In an era where digital privacy is increasingly under threat, many turn to VPNs as a safeguard. However, VPNs aren’t the only solution for protecting your online privacy. Here are eight alternatives, each offering unique benefits for securing your digital footprint.
- Tor Browser – Provides anonymous browsing by routing your traffic through multiple servers, though it’s slower due to its high security.
- Proxy Servers – Act as intermediaries that mask your IP but offer less security since they generally don’t encrypt your data.
- SSH Tunneling – Creates an encrypted connection for specific applications, requiring technical setup but useful for secure file transfers.
- Identity and Access Management (IAM) – Manages user identities to control access within networks, focusing on authentication rather than traffic encryption.
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) – Operates on a “never trust, always verify” model, giving access only to necessary resources rather than the whole network.
- Smart DNS – Bypasses geographic restrictions for streaming by changing DNS settings, without encrypting all internet traffic.
- Privacy-Focused Browsers – Built-in privacy features like ad and tracker blocking provide a layer of anonymity without needing external services.
- Encrypted Email Services – Secure email communications with end-to-end encryption, protecting message content from third-party interception.
Source: 8 Alternatives to Using a VPN to Protect Your Privacy – Make Tech Easier