Privacy Guide
You do not need to be a tech expert to protect your privacy. These simple steps will dramatically reduce how much data you expose online.
Use a VPN to mask your IP address, switch to a privacy-focused browser like Firefox or Brave, enable tracking protection, use a password manager, review app permissions, and consider browser extensions that block fingerprinting and third-party trackers.
Your browser shares your IP address (location), device details, screen size, timezone, language, and hardware information with every website. This data can identify and track you. You can reduce exposure with a VPN, privacy browser, and good habits.
Before you can protect your privacy, you need to know what you are exposing. Use our free tools to see exactly what websites can detect about you:
For the full picture, read what information your browser shares .
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is the single most impactful privacy tool you can use. It hides your real IP address and encrypts your internet traffic.
Replaces your IP address with the VPN server's IP
Encrypts all traffic between your device and the VPN server
Prevents your ISP from seeing which websites you visit
Does not protect against logged-in account tracking
Your choice of browser has a massive impact on your privacy. Here are the best options, ranked by privacy protection:
Routes traffic through multiple encrypted nodes. Makes all users look identical. Significantly slower. Best for sensitive browsing.
Blocks ads and trackers by default. Randomizes fingerprints. Fast and compatible with Chrome extensions. Great daily driver.
Enhanced Tracking Protection blocks known trackers. Highly configurable. Open-source. Enable "Strict" mode for best protection.
Browser extensions add another layer of protection:
uBlock Origin: Blocks ads, trackers, and malware domains. Essential for every browser.
Privacy Badger: Learns to block invisible trackers automatically. Made by the EFF.
HTTPS Everywhere: Forces encrypted connections when available (built into most modern browsers).
Cookie AutoDelete: Automatically clears cookies from closed tabs.
Review app permissions: Revoke access you no longer use
Use unique passwords: A password manager makes this easy
Enable 2FA: Two-factor authentication on important accounts
Limit social media sharing: Each post adds to your digital profile
Regularly check your exposure: Use our tools to see what you are revealing
Read privacy policies: At least skim what data companies collect
A VPN is one of the most effective single tools for privacy. It hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic. However, a VPN alone is not enough — websites can still track you through cookies, fingerprinting, and logged-in accounts. Use a VPN as part of a layered approach.
Yes, significantly. Brave blocks ads, trackers, and fingerprinting by default. It randomizes canvas and WebGL fingerprints, blocks third-party cookies, and includes a built-in Tor mode. Chrome, by contrast, is made by an advertising company (Google) and collects extensive telemetry data.
Only partially. Incognito mode prevents your local device from saving browsing history and cookies. However, websites still see your IP address, browser fingerprint, and all other technical data. Your ISP and network administrator can still see your traffic.
Install uBlock Origin browser extension. It blocks ads, trackers, and known malware domains. It is free, open-source, and significantly reduces the data collected about you. For even more protection, switch to Firefox or Brave as your default browser.
Near-complete anonymity is possible but requires significant trade-offs: Tor Browser (slow), no account logins, no personal information sharing, and extreme care about digital habits. For most people, reasonable privacy through layered tools (VPN + privacy browser + extensions) provides a good balance.