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Explainers
Privacy Software Explained — Types, How They Work & What Matters Most
These explainers cover the fundamentals of privacy software — from VPNs and password managers to disk encryption, private browsers, and secure email — so you understand how each category works before you're ready to shop.
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Featured Privacy Software Explainers
Start with the big ideas—what each privacy software type is for, the features that actually matter, and the trade-offs worth understanding before you shop. These featured explainers help you get oriented fast, then dive deeper into specific categories.
All Explainers
All Privacy Software Explainers
This is the complete Privacy Software explainer library — fundamentals, types, features, and practical guidance. Browse every article in one place, or use the sections below to narrow your focus.
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Privacy Software Explainers by Category
Choose a Privacy Software category to explore its full explainer library — fundamentals, how-it-works breakdowns, and practical guidance.
Explainers
Learn how these tools track your online exposure, what data they scan, and why monitoring matters.
Explainers
Understand how full-disk encryption protects data at rest, key algorithms, and how access control works.
Explainers
Explore how file-level encryption works, encryption standards used, and when it differs from disk encryption.
Explainers
Learn how password managers store credentials, how vaults are secured, and what sync and autofill mean.
Explainers
Understand what privacy protection tools block, how tracker prevention works, and what features to expect.
Explainers
Discover how private browsers differ from incognito mode, what data they limit, and how fingerprinting works.
Explainers
Learn how end-to-end encrypted email works, what metadata protection means, and how secure providers differ.
Explainers
Understand how spam filters classify unwanted email, filtering methods used, and what false-positive rates mean.
Explainers
Learn how VPN tunneling works, what encryption protocols mean, and the difference between VPN types.
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Want to go from general privacy software knowledge to the right pick for your needs? Explore our top picks, narrow options with comparisons, or go deeper with hands-on reviews.