> This is the shortened version of [The Complete Personal Security Checklist](https://github.com/Lissy93/personal-security-checklist/blob/master/README.md).
It lays out the 20 most essential security + privacy tips, that you should complete to protect your digital life.
- Use strong, unique passphrases for each of your accounts (12+ alpha-numeric upper and lower-case letters + symbols). Avoid predicitable patterns, dictionary words and names.
- Use a password manager: It is going to be almost impossible to remember hundreds of unique passwords. A password manager will generate strong passwords, securly store and auto-fill them, with a browser extension and mobile app. All you will need to do, is remember 1 master password. [BitWarden](https://bitwarden.com) is a great option, as is [1Password](https://1password.com) (not open source). [KeePass XC](https://keepassxc.org) is more secure, but without any cloud-sync functionality.
- Use 2-factor authentication for all secure accounts (email, cloud storage, financial accounts and social media). You can do this with [Authy](https://authy.com) (proprietary) which will also let you back up and sync your tokens across multiple devices. Or you can use [Aegis](https://getaegis.app) or [AndOTP](https://github.com/andOTP/andOTP) which are both open source.
- Be cautious when logging into your accounts on someone elses device, as you cannot be sure that it is free of malware. If you do need to access one of your accounts, use incognito mode (Ctrl+Shift+N) so your credentials don't get cached.
- Use a Privacy-Respecting Browser, [Brave](https://brave.com) and [Firefox](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/exp/firefox/new) are gtrat options. Set your default search to a non-tracking search engine, such as [DuckDuckGo](https://duckduckgo.com)
- Do not enter any information on a non-HTTPS website (look for the lock icon), consider using [HTTPS-Everywhere](https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere) to make this easier
- Block invasive 3rd-party trackers and ads using an extension like [Privacy Badger](https://privacybadger.org) or [uBlock](https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock)
- Don't allow your browser to save your passwords or auto-fill personal details (instead use a [password manager](https://github.com/Lissy93/personal-security-checklist/blob/master/5_Privacy_Respecting_Software.md#password-managers), and [disable your browsers own auto-fill](https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001377.htm))
- Clear your cookies, session data and cache regularly. You could use an extension such as [Cookie-Auto-Delete](https://github.com/Cookie-AutoDelete/Cookie-AutoDelete) to automate this
- Don't sign into your browser, as it further allows for your browsing data to be linked to your identity
- Consider using [Decentraleyes](https://decentraleyes.org) to decrease the number of trackable CDN requests your device makes
- Consider using compartmentalization to separate different areas of your browsing (such as work, social, shopping etc), in order to reduce tracking. This can be done with [Firefox Containers](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/containers), or by using separate browsers or browser profiles
- Test your browser using a tool like [Panopticlick](https://panopticlick.eff.org) to ensure there are no major issues. [BrowserLeaks](https://browserleaks.com) and [Am I Unique](https://amiunique.org/fp) are also useful for exploring what device info your exposing to websites
- Keep your browser up-to-date, explore the privacy settings and remove unnecessary add-ons/ extensions (as they may make you more trackable)
- For anonymous browsing use [The Tor Browser](https://www.torproject.org/), and avoid logging into any of your personal accounts
- Don't grant apps permissions that they don't need. For Android, you can use [Exodus](https://exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/) to quickly see the permissions and trackers for each of your installed apps.
- It's important to protect your email account, as if a hacker gains access to it he/she will be able to reset the passwords for all your other accounts. Ensure you have a strong and unique password, and enable 2FA.
- Emails are not encrypted by default, meaning they are able to be read by anyone who intercepts them as well as your email provider (Google, Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo etc all monitor emails). Consider switching to a secure mail provider using end-to-end encryption, such as [ProtonMail](https://protonmail.com/) or [Tutanota](https://tutanota.com/).
- Use a reputable VPN to keep your IP protected and reduce the amount of browsing data your ISP can log. (Note: VPN's do not provide ultimate protection as advertisers commonly state). See [thatoneprivacysite.net](https://thatoneprivacysite.net/) for a detailed comparison chart. [ProtonVPN](https://protonvpn.com/) has a free starter plan, [Mullvad](https://mullvad.net/) is great for anonymity. Other good all-rounders include [IVPN](https://www.ivpn.net/), NordVPN, TorGuard and AirVPN.
- Change your routers default password. Anyone connected to your WiFi is able to listen to network traffic, so in order to prevent people you don't know from connecting, use WPA2 and set a strong password.
- Update your router settings to use a secure DNS, such as [Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1](https://1.1.1.1/dns/), this should also speed up your internet. If you cannot modify your roters settings, you can set the DNS on your phone (with the [1.1.1.1. app](https://1.1.1.1/)), or [Windows](https://developers.cloudflare.com/1.1.1.1/setting-up-1.1.1.1/windows/), [Mac](https://developers.cloudflare.com/1.1.1.1/setting-up-1.1.1.1/mac/) or [Linux](https://developers.cloudflare.com/1.1.1.1/setting-up-1.1.1.1/linux/). DNS is the system used to resolve URL's to their server addresses, many DNS providers collect data on your browsing habbits and use it to target you with ads or sell it on.
- Keep software up-to-date. Security fixes and patches are released as updates, so it is important to install updates when prompted, for your phone, PC, router, IoT devices and all software/apps.
[Exodus] - Shows which trackers are on your device. [Orbot]- System-wide Tor Proxy. [Island] - Sand-box environment for apps. [NetGuard] - Controll which apps have network access. [Bouncer] - Grant temporary permissions. [Greenify] - Controll which apps can run in the background. [1.1.1.1] - Use CloudFlares DNS over HTTPS. [Fing App] - Monitor your home WiFi network for intruders
[εxodus] - Shows which trackers an app has. [';--have i been pwned?] - Check if your details have been exposed in a breach. [EXIF Remover] - Removes meta data from image or file. [Redirect Detective] - Shows where link redirects to. [Virus Total] - Scans file or URL for malware. [Panopticlick], [Browser Leak Test] and [IP Leak Test] - Check for system and browser leaks
There's no need to spend money- Most of these products can be made at home with open source software. Here's a list of [DIY Security Gadgets](/6_Privacy_and-Security_Gadgets.md#diy-security-products).
📜 **See More**: [Privacy and Security Gadgets](/6_Privacy_and-Security_Gadgets.md)
*Thanks for visiting, hope you found something useful here :) Contributions are welcome, and much appreciated - to propose an edit [raise an issue](https://github.com/Lissy93/personal-security-checklist/issues/new/choose), or [open a PR](https://github.com/Lissy93/personal-security-checklist/pull/new/master). See: [`CONTRIBUTING.md`](/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md).*
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