{
  "id": 402905,
  "title": "I went down a privacy rabbit hole and came out with a whole new digital setup — here's which security tools I recommend so you can do the same",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/i-went-down-a-privacy-rabbit-hole-and-came-out-with-a-whole-new",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-09T19:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechRadar",
    "slug": "techradar",
    "url": "https://www.techradar.com/phones/i-went-down-a-privacy-rabbit-hole-and-came-out-with-a-whole-new-digital-setup-heres-which-security-tools-i-recommend-so-you-can-do-the-same"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In today's digital age, online privacy is more important than ever. Hackers, data brokers, and even governments can pose a threat to our personal information, and with the prevalence of smartphones, the risk of theft increases. To address these concerns, I have taken steps to enhance my digital security and privacy.\n\nInitially, I used Norton antivirus and Malwarebytes for protection, a password manager (1Password), and two-factor authentication for all my accounts. I also had Stolen Device Protection enabled on my iPhone and used various authenticator apps for enhanced security. While these measures remain in place, I have expanded my security toolkit with additional services and devices.\n\nEncrypting my data is a top priority, as free services often compromise privacy. Platforms like Gmail and Outlook can scan email content using AI, potentially violating user privacy. To combat this, I subscribed to Proton Unlimited, which offers end-to-end encrypted email via Proton Mail and cloud storage through Proton Drive. Proton Unlimited also includes Proton VPN and Proton Pass, providing a comprehensive solution for secure cloud storage and browsing. While I still use my less secure emails and cloud storage for certain tasks, I have migrated sensitive information, such as bank logins and encryption keys, to Proton services.\n\nCreating a digital footprint requires vigilance. To limit online traces, I use a VPN most of the time, hiding my location, browsing activity, and safeguarding sensitive information on public Wi-Fi. However, some websites may block VPNs, necessitating server switching or disabling the VPN. Proton VPN is my preferred choice, but alternatives like Tuta and Mailbox.org are also available.",
  "summary": "Staying private and secure on your phone and online is becoming increasingly challenging, but there are plenty of tools to help.",
  "key_points": [
    "Created digital footprint by using VPN to hide location and browsing activity",
    "Migrated sensitive information to Proton services for secure cloud storage and browsing"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}