NSA Spy Scandal: 4 Ways To Protect Your Phone Privacy

Privacy has become an increasingly rare commodity in the twenty-first century. With Edward Snowden's revelation of secret Nationa Security Agency documents came the knowlege that nothing is safe from the government's watch. Smartphones have brought a new era of communication, but also a plethora of ways to have your information and your movements carefully observed. So here are the top five software options you can install to protect your privacy on your smartphone.

1. Get Encrypted. Silent Circle is an encrypted communications firm which provides secure communication services for mobile devices. The company offers a $10-a-month subscription option which lets you encrypt voice, video, texting and file communications sent to anyone who is also using Silent Circle Mobile. The company also has other more expensive plans which encrypt your phone activity no matter who you speak to or what kind of phone carrier or software they have.

2. Protect The Text. Text messaging is an increasingly common form of communication, and as such it is also one of the most vulberable. To protect your texts, download TextSecure from WhisperSystems. The app ecrypts texts between users who both have the app. However, TextSecure is only available on Android: for iOS try ChatSecure, created by the Guardian Project. ChatSecure is also open source.

3. Code The Call. Besides the Silent Circle Mobile subscription, you can try RedPhone also from WhisperSystems, currently available only on Android. RedPhone is free and easy to use. It will encrypt the voice data and rout it through a data network instead of a voice channel. So the phone company can't listen to your calls.

4. Block Your Browser. With internet widely available on mobile devices, the web is at your fingertips - but so is your data for anyone looking. Try Orweb browser for Android which offers private browsing and, when used with Orbot apps, can mask your identity outside your home country. For iOS try Onion Browser.

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