How to Disappear: The Advanced Privacy Guide
For those who have already built their security shield. Focus on advanced data control, mobile hardening, and anonymity.
⚠️ Prerequisites & Quick Recap
This is Phase 2: Advanced Data Control. It assumes you have already secured your accounts (Phase 1). If you haven't yet installed a password manager and 2FA, start with Privacy 101 here →.
If you have been hacked, doxxed, or are in immediate danger, stop reading this guide. Go to the Privacy Emergency Guide → immediately.
1. Network Sovereignty Setup: ~15 mins
Control the data leaving your house before it hits the open internet. To do this effectively, we must protect ourselves at two layers: the Browser Layer and the Network Layer.
uBlock Origin
Modifies webpage code in real-time within your browser. Blocks YouTube ads and script-based trackers.
NextDNS
Blocks malicious domains at the DNS level before they reach your home. Protects Smart TVs and non-browser apps.
The Whole-Home Firewall
NextDNS
A cloud-based firewall that blocks ads and trackers on all devices. It protects your devices from malware at the DNS level. Run this at the router level for whole-home security.
Setup NextDNS ↗NextDNS vs. VPN: What's the difference?
NextDNS: Blocks ads and trackers from loading. It protects your device from malware at the DNS level. Run this at the router level for whole-home security.
VPN: Hides your IP address and encrypts all traffic from your ISP. It protects your identity. Run this on your individual device for privacy when on public Wi-Fi.
Network Hygiene Checklist
Router Configurations
2. Mobile Hardening Setup: ~20 mins
Your iPhone is the most sophisticated tracking device you own. Lock it down.
Critical: Advanced Account Protection
For Apple Users:
Enable Advanced Data Protection (Settings → iCloud). This moves your encryption keys solely to your device. Apple literally cannot access your photos or iMessage backups.
For Google Users:
Enroll in the Advanced Protection Program. It enforces hardware keys and strictly limits third-party app access to your Gmail and Drive data.
I Should: Audit these Settings
Native Privacy: Disable Photo Location Sharing
You don't need a third-party app to protect your location data. You can strip GPS metadata natively whenever you share a photo.
The Move: When sharing a photo, tap Options at the top of the share sheet and toggle off Location.
This ensures the recipient gets the image, but not the coordinates of your home or current location.
3. Device & App Hygiene Setup: ~20 mins
Auditing the sensors and permissions on your physical hardware and cloud connections.
4. Identity & Communication Setup: ~25 mins
Prevent impersonation, secure your communications, and scrub your digital footprint.
The Burner Identity (Email Aliasing)
The core principle of advanced privacy is Compartmentalization. Never use your real email address for anything except the absolute essentials. Create a middle layer between you and the internet.
The Crown Jewels
Use ONLY for Banks, Government, Family, and your Password Manager.
The Shield
Use for everything else: Netflix, Amazon, Newsletters, and Social Media.
Apple Users
Hide My Email
Built into iCloud+. It instantly generates a unique @icloud.com address for every app signup, forwarding everything to your real inbox.
Cross-Platform
Plus Addressing
Use the +service trick (e.g. jason+netflix@gmail.com). It allows you to see which service is sending you mail and set up easy filters.
Communication Defense
Signal Messenger
Replace SMS. Signal is the gold standard for encrypted messaging and essential for decoupling your identity from your phone number.
Carrier Port Freeze
Stop "SIM Swapping" by adding a secondary PIN. Select your carrier to set it up:
Account Security
While app-based 2FA is good for daily convenience, it can be phished. Hardware keys provide absolute protection for the accounts that matter most (Apple, Google, Banking).
YubiKey 5C NFC
The Gold Standard. A physical hardware key that requires a human touch to log in. It is the only form of 2FA that is immune to phishing because it cryptographically binds your login to the correct domain.
Starve the Models (AI Opt-Outs)
Data Removal (The Outsourcing Step)
Now that you've seen the mess via an Optery Audit, pay a service to clean it up. Manual removal is a full-time job; outsourcing it ensures your data stays off the market.
The Hybrid: Offers the best visibility with free scans, plus a competitive paid removal tier if you prefer their interface.
The Specialist: The "set it and forget it" labor solution with detailed quarterly reports. The industry standard for reliable removal.
California Residents: DROP Tool (Free)
Launched in early 2026, the Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform (DROP) is a government-run service. It allows California residents to send a single deletion request to all registered data brokers simultaneously. (Unfortunately, this is currently limited to CA residents only.)
Use DROP Platform ↗Hack Yourself: OSINT Self-Defense
Learn to think like an attacker. Use these search operators ('Google Dorks') to audit what information is publicly visible.
site:pastebin.com "your@email.com"
filetype:pdf "your name"
intext:"your phone number"
5. Financial & Legal Shield Setup: ~30 mins
Protecting your money, identity, and digital legacy.
Virtual Payment Cards
Privacy.com
The Merchant Shield. Create a unique virtual card for every merchant (e.g., "Netflix Card"). Set a hard spending limit and pause cards instantly. If a merchant gets breached, your real credit card is completely insulated.
Get Privacy.com ↗Monthly Maintenance
Digital hygiene is not a one-time event. Keep your shield strong.