Between constant password breaches and government agencies trying to look in on everything you do, your privacy has probably been on your mind lately. If you're looking for a little personal privacy in your communications with friends and loved ones, or you just want to trust that the documents you email to your accountant aren't being intercepted and read, you'll need to encrypt those messages. Thankfully, it's easy to do. Here's how.

Mac: While Macs have a built-in, secure file-deletion system, for some people that might not be enough. If you're looking for a truly secure way to get rid of files from your computer, FileShredder is an app that offers just that.

Android: Enabling pattern unlock is smart, but the flexibility of lock screen shortcuts means that many of us don't bother, because it's just easier to be able to quick-launch apps before unlocking first. LockScreen One Touch for All is a new utility that combines both, offering flexibility without sacrificing privacy.

In the rare event that you need to take a picture of a piece of mail, it's common practice to censor your address. Be sure to block out the barcode as well.

We scored our first look at Android 4.3 earlier this week. While we didn't see too much that thrilled us, word of a new hidden Permissions Manager that lets you set individual app permissions has our interest piqued. The power to control each app's granular permissions is a huge boost to privacy and security.

Windows/Mac: Are you worried about security in your Dropbox account but don't want to go through the extra effort of encrypting everything on your own? SafeMonk is a solution that encrypts your files automatically.

Chrome: Incognito mode is great for keeping your browsing habits secret, but by its definition, it's bad at keeping track of sites you frequently visit. Hush allows you to keep private bookmarks without worrying about others finding them.

Cloud storage is easy to come by. Dozens of services shovel lots of free space to you just for signing up. But which of those services are looking at the files you upload, and which services encrypt your personal data? Let's take a look.

The rule with sexting is that if you don't want everyone to see photos of you, don't send them to anyone. This is good advice, but it's also an "abstinence only" approach. If you decide to go through with it, there are ways to protect yourself.

Web: If you want to video chat from your computer, most options require both parties have an account, install a client, add each other to friends and then connect. Gruveo is different: type in a number you both know, and you're instantly connected to each other in a private, anonymous, encrypted video or voice call.

Chrome: Privacy is a precious commodity now that we know companies track us on the web. If you'd like more security, SecureGmail is a Chrome extension that makes it easy to encrypt your Gmail messages with a password only your recipient should know.

Two of the biggest problems with passwords is how hard it is to make a secure one and how difficult those are to remember. Solve both problems by using an assortment of commonly misspelled words.

Dear Lifehacker, I've been applying for a lot of jobs recently, and I'm wondering what kind of research an employer might do on me. What do they find in background checks? Do they look online too?

Android/iOS: With the recent worries over surveillance of online activities, interest has grown in anonymous search tools like DuckDuckGo. Now, the service has its own apps.

Yesterday, FourSquare updated its service to allow your friends to check you in to places (with your permission). It's not the only social network that lets friends check you in or tag you publicly; Facebook and Instagram can also out you. Here's how to turn it all off and take the wheel yourself.

Chrome: Clearing out your browsing history and cache in Chrome isn't hard to do by any means, but the default method doesn't get rid of everything. History Eraser is an extension that offers you a quick solution to get rid of every trace your browsing has left behind.

Private browsing (incognito mode) is useful for more than just porn. It can protect you against websites that are storing your sensitive data on your hard drive when they shouldn't be.

Dear Lifehacker, Look, I'm not really the tinfoil hat type, but everyone keeps telling me I should care a little bit about my privacy. So I ask you: What privacy-related stuff actually affects me day to day, and what should I actually be paying attention to?

Android/iOS: MyPermissions, the service that shows you which apps are connected to online accounts such as Facebook, Google and Dropbox, has updated its mobile apps for permissions-cleaning on the go. Now you'll get notifications as soon as new apps connect to your accounts.