miscellaneous

  14. kycnot.me icon
     Like

    KYCnot.me offers listings of no-KYC crypto services for privacy-focused users. It features reviews and scores on exchanges and wallets that allow anonymous trading and transactions with Bitcoin and Monero, ensuring user privacy and decentralized financial interactions.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    kycnot.me screenshot 1
  15. Access paywalled articles by prepending 12ft.io/ to the URL. 12ft Ladder shows you the cached, unpaywalled version of pages effortlessly.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    12ft Ladder screenshot 1
    12ft Ladder screenshot 1
    12ft Ladder screenshot 2
  16. PrivateBin is a minimalist, open source online pastebin where the server has zero knowledge of pasted data.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    This is a bootstrap CSS based PrivateBin template and the default as of 0.20:
    Based on the darkstrap bootstrap CSS theme, this is a dark PrivateBin template:
  17. Get global mobile 4G/5G Internet access and burner UK +44 SMS number instantly and privately on any modern eSIM-compatible smartphone.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    silent.link screenshot 1
  18. LocalSend icon
     Like

    LocalSend is a free, open-source, cross-platform file-sharing tool designed to securely share files and messages with nearby devices over your local network without needing an internet connection. Here are some of its key features:

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Chocolatey
    LocalSend screenshot 1
    LocalSend screenshot 1
    LocalSend screenshot 2
    +5
    LocalSend screenshot 3
  19. Device Integrity Checker

  20. Auditor is an app which leverages hardware security features to provide device integrity monitoring for supported devices. Currently, it only works with GrapheneOS and the device's stock operating system.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    GrapheneOS Auditor screenshot 1
    GrapheneOS Auditor screenshot 2
    GrapheneOS Auditor screenshot 3
  21. MVT (Mobile Verification Toolkit) helps with conducting forensics of mobile devices in order to find signs of a potential compromise.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Mac
    • Windows
  22. iVerify icon
     Like

    ¡Verify Basic is your gateway to enhanced device security and threat awareness, offering a glimpse into the powerful capabilities of our enterprise-grade solution, iVerify EDR. Designed for individuals who prioritize their digital security

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android
    iVerify screenshot 1
    iVerify screenshot 2
    iVerify screenshot 3
  23. Keyboard

  24. We believe that if your computer keyboard doesn't ask for internet access, neither should your mobile keyboard. FUTO Keyboard is a modern keyboard app with voice input that is completely offline and never connects to the internet, in order to ensure your privacy and security.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    FUTO Keyboard screenshot 1
    FUTO Keyboard screenshot 2
    FUTO Keyboard screenshot 3
  25. FlorisBoard is an open-source keyboard aimed at providing you with an easy way to type while respecting your privacy.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    FlorisBoard screenshot 1
    FlorisBoard screenshot 2
    FlorisBoard screenshot 3
  26. HeliBoard icon
     Like

    HeliBoard is a fork of OpenBoard icon OpenBoard , continuing the project from where it stopped.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Stylish look ! With borders
    Custom keyboard background
    Elegnt look ! With black theme
  27. Browser Comparison & Tests

  28. Cover Your Tracks is a research project designed to better uncover the tools and techniques of online trackers and test the efficacy of privacy add-ons.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    Cover Your Tracks screenshot 1
  29. BrowserLeaks.com is a website that checks how much private information your web browser is leaking about you. This includes your IP address, unique fonts, screen resolution, operating system, battery status, etc. Advice is given on how to fix this.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    BrowserLeaks.com screenshot 1
  30. Device Info is a web browser security testing, privacy testing, and troubleshooting tool.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    Device Info screenshot 1
    Device Info screenshot 1
  31. Web Browsers

  32. Brave icon
     Like

    Fast, secure browser with built-in ad block, privacy controls, and global tracking protections. Optimizes data, speed, and battery life.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    Brave screenshot 1
    Brave screenshot 1
    Brave screenshot 2
    +4
    Brave screenshot 3
  33. Trivalent icon
     Like

    Trivalent is a specialized, security-hardened Chromium browser for desktop Linux, primarily targeting Fedora and other RPM-based distributions. Developed by secureblue and inspired by the Vanadium browser from the GrapheneOS project, Trivalent applies additional patches, sandbox...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Trivalent screenshot 1
  34. The Mullvad Browser is a privacy-focused web browser developed in a collaboration between Mullvad VPN and the Tor Project. It’s designed to minimize tracking and fingerprinting. You could say it’s a Tor Browser to use without the Tor Network.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Mullvad Browser screenshot 1
    Mullvad Browser screenshot 1
    Mullvad Browser screenshot 2
    +1
    Mullvad Browser screenshot 3
  35. Vanadium icon
     Like

