For any internet user, safeguarding sensitive and confidential information has become a high priority, as internet these days are becoming a less private place with several individuals, corporations, and even governments in some cases, tracking your activities to collect users information and metrics.

Also, it is very easy to track a user because of the IP, the unique address that we all use to connect to internet that makes online privacy a big concern. However, if you wish to keep your personal information private, you can use a VPN or proxy tool to help you. It covers everything from secure web browsing to secure file erasing.

Lets have a look at the privacy tools below:

1. Tor Browser

The Tor network (short for The Onion Router, which describes its multi-layered privacy technology) offers you an anonymous window to the Web. By far, the Firefox-based Tor Browser is the quickest and simplest to start using it.

Tors network of bouncing your traffic through multiple relays makes it nearly impossible to track a users identity or activity. You can access almost every website anonymously, including .onion addresses, which are only accessible while connected to Tor. Its also useful for accessing geo-blocked sites that block IP addresses from specific countries. Tor is available for Windows, Apple Macs and Linux.

2. CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost allows users to connect to a VPN (virtual private network) and access the internet anonymously. The service is built for users who just want secure, private access when connected from public or untrusted networks. It re-routes your internet traffic to hide your location and identity. The privacy software has six elements: anonymous browsing, unblocking streaming sites, protecting your internet connection, torrenting anonymously, unblocking websites and choosing which VPN server to use

CyberGhost VPN is available as a free ad-supported app, as well as a paid-for edition that provides enhanced performance and more features. The free version should be perfectly adequate for daily or random use. However, it runs much more slowly than the paid-for premium service. The CyberGhost VPN client supports Windows XP, Vista, and 7.

3. Tails

Privacy has become a major issue in this age of mass surveillance and tracking by marketers (anonymous tracking for targeted content is acceptable). If you are someone who needs to keep the government and marketing agencies out of your business, you need an operating system thats created from the ground up with privacy in mind.

And, nothing beats Tails for this purpose. Its a Debian-based Linux distribution that offers privacy and anonymity by design. Its a distro whose aim is solely to keep the identity of the user completely opaque. It routes its traffic through Tor, designed to avoid your outward-bound data from being intercepted and analysed. According to reports, Tails is so good that the NSA considers it a major threat to their hacking activities.

4. Ghostery

Ghostery is a privacy and security-related browser extension and mobile application, which is distributed as proprietary freeware. You can simply install the privacy software and allow it to do its job. Ghostery also tells you exactly what each company is looking at and likely to do with your data. It is definitely a must-have for those who do wish to share every click with marketers. Its available for Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Apple Safari, iOS, Android and Firefox Mobile.

5. GnuPG

GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG or GPG) is a free software, and its the open source version of the venerable PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) tool. GnuPG allows you to encrypt and sign your data and communication thats effectively unbreakable. It features a versatile key management system as well as access modules for all kinds of public key directories. It is a command line tool with features for easy integration with other applications.

6. KeyScrambler

KeyScrambler is the most useful method that encrypts every single key that you entered or type deep into the Windows kernel to prevent it from being intercepted by keylogging software. The positioning and timing of encryption key allow it to be much more challenging and burdensome for key-loggers to split or defeat KeyScramblers protection.

If you worry about keylogging or doubt that you are being logged whenever you type, this free privacy software is a good way to frustrate the watchmen.

7. Wise Folder Hider

Designed for Windows XP onwards, Wise Folder Hider is freeware that can quickly and safely hide not only the files/folders on local partitions or removable devices but also USB drives or the files/folders on USB drives. The hidden files/folders will be safely hidden no matter whether the drive is accessed in another operating system on the same computer or reinstalled on another computer. The only way to access hidden files/folders/USB is to enter the valid password(s) correctly. Its double password protection can ensure the absolute safety of your files/folders/USB.

8. AntiSpy for Windows 10

While Windows 10 is the most personal version of Windows, Microsofts attempts at knowing you better have alerted many privacy activists. AntiSpy for Windows 10 allows you to disable advertising IDs, SmartScreen filtering, whether apps can access your camera and so on.

Source: TOI

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8 privacy tools that will keep you safe online - Techworm