Security - Privacy Tools (44)

JPEG & PNG Stripper is a drag-and-drop metadata stripper/cleaner for one or more JPG/JPEG, JFIF and PNG files, saving disk space and protecting privacy. Metadata carries a variety of information about the camera or device used to take the picture, date it was taken, and other data primarily important for photographers. Because metadata increasingly carries more and more information about the pre-cropped original photo and on where the picture was taken (geo-location), metadata can represent a privacy risk. Deleting metadata usually saves between 1 and 10% of the overall file size.

The program includes a "preview only" feature to show how much space image metadata is taking up.

PeerBlock filters Internet connections from addresses of organizations and corporations that may harm user privacy while using the Internet and P2P networks. The program also contains a "Block HTTP" feature for use with web browsers that blocks advertisements, sites associated with spyware, and more. PeerBlock is a fork of the popular but inactive PeerGuardian, adding features and fixes as well as Windows Vista/7/8 and 64-bit versions.

Alternatively, Peerblock Portable is stealth and automatically selects the proper Peerblock variant for the current PC.

TorChat is a basic, text-only instant messaging client focused on security and anonymity. It includes availability (away, lunch, etc), optional profile, and avatar. The program requires almost no setup: just share your randomly-generated username (e.g. "bkmworoidjwxz5l") to other TorChat users. These are easily created and discarded to help maintain anonymity.

The program uses the Tor network's hidden services feature to send messages between peers with authentication and encryption based on public key exchange.

Also available for Linux.

NOTE: TorChat has been out of development for some time and connection may require additional steps. Ricochet is an attempted replacement.

Flash Cookies Cleaner is a small but extremely powerful tool specially built to remove LSO's from the system. To remove flash cookies, launch the app. It will automatically start the analysis of flash cookies present in your system and show them in its small IDE.

64-bit compatible.

CryptoTE is a feature-rich, tabbed secure notepad program that uses the powerful and easy to use Scintilla text editing widget, the same as used by Notepad++. Security features include integrated compression, automatic backup, auto-close after periods of inactivity, password generator, and the Serpent encryption algorithm. Notepad features include fast Find interface, multi-level undo, and insert date/time.

Linux version included. Container can include binary files as well as text.

Index.dat Scanner scans the database file used by Internet Explorer to cache web URLs, search queries, and recently opened files. It allows you to check if your existing privacy tools are doing a proper job..

Clicky Gone Portable pulls windows out of view of the task bar or system tray and puts them into it's own menu. This can be an de-cluttering, organizational tool or a privacy issue (often known as a "boss key"). Available options include click-and-hide to quickly push visible windows out of the way, hide active, show/hide all, and "boss key" that both hides and mutes a window.

Optionally, the program can reduce the process priority of hidden windows, suppress pop-ups or notifications, and ignore "full screen" applications (games). Other user interface options include making windows not in focus transparrent as well as adding options to application windows for hide, priority, and pin on top. The program can even be run invisibly, entirely dependent on hot-keys alone.

Dad's Around is a "boss key" application that stops all applications and turn the volume to zero. This can be achieved by using the hotkey combination WIN+Z. This can be changed by right-clicking on the taskbar icon and selecting options.

IE HistoryView reads all information from Internet Explorer's history file and displays the list of all URLs that you have visited in the last few days. It also allows you to remove one or more URL addresses, or export them into text, HTML or XML file. In addition, you are allowed to view the visited URL list of other user profiles on your computer, and even access the visited URL list on a remote computer, as long as you have permission to access the history folder.