I need a search engine that doesn't track and profile users and that would allow me to send fully anonymous queries. Ideally, it shouldn't censor search results like Google does. What are some options worth considering? Are Mojeek or Startpage any good?

I recently switched from Windows to Macbook and want to upgrade my security and privacy with a premium VPN. I've already used several on my Windows PC before (mainly for torrenting and streaming shows abroad) so I know a few of the brands, but I'm not sure which is the best VPN for Mac OS.

I've been testing out a few VPNs on my refurbished Macbook, and I've narrowed down my choices to the ones below. That being said, I'm looking for feedback from longtime users. For the other Mac users out there, what VPN are you using? What's the best VPN for Mac based on your experience? Any advice would be appreciated!

1. NordVPN - Secure and private Mac VPN

NordVPN is popular choice and for a good reason. So far, in all my tests with streaming, torrenting, and general browsing, I've had no issues with either its speed or performance. I've been using NordVPN servers primarily in the US and Canada, and sometimes the UK (for streaming BBC iPlayer). Overall, I found NordVPN to work nearly identically on Mac as on Windows, save for the lack of a split tunneling feature. Here's an overview:

• Over 7,400 servers in 118 countries
• Based in Panama (strong privacy protections)
• Dedicated VPN app for macOS
• NordLynx protocol for speed and NordWhisper feature for safely using NordVPN in restricted regions
• Easily unlocks websites and streaming platforms (I tested Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer in the UK)
• 10 Gbps servers provide very fast connections
• Audited VPN with a no-logs policy
• Network runs on RAM servers for more security
• AES 256 encryption secures all outgoing data
• Extra features include SmartPlay, Meshnet, double-VPN, Tor-over-VPN servers, and Threat Protection Pro to block ads, trackers, and malware
• Offers 10 simultaneous connections
• 24/7 live chat support
• 30-day money-back guarantee with all plans
• Best deal: $3.09/month with the coupon below

NordVPN coupon for 77% off: https://nordvpn.com/coupons/77off

Running some VPN tests on my Macbook

In my own tests, NordVPN was the only VPN service that could give me speeds over 700 Mbps. In fact, with NordVPN I could hit download speeds over 900 Mbps with servers in the US.

Below I'm testing out a NordVPN server in Los Angeles and hit download speeds of 903 Mbps:

With Surfshark, I could hit speeds around 650-700 Mbps. And with Proton VPN, the fastest I got was about 600 Mbps. NordVPN performed the best in my situation. I ran all VPN speed tests on my Macbook Pro.

2. Surfshark - Affordable VPN for Mac

In my limited tests, Surfshark also runs great on Mac, although you will have to spend some time to set up WireGuard. Still, it provides me with very fast connections that are only slightly slower than my base speed. Performance-wise, it is similar to NordVPN, but it has fewer servers and not as many extra privacy features. That said, it's still a great value with their current promotion.

• 3,200+ servers located in 100 countries worldwide
• Based in the Netherlands
• Dedicated app on the Mac App Store
• Quick access to geo-restricted websites
• Supports WireGuard protocol
• Audited no-logs VPN with RAM servers
• Secure AES 256 encryption
• NoBorders mode for highly restrictive networks
• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• Many independent audits along with an up-to-date warrant canary
• 24/7 live chat customer service
• 30 day refund period
• Deal: As low as $2.19/month with the deal below

Surfshark coupon for 82% off: https://surfshark.com/deals/coupon

3. ProtonVPN - Reliable VPN for Mac based in Switzerland

I was somewhat impressed by how fast ProtonVPN works on Mac. It was able to connect to the server quickly and the connection was stable. I hoped that the OpenVPN protocol would be available on macOS, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Does anyone know why? In any case, ProtonVPN gave me good performance.

I see that Proton VPN does not run its servers in RAM mode, which is a bit concerning to me. But I did like Proton's VPN app for Mac, which was easy to use.

• Has 12,000+ servers in 117 countries
• Swiss-based VPN service
• Official Mac VPN client
• Supports WireGuard and Stealth VPN protocols
• Strictly no-logs, but doesn’t use RAM servers
• AES 256 encryption
• VPN Accelerator boosts performance on remote servers (but still not as fast as NordVPN or Surfshark)
• 10 simultaneous connections
• 24/7 live chat
• Refund available within 30 days
• Best price $3.59/month

https://protonvpn.com/offers/coupon

4. ExpressVPN - Secure but expensive Mac VPN alternative

ExpressVPN is a bit more expensive than other alternatives. I guess the reason why is because it puts a big emphasis on security. It has recently released a new version of Lightway, which fixed some security issues but didn't really improve speed. I think that Lightway still can't compete with the WireGuard protocol, which was very clear when I tried using remote servers. My speed dropped by around 30% and that felt like too much.

