Although most Linux distributions come with a great variety of software already installed, there are many more choices available to you if you want to take more control over the applications installed on your system and the information that passes through those applications as you use them.

Following are some of the best free alternatives to standard Linux applications that will help enhance your privacy in today's hyper-connected, data-hungry online environment.

The Best Privacy-Oriented Web Browsers

Web browsers are probably the most used applications on any system. As such, it also presents the highest risk for privacy issues. Each of the following alternative web browsers takes extra steps to keep your sensitive data out of the view of spying eyes:

1. LibreWolf

Librewolf Browser Features

LibreWolf is a fork of Mozilla's popular Firefox browser, which comes installed as the default web browser on many Linux distributions. While Firefox is known for being more privacy-oriented than most Chromium-based web browsers, LibreWolf takes things a few steps further.

Designed to increase protection against modern tracking and fingerprinting technologies, LibreWolf also provides some basic security improvements. According to the developers, "This is achieved through our privacy and security-oriented settings and patches. LibreWolf also aims to remove all the telemetry, data collection, and annoyances, as well as disable anti-freedom features like DRM."

2. Brave

Brave Browser Features

Some users forego the use of more privacy-oriented browsers because they are not compatible with the impressive variety of extensions available for Chrome. If you are one of those users, Brave is the browser you've been looking for.

Brave comes with many privacy-preserving features enabled by default such as blocking ads, trackers, and cookies, and protecting you from fingerprinting, malware, and phishing sites.

Brave is a Chromium-based browser alternative that remains fully compatible with all Chrome add-ons and extensions while providing enhanced privacy protection. Like Chrome, Brave also supports syncing data between your devices. You can share extensions, open tabs, history, and more across all devices where you have Brave installed.

3. Tor Browser

Tor Browser About

If you're looking for the ultimate tool for truly anonymous web browsing, Tor it is. Tor is a combination of a specialized web browser and an anonymized network of proxy servers located all over the world and run by volunteers.

The Tor network and browser work together to encapsulate all of your online communications within several layers of encryption and pass network packets through a series of servers before reaching their final destination (in both directions). Each server along the route removes one layer of encryption, reads instructions on where to send the packet next, and then sends it.

The end result is that no single server in the chain knows both where the packet is coming from and where it is going, nor do they know what data is contained in the encrypted packets. Communication in both directions becomes completely anonymous and untraceable.

Privacy-Focused Email Clients for Linux

Our email inboxes contain some of the most sensitive information that we possess. Keeping email contents private and secure is one of the biggest security concerns that most users have. If you're running Linux, you have several privacy-minded email clients available to you.

4. Thunderbird

Thunderbird First Run Welcome

Thunderbird comes from the creators of the Firefox web browser. This secure and private email client has been available for free and trusted by millions of users for more than 20 years.

Thunderbird comes with many subtle but important privacy settings enabled by default. It automatically blocks inline email images to prevent IP address tracking and includes several anti-phishing measures to make sure no one can trick you into giving up your personal information.

It also includes features such as message encryption, calendar, address book manager, RSS feed management, instant messenger, and more.

5. KMail

Kmail First Run Welcome

KMail is the official KDE email client. You can use it on its own but it also integrates seamlessly with KDE's suite of office and productivity applications.

KMail's default settings will do a good job of keeping your personal information out of the hands of email marketers, phishing scammers, and anyone else who might be trying to collect your data.

Among its many privacy-enhancing features, KMail sets up automatic end-to-end encryptions using OpenPGP and uses TLS/SSL secure connections when sending or receiving messages. It will import mail from just about any existing email client and also includes an automatic backup feature to help protect you against data loss.

Privacy-Focused Linux Private Messengers

There are several popular instant messenger services. The problem with all of them, however, is that they are owned and operated by some of the biggest data-hungry, privacy-poaching companies in the world.

6. Signal

Signal Messenger Preferences

Signal is a free and open-source private messenger app that you can use on both your phone and PC. It is a great alternative to apps like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.

The Signal interface strongly resembles WhatsApp. It is intuitive and easy to use. All information exchanged through Signal is end-to-end encrypted and completely private. Communication is conducted using Signal's own open-source protocol. You can use it to send text messages and exchange files as well as to conduct both audio and video calls.

Privacy-Focused Linux Password Managers

You've probably seen, and might even be using one of several excellent password managers available for Linux. Unfortunately, most of the popular password managers that were once free, or at least had a free version, have either severely limited their functionality to free users or stopped offering free versions altogether.

7. Bitwarden

Bitwarden Password Item

Bitwarden is a free, open-source password manager similar to apps like LastPass and 1Password that you can use on all of your devices. It is a full-featured password manager you can use over the web, install as a browser extension, or run as an app on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. You can use it on as many devices as you like to keep your passwords safe, secure, and in sync no matter where you are.

In addition to passwords, Bitwarden will allow you to keep track of secure notes, credit card information, and more. Best of all, if you're already using another password manager, it will import all of your existing information so that you can literally switch over in just a few seconds without missing a beat.

Exercise Your Right to Privacy With Linux Apps

With these tools, you'll be able to take back control of who can access and use your personal data. This is, however, just the tip of the iceberg. If you use an application that doesn't seem to put as much importance on your privacy as you do, there is almost always another choice when you're using Linux.