Useful Software
A list of useful privacy focused and open source software, hardware, companies and services.
Linux Distros
Here's a short list of linux distros to try out for better privacy.
Ubuntu
Pop!_OS
Fedora
And here's some for pentesting:
Kali Linux
BlackArch
ParrotOS
And for ultimate privacy, one that runs completely off a USB thumb drive:
Tails
M5Burner
Allows you to download a large number of different firmwares for M5Stack Hardware.
Download on M5Stack's site
Archived version
LineageOS
An open source Android ROM which by default comes without Google Play Services and supports a wide number of devices. You can install Play Services on it, but for extra privacy, use F-Droid and open-source software instead. If you really need Google Play Services, try MicroG instead.
Download on LineageOS's site
MicroG
An open source alternative to Google Play Services which provides many of the services Google Play Services normally provides, but has greater privacy.
Download on MicroG's site
Monero
A cyrptocurrency which has many open source wallets and is useful for sending money privately without it being as traceable as something like Bitcoin.
Monero Website
SQFMI Watchy
An open-sourced and hackable ESP32-based smartwatch with an e-ink display.
SQFMI Watchy Website
M5Stack
Makers of the Cardputer, M5Stick, and other useful hardware.
M5Stack Shop
LILYGO
Makers of devices like the LILYGO T-Deck, T-Deck Plus, and T-Beam, which work great for Meshtastic, as well as other hardware that is also useful.
LILYGO Website
System76
US-based Linux laptop manufacturer.
System76 Website
SimpleX Chat
An open source and privacy focused messaging app that doesnt use user IDs or personal info.
SimpleX Chat Website
Conversations
An open source XMPP messaging app and provider. available free on F-Droid.
Conversations Website
Element
An open source and privacy focused messaging app that uses Matrix.
Element Website
Mastodon
Open source decentralized social media platform similar to Bluesky. There are clients available on F-Droid as well. There's many instances, and posts from different instances are viewable on others, but I'll list one below.
Mastodon.social
F-Droid
A free and open source app store for Android that can function as a replacement for Google Play Store. It also supports adding additional repos.
Download on F-Droid's site
LibreWolf
Privacy-focused open source Firefox fork.
Download on LibreWolf's site
GrapheneOS
A more secure OS for Google Pixel devices that is open source.
Download on GrapheneOS's site
Web Installer
Meshtastic UI for LILYGO T-Deck and T-Deck Plus
Encrypted LoRa mesh network messaging for the LILYGO T-Deck and LILYGO T-Deck Plus. Works great as an encrypted, decentralized, off-grid communications system.
Github
Meshtastic Website
Meshtastic Web Flasher
(Archived version) Download Meshtastic UI for LILYGO T-Deck/T-Deck Plus
MicroHydra for Cardputer
MicroPython OS for the M5Stack Cardputer. Also contains a text editor which allows creating new python scripts and editing text on the micro SD card.
Github
(Archived version) Download MicroHydra for M5Stack Cardputer
CARDNET for Cardputer
Telnet client for the M5Stack Cardputer. Requires a file called wificred.txt on the root of the micro SD card with 2.4ghz wifi network name on the first line and password on the second.
Github
(Archived version) Download CARDNET for M5Stack Cardputer
Bruce for Cardputer
Bruce Firmware for the M5Stack Cardputer. This is a pentesting firmware for the Cardputer.
Github
Bruce Website
Bruce Web Flasher
(Archived version) Download Bruce for M5Stack Cardputer
M5Launcher for Cardputer
M5launcher for the M5Stack Cardputer. This allows you to install firmwares from the micro SD card to the internal storage, and download firmwares from the M5Burner repo.
Github
M5Launcher Web Flasher
(Archived version) Download M5Launcher for M5Stack Cardputer
