Level 1: Basic Digital Hygiene

Your First Steps Toward Digital Freedom

E

very journey toward digital sovereignty begins with a single step away from the surveillance apparatus. These fundamental practices will immediately improve your privacy and security while you learn more advanced techniques.

🌐 Secure Browsing

Replace Chrome/Safari/Edge with:

  • Firefox: Harden with privacy extensions
  • Brave: Built-in ad/tracker blocking
  • Tor Browser: Anonymous browsing (for sensitive research)

Essential Extensions:

  • uBlock Origin (ad/tracker blocking)
  • Privacy Badger (tracking protection)
  • Decentraleyes (CDN protection)
  • ClearURLs (tracking parameter removal)

🔒 Encrypted Communication

Replace SMS/WhatsApp/Messenger with:

  • Signal: Gold standard for encrypted messaging
  • Session: Anonymous messaging (no phone number)
  • Element: Decentralized Matrix protocol

Email Alternatives:

  • ProtonMail (encrypted email)
  • Tutanota (privacy-focused email)
  • Guerrilla Mail (temporary emails)

🛡️ VPN & Network Security

Essential VPN Features:

  • No-logs policy (independently audited)
  • Kill switch functionality
  • Strong encryption (WireGuard/OpenVPN)
  • Jurisdiction outside Five Eyes

Recommended Services:

  • Mullvad (anonymous accounts)
  • IVPN (privacy-focused)
  • ProtonVPN (secure core)

📱 Mobile Security

Android:

  • Consider GrapheneOS for Pixel devices
  • Use F-Droid instead of Google Play
  • Disable Google services where possible

iPhone:

  • Disable Siri and data collection
  • Use iCloud alternatives
  • Limit app permissions

Both Platforms:

  • Turn off location services by default
  • Use Signal for messaging
  • Regular security updates

Search Engine Independence

G

oogle doesn't just search the web—it surveils you. Every query builds their profile of your interests, beliefs, and desires. Break free from this data harvesting.

🔍 Privacy Search Engines

  • DuckDuckGo: No tracking, decent results
  • Startpage: Google results without tracking
  • Searx: Open source, self-hostable
  • Yandex: Non-Western alternative

☁️ Cloud Storage Alternatives

  • Nextcloud: Self-hosted cloud
  • Proton Drive: Encrypted cloud storage
  • Cryptomator: Client-side encryption
  • IPFS: Decentralized storage

Social Media Exodus

T

he surveillance platforms disguised as "social networks" are psychological manipulation engines designed to harvest your attention and data. Your mental health and privacy both demand escape.

🚪 Exit Strategy

Step 1: Data Export

  • Download all your data from platforms
  • Save important photos/messages
  • Export contact information

Step 2: Account Deletion

  • Facebook/Meta: justdeleteme.xyz
  • Twitter: Account settings → Deactivate
  • Instagram: Built into Facebook deletion

🌐 Decentralized Alternatives

  • Mastodon: Decentralized Twitter alternative
  • Diaspora: Distributed social network
  • PeerTube: Federated video platform
  • Matrix: Decentralized chat
  • NOSTR: Censorship-resistant social protocol

⚠️ Critical Mindset Shift

Stop thinking in terms of convenience. Start thinking in terms of sovereignty.

Every "free" service is paid for with your privacy, autonomy, and ultimately your freedom. The path to digital liberation requires breaking the addiction to surveillance platforms and embracing tools that respect your humanity.

"If you are not paying for it, you're not the customer; you're the product being sold."

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