What Type of Computer and Operating System Are You Using?

Unfortunately I am using Win 8's successor as my primary OS, Windows 10

To be honest Windows 10 is amazing OS that makes multi tasking super easy with the widest selection of third party software for anything across the board but it has forced updates, a metro interface that designed for non tech savy easy navigating at the expense of tech savy users. However a good work around is http://www.classicshell.net/ to get back the old start menu. My biggest concern with Windows 10 is N.S.A spying knowing Microsoft really does have backdoor access to your computer.

I'm trying to switch over to Linux Mint it's really good but certain image and video editing software I use is Windows exclusive. Eventually one day I am going to have to make the full move.

 

You mentioned privacy and security

Here are some search engines focused on privacy. They are not as efficient as Google, Yahoo and Bing but they are better at protecting privacy

https://duckduckgo.com
https://www.startpage.com/

I assume you are using a Mozilla browser and not Chrome

Here are security addons for Firefox/Waterfox

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/disconnect/versions/
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/duckduckgo-for-firefox/versions/
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/adblock-plus/versions/
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/https-everywhere/versions

 

If you want true privacy just use a VPN... Mine has DNS leak protection, a kill switch that actually works, doesn't keep logs, and has a legit ad blocker built in to it.