PET s Hands-On Exploration Task

Merabi Takashvili
MCY 620
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky, USA
takashvilim1@nku.edu

TASK 1:
Signal Private Messenger Signal is an end-to-end encrypted messaging service developed by the
Signal Foundation and Signal Messenger LLC. Unlike most mainstream messaging platforms, Signal's
main selling point is its focus on privacy. All communications are end-to-end encrypted with the keys
stored only on the users' devices, not on any servers. This means that the Signal Foundation itself can't
access users' messages or calls. I chose Signal because of its growing popularity and its commitment to
user privacy and data security.

Signal is a messaging service that's been making waves in the digital world, and for good reason.
It's all about privacy, and in today's world, that's a big deal. Unlike other messaging platforms, Signal
doesn't store your data on its servers. Instead, everything is encrypted end-to-end, meaning only you
and the person you're talking to can read your messages. This is a big deal because it means that even if
someone were to hack into Signal's servers, they wouldn't be able to access your messages. It's like
having a private conversation in a crowded room, but with a soundproof wall around you. And with its
growing popularity, it's clear that people are starting to take notice of the importance of privacy in the
digital age.

DuckDuckGo: DuckDuckGo is a search engine that's been gaining traction for its commitment to
user privacy. Unlike other search engines, DuckDuckGo doesn't track your searches or collect your
personal information. This means that when you use DuckDuckGo, you're not being targeted with ads
based on your search history, and your data isn't being sold to third parties. It's a refreshing change from
the norm, and it's one of the reasons why I chose DuckDuckGo for my web browsing needs. With
DuckDuckGo, I can search the web without worrying about my privacy being compromised, and that's a
big deal in today's digital age.

Brave Browser: Brave Browser is a privacy-focused web browser that's been gaining popularity
for its commitment to user privacy. Unlike other browsers, Brave doesn't track your browsing history or
collect your personal information. This means that when you use Brave, you're not being targeted with
ads based on your browsing history, and your data isn't being sold to third parties. It's a refreshing
change from the norm, and it's one of the reasons why I chose Brave for my web browsing needs. With
Brave, I can browse the web without worrying about my privacy being compromised, and that's a big
deal in today's digital age.
ProtonMail : ProtonMail is a secure email service that prioritizes user privacy and data security.
Unlike traditional email providers, ProtonMail encrypts all emails end-to-end, meaning that only the
sender and recipient can read the contents of the message. This is a significant departure from the norm,
where emails are often stored in plain text on servers, making them vulnerable to hacking and
surveillance. Additionally, ProtonMail is based in Switzerland, which has some of the strictest privacy
laws in the world. This means that even if a government were to request access to your emails,
ProtonMail would be legally obligated to protect your privacy. Overall, ProtonMail is a great option for
anyone looking to keep their emails private and secure.

TASK 2:
Below are all the actions that I have done to complete the assignment:

Signal Private Messenger:

Chat Interface: Start a chat with a contact and observe the interface.
 Settings: Navigate to the settings section and explore the various privacy options available. Look
for options like disappearing messages, screen security, and registration lock.
 Placing a Call: Use the app to place a call to see the encrypted calling feature in action.

DuckDuckGo:

Using the Engine: Visit www.duckduckgo.com and use it like you would use any other search
engine. Observe that it doesn't tailor search results based on personal information.
 Default Search Engine: Change your default search engine to DuckDuckGo in your browser
settings.
 ProtonMail:

Registering for a ProtonMail account is a straightforward process designed to prioritize user

Visit the ProtonMail Website: Go to the ProtonMail website (protonmail.com) using your
preferred web browser.

Choose a Plan: ProtonMail offers both free and paid plans. The free plan is suitable for most
users, but if you need more features or storage, you can opt for a paid plan.

Click on "Sign Up": Once you've chosen your plan, click on the "Sign Up" button.

Create Your Account: You'll be prompted to create your ProtonMail account. This typically
involves choosing a username and password. Make sure to choose a strong password to enhance the
security of your account.

Verify Your Account: After creating your account, you'll need to verify your email address.
ProtonMail will send a verification email to the address you provided during registration. Click on the
verification link in the email to complete the process.

Set Up Your Account: Once your account is verified, you can log in to your ProtonMail account
and start using it. You can customize your account settings, set up two-factor authentication for added
security, and start sending and receiving secure emails.

