User Privacy is of utmost importance in the current age. Criminals can use stolen information to commit heinous crimes that can destroy your life, like identity theft, fraudulent transactions, phishing, crypto wallet theft, etc. Due to such crimes, every year, billion of dollars are lost due to frauds, hacks, phishing, identity thefts, etc. 

With the advent of Web3, the control of information is now in the hands of the end user. 

There are several projects that can enhance your control over your privacy and data to help you build a much more secure digital footprint.

The Projects

We have curated a list of the top 5 projects on the internet that are essential for all users for ensuring that every individual has complete control over their information. These applications not only stop information theft but also let users control what is being shared about them with others. They also help you establish and secure your digital credentials online.

• DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo is a privacy focussed search engine that helps users avoid hidden online tracking. It was founded in 2008 by Gabriel Weinberg. 

An unique feature is that it avoids websites that are a part of content farms (which generate huge content just to rank online). The search engine uses data from Bing, Yahoo Search Boss, Yandex and its own crawler to locate genuine pages. 

To protect its users from spam and content farms, it uses a frequently updated list of known websites. An example is eHow which publishes several articles online with services from paid writers. DuckDuckGo also avoids websites with substantial advertising on them.

• Unstoppable Domains

Unstoppable Domains is a Web3 based domain listing website that allows you to buy and own a domain that is connected to a blockchain, allowing you to be the sole and unique user similar to a cryptocurrency or an NFT. It was founded by Matthew Goulds, who is also the current CEO.

The domain system is built on a Crypto Name Service technology which is based on Ethereum Name Service. The technology uses a set of Ethereum smart contracts issued as an ERC-721 token (ERC-721 is also used for NFTs). This standard makes it easy for integration into other Web3 applications.

• ShareRing

ShareRing is a privacy focussed Web3 validator which allows users to show that they are the real person or entity using blockchain technology. Identity is many times copid across Web2 and Web3 giving several people an impression that those accounts(fake) appear as real. According to Venture Beat people lost around $4 Billion to crypto fraud.

ShareRing uses a self custodial service called ShareRing Vault that is embedded inside the ShareRing app. It provides users 100% control of their digital credentials as data is stored only on their device and nowhere else. 

A unique feature of ShareRing is that it can also be used for Web2, for establishing your authority. 

• TOR Network

The Onion Router (TOR) Network is an anonymous communications service that protects users from undesired tracking and obtaining location data. It was founded by Roger Dingledine, Nick Mathewson and five others.

It uses an free and open source software that redirects user traffic through an overlay network of over seven thousand relays. The service is delivered in the form of Tor Browser that allows users to browse the internet and send instant anonymous messages. 

The browser offers three levels of security: Standard, Safer and Safest. It can be chosen according to user preference and is present under Advanced Security Settings.

• Aztec

The Aztec is a privacy focused zero-knowledge rollup (zk rollup) that brings scalability to L1 blockchains. It is based on Ethereum. Aztec was founded by Zac Williamson and Joe Andrews in 2020.

Aztec can be understood as an encrypted version of Ethereum. The zk technology used by Aztec ensures that transactions remain private and confidential and are also kept auditable for regulatory purposes. Its zk money feature lets you access DeFi features with highest privacy. 

Conclusion

Privacy is a growing concern among internetusers with increased hacks and attacks. Digital identity needs far greater attention than ever. Being the end user, it is you who needs to act proactively to ensure that your identity and information remains secure and under your control. We hope that the above applications can help you secure your digital credentials better than ever.