Security & Privacy
Essential tools and practices for protecting your digital presence and staying safe online.
Adblocking
How important is using an adblocker?
Sites generally contain ads, some of which can be harmful, often leading to unwanted pages or fake download buttons. Real download buttons are usually small, often text-based or subtly integrated into the site's design. Fake ones are frequently large, brightly colored, use generic terms like 'Download Now', and may appear multiple times on a page. It can be hard to tell them apart, so it's important to always have an adblocker.
Desktop Browsers:
- uBlock Origin - Open-source ad blocker
- FastForward - Skip countdown pages and link shorteners
Mobile:
- AdGuard Premium - System-wide ad blocking for Android/iOS
- Rethink DNS - DNS-based ad blocking and firewall
- ReVanced Manager - Block ads in YouTube, Reddit, and other apps
- Morphe - Alternative app patcher with setup guide
Antivirus
How can I safely scan files and determine if detections are false positives?
Before installing any file, it's recommended to scan it with a multi-engine scanner to check for potential threats.
- VirusTotal - Multi-engine file and URL scanner
- Scan Guide - Guide to interpreting scan results
- Triage - Sandbox environment for analyzing Android apps
- Malwarebytes - Supplementary malware scanner
Browsers
Which web browser should I use?
Desktop:
- Firefox - Open-source browser with extensive customization
- Brave - Privacy-focused Chromium browser with built-in ad blocking
- LibreWolf - Privacy-hardened Firefox fork
- Ungoogled Chromium - Chromium without Google integration
Android:
- Firefox - Supports extensions including uBlock Origin
- Brave - Built-in ad blocking
- Cromite - Privacy-enhanced Chromium fork
iOS:
Privacy Tools
Why should I care about privacy?
Privacy is about controlling your personal information, not just keeping things secret. Non-sensitive data is used by companies to track your behavior, target ads, and influence your choices.
Email:
- Proton Mail - End-to-end encrypted email service
- SimpleLogin - Email aliasing service
- AnonAddy - Anonymous email forwarding
Search Engines:
- SearXNG - Privacy-respecting metasearch engine
- DuckDuckGo - Privacy-focused search engine
- Brave Search - Independent search index
Security Checks:
- HaveIBeenPwned - Check if your data has been breached
Base64 Decoding
How do I decode Base64?
If you see a string of text that looks like this aHR0cHM6Ly9leGFtcGxlLmNvbS8 you can use a Base64 decoder to view it. Some strings may need to be decoded twice.
- Base64 Decode - Simple online decoder
- CyberChef - Multi-purpose encoding/decoding tool
Entertainment
Discover and access movies, TV shows, anime, music, games, and books.
Movies & TV Shows
Streaming:
- Cineby - HD streaming with multiple sources
- NEPU - Clean interface with subtitle support
- XPrime - High-quality streaming
Torrenting:
- ExtraTorrent - Movies and TV shows tracker
- 1337x - Popular torrent site
Specialized:
- Streamed - Live sports streaming
- WatchSports - Sports events
- DramaCool - Asian dramas
Track & Discover:
- Simkl - Track what you watch across platforms
- Trakt - Automatic tracking and recommendations
- Letterboxd - Social film discovery and reviews
Anime
Streaming:
- AnimeKai - Modern interface with quality options
- Miruro - Fast streaming with subs/dubs
- HiAnime - Large library with multiple servers
Downloading:
- Tokyo Insider - Direct downloads
- Hi10Anime - High-quality encodes
Torrenting:
Track & Discover:
- MyAnimeList - Comprehensive anime database and tracking
- AniList - Modern tracking with social features
Music
Desktop Streaming:
- SpotX - Modified Spotify client for Windows
- Monochrome - Web-based music player
Downloading:
- lucida - High-quality music downloads
- DoubleDouble - Music download service
- Soulseek - P2P music sharing network
Android:
- Metrolist - YouTube Music client
- ReVanced Manager - Patch official music apps
- Morphe - Alternative app patcher
