[Foreword]
This is a selection of software and hardware that I have accumulated over years of research and reccomendations.
My tech stack prioritizes privacy and is largely an attempt to return the computing and web surfing environment to a user-friendly experience. I appreciate that this exact combination of tech won't necessarily work for everyone, but I hope it offers a list of insightful reccomendations.

A good tech stack is an evolving and adapting tech stack. The best browser, search engine, etc. are always changing. Protecting yourself as a user means staying vigilant and informed.
When you can, choose open-source; choose E2EE; choose federated; choose physical.

[OS]
Linux Mint 22 - https://www.linuxmint.com/
Ubuntu - https://ubuntu.com/

[Browser]
LibreWolf - https://librewolf.net/https://ubuntu.com/

[Search Engine]
DuckDuckGo - https://duckduckgo.com/
Kagi - https://kagi.com/

[Browser Extensions]
uBlock Origin - https://ublockorigin.com/
uBlacklist - https://iorate.github.io/ublacklist/docs
Privacy Badger - https://privacybadger.org/
KeePassXC-Browser - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/keepassxc-browser/
Sponsorblock - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/sponsorblock/
DeArrow - https://dearrow.ajay.app/payment/#link=firefox
* Alternatively:
Hide Youtube Thumbnails - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-CA/firefox/addon/hide-youtube-thumbnails/

* If you want to use KeePassXC-Browser on LibreWolf and you are using a Debain-based Linux distribution (such as Mint and Ubuntu), the easiest way to make the extension talk to KeePassXC is to install LibreWolf from the main Debian repository (https://librewolf.net/installation/debian/) as opposed to installing the LibreWolf FlatPak from the Software Manager (which puts the folder you need in the wrong place). You will need to copy the "native-messaging-hosts" folder from ~/.firefox (which necessitates having Firefox installed temporarily). Then in the KeePassXC window, go to Tools -> Settings -> Browser Integration -> Advanced. Check "Use a custom browser configuration," set the Browser Type to Firefox, and paste ~/.librewolf/native-messaging-hosts into the Config Location.

[uBlacklist Subscriptions]
AI Blocklist [Main] - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/laylavish/uBlockOrigin-HUGE-AI-Blocklist/main/list_uBlacklist.txt
AI Blocklist [Nuclear] - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/laylavish/uBlockOrigin-HUGE-AI-Blocklist/main/list_uBlacklist_nuclear.txt
BadWebsiteBlocklist - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/popcar2/BadWebsiteBlocklist/refs/heads/main/uBlacklist.txt
Ethan's SEO garbage blocklist - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/EthanLeitch/seo-garbage/refs/heads/main/blocklist.txt
I also block Reddit and Twitter from appearing in search results.
* Please note that you must enable uBlocklist to work in DuckDuckGo and Kagi in the extension's settings.

[VPN]
Mullvad - https://mullvad.net/en

[Image Editor]
GIMP - https://www.gimp.org/
darktable - https://www.darktable.org/

[MP3 Manager]
AIMP - https://www.aimp.ru/

[E-Reader]
Kobo Clara 2E

[E-Book Manager]
Calibre - https://calibre-ebook.com/

[Email Client]
Thunderbird - https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/

[Password Manager]
KeePassXC - https://keepassxc.org/

[Social Media]
Mastodon - https://joinmastodon.org/

[Apps]
Maps: OsmAnd
Messaging: Signal
YouTube: Grayjay
Notes: Joplin
RSS: Feeder
MP3 Player: AIMP