    Privacy and security enhanced releases of Chromium for GrapheneOS. Vanadium provides the WebView and standard user-facing browser on GrapheneOS.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    Vanadium screenshot 1
  36. Firefox Focus is the Mozilla-made browser that considers your privacy first and foremost. By default, it blocks ad-trackers and it helps keep things secure by providing easy ways to clear your browsing history, including passwords and cookies.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    Firefox Focus screenshot 1
    Firefox Focus screenshot 2
    Firefox Focus screenshot 3
  37. Browser Extensions

  38. This efficient browser add-on blocks ads, trackers, and malware by default employing various filter lists, acting as a comprehensive wide-spectrum blocker.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Microsoft Edge
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Pale Moon
    • Thunderbird
    • Opera
    • Node.JS
    • Chromium
    • Mozilla Firefox
    uBlock Origin screenshot 1
    uBlock Origin screenshot 1
  39. "Terms of Service; Didn't Read" (short: ToS;DR) is a project started in June 2012 to help fix the "biggest lie on the web": almost no one really reads the terms of service we agree to all the time.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Tor
    • Opera
    • Brave
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Android
    • F-Droid
    Website
Home Page
    Website
How it works
    Website 
Grade filter
    +16
    Website
Service details
  40. The Firefox Multi-Account Containers extension lets you carve out a separate box for each of your online lives – no more opening a different browser just to check your work email! Here is a quick video showing you how it works.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Firefox
    Firefox Multi-account Containers screenshot 1
    Firefox Multi-account Containers screenshot 1
    Firefox Multi-account Containers screenshot 2
  41. NoScript icon
     Like

    The NoScript Firefox extension provides extra protection for Firefox, Seamonkey and other mozilla-based browsers: this free, open source add-on allows JavaScript, Java, Flash and other plugins to be executed only by trusted web sites of your choice (e.g. your online bank).

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Google Chrome
    • SeaMonkey
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Diablog of blocked scripts
    NoScript Anwhere (Firefox Mobile version).
  42. Fakespot icon
     Like

    Fakespot helps smart shoppers make informed decisions: it allows you to easily and instantly analyze Amazon and Yelp product reviews.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Fakespot screenshot 1
    Fakespot screenshot 2
    Fakespot screenshot 3
  43. This extension helps you control more of your web activity from Facebook by isolating your identity into a separate container.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Facebook
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Facebook Container screenshot 1
  44. Search Engines

    Check out searchengine.party for a comprehensive comparison of search engines

  45. Brave Search is built on top of a completely independent index, and doesn’t track users, their searches, or their clicks.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Tor
    • Brave
    Brave Search screenshot 1
    Brave Search screenshot 1
    Brave Search screenshot 2
    +2
    Brave Search screenshot 3
  46. Mojeek icon
     Like

    Mojeek is the world's alternative search engine, and was the first ever search engine to have a non-tracking privacy policy. Unlike the majority of other search engines, Mojeek is completely independent, meaning that their web search results come solely from their own index of over 6.5bn pages.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    Mojeek Homepage (light mode)
    Mojeek search results for AlternativeTo (light mode)
    Mojeek homepage (dark mode)
    +1
    Mojeek search results for AlternativeTo (dark mode)
  47. SearXNG icon
     Like

    SearXNG is a free internet metasearch engine which aggregates results from various search services and databases. Users are neither tracked nor profiled.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Arch Linux
    • Fedora
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Docker
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
    • Cloudron
    SearXNG screenshot 1
    SearXNG screenshot 1
    SearXNG screenshot 2
  48. Artificial Intelligence

  49. Ollama icon
     Like

    Facilitates local deployment of Llama 3, Code Llama, and other language models, enabling customization and offline AI development. Perfect for creating personalized AI chatbots and writing tools.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Ollama screenshot 1
    Ollama screenshot 1
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Comments

Sam Lander
0

Look into DNSCrypt Protocol for your DNS. You can set it up with anonymized relays.

Sp00n
0

Worth adding Prosopo Procaptcha imo

1 reply
Sooraj Sathyanarayanan

At first glance, it looks good! Do any prominent players in the privacy space use them? For example, Signal uses hCaptcha.

privacyperspective
0

You should tell more about Startpage and DDG, not only tell a drama that happened. Even if people don't care about the drama, they wouldn't use them, because they dont know anything about them. :)

1 reply
Sooraj Sathyanarayanan

Thanks for your input. Updated!

Darlene Sonalder
1

Why not Notes Nook ?

1 reply
Sooraj Sathyanarayanan

I will look into it! Thanks for the recommendation :)

TheEmperorArt
2

I'd add Obsidian for Notes.

2 replies
Sooraj Sathyanarayanan

Some points to consider to be on the list:

  • opensource are given top preference
  • end-to-end encrypted
  • Cross-platform
  • active development + security updates
  • Great track record
TheEmperorArt

it is Cross-platform and actively updated. you can find open-source plugins for obsidian that encrypt your files locally. Sync is end-to-end encrypted.

I'd add it to the notes section imo.

also Logseq is an open source alt to Obsidian but still a wip at this time.

Gu