Best Applications to Keep Your Data Secure in 2021

Best Applications to Keep Your Data Secure in 2021
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Almost every other application is snooping into your activity and data one way or another. Google itself has reportedly been reading our emails for a while. Oh, and we all saw how the iCloud was hacked, which resulted in a massive leak of private data and reports. Considering all these incidents and more, one always has this fear of their private data and conversations being leaked to external entities. Even some cloud storage providers might dig into your data to delete files that they deem as illegal. With the advent of the social media storm, where we share so much information, there is always the concern that someone might use that data against us.

To avoid similar contingencies, it is important to use software and applications that can be trusted. Privacy has become a serious concern due to the ever-growing connectivity. Let us list down a few applications, which can offer you some peace of mind, all the while keeping your data safe from intrusions.

Best Applications to Keep Your Data Secure in 2021

Wire

It is great for WhatsApp to provide end-to-end encryption to bud any privacy issues people might have. Nevertheless, Skype’s co-founder claims that his recent instant messenger app Wire is “the most” secure messaging app in today’s era. After giving a test trial, many experts tend to agree with his notion. 

A wire is a free app and is functional on every major platform like Windows, iOS, Android, Mac, Linux, etc. The app encrypts all the data transferred through it like text, audio, and video chats and sends it forward in secure packages. The company has focused on making the audio and video quality top-notch to cater to the mass of audiences while providing constant encryption facilities.

The Wire has been quite open about its privacy policy and measures taken to counter any security threats. Several tech experts seem to praise their approach towards data safety and privacy. Some experts have declared it better than Signal and other related private messengers. 

OnionShare

In recent times, Google Drive, Dropbox, and One drive are the three major players in the file-sharing market. You will be surprised to know that none of them is completely private. However, you do not have to worry anymore since OnionShare has you covered in that department. While tools like these can be quite effective in securing your data, make sure that you have a dependable internet connection supporting your cause since networks intrusions can be extremely disastrous. Major internet companies usually provide additional security features along with active support to help you secure your data. Make sure that you go through your local internet service providers and find one that helps you in your cause. An extra layer of protection never hurts. 

OnionShare is an open-source file-sharing tool and lets you share files of different sizes. It uses a network of proxies to mask your identity and IP address, for starters. It routes your file through several servers along the route to make the tracing activities exceedingly difficult. The app makes it extremely tough to track the original location of the file, i.e., from where it is originating. Moreover, it doubles the security by encrypting the file through multiple layers. To transfer files through OnionShare, both the sender and the receiver need OnionShare on their machines. This peer-to-peer file sharing service requires both parties to be online at the time of sharing. Available on all major platforms, OnionShare is surely a file-sharing platform that you will find useful in your endeavors. 

Standard Notes

All computer users have availed the Notepad facility to store sensitive information at one instance or another. Be it login credentials for email-related services or passwords related to our digital wallets; notepads have served different uses for a chunk of people. Having our notepads synchronize across various devices and platforms has always been a requirement, and this is where Standard Notes comes into play. With advanced security features and the facility to export and synchronize your notes across different platforms, this app will surely, come in handy for quite a few people. 

Standard Notes works similarly to how applications like Apple Notes and Simplenote work. This open-source app provides end-to-end encryption for your data whenever it is being transferred among devices. It does not allow any tracking and does not push any intrusive advertising towards its users, which is a major relief as most of the free apps these days survive through advertisements. Not only that, advertisements often end up rerouting people towards fishy websites, which can passively/actively transfer your data to dangerous sources. With the simplistic interface, power extension options, and a futuristic approach, this app would surely be a pleasant addition to your daily routine activities. 

Best Applications to Keep Your Data Secure in 2021

0bin

We all want to ensure privacy when it comes to the data we share. Be it simple text or any image (personal or work-related), we have a right to privacy, and if it can be ensured, we get a much-needed peace of mind. Well, this comfort is very much achievable with 0bin, as it allows you to paste texts and images just like Pastebin or Imgur. 

0Bin is a web-based platform that does not require any sign-up. Paste the text into the provided text box or just upload the file or image from your hard drive. It has a built-in feature while allows you to preset data destruction after a designated time. You can choose that preset or choose the data to erase timing at your convenience. After submission, you can share the data sent with whomever you link with a few simple clicks. It is that easy. Based on its simplicity, it is quite a convenient tool, but in the same instance, it does require you to be a bit more careful regarding the data you share and whom you share it with, so be careful when you do so. 

EtherCalc and EtherPad

We have all used Google and Microsoft’s online office suites for work-related tasks at one instance or another, and why not with all the cool features they offer without having to pay a single dime. These services also let you share files and collaborate with respective people in real-time. However, can you be sure if these platforms are completely reliable and trustworthy? To tackle this dilemma, developers came up with dedicated applications like EtherCalc and Etherpad. The former lets you work on private and dedicated spreadsheets, while the latter is similar to a word processor. 

While these apps might not be superior to the services offered by Google and Microsoft, but they do ensure better security features, and for people who deem security and privacy above all else, these could be the right choice. Basic functionalities are readily offered, and these topped with additional security features make the overall offerings quite interesting. The information handled over the platforms is encrypted and can only be decrypted by someone with the respective password or link. Etherpad is quite user-friendly and can readily be downloaded online. On the other hand, EtherCalc might be a bit tricky to use and requires the use of Node.JS to run it offline. 

If you prefer better security options for your applications, then you should give the aforementioned applications ago, and you will not be disappointed. Once you get used to their respective interfaces, you will find that the operational process is quite easy, and the added security features are indeed a relief. Now that you are aware of the apps that make your data secure, here are some tips to protect your files from prying eyes:

Helpful Tips to Keep You Safe on the World Wide Web

Use Strong Passwords

Always use special characters, upper case and lower case alphabets, numbers, and symbols, etc., to make your passwords difficult for intruders to crack. It is not a good idea to use the date of birth, number sequences, names, or any obvious information as your password since that might increase the risk of hackers figuring it out and accessing your accounts. Hence, using a distinct and complex password for every account can help prevent cyberattacks. 

Confirm the Identity of Email Recipients

You need to be very cautious when opening emails to avoid being trapped by any malware. Before clicking on any links, make sure that you know the sender. If you feel anything suspicious, then it is highly recommended not to open such mail and move it to the trash.

Subscribe to a Reliable Internet Service

Having a reliable internet provider adds another layer of protection to your network. Therefore, we highly suggest our readers install a well-protected internet connection that offers a built-in security suite. If you are looking for such a provider, we strongly recommend Spectrum Internet as it comes with incredible speeds and high-end protection suite to keep you safe and secure on the internet.

Clear the Cache Regularly

You should clear your cache repeatedly since any saved cookies, saved searches, or web histories can lead hackers to the home address and any of your personal information. 

Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi Networks

You should prevent using any public connections since they are not protected. Therefore, accessing your emails, social profiles, or making any online payments is not a good idea since such open connections are often accessible by hackers to gain any personal information.

Online Payments and Transactions

When you are processing online payments, you should be sure that the website is safe. Keeping a check of your bank accounts online through mobile or email notifications can prove to be very helpful since you can detect any suspicious transaction immediately.

Final Words

All these tips can help you stay protected against cybercrimes and malware activities on the web. Adopting such measures to ensure internet security has indeed become a necessity for every online user nowadays.

 

Thank you for reading!