Cyber Wise Family

Family Privacy Starter with Proton

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1. Proton Mail — Secure Email for All Accounts

  • Create a Proton Mail account for each family member.
  • Use Proton Mail for every account — all emails are encrypted and private.
  • Highly recommended: use Hide My Email aliases for accounts you don’t want tied directly to your main inbox.
    • Proton generates unique alias addresses that forward messages to your main inbox.
    • Assign different aliases for different types of accounts (shopping, games, newsletters) for better organization.
    • Click here to see how to manage aliases

2. Proton VPN — Encrypted Internet

  • Install Proton VPN on phones, tablets, and computers.
  • Keep it on all the time, not just on public Wi‑Fi.
  • Using a VPN at home is important too! It adds privacy, prevents tracking, and protects your activity from companies and websites trying to monitor your online behavior.

3. Proton Pass — Password Manager

  • Install Proton Pass on all devices.
  • Add your existing accounts (email, social media, banking, games).
  • Use Proton Pass to generate strong, unique passwords (16-20 characters minimum but 24-30 is better. Avoid obvious things like song lyrics or common phrases) for each account. In the case of a website/service not offering 2FA, this password should be longer to compensate if the website allows it; Ideally 30 characters OR a 5-7 word passphrase (like “orbit-lizard-copper-window-velvet-92”. Unpredictability is key here.
  • Enable autofill on Proton Pass for easier and safer logins.

4. Proton Authenticator — Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

  • Install Proton Authenticator on your phone. (iOS users click HERE to download and Android users click HERE to download)
  • Open the account settings of each site or app you want to secure. Look under sections like Security, Login & Password, or Two-Factor Authentication.
  • Choose Authenticator App as your 2FA method.
  • Open Proton Authenticator on your phone and scan the QR code provided by the site, or enter the manual key if offered.
  • The app will generate 6-digit codes for that account. Enter one code back into the site to confirm setup.
  • Test by signing out and logging back in — you should be prompted for a code from Proton Authenticator.
  • Repeat for all accounts that support 2FA.

5. Proton Drive — Encrypted File Storage

  • Install Proton Drive on phones, tablets, and computers.
  • Upload important family documents: homework, photos, tax records, etc.
  • Share files securely with family members using encrypted links if needed.

6. Brave Browser — Private Browsing Made Simple

  • Install Brave Browser on your device. (iOS users click HERE to download, Android users click HERE to download, for desktop users, click HERE to download)
  • Open Brave and go to Settings:
  • On mobile: tap the three dots (⋯) → Settings
  • On desktop: click the menu (☰) → Settings
  • Make sure Shields are turned on (this blocks ads, trackers, and many harmful scripts automatically).
  • Turn on “Always use secure connections (HTTPS)”:
  • Go to Settings → Privacy and Security
  • Find “Always use secure connections” and switch it ON
    (This helps protect your data by making sure websites use encryption whenever possible.)
  • Set Brave as your default browser so all links open in a more private environment.
  • Avoid installing random extensions or add-ons, only use ones you truly need.
  • For kids and teens: explain that even with protections, it’s still important to avoid suspicious links, pop-ups, or “free reward” offers.

OR

6. DuckDuckGo Browser — Simple Private Search & Browsing

  • Install the DuckDuckGo Browser on your device. (iOS users click HERE to download, Android users click HERE to download, desktop users click HERE to download)
  • Open the app — privacy protections are already turned on by default.
  • Use DuckDuckGo for everyday searches instead of traditional search engines to reduce tracking.
  • Tap the fire icon anytime to quickly clear tabs and browsing data.
  • In Settings, keep Privacy Protection enabled (blocks trackers and hidden data collection).
  • Set DuckDuckGo as your default browser for a more private browsing experience.
  • Remind kids and teens: private browsing doesn’t make everything safe, they should still avoid suspicious sites, downloads, or messages.

7. Make It a Routine

  • Start with one tool at a time, like Proton Mail.
  • Gradually add VPN, Pass, Authenticator, and Drive.
  • Check accounts, passwords, aliases, and files monthly or quarterly.
  • Talk with your kids about why you use these tools — make privacy a normal habit.

Outcome: Your family’s emails, accounts, files, and browsing are protected. Using Proton and secure browsers consistently builds privacy habits that make future security choices easier and safer.

Note: This guide is designed to get your family up and running quickly with Proton and a privacy focused browser, providing essential protection and privacy from the start. Once the basics are in place, you have the flexibility to expand or customize the setup further, adding advanced features, extended configurations, more or different devices, or additional protections based on your family’s needs and preferences. This way, you can start simple and scale up as comfort, requirements and understanding grow.