Disclaimer: External resources may change over time. We organize resources by category and provide evaluation criteria so you can make informed choices. The Monzign Foundation does not endorse specific commercial products — we focus on helping you understand what to look for.
How to Evaluate Digital Tools
Before adopting any tool or service, consider these questions:
- Security: Has the tool undergone independent security audits? Is it open-source?
- Privacy: What data does it collect? Where is it stored? What is the privacy policy?
- Reputation: What do independent reviewers and security professionals say about it?
- Longevity: Is the company financially stable? How long has the tool been available?
- Usability: Will you actually use it? The best security tool is one you'll use consistently.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Claims of "unbreakable" or "military-grade" security without evidence
- No published privacy policy or vague data handling practices
- Requiring excessive permissions unrelated to the tool's purpose
- No history of independent security audits
- Free services with no clear business model (you may be the product)
Government & Official Resources
Trusted information from government agencies focused on cybersecurity and consumer protection.
National Cybersecurity Agencies
Most countries have a dedicated agency providing free security guidance for citizens (e.g., CISA in the US, NCSC in the UK, ACSC in Australia).
Consumer Protection Agencies
Government bodies that handle fraud reports and provide identity theft recovery resources.
Credit Reporting Agencies
The major credit bureaus where you can place freezes and fraud alerts on your credit report.
Password & Authentication Tools
Categories of tools for securing your accounts and credentials.
Password Managers
Software that generates and stores strong, unique passwords for all your accounts. Look for: end-to-end encryption, security audits, cross-platform support.
Authenticator Apps
Apps that generate time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) for multi-factor authentication. Prefer these over SMS-based verification.
Hardware Security Keys
Physical devices that provide the strongest form of two-factor authentication. Look for FIDO2/WebAuthn support.
Privacy & Security Tools
Tools and services for protecting your privacy online.
VPN Services
Virtual Private Networks encrypt your internet traffic. Evaluate based on: no-log policy, independent audits, jurisdiction, speed.
Secure Email Providers
Email services with end-to-end encryption and strong privacy practices. Look for: E2EE, open-source, jurisdiction in privacy-friendly countries.
Privacy-Focused Browsers
Web browsers designed with privacy as a priority, offering built-in tracking protection and fingerprinting resistance.
Data Breach Monitoring
Services that alert you if your email or personal data appears in known data breaches.
Educational Organizations
Non-profit and educational organizations providing digital literacy resources.
Digital Literacy Organizations
Non-profits dedicated to teaching digital skills and online safety to various demographics.
Cybersecurity Training Platforms
Online platforms offering free or low-cost courses on cybersecurity fundamentals.
Internet Safety Coalitions
Industry coalitions focused on making the internet safer, especially for families and children.
Professional Development
Resources for optimizing your professional digital presence.
Professional Networking Platforms
Platforms designed for professional networking and career development. Focus on completing profiles, strategic networking, and consistent branding.
Portfolio & Showcase Platforms
Services for creating professional portfolios to showcase your work, skills, and accomplishments.
Reputation Monitoring Tools
Services that track mentions of your name across the web and alert you to new content.