The best free privacy software 2017

[CrAKeN 1,581]

 

Anonymous browsing tools to protect your data and your identity online

 

Online privacy is a hot topic, with even world leaders weighing in on the subject. Many of the big-name websites and companies will track your activities to deliver targeted advertising, and can build up an astonishingly detailed profile including your interests, spending habits, age, location and more.

 

If you would prefer to keep your personal details private, a VPN or proxy tool will help.

 

As well as preventing third parties building up a profile of you, the best free privacy software can open up the web, granting you access to sites blocked in your country, to access region-locked content when you're travelling away from home, and to add a layer of protection when you use a public Wi-Fi network.

 

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1. Tor Browser

A whole browser dedicated to your privacy, Tor Browser is the cornerstone of any privacy toolkit

 

Tor Browser is probably the best-known anonymous browsing tool out there, and it is described as a 'censorship circumvention tool'.

 

Tor Browser has a vast following in the online privacy and security communities. It works by bouncing your communication through numerous encrypted node on the internet, making it impossible to determine your location or other identifying information.

 

Tor Browser employs complex technology, but is refreshingly accessible. It's based on the same code as Firefox, and guides you through the process of getting online one step at a time.

 

It uses different connection methods depending on what you're trying to achieve, but there's no need to understand the details because it's all taken care of for you. This combination of effective protection and ease of use makes Tor Browser the best free privacy software you can download today.

 

Download here: Tor Browser

 

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2. Privoxy

Privoxy gives you total control over your privacy, but the options might be overwhelming

 

Privoxy is a web proxy tool that's available not only for Mac, Windows and Linux, but also Android and iOS. It is a tremendously powerful tool, but you'll need to invest a little time and effort to get it up and running.

 

Privoxy can be used in conjunction with just about any web browser, which is a big bonus; simply set the browser to run its traffic through the tool.

 

However, one of Privoxy's key features could also be a drawback for new users: it gives you very granular control over privacy settings, and configuring them is very much a manual process. There's a helpful quick start guide available, but it has the potential to be off-putting.

 

That said, if you're happy to persevere, this free privacy software lets you set up advanced filters that will not only ensure you remain anonymous online, but also protect you against unwanted ads.

 

Download here: Privoxy

 

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3. Hotspot Shield Free

Free privacy software that protects your identity by hiding your IP address from prying eyes

 

Hotspot Shield VPN is available in two flavors: a free, ad-supported one, and a paid-for version that offer unlimited bandwidth. Hotspot Shield hides your IP address and provides encrypted traffic tunnelling (ideal for use on public Wi-Fi networks) to improve security and ensure privacy.

 

You may not want to use Hotspot Shield at all time. For instance, you may only be interested in using it to access certain sites that are blocked in your country. In this case you can create shortcuts to individual sites in the Hotspot Shield window which will enable protection before launching the sites. Protection can also be toggled on an off with a single click.

 

The paid-for version, Hotspot Elite, only costs a few pounds or dollars a month, but it's worth trying the free edition first before opening your wallet. Its additional features, including ad-free browsing and dedicated customer support, make it a tempting proposition.

 

Download here: Hotspot Shield Free

 

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4. TunnelBear

Free and user-friendly, TunnelBear is VPN made easy – but keep an eye on the data limit

 

In addition to anonymous browsing, free VPN tool TunnelBear can also be used to bypass traffic-shaping and throttling put in place by ISPs.

 

The free version of TunnelBear gives you up to 500MB of data each month, but if this isn't enough, unlimited data is available for a subscription fee, with prices starting at US$4.16 per month (about £3, AU$6).

 

Whether you go premium or stick with the free version, you can share a single account between up to five phones, tablets, Windows PCs or Macs.

 

Configuration is incredibly simple, and TunnelBear's free privacy software can be used with any browser. It's probably the most accessible VPN tool there is, and is just about impossible not to recommend.

 

Download here: TunnelBear

 

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The free version of Cyberghost has a limited number of spaces on its server, but it works well once you're connected
 

5. CyberGhost VPN

A great VPN tool for protecting your privacy online, but free users have to wait their turn

 

Another multi-platform VPN tool, CyberGhost VPN is available as a free ad-supported app, as well as a paid-for edition offering better performance and more features.

