I use my computer daily, but I constantly have the eerie feeling that someone is looking over my shoulder. The sad reality is that it’s not a person; it’s just how operating systems are packaged these days. Eventually, I stopped complaining and took practical countermeasures, and along the way, I discovered some gems that make my PC more private.
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O&O ShutUp10++
Cutting off communication between HQ and the operating system
Privacy isn’t hiding or living under a rock; rather, it is the freedom to have selective disclosure. Your PC collects several data points, typically used to improve the user experience. These may include device configuration and settings, system inventory, system stability, errors, and more.
You can switch off certain telemetry elements you are not comfortable sending. However, doing so requires navigating through multiple layers of settings. Your best option is to use a dedicated tool like O&O ShutUp10++.
The tool allows you to disable telemetry for the current PC user or for all users. It also provides recommendations on whether specific telemetry points should be disabled. Additionally, it provides options for disabling data collection by third-party apps.
If you’re unsure what the different telemetry points mean, clicking an option in the app reveals a description to help you decide whether it should be disabled or left enabled. The app is lightweight, barely impacting system performance, and its interface is intuitive. By far, it is the easiest telemetry blocker I have ever used.
Download: O&O ShutUp10++ (Free)
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Mullvad Browser
Browsing with the most privacy-respecting browser
We interact with the internet daily through our browsers, making them one of the most common sources of data and privacy leaks. Tracking cookies, third-party scripts, fingerprinting, and WebRTC leaks are just a few of the risks browsers are vulnerable to.
Very few browsers provide strong protection against these threats, but Mullvad is my go-to choice. It reduces the number of privacy leaks you are exposed to and offers robust fingerprinting resistance, ensuring your data is not leaked or trackable across the sites you visit.
You also get strong WebRTC protection, ensuring your real IP address is not leaked during real-time communication, such as when using video conferencing services like Google Meet. In addition, you benefit from Tor letterboxing and canvas protection, which help ensure you don’t stand out while browsing the web. What makes it truly unique is that all these features come built-in, with no need for additional hardening.
Download: Mullvad Browser (Free)
If you think Firefox is the answer, you’re mistaken. Although it has long been branded as the privacy browser, Firefox has fallen far short of expectations. From weak privacy defaults and heavy reliance on Google funding to telemetry and data collection, it’s simply no longer an ideal option.
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Mullvad VPN
Using a VPN is a lifeline for privacy
After recommending the Mullvad Browser, it may come as a surprise that I also recommend Mullvad VPN. The reason is simple: it’s one of the best I have ever used. A VPN should mask your real location by hiding your IP, encrypt your traffic, prevent ISP tracking, bypass geoblocks, and more. Mullvad VPN does all of this and more.
Your privacy protection begins the moment you create an account. No username or email is required, giving you complete anonymity from the start. All you need to do is generate a random account number, pay for a subscription (by mailing cash or using cryptocurrency), download the VPN, enter your account number, and you’re set.
Mullvad’s Multihop feature routes your traffic through multiple WireGuard servers, making you far harder to trace. This is an essential layer of privacy protection for your PC.
Here’s a fun fact: the Swedish authorities once demanded that Mullvad hand over user data. They were unable to comply because they had no user information to provide. This confirmed Mullvad’s strict no-logging policy and makes it a highly credible option for keeping your PC as private as possible.
Download: Mullvad VPN (Free)
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Brave Search
Hardening DNS and search beyond your VPN locks down your privacy
Search is a major part of PC use, and many people default to Google or Bing. However, using these options links your search queries to your Google or Microsoft accounts. They also collect detailed profiles for targeted ads and store your IP address, tying your location to your search activity. All of this is harmful to the privacy of your device.
Brave Search is my preferred alternative. It independently indexes search queries, does not tie searches to any profile, and allows anonymous queries without logging IP addresses or other personal information. Additionally, because it is open source, its privacy practices are verifiable. It is the ideal search option for a more private experience on your PC.
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The human factor
The problem is often between the chair and the computer
You are the final tool needed to secure your PC’s privacy. You may use all the tools I’ve discussed so far, but if you still have poor computer habits, your data will still leak like a sieve. Make it a practice to reduce the local attack surface on your PC, because privacy is also about what happens if someone gains access to your device.
- Your admin account should never be your daily driver because, if an intruder gains access, it grants them the highest level of privileges.
- Avoid account reuse and cross-service logins, especially with Google, Facebook, and Microsoft sign-ins. By separating accounts, you compartmentalize access and reduce how much data can be exposed in a breach.
- Audit applications before installing them, because even a trusted app (including those on the app store) may be collecting far more data than it needs to function.
Making your PC feel more private is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. You must stay consistent and prepared for the long haul. Here is a reality check: the more private you make your computer, the less convenient it becomes to use, since you’re often cutting away the very services and features that make a PC effortless to operate. So the real question here is how much inconvenience are you willing to accept?
