Resources to learn about online privacy

During your efforts to improve your own privacy, you'll quickly come to the conclusion that there is no panacea. Instead, you'll grapple with the trade-offs between privacy and convenience. The vast majority of people have been spoon-fed by large corporations offering free services. In return, these corporations collect enormous amounts of data and store it for profit. On the flip side, free and open source alternatives may prove to be difficult to deploy and may take time to learn how to use and keep backups of.

Whilst it may prove difficult to remove these corporations from our lives, understand that it doesn't have to be this way. It is possible to take back your privacy and slowly remove your reliance on them.

To do this successfully, it requires education and research. Creating a plan, trialling it out, understanding the trade-offs and learning to DIY.

Here are some of my top resources that I think are worthwhile consuming.

1. A Cypherpunk's Manifesto by Eric Hughes

   Before you understand what you're doing, it's important to understand why you're doing it. This manifesto was written in 1993 and the relevance it brings today in 2021 is uncanny. It is a short read but it spells it out loud and clear. The Cypherpunk's saw this coming from a mile away.

2. Go Incognito by Techlore

   The Go Incognito course is a great free video series. Perhaps use 2x playback speed to save time. It's great for beginners to start thinking about their online privacy and take practical steps to improve. It gives you a basic understanding of the tools used to defend your privacy. I highly recommend going through it.

3. The Hitchhiker's Guide to Online Anonymity by AnonymousPlanet

   If you're looking for the absolute gold standard in online privacy, this would be it. This guide is extremely detailed, well researched and referenced. I have never seen anything like this. It takes paranoia to the next level, and rightly so. It also makes it clear what can be defended against and what can't.

4. privacytools.io

   Privacytools.io provide great recommendations for alternate software and tools that are less privacy invasive. They also have a subreddit where good discussions are had. Check out the sidebar of the subreddit to find more information.

5. Subreddits I find useful

   • Selfhosted
   • Homelab
   • Privacy & Freedom in the Information Age

6. YouTube channels I find useful

   • Techlore
   • TheHatedOne
   • Mental Outlaw
   • Luke Smith
   • Brodie Robertson
   • Wolfgang's Channel

Below is an image that illustrates some alternatives that can be used.