Chapter 04
Protect your privacy
Your name, address, phone number and relatives are listed for sale on dozens of people-search sites. A VPN hides some things and not others. These guides explain what each tool does, what it does not, and how to remove yourself from broker lists for free or for a fee.
- Do I need a VPN? What it protects, what it doesn't, and who should botherA VPN moves trust from your internet provider and the Wi-Fi you are on to the VPN company. That helps some people a lot and most people a little.Read the guide 8 min read
- The best VPN services compared: NordVPN, Proton VPN, Mullvad, ExpressVPN and SurfsharkFive well-known VPNs, all with published independent audits. The right one depends on whether you want maximum anonymity, a free tier, or the easiest app.Read the guide 7 min read
- VPN vs proxy: what each one hides, and when a proxy is enoughProxies and VPNs both hide your IP address from websites. Only a VPN encrypts everything your device sends, and the difference matters most on networks you don't trust.Read the guide 7 min read
- How to remove your info from data broker and people-search sitesPeople-search sites publish your address, phone number and relatives for anyone to find. You can remove most listings yourself for free. It takes a few hours, and it needs repeating.Read the guide 7 min read
- Data removal services compared: Optery vs DeleteMe vs Incogni and othersData removal services file opt-outs with data brokers for you and keep re-checking. They differ in how much proof they show, whether they take custom requests, and who they cover.Read the guide 6 min read