Security FAQ
How to Start Practicing Digital Hygiene
Introduction
Example of a Secure Ecosystem: Mailfence + MEGA
Digital hygiene is not just about protecting yourself from hackers or viruses. It's a systemic approach to managing your personal data — much like physical hygiene habits in real life: washing hands, brushing teeth, regularly changing clothes. Except instead of water and soap, you need the right tools, conscious behavior, and an understanding of digital risks.
In this section, we will explore an example of a secure basic digital ecosystem suitable for both beginners and advanced users who want to improve their digital privacy. Special attention is given to Mailfence (email) and MEGA (cloud storage), two services that offer high levels of encryption, privacy, and user control over data.
Basics of Digital Hygiene
✅ Use Separate Accounts for Different Purposes
Work/project email should be separate from your personal account.
Use alternative email addresses for social networks and forums.
For website sign-ups, consider using temporary ("burner") email addresses.
Example:
Personal email:
[email protected]Project-related email:
[email protected]Sign-up email:
[email protected]
✅ Never Reuse Passwords Across Services
Each service should have its own unique password.
Use a password manager such as:
Bitwarden (free and open-source)
1Password
KeePassXC
✅ Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Always use app-based 2FA (Google Authenticator, Authy, Bitwarden Authenticator).
Avoid SMS-based 2FA — vulnerable to SIM-swapping attacks.
Use hardware keys (e.g., YubiKey) for high-security access.
✅ Regularly Update Your Software
Updates often contain critical vulnerability fixes.
Enable automatic system and browser updates.
Consider using Linux if you want more control over your environment.
Why Choose Mailfence?
Mailfence is a privacy-focused email service designed with decentralization and confidentiality in mind. It offers:
End-to-end Encryption
Built-in support for OpenPGP — you control your encryption keys.
No Ads or Tracking
Mailfence does not collect user data for advertising.
European Jurisdiction
Servers located in Belgium — strict GDPR-compliant data protection laws.
Open Source Components
Some parts of the client code are publicly available for review.
Calendar & Contact Integration
A full replacement for Gmail, especially for those who value privacy.
💡 Benefits of Mailfence:
Simple and beginner-friendly interface.
Ability to create pseudo-anonymous accounts without sharing personal info.
Supports message signing (OpenPGP) and encrypted communication between Mailfence users.
Why Mailfence? It’s the ideal choice for users who want to move away from Google but aren’t ready for more complex alternatives like Tutanota or ProtonMail.
Why Choose MEGA?
MEGA is a cloud storage platform built around user privacy and client-side encryption, allowing you to store files, documents, and media with minimal risk of data leaks.
Client-Side Encryption
Files are encrypted before upload — MEGA cannot read them.
20 GB Free Storage
More than enough for basic usage.
Simple Interface
Easy to use even for non-tech-savvy individuals.
Mobile & Desktop Apps
Full functionality across all devices.
Password-Protected & Expirable Links
Share files securely without exposing sensitive content.
💡 Benefits of MEGA:
All files are locally encrypted before uploading.
No metadata accessible by administrators.
Scalable plans for teams and professional use.
Why MEGA? One of the few mainstream cloud services that offer real data protection without sacrificing usability compared to Dropbox or Google Drive.
4. Mailfence + MEGA: Why This Combination Works
Together, these services form the foundation of a secure digital lifestyle for anyone who:
Wants to maintain control over their personal data
Prefers to avoid big tech companies (Google, Microsoft, Apple)
Needs simple yet effective tools
🔒 Safe and Reliable Setup:
Mailfence – for encrypted messaging, community interaction, and project correspondence.
MEGA – for storing documents, media, notes, backups, and other private files.
This setup works well for open-source contributors, bloggers, students, researchers, developers, and anyone who wants to start taking digital privacy seriously.
What Else You Should Add
While Mailfence and MEGA make a great pair, you can further enhance your digital hygiene with these tools:
Messaging
Signal, Threema, Session, Element
Web Search
Startpage, DuckDuckGo, Brave
DNS Services
Mullvad DNS, Cloudflare Privacy, NextDNS
VPN
Mullvad, ProtonVPN, IVPN
File Encryption
VeraCrypt, Cryptomator
Antivirus
ClamAV, rkhunter, Malwarebytes
Password Managers
Bitwarden, KeePassXC
How to Start Using Mailfence and MEGA
Step 1: Sign Up for Mailfence
Create an account: choose a username and set a strong password.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) via an authenticator app.
Set up PGP encryption for secure email communication.
Step 2: Sign Up for MEGA
Go to https://mega.io
Register using your new Mailfence address.
Enable 2FA.
Configure folders, backups, and encrypted file sharing.
Step 3: Connect to Your Devices
Install the mobile apps for Mailfence and MEGA.
Add your accounts to a desktop email client (e.g., Thunderbird with Enigmail plugin).
Set up automatic photo and document backups.
Digital Hygiene Checklist
✅ Use different accounts for different purposes ✅ Enable 2FA and use a password manager ✅ Switch to encrypted email (Mailfence / ProtonMail / Tutanota) ✅ Use encrypted cloud storage (MEGA / Sync.com / Cryptomator) ✅ Regularly clean up old accounts ✅ Check for data breaches via HaveIBeenPwned ✅ Backup important files regularly
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
❓ Why Not Use Gmail?
Gmail is powerful, but it collects vast amounts of data: emails, contacts, search history, location. That makes it a poor choice for anyone concerned about digital privacy.
❓ Can I Trust MEGA?
MEGA uses client-side encryption, meaning your data never reaches their servers unencrypted. However:
Your login and IP address are visible.
If you lose your password, your data is lost forever.
❓ Do I Need a Password Manager?
Yes. Without one, it’s nearly impossible to follow the rule: never reuse passwords. Use Bitwarden — it’s free, open-source, and works across all your devices.
❓ Where can I get a temporary email for registration? There are plenty of such services available. You can try using: emailnator
Useful Resources
https://www.mailfence.com – Encrypted Email Service
https://mega.io – Encrypted Cloud Storage
https://haveibeenpwned.com – Data Breach Checker
https://ssd.eff.org – Digital Security Guides
https://privacytools.io – List of Trusted Privacy Services
Where to Begin?
Register at Mailfence
Create an account on MEGA
Enable 2FA and a password manager
Delete old accounts
Start making regular backups
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