 

For day-to-day or occasional use, the free version should be perfectly adequate. Configuration is very simple, with the only potential stumbling block being the installation of a virtual network adaptor.

 

With a single click, CyberGhost VPN will activate, giving the impression that you're browsing from another country. The free privacy software also lets you keep an eye on how much traffic you've transferred through the service using a handy graph.

The downside of using the free version is that there's a limited numbers of spaces on the servers, so you may have to wait to gain access (although you're unlikely to be kept hanging for long).

 

Download here: CyberGhost VPN

 

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[DKT27 7,996]

Thread moved to Security and Privacy Center. News would have probably been fine, but Software News is not suitable for security and privacy related news and such.

[46&2 315]

I never used Privoxy or Hotspot Shield Free so wont comment on them.
as far as Tor Browser goes thats IMO like pinning a target on your back and walking thru a field during archery practice! lol
as for TunnelBear goes, well since the topic title is "The best free privacy software 2017" (the emphasis on FREE) I think the 500mb limit is ridiculous even for free that is not enough to dnld even 1 file if its a movie!
and for CG, they can kiss my ass. The waiting cue for free version is bullshit and no one wants to wait! also just try downing a torrent with CG, it slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwws way down anytime I attempt to use it for that purpose.

[Dino8 34]

18 hours ago, 46&2 said:

as far as Tor Browser goes thats IMO like pinning a target on your back and walking thru a field during archery practice!

 

How can somebody target you if they don't know who or where you are. That's the purpose of the Tor browser, yes you are

in the open but it's not easy to identify or pinpoint you. In normal circumstances anyway.

[straycat19 3,378]

8 hours ago, Dino8 said:

 

How can somebody target you if they don't know who or where you are. That's the purpose of the Tor browser, yes you are

in the open but it's not easy to identify or pinpoint you. In normal circumstances anyway.

 

 

Tor has been vulnerable for a while.  The FBI, with help from a Tor developer, is able to track people and is how they busted a child porn ring.  One of the accused had his trial postponed because the FBI refused to divulge how they tracked him on Tor.  They refused because the exploit is still working and they are still using it.  If you want to be safe then never, ever access the internet.  Their are no guarantees for any security program, not even VPNs, which have proven to be not so secure in the past.

[steven36 10,670]

4 hours ago, straycat19 said:

how they busted a child porn ring.

Yes its also how they let a pedo go too ,  they say most Government exploits work for many years before they get patched  ,  I never use tor on the darknet noway  the only time I use it  is behind a vpn like if i'm having trouble accessing  some site or some site tries to restrict me.  Millions of people. use Tor  everyday  and the Government can't exploit everyone who runs TOR . And you dont have to install TOR  too be exploited  they could exploit any software at any time , The software that is exploited that we dont know about is what's is scary .

 

Most people walk around with a tracking device in there Pocket  using services that most Fortunate 500 companies  will give them you're data  without them even having to exploit you with one court order . You need too get with reality  bother. I used tor for proxy software since back before they even had a Tor Browser  and no one ever came knocking at my door arresting me . You need too put you're tinfoil hat away . The only reason  people get exploited at all on Tor is because they are using to cover up illegal activity but they caught just as many on Yahoo! IM  and other places as they have on the darknet. 

 

They tracked the guy who ran silkroad down off the clearnet they didn't even have to exploit him , showing there are many who use Tor who are not very bright  because if  they was they would just use it as a extra layer pf privacy also you should never put all you're eggs in one basket and you should never leave a trail of  personal info all over the internet if you want privacy.  The reason the tor exploit works is because they are just using Tor Browser and there computer uses there real ip .

 

A smart Tor user would have  been ruining Tails or a vpn or something to begin with .  People get busted on the darknet  all over the world all the time because there dumb enough to get drugs delivered to there mail box  and feds knows they ordered the drugs if the idiot would bought his drugs off the street from someone they know  they most likely would never got busted. Ignorance is bliss and there are a lot  of it on the internet and if you're doing something illegal Ignorance could cost you many years of you're life.  

Edited March 21, 2017 by steven36