Upgrade Your Account (Optional): If you're on a free plan and decide you need more features or
storage, you can upgrade to a paid plan at any time. Simply go to your account settings and choose the
plan that best suits your needs.
 ProtonMail is a privacy-focused email service that places a strong emphasis on user privacy and
security. Here's how it handles privacy and its terms of service (TOS):

End-to-End Encryption: ProtonMail uses end-to-end encryption for all emails sent and received
through its service. This means that only the sender and recipient can read the contents of the message.
ProtonMail itself cannot access the content of your emails.

Zero-Access Encryption: ProtonMail employs zero-access encryption, which means that even
ProtonMail's servers cannot read your emails. Your emails are encrypted on your device before being
sent to ProtonMail's servers, and only the recipient's device can decrypt them.

Swiss Privacy Laws: ProtonMail is based in Switzerland, which has some of the strictest privacy
laws in the world. This means that even if a government were to request access to your emails,
ProtonMail would be legally obligated to protect your privacy.

No Tracking: ProtonMail does not track your emails or collect your personal information. It does
not use tracking pixels or other tracking technologies commonly used by email providers.

Terms of Service: ProtonMail's terms of service are designed to protect user privacy and security.
They outline the rights and responsibilities of both ProtonMail and its users. It's important to read and
understand the terms of service before using ProtonMail.

Overall, ProtonMail is committed to protecting user privacy and security. Its end-to-end
encryption, zero-access encryption, and adherence to Swiss privacy laws make it a popular choice for
those who prioritize privacy in their email communications.
 Here's how you can create a Brave account:

Download and Install Brave: If you haven't already, download and install Brave Browser on your
device. You can find the download link on the Brave website (brave.com).

Open Brave: Once Brave is installed, open the browser.

Click on the "Rewards" Icon: In the top right corner of the browser, you'll see a triangle-shaped
icon with three lines inside it. This is the "Rewards" icon. Click on it.

Click on "Join Rewards": In the Rewards panel that appears, click on the "Join Rewards" button.

Create Your Account: You'll be prompted to create a Brave account. This typically involves
choosing a username and password. Make sure to choose a strong password to enhance the security of
your account.

Verify Your Account: After creating your account, you'll need to verify your email address. Brave
will send a verification email to the address you provided during registration. Click on the verification link
in the email to complete the process.

Set Up Your Account: Once your account is verified, you can log in to your Brave account and
start using Brave Rewards. You can customize your account settings, set up two-factor authentication for
added security, and start earning BAT by viewing ads.
 Brave Browser, like many other web browsers, uses cookies to enhance your browsing
experience. However, Brave has a strong focus on privacy and security, and it offers several features to
help protect your privacy while using cookies:

Shields: Brave's Shields feature blocks third-party cookies and other tracking technologies by
default. This helps prevent websites from tracking your online activities across different websites.
 Private Browsing Mode: Brave offers a private browsing mode called "Private Window with Tor."
This mode does not store cookies or browsing history, and it routes your internet traffic through the Tor
network for added privacy and security.

Cookie Control: Brave allows you to control which cookies are stored on your computer or
device. You can choose to block all cookies, block third-party cookies, or allow all cookies. This gives you
more control over your online privacy and security.

Clear Browsing Data: Brave allows you to clear your browsing data, including cookies and
browsing history, at any time. This can help prevent websites from tracking your online activities over
time.

Privacy Settings: Brave offers several privacy settings that allow you to customize your browsing
experience. For example, you can choose to block fingerprinting, block scripts, and block ads. These
settings can help protect your privacy and security while browsing the web.
During my hands-on exploration, I gained valuable insights into how Signal, DuckDuckGo,
ProtonMail, and Brave Browser prioritize user privacy. Signal's end-to-end encryption and
privacy settings ensure that only intended recipients can access messages, while DuckDuckGo's
privacy-centric search approach and tracker blocking functionalities provide a secure browsing
experience. ProtonMail's zero-access encryption and adherence to Swiss privacy laws further
enhance email privacy. Brave Browser's Shields feature blocks third-party cookies and other
tracking technologies, and its private browsing mode ensures that no cookies or browsing
history are stored. I found all four tools to be user-friendly and effective in enhancing privacy