Introduction to Basic Privacy Protection Tools

Protecting privacy has always been a challenging and mentally exhausting task, which often discourages people from pursuing it. However, with technological advancements, encryption methods have become both safer and more convenient. Today, I'll share some well-known encryption tools and methods. These tools are not only user-friendly but also worth delving deeper into. I encourage everyone to try them out and, if you find them useful, recommend them to your friends and family.

Many people are unaware that most of the developers promoting freedom and researching encryption live low-profile lives. Some have become well-known figures, though they often face pressure or even persecution. Nowadays, more and more of these experts choose to remain anonymous, leaving only a pseudonym behind. You might ask, if these encryption applications are misused, wouldn't they pose a threat to public safety? To that, I'd counter: Do we stop using knives just because they can harm? Do we shun fire because it can burn? Do we avoid medicine because of its side effects? These examples may sound clichéd, but the principle is simple—this is the world we live in, so why not embrace it? We don't have all the answers yet because we're still exploring, but that doesn't mean we should stop. Human progress is driven by constant exploration.

In today's world, it's increasingly difficult for ordinary bad actors to steal personal information; with even basic precautions, most of them are thwarted. The real threats come from large organizations and entities with the resources to carry out such actions. I'd rather not delve too much into that here, so I'll leave it at that.

Since this is a guide, I won't go into too much detail. You can easily find more information through the official links and Wikipedia entries provided below.

Also, the tools introduced below, as well as many other excellent encryption programs not covered here, may not perform as well outside of GNU/Linux environments. After all, free software thrives best in free environments.

⚠️ Note: While I encourage everyone to use these programs, improper use of these technologies could potentially attract monitoring and records by certain organizations or groups. Please be mindful of your own safety and use them wisely!!!

Table of Contents

General Tools

GPG

GPG (GnuPG) is one of the most well-known encryption tools, utilizing PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) encryption technology.

Encryption Hardware

Yubikey

The YubiKey is a popular piece of encryption hardware developed by Yubico. While it is somewhat pricey, the cost is well worth it for a safer online environment. The standout feature of YubiKey is that it can automatically input encryption keys with a simple tap, making security both robust and convenient, thus significantly boosting account security.

One of YubiKey's most practical features is its support for U2F (Universal 2nd Factor) technology. In short, U2F is an open authentication standard that allows users to perform simple yet strong two-factor authentication using external devices. Of course, this technology requires software support, and you can check the official list to see which companies currently support it, including Google, Facebook, and Windows. Below are some practical usage guides:

Enabling U2F in Firefox

To access U2F-enabled websites in Firefox, you need a supporting add-on:

Using with Google Accounts

U2F was actually co-created by Google and Yubico, making Google one of the earliest and most convenient supporters of YubiKey.

GPG with YubiKey

Storing your GPG key on a YubiKey makes using GPG much easier. Once you plug in the YubiKey and enter your password, you can decrypt files without worrying about where to store your GPG key. However, if you can securely store your key elsewhere, it's still wise to do so in case your YubiKey is damaged.

Developing with YubiKey

For those who enjoy tinkering, Yubico's official GitHub page is worth checking out:

USB Armory

USB Armory is a compact portable computer that can run a full GNU/Linux environment. Its open hardware design also makes it more trustworthy.

Email Services

Protonmail

Protonmail is an email provider designed with security in mind. Hosted in politically neutral Switzerland, it offers open-source software, end-to-end encryption, and a user-friendly interface, making it both secure and practical for daily use.

Password Management

pass

pass is a simple password management tool that organizes your passwords by function and website, with all data encrypted using GPG. You can choose to store these password files in a secure location, or even sync them across devices via your own git repository or GitHub.

Here are some direct links to recommended plugins, though they may be updated, so it's best to check the official site:

KeePassXC

KeePassXC is an open-source, cross-platform password manager that builds upon the original KeePass code while introducing a more modern interface and additional features. With robust encryption technology, KeePassXC securely stores your passwords locally, giving you full control over your sensitive data.

It also offers extensive plugin support, including seamless browser integration for autofill functionality, making it easy to quickly enter your credentials while browsing:

Instant Messaging

Matrix (Element)

Matrix is an open standard for secure, real-time communication that supports decentralized architecture. This allows users to either host their own Matrix server or use public ones for communication. With end-to-end encryption built into the protocol, Matrix ensures high privacy for all conversations.

Element, the official Matrix client, is user-friendly and comes with a modern design. It supports group chats, file sharing, and voice/video calls. Whether for private messaging or team collaboration, Element offers the right balance of security and flexibility.

XMPP

Since its development in 1999, XMPP has consistently upheld principles of independence, freedom, and security, earning its place as one of the top secure and open communication protocols. As of November 8, 2017 (when I last checked), the official site claims that millions of users use XMPP daily. As more people become concerned with security, this number will likely grow. While setting up an XMPP server can be complicated, it's worth doing if you have the skills, as it's always safer to control such services yourself. But does this mean regular users are left out? Absolutely not. There are plenty of commercial and community providers available. For example, the XMPP app Conversations on Android offers paid services. Free options are also easy to find, and the official XMPP website provides comprehensive guides on everything from downloading clients to registering accounts (click here).

To fully utilize XMPP, you should pair it with these two protocols:

OTR

OMEMO

Tox

In regions with restricted internet access, traditional centralized servers can be ineffective because if the central server is blocked, the service becomes unusable. In such cases, decentralized applications like Tox offer a solution. Tox is a decentralized chat application where the entire network is user-driven. While there are many such apps available, I'll cover them in a future article. As for Tox, since its development in 2013, it has grown considerably, though the official site still states it's not yet fully complete. In my opinion, Tox's features are already richer and more secure than most communication tools out there. One small drawback is that decentralized apps tend to consume more data, which could be costly for users with data limits. But overall, Tox is a convenient and secure alternative communication tool.

Anonymous Browsing

Tor

I2P

Operating Systems

Tails

Tails is a security-focused operating system, reportedly used by Edward Snowden during his escape. While the Free Software Foundation doesn't endorse Tails due to non-free code, it remains one of the safest Linux distributions available.

Qubes OS

Qubes OS is another security-focused system, reportedly used by Snowden today. Its strength lies in isolating each application within separate virtual machines (VMs), so even if one VM is compromised, the others remain unaffected.