Hello everyone,

There are a few basic things in my current setup that I’m not very comfortable with. Since we’re on blackfriday -> cybermonday I think it would be a nice season to make some changes [cloud - e-mail - calendar - cloud - DNS] Here’s the deal:

E-mail / Calendar Strategy

  • Using tuta for more than 2 years but I still rely on my gmail address for many things; issues with Tuta:
  • troublesome to export/make backups (worse since I have many folders, would be folder by folder)
  • not a fan of not having an e-mail client on my desktop (not issue in mobile phone), also don’t love the calendar

What would be ideal:

  • a nice mail provider, possibility of easy backups, possibility of using e-mail client (this one is not a hard requirement)
  • Calendar, end-to-end encrypted: a hard requirement since I store some sensitive data there. Should be easy to see on mobile (e.g.: dedicated app); for desktop it does not matter much to me I guess the calendar requirement excludes nextcloud and most providers, as well as calDav stuff and similar
  • I wouldn’t mind if it would be 2 products working side by side if no alternatives are available (calendar and e-mail, but not ideal)

Backups and Cloud Storage (for redundancy)

  • I have 1 cold backup at home, another at someone else’s home (both encrypted) but to be safe I’d like to also have a trustworthy cloud Cloud: -end-to-end encrypted or -> next bullet
  • compatibility with cryptomator is a big plus (though I want to avoid Apple/Google/MS/Dropbox)
  • possibility of mounting the cloud storage as drive on my computer (not hard requirement this one)
  • could be 2 products side by side (not ideal though): a storage solution for entire backup (wasabis and stuff) and a cloud solution (day to day usage)

DNS for filtering

I’d like a solution to have all traffic filtered (malware, ads) system wide on my laptop/desktop I have used adguard in the past; open to all other possibilities. I also have mullvadVPN; wouldn’t using a different DNS defeat the purpose of the VPN? Or when VPN is on, the DNS is always the one of the VPN? Possibilities:

  • controlD (i have seen people vouching for it)
  • NextDNS (system settings)
  • MullvadDNS (system settings)
  • adguard desktop app

Malware / Virus / etc

I have a linux desktop and macOS laptop. My doubts are regarding macOS. I’ve seen so many new antivirus ads that it almost makes me think that I should have one. I have malwarebytes installed for occasional runs and CleanMyMacX (I have doubts regarding its security claims - I use more for system management)

  • Should I opt for an antivirus program? If so, which would be advised intego is showing up all the time weirdly)

This time of the year is when I can gear up, since financially I haven’t been at the top.

For those that will answer, thank you so much in advance!!!

  • LWD@lemm.ee
    3·
    1 year ago

    I’m still trying to figure out the storage thing. The vast majority of solutions tend to have pitfalls on Android, where apps that integrate with the native loading/saving dialogs (AKA the Storage Management Framework) are hard to come by, and don’t work very well. I’m eyeing Filen, which is just past tolerable on the Android front.

    Regarding DNS, generally VPN providers advise you against setting your own. An exception might be if:

    1. You set up PiHole on your local network to provide DNS filtering
    2. The PiHole’s DNS points to Mullvad
    3. You point your computers DNS, while on the VPN, to the PiHole.

    Portmaster also exists. It’s several things in a single app, and it allows you to simultaneously filter traffic and use a VPN, but you’d have to use their VPN.

    • JackSkellington@lemmy.worldOP
      1·
      1 year ago

      Thank you!! Regarding cloud it could be something that can have a cryptomator container. I wouldn’t have much requirement regarding mobile app except for being able to upload backup of photos

      Regarding DNS:

      Right now I have it by default, so it goes through my ISP.

      I use the VPN mostly when on the high seas… Having the DNS as default value wouldn’t be the same as using any other DNS address? When VPN is on, how is the dns at the netwoek settings behaving? I never quite understood this part!

      PS: sorry for bad formatting. I wrote original post in computer, not on mobile the app is having formatting issues (Memmy)

      • toned_chupacabra@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Even before anything else, you should change your DNS from your ISP to one of the many third party, respected, fast resolvers. Clooudflare 1.1.1.1, Quad9 9.9.9.9, both do not log and are free. There are many others.

        I use the paid $1.99 USD/mo NextDNS with malware-only blocking on my router, and malware, ads, trackers blocking on my Android devices, Linux desktop and Windows desktop.

        • JackSkellington@lemmy.worldOP
          1·
          1 year ago

          Thanks for insights!! I was unsure if changing default settings on DNS would have any effect when using VPN. So it’s ok right? I’ll go for NextDNS, which makes me clear one of the issues in the list. Thank you!!!