:: ANONYMOUS
:: PRACTICAL PRIVACY
:: PRIVACY CONSCIOUSRakEM, byRaketu Communication, is amobile messaging app that allows users to hold instant messaging conversations privatly while knowing their information is not being stored by a company.RakEM uses server-less, device-to-device direct technology and "self-mutating encryption algorithms" to protect your texts. The app also allows you to erase texts that you have sent. This can be a big deal for people who text while angry (or otherwise impared). Not only do the texts get erased from your phone, but from the recipient's as well.
"Other messaging apps have promised security, but we've all read the stories about images and messages that have been unwittingly exposed," said Greg Parker, president and CEO of Raketu, in a press release. "With security breaches making headlines almost daily, people want assurance that their communications are private and protected. And that, should they have second thoughts about something they sent, they can delete with confidence from devices. Raketu's technology makes this possible."
You can downloadRakEMon the App Store for free to start texting without worry.
:: SECURE DATA STORAGEFor those helicopter parents who hover about their kid in constant fear, the internet can be a scary place. Vaughn Simon has created a new app, TattleType, that allows parents to monitor what their kids are typing.
Basically a parent can set up a list of restricted words and then if their kids types those words, the parent is notified. The app can also quote a few words leading up to the restricted word and whatever the child typed afterward for the next 30 seconds. Is it a creepy app that violates your kid's privacy, or a powerful tool to help provide a level of safety to your family?
You can decide for yourself (if you're so inclined) by downloading TattleType for $4.99 on the App Store.
ZenMate Security VPN by ZenGuard has released an updated version optimized for iOS 8. The app protects your privacy by hiding your IP and Securing your device with encryption. The app has been super popular; just 14 months after launch they have broken their 5 million user milestone. ZenMate Security VPN will also now have the Firefox extension, which brings the same level of security to Firefox.
You can download ZenMate Security VPN for free on the App Store now.
StitMe, by Boolean Tech, is a security app that allows users to call or text others while keeping their mobile phone number private. In place of your phone number, the recipient’s caller ID will show a unique StitMe-generated number which a permanent number that the recipient can contact you with. This protects the user from unwanted return calls, sales pitches, and harassment. The app can provide an added layer of security when dealing with things from online dating to selling things on Craigslist or eBay.
Stitme is available for free on the App Store.
MyPermissions - Online Privacy Shield is a trust certification program for iOS developers, helping them build a level of trust between companies and its customers. The trust certification programs requires that developers agree to a list of standards to protect the personal information of their users. Those who complete the program are able to display a shield icon on their website, making their followers feel more at ease about giving up their information.
“Consumers are often unaware of the dangers associated with online privacy and are not cautious when sharing personal information,” said Olivier Amar, CEO and co-founder of MyPermissions, in a press release. “With the Trust Certification Program, we give developers the ability to provide a safe online environment for consumers when interacting with apps and websites. Developers who chose to participate in the program display a level of trustworthiness and accountability when it comes to protecting information."
:: PEACE OF MINDHave issues with firewalls on a local network? Need to connect to work networks for reasons of work? Just want to get privacy while browsing? Setting up a VPN is easy on iOS.
To set up a standard VPN connection, start by going to Settings -> General -> VPN. Tap Add VPN Connection. Choose the protocol that your VPN connection uses from the three protocol choices.
To enable the VPN, you can either turn on the connection by enabling it in the VPN section, or by turning on the new VPN toggle that appears in the main section of Settings. If the connection works, a VPN icon will appear in the status bar to indicate when you are connected to the VPN.
Some specialized VPN connections, like OpenVPN, require being set up in an app. For example, OpenVPN Connect, the official app from the creators of OpenVPN, works for opening those connections up. They require loading a file with the connection information in it, which can be added either by importing files from Private Tunnel, an OpenVPN Access Server, from iTunes local file storage, or by opening up a file from another app.
While many VPN services are paid, there are some free ones out there: a great way to try out the feature is through VPNbook.
Now get connected!
Given recent news events, the privacy of our data and just who has the ability to look at it is a growing concern. Many services that we use are proprietary creations, often served by corporations who may be willing (or forced) to distribute data transmitted through these services to governments or corporations. Now, for the security and privacy conscious, using iOS is probably not recommended because it is running on a proprietary OS and only allows apps that Apple specifically approves. However, for those who are more moderate on issues of privacy and security especially considering the closed-source nature of iOS as a whole. Thankfully, there’s a variety of services that can replace ones you currently use with open-source and more secure alternatives. Here’s four privacy-friendly replacement apps for iOS.
Our phones have become a significant part of our lives, holding large quantities of our personal data on them. Apps that use our data are also a significant part of them, especially given the rise of free apps and services – if you’re not paying, you’re the product – and what these apps have access to is often quite extensive. While Apple’s walled garden does keep many of those with malicious intent away from the App Store, they’re not perfect. There may just be an app that you trust that is doing something with the data you gave it permission for. Here’s how to manage these privacy settings.
The first and most obvious destination is the Privacy section in Settings. Here, you will see sections for various types of data that apps have requested.
By going to one of these sections, and switching the toggle for that app off, then it will not have access to that data any more. So an app that requests Photos access can have it be restricted. Or, if you initially denied access and wish to grant it, you can now do so from this section.
The Location Services section is particularly worth delving into because not only can the icon appear at random times for no apparent reason, but the section to manage it has many wrinkles that the others do not. One, there are variably-colored location icons next to each service, and they may not be apparent to what they mean until you scroll to the bottom, where iOS explains what each icon means.
What this means is that you can see on this section which apps are currently requesting your location, not just which apps have access to your location. If an app is continually causing the location services icon to appear in the status bar (and potentially draining your battery), you can see which apps are the culprit here. Often times, apps that use location services can have settings disabled from within the app to have their recurring location check disappear, as having loaction access enabled periodically may be key to your usage of the app. As well, the System Services section shows several system functions that use your location, including one for Location-Based iAds that can modify the types of ads you see.
Hopefully these tips have helped you manage your privacy better, and you have a greater understanding of the types of access that iOS apps and system functions have to your data.
Now, there’s one particular advertising-related privacy setting that’s not in Privacy that’s worth considering. Go to Settings→General→About and scroll all the way down to Advertising. Tap on this, and you’ll see a setting for Limit Ad Tracking. By enabling this, then services that identify your device by the Apple Advertising Identifier cannot track you based on this. This means that advertisements will be less targeted to you.
The app has a one time purchase price, and then you buy burners using credits purchased in-app, the virtual equivalent of disposal cell phones. They add a layer of privacy to your call, displaying whatever caller ID name you want and a useable phone number on the other end. Burners work for texts too. A one-week mini burner good for 20 calls and 60 texts costs $1.99 while $4.99 will get you two months with 75 voice and 225 texts. There are also extension packs and you can add as many burners as you need. If you do online dating, you might want one for that, while you might want another to manage a craigslist help-wanted post.
Once a number is gone, it stays gone, leaving no traces back to you. Just play nice - the possibilities for mayhem-making with this app are endless.
Burst is the latest app hoping to encourage users away from bigger networks, with a focus on sharing just with close friends and family. The app requires just one touch to capture then store and organize mobile videos and photos. It's then simple to share such moments with the special people in one's life.
Burst can tag and title those moments along with information from the user's calendar with everything securely stored in the cloud.
Users can restrict who views the content and be notified via Push notifications, email or SMS when a family member comments on the images.
For those looking for a more secure social networking app, Burst will prove invaluable.
Burst is out now and it's an Universal app.
