If you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to fear. I used to think the same thing. However, it is not explained away so easily... You have no idea if you have something to fear or not, because you do not know what the government does with the data it collects. And how exactly it can use it against you - or to threaten you. And, if they can get this data - so can hackers. So why not try to protect/encrypt what you can?
Im not asking you to act or be paranoid, but to try to be more knowledgeable about the subject.
Privacy Is Not Secrecy; Debunking The 'If You've Got Nothing To Hide...' Argument
>> 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06
Google is able to provide free services such as google voice, gmail, google docs - by having access to your data, and using it. Microsoft, Yahoo, and others probably do as well. Would you pay for these services - if they were not looked at by corporations?
Do you want to see some of the basic data you are currently sharing?
https://www.tracemyip.org/
https://panopticlick.eff.org/
WEB BROWSER
>> Orweb for Android
>> Snowbunny for iOS
>> browzar for Windows
Start using the https extension when you visit any website. Whether you are using your desktop or mobile device. Even if you dont install the extension, you can add it to the URL you are visiting manually.
Block Ads, Scripts, and Popups with AdBlock Plus (Firefox/Chrome extension).
>> More browser extensions that can protect you
>> More advanced info
>> More browser security information
If you have the option of 2 step verification, you should implement it. Google, facebook, microsoft, and others are using it - and you should too. There is also multi-factor verification, but few are using it at this time.
WEB SEARCHES
Use this for web searches: https://duckduckgo.com
TEXTING
>> Article: Free texting app has military-grade encryption, messages self-destruct
>> MyWICKR app for android / iphone
encrypted sms
encrypted chat
CHAT
https://pidgin.im
https://crypto.cat
encrypted mobile calls
WIFI
>> Article: The dangers of public wifi
FILE ENCRYPTION
>> Cloudfogger - Free File Encryption for Dropbox and the Cloud
MISC
- Don’t use pop or telnet
- If you can : Use a VPN connection
- Always activate your personal firewall
>> PRISM-PROOF YOUR PHONE WITH THESE ENCRYPTED APPS AND SERVICES
This is from a videogame, but it may give a glimpse into the future:
