Browse the Web Anonymously on Android With Orbot

From time to time you may want to look something up anonymously. That's okay, we won't tell anyone. Luckily, this isn't as hard as it seems with the help of an android app called Orbot. Orbot is a mobile version of Tor (The Onion Router), which encrypts traffic and then tunnels it through a series of computers around the world instead of using a direct connection.

Orbot

Platform: Android

Price: Free

Download Page

Features

Orbot has many features. Some of which include:

• Private Web Surfing when used in conjunction with  Orweb
• Private Messaging when used in conjunction with ChatSecure
• Privacy on Twitter with the official Twitter App

Bottom Line

Without root Orbot will work over WiFi networks, however, with root one can use Orbot with mobile data as well. Obviously running data through Orbot will decrease speeds, so it's probably not worth keeping on all the time. Even so, just the occasional search or so using Orbot is no big deal.

How to Handle Sensitive Data

Chances are that if you’re reading this, you may have social security numbers stuffed in the sock drawer or bank numbers in a plain text file in your Documents folder. Bad idea. Not only does this make the information difficult to organize, but it also leaves you highly vulnerable to anyone who wants this data. Here are some suggested practices for protecting your data from malicious people.

Evaluate and Eliminate

First off, most of this data you have lying around probably doesn't need to be kept, or you have duplicates of it. Sort through it all and figure out what you really need. Have passwords to old online accounts you no longer use? Go through to the different accounts and close them to eliminate some of this data.

Encrypt

Now that you have consolidated your sensitive data, you need to encrypt it. There are countless programs used to encrypt data so we suggest you find one that you like.

Storing Data

Cool, you have all your encrypted files, but now what? Picking the proper storage media to suit your needs is key. You don’t want these files all over the place so here’s what we suggest:

• Your Brain—No matter how safe you are, the best place to store data is in your head where nobody can get to it.
• Desktop—Because desktops are not as portable as other storage alternatives the security goes up given that:
• You follow safe computing practices and keep everything up to date.
• You both physically and remotely restrict access to your computer.
• Removable Media—Flash drives, SD cards, CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks are not the best places to store sensitive information just because they can easily be lost or stolen. However, they can also be great—tape a micro SD card inside the top of a locked safe and chances are that it’s fairly secure
• Laptops—We’re not even going to beat around the bush, just don’t do it! These things are just too portable and popular among thieves that it’s just not a good idea.
• Networked Location—Again, it’s probably not the best idea. Sure, the server itself may be secure, but the network connection probably isn't. Better to just stay away from this option unless you really know what you’re doing, even then it’s probably not worth it.

How do you store your sensitive data? Let me know in the comments below.