Your encrypted messenger and videoconference
Matrix is an open source project that publishes the Matrix open
standard for secure, decentralised, real-time communication, and
its Apache licensed reference implementations.
Jitsi is a collection of free and open-source multiplatform voice, videoconferencing and
instant messaging
applications for the web platform, Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS and Android.
Matrix and Jitsi
DNSCrypt & Unbound
Your Encrypted DNS Server
DNSCrypt is a network protocol that authenticates and encrypts
Domain Name System (DNS) traffic between the user's computer and
recursive name servers.
It includes Anonymized DNS.
Unbound is a validating, recursive, and caching DNS resolver.
It also includes
DNSSEC.
There are instances when owning your own server, either for your home or office, is
the ideal solution to maximise your digital privacy.
If you have any concerns about your individual or your family’s digital
privacy. A server is a perfect solution for some privacy issues.
It doesn't have to be a big/expensive server. A Raspberry Pi can host anything you
need.
Interest in having a virtualization management software like proxmox for more
services/performance or do you have a large family and therefore many users, you
should invest a bit more to achieve your goal.
A Raspberry Pi is not a good option for this.
Some examples what you can achieve with your own server
Create your own virtual private network (VPN)
Use your own cloud server like Dropbox, Google Drive ...
Your own email server
Parental control
Block advertisements for all your devices, e.g. TVs, IoT devices, etc.
and much more to keep your data where it belongs - at Home
What privacy issues has my phone?
Applications like browsers, email services, games, online banking - and plenty more
- collect as much information from your device as possible. (There’s money to be
made from your personal data and they try hard to gather it all).
When you use your phone, a lot of unwanted digital traffic can be already blocked by
your private server. But it is still vital to modify each device so that they
connect to your server safely.
Fine-tuning of the connection and privacy settings of your devices should
be completed regularly. So keep an eye on our and other
important news and keep your devices always up to date!
Android devices are "easy" for privacy fanatics to change. You should think about
this before you buy a new phone. Follow the LineageOS supported list and select one of
them.
If you don't want to use many applications and would like to test a few things, take
a look at Pine64's PinePhone which is mainly
based on Linux.
My desktop has privacy issues too?
Same as your phone: Applications like browsers, email
services, games, online banking - and plenty more - collect as much information from
your device as possible. (There’s money to be made from your personal data and they
try hard to gather it all).
There are a number of solutions you can try. Start to optimize your Mac and Windows
computer so that the companies can't catch all your privacy information.
Or, because open source is our philosophy, we suggest to avoid all mainstream
companies and start with Linux.
Software should be open source so that everyone is able to see what happens behind
the scene. Windows & Co. do not provide the source code. So you have to trust them.
We all know from the past that this is not a good idea.
There are so many Linux distributions you can choose from. Use them 😉
Arch Linux - install only software that
you really use
Rocky Linux - Rocky Linux as a
production-ready alternative to CentOS, as CentOS has recently been "redesigned"
for testing patches and updates
Qubes OS - desktop system with good
privacy and security based on virtualization technology
Linux Mint - easy to learn for Linux
beginners coming e.g. from a Windows computer
Debian - most Linux distributions are
based on Debian. Known for it's stability and it's integration of 100% free
software.
Data loss. It could be a document you’ve been working
on for hours being deleted instead of saved. Or it could be a system failure which
wipes everything. Or a fire, or theft, or spilt cup of coffee. The feelings are
usually the same: horror, fear, regret.
This is a very important step, which is why we included it too. Not only to back up
your data, but also to keep your loooong learning journey safe at all times.
Remember to learn how to backup as soon as possible. It can be very annoying to
start from scratch again and again. But if you don't have backups, you can also
learn fater
😉