Windows/OS X: Disconnect, makers of our favorite privacy tools, unveiled a new desktop app designed to protect your computer from malware, adware, and spyware. There are two tiers: A free version that protects your browsing, and a premium version that encrypts your traffic using Disconnect’s VPN.
The free version of Disconnect for the desktop will block adware, browser-based trackers, malware sites, and more (Disconnect calls this whole category “malvertising,”) before it even loads on your computer or in your browser, for every internet-connected application you have. It also allows you to search the web privately, and see how the websites you whitelist and use collect and use your information. You can see how your activity is tracked in real time, and you can even look at a time graph to see which sites have the most trackers, whitelist the ones you want to support, and block the ones you don’t.
The premium version takes all of that and rolls it into a VPN that encrypts all of your data, keeps you safe from sidejacking and other attacks when you’re on public Wi-Fi, and keeps anyone else who might be looking from snooping on your data. It’ll set you back $5/mo or $50/year. You’ll also be able to choose your exit servers to get around pesky geographic restrictions on content overseas.
If you’re interested in trying out either the free version or the paid one, hit the link below to read more.