Husky Safety Initiative

In an age where online threats are just a click away, welcome to the Husky Safety Initiative—Northeastern University's dedicated digital defense program for students, faculty, and staff. Our mission is to empower you with the tools and knowledge needed to safeguard your digital life.

What We Offer:

  • Secure Alternatives to Common Digital Tools
  • Privacy-Focused Solutions for Everyday Online Activities
  • Comprehensive Resources to Enhance Your Digital Safety Knowledge

By exploring our carefully curated recommendations, you can boost your online security without sacrificing productivity. Whether you're collaborating on projects, managing personal data, or simply browsing the web, our solutions are designed to protect your privacy and maintain your digital well-being.

Together, we can build a resilient and secure digital community at Northeastern.

Sooraj  Sathyanarayanan
Sooraj SathyanarayananList by Sooraj Sathyanarayanan, last updated 
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  1. Check for Data 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. Check for Suspicious Files and Websites

  4. Inspects files, domains, IPs, and URLs with 70+ scanners, sharing results with the security community. Free for end-users for non-commercial use.

    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
  5. Web Browser

  6. 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
  7. Search Engine

  8. 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
  9. Messenger

  10. Signal icon
     Like

    An encrypted messaging app focused on privacy, supporting texts, calls, photos, videos, files, and group chats, with no ads or trackers.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Snapcraft
    Signal screenshot 1
    Signal screenshot 1
    Signal screenshot 2
    +4
    Signal screenshot 3
  11. Video Conferencing

  12. Go ahead, video chat with the whole team. In fact, invite everyone you know. Jitsi Meet is a fully encrypted, 100% open source video conferencing solution that you can use all day, every day, for free.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Apple Watch
    • F-Droid
    Jitsi Meet screenshot 1
    Jitsi Meet screenshot 1
    Jitsi Meet screenshot 2
  13. Email

  14. Secure Swiss-based email with end-to-end encryption and zero third-party access. Available across devices, offering a free version to promote privacy.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Tor
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    Proton Mail screenshot 1
    Proton Mail screenshot 1
    Proton Mail screenshot 2
    +9
    Proton Mail screenshot 3
  15. Tuta Mail icon
     Like

    End-to-end encrypted app for email, calendar, and contacts, requiring no personal data, with open source code and quantum-resistant security.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Tuta Mail screenshot 1
    Tuta Mail screenshot 1
    Tuta Mail screenshot 2
    +1
    Tuta Mail screenshot 3
  16. Calendar

  17. Your calendar is a record of your life. Proton Calendar helps keep it private.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • Tor
    • iPad
    Proton Calendar screenshot 1
    Proton Calendar screenshot 1
    Proton Calendar screenshot 2
    +2
    Proton Calendar screenshot 3
  18. Organize events with encrypted privacy, zero-knowledge and no tracking. Features include multi-device sync, multiple views, and offline support.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    Tuta Calendar screenshot 1
    Tuta Calendar screenshot 1
    Tuta Calendar screenshot 2
    +4
    Tuta Calendar screenshot 3
  19. Password Manager

  20. Bitwarden icon
     Like

    Open-source password manager with AES-256 encryption and device sync. Store and access encrypted logins across platforms like iOS and Android.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Apple Watch
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Microsoft SQL Server
    • Tor Browser
    • Safari
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    • Cloudron
    • Opera
    • Chocolatey
    • Mono
    • Brave
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Docker
    Bitwarden screenshot 1
    Bitwarden screenshot 1
    Bitwarden screenshot 2
    +10
    Bitwarden screenshot 3
  21. A password manager that ensures identity and password security with rigorous, end-to-end encryption, built by scientists from CERN, and recommended by the United Nations.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Safari
    • F-Droid
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Snapcraft
    Proton Pass screenshot 1
    Proton Pass screenshot 1
    Proton Pass screenshot 2
    +3
    Proton Pass screenshot 3
  22. TOTP Authenticator

  23. Ente Auth icon
     Like

    Ente's Authenticator app helps you generate and store 2 step verification (2FA) tokens on your mobile devices.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    Ente Auth screenshot 1
    Ente Auth screenshot 2
    Ente Auth screenshot 3
  24. Hardware Security Authentication Keys

  25. YubiKey icon
     Like

    A multi-protocol, highest assurance security key offering passwordless workflows and strongest 2FA against phishing, protecting devices efficiently.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Google Chrome
    YubiKey screenshot 1
    YubiKey screenshot 1
    YubiKey screenshot 2
  26. Cloud Storage

