The safe browsing guide:

21 ways to protect yourself online

Part 1: Protect your devices

• Use factory reset for a clean slate

• Update your programs

• Install software with care

• Use passwords and encryption on your device

• Configure private DNS and a firewall (or use a VPN)

• Don’t share devices

Part 2: Safeguards on your browser

• Select the right browser

  • Firefox / Brave / Tor

• ​Know your browser settings

• Keep your browser up to date

• Use HTTPS when available

• Use the right search engine

  • DuckDuckGo / StartPage

• Be selective about storing cookies

• Know what incognito mode does (and doesn’t do)

• Block ads

• Know about browser fingerprinting

• Make use of bookmarks

• Be careful with WebRTC

Part 3: Protect your accounts

• Protect email and phone access

• Get a password manager

• Use two-factor authentication

• Beware of phishing

E2EE

End-to-End Encryption

End to End Encryption

https://protonmail.com/blog/what-is-end-to-end-encryption/

End to End Encryption

https://protonmail.com/blog/what-is-end-to-end-encryption/

Message

• E2EE
• Free

• Apple, iOS
• E2EE is only for Apple

Would we recommend this app?

Only if you know the other person is receiving the message on an Apple device. You should avoid using Messages if you’re communicating with people who do not have it on their devices.

Compatible operating systems: MacOS, iOS

Messages

Wickr

• E2EE
• Open Source

• Not sync across devices
• Can't recovery

Would we recommend this app?

Yes, if you can find more people who also use it.

Compatible operating systems: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS

Viber

• E2EE
• Gray / Green / Red Indicator

• Group Chat is Not E2EE
• Need Phone Number

Would we recommend this app?

Only if you’re using the app for directly messaging and individual video calls. Group chats will not be encrypted, so if you want an app that encrypts both, don’t use Viber.

Compatible operating systems: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS

Signal

Would we recommend this app?

Yes—Signal is one of the best messaging apps you can use for secure communication. If you don’t want to use your phone number, you can resort to a burner phone. The company aims to reduce its reliance on phone numbers anyway, so this small irritant may also go away soon.

• E2EE
• Own Protocol
• Open Source
• Safety Number
• MITM
• Password

• Need Phone Number

Compatible operating systems: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS

Jabber/OTR

• E2EE
• OTR
• Open Source
• Anonymous 

• Configuration

Compatible operating systems: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS

Would we recommend this app?

If you need a protocol that can be trusted to keep out even the most powerful of adversaries, Jabber/OTR is the best choice.

Telegram

Would we recommend this app?

If you need a protocol that can be trusted to keep out even the most powerful of adversaries, Jabber/OTR is the best choice.

• E2EE
• Secret Chat
• Self-destruct
• Client is Open Source

• E2EE is not default
• Data stored on server
• Server is Close Source
• Near by functions

Compatible operating systems: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS

Wire

Would we recommend this app?

Not until it stops collecting personally identifiable metadata.

• E2EE
• Secret Chat
• Self-destruct
• Session
• Password
• Open Source

• Data stored on server

Compatible operating systems: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS

Threema

• E2EE
• Open Source

• Data stored on server

Would we recommend this app?

No.

Compatible operating systems: Android, iOS

WhatsApp

• E2EE

• It’s owned by Facebook

Would we recommend this app?

Not with better alternatives in the market. Like with Telegram, if you want secure messaging, consider deleting WhatsApp.

Compatible operating systems: Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, KaiOS

Communication

Application

Google Duo

Platform: Web, Android, iOS
Pricing: Free for everyone, forever

Discord

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web Pricing: Free 

Element

Platform: Web, Desktop, Android, iOS, F-Droid Pricing: Free for everyone, forever

Webex

Platform: Desktop, Android, iOS 
Pricing: Free, Starter $13.50, Plus $17.95

Tox

Platform: Windows, Linux, OS X, Android, iOS
Pricing: Free forever

Google Hangout

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux 
Pricing: Free or as part of the G Suite

FortKnoxster

Platform: iOS, Android 
Pricing: Free

TrueConf

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Pricing: Free

Talky.io

Platform: Web 
Pricing: Free

Viber

Platform: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux Pricing: Free

Jitsi

Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux 
Pricing: Free

Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux 
Pricing: Free

WeChat

Platform: Web, Android, iOS, Windows, macOS Pricing: Free

IMO

Platform: IOS, Android, and Windows Phones Pricing: Free

Spike

Platform: Desktop (Chrome, Firebox, and Safari), iOS (Safari), Android (Chrome) 
Pricing: Free