Already use Firefox and Duck Duck Go. Now considering a VPN and maybe signing up for Proton Mail.<BR><BR>Since I'm nothing interesting at all (near as I can tell) is this being smart or paranoid?So, what about you out there in forum land? How would you rate your current situation online and your attitude toward these sorts of things?Pft...who cares if they know everything about me.I always watch for the little padlock icon in the browser tab.Trying to keep my info secure, but not sure how I'm doing.I've taken steps I can explain, and am not too worried about any of my data being used without my permission.This isn't even me responding, from a location I'm not at, using hardware and a connection I don't have...neener neener NSA.

Before you kill your self out of fear you need to ask "what do I have to lose" then take appropriate steps to protect it.
There are a lot of misconceptions regarding this security area, some bonafide and some bogus.
Most can be accomplished by common sense and some by sound technology practices.
Yeah, Alexa is not one I would generally recommend nor keeping your passwords taped to your office computer or clicking on every html email link.
Plenty of other practices other than those too.
A VPN,an AV program or DuckGoGo are not the end-all to threats but each have a valid place.
Just remember to take a comprehensive view based on how much security you actually need.
YMMV

A question. Do you carry a cellphone every day? If the answer is yes, then you're being tracked and a plethora of personal info/behavior is being culled. smschultz comments about eliminating irresponsible behavior and taking simple, smart, precautions is well considered. Beyond that, I wouldn't lose my mind over the issue.

You can use “Signal” for text messages in addition to Proton and Privacy Pro ha been a good VPN for me. I make sure I do not post my pictures on the inner webs. Most people post so much about their life between facebook and LinkedIn that can be used my the facial recognition programs. I’d like to not carry a cell phone but at this point cannot do that.

I had a TS/SCI clearance for more than 20 years.

"They" know more about me than I do, and likely have pictures to prove it.

Other than credit cards getting hacked, I don't much give a shit.

quote:

This isn't even me responding, from a location I'm not at, using hardware and a connection I don't have...neener neener NSA.

Standard Firefox doesn't cut it. You need to go Tor.

quote:

Originally posted by Chance:
Standard Firefox doesn't cut it. You need to go Tor.

The NSA RUNS Tor.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
I had a TS/SCI clearance for more than 20 years.

"They" know more about me than I do, and likely have pictures to prove it.

Other than credit cards getting hacked, I don't much give a shit.

I'm much the same way.

flashguy