Updated December, 2018
Foreign countries, virtual offices, coffee shops, co-workers spaces… Some call it digital nomad lifestyle, others – location independence. The bottom line, we travel, and we work on the road. This arrangement requires a particular set of tools and gadgets. Here is a list of technology resources (aka digital nomad resources) that we’ve been using.
After years on the road, we amassed a list of tools that we tried or used for a while and, for some reason or another, put aside. They are listed here too. After all, what didn’t work for us could be a great tool for you.
Have a suggestion or want to add your favorite digital nomad resources to this list? Drop us a note or simply leave a comment below. Thanks!
VPN (VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK)
VPN is, arguably, the most important entry among digital nomad resources. Important to note, there are different VPNs (OpenVPN, L2TP, PPTP, etc…). Depending on ISP provider, some of these VPNs may not work, but others will. Choose wisely and go for variety. In our experience, environment (geographical location, country’s policies, ISP settings, etc…) plays a huge role in VPN performance. Try before you buy.
OverPlay – our VPN of choice; worked reasonably well in every location we’d been so far. OverPlay is one of the most advanced online privacy providers in the world. Located in the UK, it offers personal VPN and smartDNS services.
The best VPN service for 2019 – according to TechRadar, the largest UK-based consumer technology news and reviews website.
Top 10 VPN Service List for 2018 – according to VPN Ground, a website that offers reviews and detailed information about the Virtual Private Network companies.
5 Best VPN Services for Traveling 2019 – Stay Safe Online While Overseas – according to BestVPN.com, a VPN price comparison and review website. It was formed in 2013 and is part of 4Choice Ltd, a UK-based company specializing in price comparison websites.
2018’s Best (& Worst) VPNs – Reviews – according to vpnMentor.
More general reading:
Virtual Private Network – from Wikipedia
A VPN explanation for the non-technical world – from WhatIsMyIPAddress.com
Top 10 Reasons For Using a VPN Service – according to VPN Ground
VPN FAQs – from VPN Ground
How to Watch American Netflix Abroad with a VPN in 2018 – from Secure Thoughts
CDN (CONTENT DELIVERY NETWORK)
What is CDN – from Wikipedia
Why You Need a CDN for your WordPress Blog – infographic that explains what is CDN, how it works, and why you need it for your website according to WPBeginner.
Secure CDN – MaxCDN has joined StackPath
LOCATE YOUR IP ADDRESS and BLACKLIST CHECKING
WhatIsMyIP.com– locate your IP address,IP address location, IP address lookup, learn how to trace email, and learn how to change IP address
WhatIsMyIPAddress.com– locate your IP address
IP Void – IP blacklist check, WhoIs lookup, DNS lookup, ping, and more
URL Void – Website Reputation Checker Tool – free service that analyzes a website through multiple blacklist engines and online reputation tools. This service helps to identify websites involved in malware incidents, fraudulent activities and phishing websites
DOMAIN NAME SERVICE
DynDNS – cloud-based Internet Performance company. Acquired by Oracle in 2016, it became the Oracle Dyn Global Business Unit.
whatsmydns.net – check the current state of DNS propagation after having made changes to your domains records: perform a DNS lookup to check a domain names current IP address and DNS record information against multiple name servers located in different parts of the world.
WEBSITE BACKUP SERVICE
CodeGuard – backup service that provides automated backups and restores at the click of a button. The service also monitors your website for changes every day and alerts you if it detects any malware
VaultPress – backups & security for your WordPress site (automated backups with easy restores; daily security scans with one-click repairs). However, only offers daily scanning with their $40 per month plan
FREE WEBSITE MALWARE and SECURITY SCANNER
Sucuri Free Website Malware and Security Scanner
Quttera Free Online Website Malware Scanner
SHOPPING CART
E-junkie – a lightweight, embeddable shopping cart that can go anywhere, including your website, blog and social media.
WORDPRESS (WP) AND WP PLUGINS
WPBeginner – tips, tricks, hacks, and other WP resources
iThemes Security (formerly Better WP Security) Plugin – secures and protects your WordPress site
Sucuri WordPress Security Plugin – security toolset for security integrity monitoring, malware detection and security hardening
Theme Authenticity Checker (TAC) Plugin – searches the source files of every installed theme for signs of malicious code
Anti-Malware Security and Brute-Force Firewall – searches for Malware and other Virus like threats and security vulnerabilities on the server and helps you to remove them
Quttera Web Malware Scanner Plugin – scans your website for malware, trojans, backdoors, worms, viruses, spywares and other threats as well as JavaScript code obfuscation, exploits, malicious iframes, malicious code injection, malicious code obfuscation, auto-generated malicious content, redirects, hidden eval code and more. Also, it will check whether your website is blacklisted by Google and other blacklisting authorities
Wordfence Security Plugin – free enterprise class security and performance plugin that makes your site up to 50 times faster and more secure
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT
Buffer – a scheduling tool, allowing you to quickly and easily share posts to your social media profiles
Hootsuite – a social media management dashboard
TweetDeck – part of Twitter now
Tailwind – the Pinterest & Instagram Marketing tool
USER TESTING
TRADEMARK
Trademarkia – visual search engine for more than 6 million trademarked logos, names, and slogans on the Internet
WIFI
Airlines That Offer Inflight WiFi – The Definitive 2018 List – the digital nomad resources list wouldn’t be complete without this info
RottenWiFi – public WiFi and 3G/4G watchdog
Skyroam – global WiFi with unlimited data. Beware: it comes with a pricy tag
AllDayInternet – Wifi Hotspot to travel around the World
VIRTUAL SCANNER
Scanner Pro by Readdle – Scanner Pro transforms your iPhone and iPad into portable scanners. It allows you to scan receipts, whiteboards, paper notes, or any multipage document. We used this app just a few times over more than half a decade, but you never know. Hence, I include it in our list of digital nomad resources
VIRTUAL OFFICE
Our Office-less Office – from Uncornered Market
MAKING MONEY ON THE ROAD
33 Best Websites to Make Money Online & Work from Home – by Aileen Adalid
COWORKING
Coworker – connects people and coworking spaces in over 115 countries
included – they are building a marketplace to help startups and freelancers
Regus – offers coworking spaces, fully serviced office spaces and virtual offices
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Gotta have that VPN Elena, when going to lands with scamming reps. I used Strong VPN and never had an issue logging in and accessing financial sites. Or watching the US version of Netflix. I also have a CDN I bought through my host. As my blog traffic has increased and I post more photos it is a must have for me.
Great to hear from you, Ryan :). I am with you regarding CDN – growing a blog without it is just asking for trouble. Interesting, how we all have different VPN preferences. Nice to know that Strong VPN is a good choice. Thank you for sharing.
A very useful collection of links, thanks!
Useful thanks for sharing