I am trying to re-adjust how much effort I want to put into privacy concerns. Too much stuff I’m using isn’t working properly or using a lot of my mental resources that I need elsewhere.

For (a bad) example: I recently performed a half-switch from my self-hosted Nextcloud instance to ProtonDrive, in the hope that it would spare me the stress to maintain my private Nextcloud. Unfortunately, it doesn’t, as basic functionality like cross-device-sync is not possible (there isn’t even a client app for Linux, as of yet).

This brings me to the question: have you found any services/apps/stuff that significantly eases your life while still being privacy friendly? I know, this is a broad question, but I think this is for the best as this thread then maybe even has use for other users.

  • BoisZoi@lemmy.mlEnglish
    0·
    6 months ago

    Niether are open source, but the full versions of AdGuard for each platform, Adguard Public DNS and DuckDuckGo.

  • Fox Trenton@lemmy.ml
    0·
    6 months ago

    Two I use a lot daily are KeePass 2 in various versions, computer as well as tablet. I used KeePass “original” 1 for years, but moved to 2/XC/DX. Occasionally also used for storing notes and not just passwords.

    My notetaker, all hands down, though. Joplin, with encryption activated, the file stored for syncing on my privacy oriented community’s encrypted NextCloud. I am an avid notetaker, both digital and analogue, and Joplin really fits my needs.

    OK, third, honourable mention: Veracrypt

  • robber@lemmy.ml
    0·
    6 months ago

    Nextcloud all the way. I especially love the calendar, contacts and notes integrations besides the file sync, and it’s extensibility in general. Such a powerful tool.

    • Human Crayon@sh.itjust.works
      0·
      6 months ago

      I love my Nextcloud instance, too. Zero problems in the past 4 years. I don’t run many extensions on it, though. The mobile app works great as well.

      Trillium plus its sync server in a VM is my goto for notes. Mobile isn’t a problem (I usually drops everything into my notes app, then expand on it when I’m in front of a full keyboard at home).

      Not sure how I could get through my day without either of these two.

    • abcdqfr@lemmy.ml
      0·
      6 months ago

      Have you gotten any recipe integrations to work with nextcloud? Can’t find a satisfactory apk to enter and edit recipes correctly, kinda turning me off to the entire nextcloud thing.

      • robber@lemmy.ml
        0·
        6 months ago

        I just use a bunch of markdown files for that. Guess you could also use Notes and its category feature.

  • eveninghere@beehaw.org
    0·
    6 months ago

    As a paranoid I’ve started writing my own note taking app, and I’m very happy knowing what it doesn’t do.

  • Sunny' 🌻@slrpnk.net
    0·
    6 months ago

    Freetube on PC has really changed it up for me. Vencord over Discord is another I’ve not seen mentioned yet, basically strips out the telemetry and sandboxes the application.

    • Shir0a@lemmy.world
      0·
      6 months ago

      Pair Libre redirect with Freetube and that’s been my worry free YouTube experience during all of this anti adblocker business.

    • ErwinLottemann@feddit.de
      0·
      6 months ago

      i wonder why this happens. are you from somewhere where this is common or were your transactions shady? i only got my bank block one transaction for me and that was because i didn’t know i had to ‘activate’ the ability to send money to accounts in the eu

      • delirious_owl@discuss.online
        0·
        6 months ago

        Likely its because of all the other privacy tools that I use. Banks don’t like it when they can’t track you. Every time they think I have a new device. They interpret “oh shit we can’t track this person between sessions” as “its suspicious! Lock the account!” …even though I use the correct username & password on the very first try. Smh

        Ultimately this is the result of Machine Leaning algorithms, but terrible ones because they never learn that they false positive 100% of the time on my account.

        Anyway, this is never an issue with monero. The transactions can’t be blocked. It literally works every time. And I hold the keys, so I don’t have to worry about loosing my money because my bank gets hacked (or someone calls them with the knowledge of my mother’s maiden name and the last 4 street addresses I had, and uses this public information to reset my password and steal my money)

  • haui@lemmy.giftedmc.com
    0·
    6 months ago

    NC isnt perfect imo but its like having an open source car or house. Its not emergency ready like no downtime, no bugs, no issues but it will do 95% uptime if configured correctly and its is insanely versatile. I cant imagine any other app being this versatile. You can check my setup if you want.

  • Ilandar@aussie.zone
    0·
    6 months ago

    If I am being completely honest, there are very few. Convenience is consistently the #1 trade-off when I make privacy-based decisions about which applications and services to use.

    An exception I can think of are ad and tracker blockers like uBlock Origin, iodé, etc - I cannot imagine life without them Any time I borrow the phone or computer of someone who doesn’t have an equivalent of these installed I am just blown away by how many ads they are confronted with while performing even the simplest tasks. And not just harmless ones, but ads that directly waste their time. I genuinely don’t understand how people can live like that unless they just don’t know there is an alternative.

    I guess another one I can think of is the Aurora Store. The UI is so much cleaner than the Google Play Store’s, important settings and features aren’t hidden and it has some additional features like Exodus Report that I think are genuinely useful. It’s so superior as an application that I actually prefer using it even on devices where the Play Store is installed and working.

  • shadow_wolf@aussie.zone
    0·
    6 months ago

    e/os on the phone was a game changer but mostly just accepting that digital privacy is not going to work if you cannot take a step back from tech and accept that the transaction is your data in exchange for access to new shiny toys you don’t need that will never belong to you no matter what they cost.

  • Political Custard@beehaw.org
    0·
    6 months ago

    I am finally really happy with my privacy setup, I am not feeling like there’s anything more I need (or want) to do at the moment…

    1. NextDNS on PC and phone
    2. Linux on PC (I do have a drive with Windows on it for dire emergencies (Rust and Destiny 2))
    3. Mullvad VPN
    4. Degoogled phone with LineageOS
    5. Non-self-hosted Nextcloud
    6. Browsing: FireDragon and Mullvad Browser on PC and Mull on phone
    7. FreeTube for YouTube
    • Morningside@mastodon.social
      0·
      6 months ago

      @politicalcustard @lens17 If you’re open to advice or ideas, I highly recommend setting up a VPN in your router. That makes sure all devices in your home are protected at all times, and avoid the matrix protocol for all purposes, as it’s by Amdocs under the guise of New Vector and The Element Foundation.

      • Political Custard@beehaw.org
        0·
        6 months ago

        That’s a good idea about the VPN on the router but it’s just my computer and phone that connect to the internet and I maintain a non-“smart” home. It would be nice for guests though. That’s interesting about Matrix, I didn’t know about that. Sadly, for the moment it will be something I have to live with; I’m in a few groups that use Matrix, but it’s good to know though, thanks.

      • LemmyHead@lemmy.ml
        0·
        6 months ago

        It’s a more complex setup to have vpn active on your router though. It’s not noob proof, because you’ll get blocked from websites like Netflix. I have an openwrt based router that allows be to use device based vpn policies, which is more efficient and effective