VPN
Mullvad and Proton VPN are preferred: strong privacy posture, public audits, and resistance to invasive data collection.
Browser
Firefox (hardened) for daily use. Tor Browser for anonymity-critical activity.
Operating Systems
Qubes OS for strict compartmentalization. Tails for amnesic, Tor-routed sessions. Fedora as a strong general-purpose choice.
Password Management + Auth
KeePassXC on desktop (especially Windows), KeePassDX on mobile, plus Firefox Password Manager for integrated, syncable credentials, and Proton Pass + Proton Auth for encrypted, ecosystem-based secrets and 2FA.
Proton Mail for end-to-end encrypted, jurisdiction-conscious mail.
File Storage
Proton Drive for encrypted cloud storage tied to a privacy-respecting provider.
Cryptocurrency
Monero first-choice for privacy-focused transactions. Bitcoin second, with strict self-custody and privacy hygiene.
Avoid Zcash: influential figures, including Edward Snowden, have publicly promoted it in ways that undermine trust; its model and ecosystem do not align with this index's bar for credible privacy.
Instant Messaging
Signal for default end-to-end encrypted messaging with a strong track record.
Web Search
No engine currently meets a high enough standard to be recommended without significant caveats.
Calendar
Proton Calendar alongside Proton's encrypted ecosystem.
Hosting
ovobox.org as a focused, privacy-forward hosting option.