Tools we would set up first.

Most of the doors in Modern Crime close with about an hour of setup. These are the tools we point people to. Links go to each tool’s official site.

Network & privacy

Hide your traffic and block known bad domains before they load.

Mullvad VPNA no-account VPN you can pay for anonymously. Keeps public Wi-Fi and your ISP out of your browsing.mullvad.net ↗Mullvad BrowserA privacy browser built with the Tor Project that makes you look like every other user.mullvad.net ↗Quad9Free DNS that refuses to resolve domains known for phishing and malware.quad9.net ↗NextDNSA configurable DNS firewall for every device on your network, with blocklists you control.nextdns.io ↗

Passwords & accounts

A different password for every site, and a way to know when one leaks.

BitwardenOpen-source password manager that creates and fills a unique password everywhere.bitwarden.com ↗1PasswordPolished password manager with family sharing and breach alerts.1password.com ↗Have I Been PwnedCheck whether your email appears in a known breach, and get alerts if it does.haveibeenpwned.com ↗

Two-factor

App or hardware codes instead of text messages, so a SIM swap does not unlock your life.

YubiKeyA hardware security key. Phishing pages cannot capture what it proves.yubico.com ↗Ente AuthFree, open-source authenticator app with encrypted backup across devices.ente.io ↗Aegis AuthenticatorOpen-source authenticator for Android with encrypted local storage.getaegis.app ↗

Messaging & email

Separate inboxes and encrypted chats make impersonation harder.

SignalEnd-to-end encrypted calls and messages. Turn on the registration lock PIN.signal.org ↗Proton MailEncrypted email with aliases, so your bank email is never your sign-up email.proton.me ↗

Browser & device

Fewer extensions, fewer ads, and a second opinion on anything you installed.

uBlock OriginLightweight content blocker that stops malicious ads and many lure pages.ublockorigin.com ↗MalwarebytesScans for infostealers and other malware a fake “fix” may have installed.malwarebytes.com ↗

Crypto

Keep keys offline, review what you approved, and read the chain yourself.

Revoke.cashSee and revoke the token approvals your wallet has granted. Review monthly.revoke.cash ↗EtherscanEthereum explorer for holder lists, trades and full addresses.etherscan.io ↗SolscanSolana explorer for tracing funding sources and token holders.solscan.io ↗TrezorHardware wallet that keeps long-term holdings offline.trezor.io ↗LedgerHardware wallet. Only buy direct, and never type its words into anything.ledger.com ↗

Credit & identity

A credit freeze is free and stops new accounts in your name.

Equifax freezeFreeze or thaw your Equifax file in minutes.equifax.com ↗Experian freezeFreeze or thaw your Experian file.experian.com ↗TransUnion freezeFreeze or thaw your TransUnion file.transunion.com ↗

Report a scam

Reports are how banks, platforms and police connect the dots and freeze funds.

ReportFraud.ftc.govThe FTC’s report for consumer fraud of every kind.reportfraud.ftc.gov ↗IC3.govThe FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center for online fraud, crypto and email compromise.ic3.gov ↗IdentityTheft.govA recovery plan if your identity or accounts were used.identitytheft.gov ↗

Independent recommendations. Check each site for pricing, platforms and setup.

Set it up once

Two-factor on email, bank, crypto
Carrier PIN and SIM lock
Credit freeze at all three bureaus
Password manager everywhere