Level 1 - Basic (most people)

• Use Firefox or Brave browser.
• Install uBlock Origin (blocks trackers and ads).
• Use DuckDuckGo or Startpage instead of Google.
• Enable HTTPS-only mode in browser.
• Use a reputable VPN (Mullvad or ProtonVPN).
• Disable third-party cookies in browser settings.

Result: Significantly harder to track than 95% of users.

Level 2 - Intermediate

• Use Tor Browser for sensitive searches.
• Use Signal for messaging (end-to-end encrypted).
• Use ProtonMail for email (encrypted).
• Enable MAC address randomization on devices.
• Use a privacy-hardened Firefox (arkenfox user.js).
• Disable WebRTC to prevent IP leaks.
• Never log into personal accounts while using Tor.

Result: Extremely difficult to track. Journalist-level privacy.

Level 3 - Maximum (activists/journalists)

• Use Tails OS from USB on an air-gapped machine.
• Never use personal accounts on Tails.
• Use Tor with bridges to hide Tor usage from ISP.
• Remove phone/devices from vicinity when working.
• Use cash for purchases - no digital trail.
• Use dedicated anonymous hardware.
• Verify all software cryptographic signatures.

Result: NSA-level adversary required to deanonymize you.

The golden rule

• No tool protects you from yourself.
• Logging into personal accounts = game over.
• Talking about personal details = game over.
• Using the same username across platforms = game over.
• Anonymity is a practice, not just a tool.

The closer you want to get to anonymous, the more discipline it requires.