- SpotiFLAC-Mobile - High-quality streaming
iOS:
- SpotC++ - Modified Spotify
- SpotiFLAC-Mobile - Cross-platform streaming
Track & Discover:
- RateYourMusic - Music database and rating platform
- Last.fm - Scrobbling and music recommendations
Gaming
PC Games:
- AnkerGames - Direct downloads and torrents
- SteamRIP - Pre-installed games
- FitGirl Repacks - Highly compressed game repacks
Emulation & ROMs:
- Emulation Wiki - Comprehensive emulation guides
- r/ROMs Megathread - ROM collection directory
- Myrient - No-intro ROM sets
Download Tools:
- JDownloader 2 - Automated download manager
Track & Discover:
- Backloggd - Track your game collection and backlog
- Glitchwave - Game discovery and ratings
Books & Reading
Ebook Downloads:
- Anna's Archive - Largest ebook collection
- Z-Library - Large ebook and academic paper library
Audiobooks:
- AudiobookBay - Audiobook torrents (use caution)
- Mobilism Audiobooks - Forum-based audiobook sharing
- Tokybook - Free audiobook streaming
Manga:
- Weeb Central - Manga downloads
- MangaDex - Online manga reader with multiple languages
Comics:
- ReadComicsOnline - Online comic reader
- GetComics - Comic downloads
Desktop Readers:
- Koodo Reader - Multi-format ebook reader
- Google Play Books - Cloud-synced reading
- Foxit Reader - PDF reader
Android Readers:
- Librera - Feature-rich ebook reader
- Moon+ Reader - Customizable reader with theme guide
- Legado - Advanced reader with online sources
Track & Discover:
- GoodReads - Book tracking and reviews
- StoryGraph - Alternative book tracking
- MyAnimeList - Manga tracking
- League of Comic Geeks - Comic book tracking
Software & System Tools
Windows installation, software resources, and torrenting guides.
Windows
How can I download and activate Windows?
Installation:
- Genuine Installation Media - Official Windows ISOs
- Clean Install Windows Guide - Step-by-step installation
- Microsoft Activation Scripts - Open-source Windows activation
- Windows 10 After EOL - Extended Windows 10 support
Optimization:
- Windows Debloat Guide - Remove bloatware and optimize
Software:
- Virgil Software Search - Multi-site software search
- CracksURL - Software releases with download guide
- LRepacks - Repacked software
Torrenting
Do I need a VPN to torrent?
Downloading files through torrenting can expose your IP address to copyright holders and your ISP, so using a VPN is essential in most countries.
VPN Setup:
- VPN Binding Guide - Bind your VPN to prevent IP leaks
- Mullvad VPN - Privacy-focused VPN with port forwarding
- ProtonVPN - Secure VPN with free tier
What is Port Forwarding? Do I need it?
Port forwarding (having an open port) is recommended for torrenting. While not strictly required, it benefits the overall torrent swarm, can improve download speeds, and improves connectivity for torrents with few seeders. Learn more in the Port Forwarding Guide.
Mobile
Apps and tools for Android and iOS devices.
Android Apps
App Sources:
iOS Sideloading
Tools & Guides:
- Sideloading Guide - Comprehensive iOS sideloading guide
- TrollStore - Permanent app signing for iOS 14.0-17.0
- SideStore - On-device signing for iOS 16.0+
- Sideloadly - Desktop sideloading tool for iOS 7.0+
- Feather - Sideload with developer certificates for iOS 15+
Resources
General tools and best practices for safe browsing and downloading.
Useful Tools
- Translate Web Pages - Browser extension for page translation
- Piracy Glossary - Common terminology and definitions
- URL Decoder - Decode encoded URLs
- File Converter - Convert between file formats
Best Practices
Stay Safe:
- Always scan downloaded files with VirusTotal before running
- Use trusted sources and check community recommendations
- Keep backups of important data
- Use VPN when torrenting in most countries
Protect Your Privacy:
- Use unique passwords for each service
- Enable two-factor authentication where possible
- Don't share personal information on untrusted platforms
- Verify URLs to avoid phishing sites