• 3,000+ servers in 105 countries
• Located in the British Virgin Islands
• Has a native app for MacOS
• Uses Lightway instead of WireGuard protocol
• Operates on RAM servers and keeps no logs
• Intuitive interface
• Military-grade AES 256 encryption
• Successfully completed 20+ independent audits
• 8 simultaneous connections
• Support is available via 24/7 live chat
• 30-day refund policy
• Plan available for $4.99/month

5. IPVanish - Budget VPN with privacy concerns

IPVanish seems like a direct competitor to Surfshark, as they share many similar features and are both cheap VPN services. Connecting to servers and switching between them seems seamless, and security is also solid. The one thing that really bothers me is that it is a US-based service. How secure is it to use a US-based VPN for Mac?

• Has 2,400 servers in 50+ countries
• Located in the U.S
• Unlocks most websites
• SOCKS5 proxy improves privacy
• AES-256 Encryption
• Provides unlimited connections
• 30-Day refund policy
• Plans start at $2.19/mo.

I think that I will continue using NordVPN, although you really can't go wrong with either ProtonVPN or Surfshark. Still, I wonder if there are some things that I missed in my overview. Which VPN for Mac would you choose and why? 

Up until now, I've been using exclusively Chrome, but it seems to be the worst browser there is. Some users recommend switching to Firefox, while others mention Brave, and I'm not sure which is better. I'm looking for something that can block browser fingerprinting. It also shouldn't use much memory, as I don't have the newest laptop and my RAM gets clogged up pretty easily. 

Does anyone else use DuckDuckGo's Email Protection for email aliases?

I've realised I can't send emails on the free version of Simple Login, which is an issue for me. DDG's email alias service looks great, but it doesn't offer end-to-end encryption which, from my understanding, is important for digital security.

Are there other ways to secure emails forwarded via DDG? (Is end-to-end encryption offered by DDG essential or are there other strategies I can use?)

I know this is a tough task, but where do I even start? How do I delete old accounts I don’t remember the passwords for? Are data removal services worth it, or is there a better way to do it manually? Also, how do I get my info off data broker sites? Any tips or personal experiences would be super helpful.

I'm no longer feeling safe using Gmail at all, so I'm looking into encrypted email services that I could possibly use. The thing is, I also want something that's affordable, intuitive, and comes with burner emails. I plan on transferring everything, so easy email migration is also a must.

Last week I had all of my accounts accessed: Spotify, Ubisoft, Amazon, Steam, Facebook, Netflix … etc

Accounts using 3 different email addresses.

I checked Google Password Manager and it said all my passwords were compromised and to change them. So I’ve done that.

None of the passwords were the same. Nothing with 2FA was accessed from what I can tell.

This morning, I had two transactions on my credit card. A credit card that I don’t use.

I ran a few virus scans on my computer that came back clear.

I cannot figure out where or how this has happened with every single one of my accounts.

Any ideas?

Lately, I've had a lot of questions about how to make my devices more secure and private, and I'm generally concerned about my digital footprint. I have questions about both my phone and my computer. I'm not a very tech-savvy person, but I want to learn. Info: - My laptop is a ThinkPad T490 Intel Core i5-8265U/16GB/256GB SSD - My phone is a Samsung Galaxy A13 (32GB) 1. What operating system should I use? 2. What search engines should I use? 3. Can I use the internet normally with them, or are some sites blocked for security and privacy reasons? 4. Would the change affect the performance of my devices? 5. How possible is it to stop using Google? Are there free tools that replace its services (Docs, Google Photos, Drive, Meet)? 6. Continuing with the question about Google services, is it possible not to use Gmail? In general, it's not possible to have a Google account and still have a secure email. 7. Is there a reliable, free antivirus for computers? 8. Does my phone need an antivirus?

Thank you in advance for your attention and responses. I hope you have a nice day.

So I just bought PIA and successfully connected to a VPN server. But, when I go to check my location, it shows me my real IP address and places me in my neighborhood. Does this mean that my VPN doesn't work? Do I need to set something else up before using it? I tried accessing some websites that are normally geo-blocked, and I was unable to open them. I'm just not understanding what is happening... 

Hello everyone! What is the best personal information removal service in terms of custom removals?

I signed up for Optery and DeleteMe a few months ago and have been mostly happy, but there are a couple of URLs that persist.

Would love to hear your feedback!

Thank you!