In recent months, and maybe even years, I've become increasingly interested in the online trend people often call "going analog". I'ts not a perfect term, but it generally refers to reducing or removing the digital distractions that dominate our modern lives. For some people that simply means using less social media. For others it means giving up smartphones, limiting internet access, or disconnecting as much as possible. Everyone seems to approach it a little differently. I think to a degree that individuality is part of the appeal.
For me, it also goes hand-in-hand with wanting to reclaim some privacy from big tech and the algorithms that increasingly shape what we see, buy, and even think about. That might dramatic, but I don't think it's entirely wrong. And it's definitely something I take seriously.
On a personal level, I can see how the internet and constant connectivity has affected my life. I don't think waht I'm feeling is just some dose of nostalgia for a simpler time. It's more about realizing how much of my attention has been consumed by things that don't add much if any value to my life. I'm trying to find ways to scale back my digital life, spend more time on things I actually enjoy, and be more intentional about how I use technology.
I've already made some progress. Outside of YouTube, Dicord, and now Neocities, I do not use what I'd considered social media. No Twitter (err... X?), Instagram, SNapchat, TikTok, Twitch, DeviantArt, Tumblr, or anything else I used to spend time on at some point in my life. Some of those were genuinely difficult to leave behind, but I don't miss them. If anything, I have more time and mental space than I did before. Once you stop doomscrolling, it's surprising how much room opens up for hobbies, interests, and simply getting things done.
This page is a collection of guides, tips, resources, and ideas related to going analog, protecting your privacy, and living a less digitally consuming life. It's a bit of a hodgepodge, but that's intentional. If I found something useful, interesting, or worth revisiting I wanted to collect it here for my own future reference, as well as in-case someone else who stumbles across this page finds it helpful too.
A very disorganized and random list of websites, guides, services, and products:
Guides & Learning
Surveillance Self-Defense - A guide created by the Electronic Frontier Foundation that teaches people how to better protect their privacy and security online.The New Oil - A guide to understanding digital privacy & the world of cybersecurity. Learn about online tracking, surveillance, data collection etc.
A Defensive Computing Checklist - A collection of information & advice for improving everyday computer security, privacy, and digital awareness.
The Proton Guide - A guide on using Proton's privacy-focused services more effectively.
Directories & References
How to Live Without Google - A guide on how to completely remove reliance on Google's ecosystem. Find replacements for everything like search, browsing, email, gps etc.Awesome Privacy - A directory of privacy-respecting software, services, and tools.
Spyware Watchdog - Project that evaluates software, operating systems, browsers etc. from a privacy perspective.
Operating Systems
Devuan - A free, open-source Linux operating system based on Debian.Web Browsing
LibreWolf - A free, open-source web browser based on Firefox that is designed around privacy, security, and user freedom.Kagi - A subscription-based search engine that puts users first. Because it is built on a subscription model it does not track or advertise to it's users.
Mullvad: DNS over HTTPS & DNS over TLS - A guide to using encrypted DNS to improve privacy while browsing the internet.
Communication & Messaging
Proton Mail - A privacy-focused email service that is funded by subscriptions rather than advertising.Proton VPN - A privacy-focused virtual private network (VPN) service designed to help protect from network surveillance, hide your IP, and improve online privacy.
Vencord - A free, open-source Discord modification that improves the desktop and web client. There are several privacy-focused plugins that can help block Discord's analytics and monitoring.
Vesktop - A free, open-source that pairs well with Vencord. (This and Vencord I find interesting, but I haven't put too much time into looking into them or trying them.)
Mobile
Unplugged Phone - Privacy-focused smartphones that runs an Android-based, but Google-less operating system.Mudita Pure - Minimalist feature phone with an E-Ink display, physical buttons, and an open-source operating system.
Cape - A privacy-focused mobile carrier that focuses on reducing the amount of personal information collected by cellular providers.
GrapheneOS - A free, open-source mobile operating system that focuses on privacy and security. Runs similarly to Android and can only be installed on certain Google Pixel devices.
Shizuku - A free, open-source Android utility that allows compatible apps to access certain system APIs without requiring the device to be rooted.
Home Network
Pi-hole A free, open-source network content blocker that works against advertisements, trackers, and malicious domains across your home network.Security Tools
Blacklight - A free website privacy inspection tool.VirusTotal - A free service for analyzing files and websites for malware or other threats.
Financial & Shopping
Privacy.com - A virtual payment card service that allows you to generate unique card numbers for online purchases without exposin your actual card or bank information.ZenMarket - Proxy shopping service for buying items from Japanese retailers. Not exactly a privacy-focused company or service, but it is an alternative to places like eBay, Amazon etc.