  27. Emphasizes privacy with end-to-end encryption, Proton Drive safely stores, synchronizes, and shares files across devices via web and mobile applications.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Tor
    Proton Drive screenshot 1
    Proton Drive screenshot 1
    Proton Drive screenshot 2
    +7
    Proton Drive screenshot 3
  28. Photos

  29. Open-source, end-to-end encrypted backup and sharing for photos and videos, with multi-platform sync, original quality, privacy controls, and collaborative albums.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    Ente Photos screenshot 1
    Ente Photos screenshot 2
    Ente Photos screenshot 3
  30. VPN

  31. Mullvad icon
     Like

    Mullvad is a VPN service that helps keep your online activity, identity, and location private.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    • WireGuard
    • Tor
    • OpenWrt
    • Tomato
    • pfSense
    • DD-WRT
    Mullvad screenshot 1
    Mullvad screenshot 1
    Mullvad screenshot 2
    +10
    Mullvad screenshot 3
  32. IVPN icon
     Like

    IVPN is a commercial VPN service focused on multihop VPN connections and that does not log any data relating to their customers activities.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    • WireGuard
    • OPNsense
    • OpenWrt
    • Tomato
    • pfSense
    • OpenVPN
    • DD-WRT
    • Snapcraft
    IVPN screenshot 1
    IVPN screenshot 2
    IVPN screenshot 3
  33. Swiss-based VPN that ensures online privacy with a high-speed network, advanced encryption, and no-logs policy, offering a free version. Supports multiple platforms and unblocks content worldwide.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Apple TV
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Android TV
    • Flatpak
    • Fire TV
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Proton VPN screenshot 1
    Proton VPN on Fedora
    Proton VPN screenshot 2
    +6
    Proton VPN screenshot 3
  34. Notes

  35. Notesnook icon
     Like

    Notesnook is a simple and cross-platform private notes app that keeps your notes organized and synced on your phone, tablet and computer. Take notes, capture ideas, create to-do lists, keep a journal, write your assignments and manage projects, we have got you covered.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    Notesnook screenshot 1
    Notesnook screenshot 1
    Notesnook screenshot 2
    +6
    Notesnook screenshot 3
  36. An end-to-end encrypted note-taking by Proton. Offline access, unlimited sync across devices, tagging, passcode and biometric security, plus advanced premium privacy features.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Standard Notes homepage.
    Plain text note on free version.
    A note using the Super note editor.
    +3
    Cross-platform sync and end-to-end privacy
  37. Calendar Scheduling (Calendly Alternative)

  38. Cal.com icon
     Like

    Open-source appointment scheduler offering self-hosted or hosted white-label deployments, API-driven integration, customizable features, and control over data.

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Cloudron
    • Google Chrome
    Cal.com screenshot 1
    Cal.com screenshot 1
    Cal.com screenshot 2
    +2
    Cal.com screenshot 3
  39. Office

  40. Free and open-source office suite with advanced word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, vector graphics, math formula editor, and database tools.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    LibreOffice Writer on Linux
    LibreOffice Calc on Linux
    Main menu (old version)
    +8
    LibreOffice Writer on Windows 7
  41. CryptPad icon
     Like

    CryptPad is a private-by-design alternative to popular office tools and cloud services. All the content stored on CryptPad is encrypted before being sent, which means nobody can access your data unless you give them the keys.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    Instance homepage
    Markdown slides app
    Code/Markdown app
    +7
    Whiteboard app
  42. Desktop OS (For Linux Beginners)

  43. Fedora icon
     Like

    Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Fedora 38
    Fedora screenshot 1
    Fedora screenshot 2
    +9
    XFCE spin
  44. Pop!_OS icon
     Like

    Pop!_OS is an operating system for STEM and creative professionals who use their computer as a tool to discover and create. Unleash your potential on secure, reliable open source software. Based on your exceptional curiosity, we sense you have a lot of it.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Pop!_OS screenshot 1
    Pop!_OS screenshot 1
    Pop!_OS screenshot 2
    +1
    Pop!_OS screenshot 3
  45. Mobile OS

  46. GrapheneOS is a privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility developed as a non-profit open source project. It's focused on the research and development of privacy and security technology including substantial improvements to sandboxing, exploit...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    GrapheneOS screenshot 1
    GrapheneOS screenshot 1
    GrapheneOS screenshot 2
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