Regardless of the level of your technical prowess there’s a few things you should be using and doing on mobile and desktop to be more secure. Now that it’s the beginning of a new year start it off right. I’m not going to weigh you down with details on how to get started and long introductions on each app. I’m going to keep this short as possible with just this. Everything here I use or have used and works on all the major platforms (Android, iOS, Mac, Windows and even Linux). So whether you download software from an App Store, sideload using an Apk or even from Git Hub you have no excuse not to make your life more secure. Anything you don’t like delete it, move on to something else until you find what works for you. As long as you get started that the best thing you can do. So here we go…
1Password or LastPass. Either password manager is fine as both are at the top of the class so it’s just a matter of personal preference. I prefer 1Password as we now live in a world of subscription everything because 1Password still offers single use for free without removing any of it’s useful features. Even if you prefer to create your own passwords using a password manager will allow you to keep all of them in one organized place and alert you to ones you repeat or have been compromised so you can change them.
Also change any and all default passwords for every device (like wireless routers, security cameras and such) you have in your home. While nothing is full proof don’t make it easy for people with too much time on their hands to hack your stuff. You spent time picking out and installing that home security camera to protect you and everything valuable to you, now go that last mile and secure the camera. You won’t regret it.
Tor Browser or the Onion Browser (iOS) for more private and secure browsing as we are being tracked in more ways than you can imagine because even when companies say they aren’t tracking you they are. This may not be viable for everything you do (like work for instance) because it does a lot of redirecting but it’s good for all the other times.
If you’re looking for speedier and more private searches you can try the 1.1.1.1 DNS resolver. It’s not a fully fledged VPN service but it does use some VPN technology to help anonymize and speed up your searches. I think it’s a good place to start if you don’t have a VPN set up and definitely when you’re away and can’t connect to your regular VPN for whatever the reason.
These are just a few basic things I suggest to get you started on having a more secure mobile and browsing experience. It’s not the end all be all as security can and does go way deeper that this. This is just to point you in the right direct. Now… go enjoy the rest of the year.
Wyatt's Tech Corner 
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