Paranoid AF
Strong independant crypto is a necessity to stop invaisive governments and corperations from raping our data at will.
Almost eighty years ago, boffins in Bletchley Park cracked (up to) 88 bit Enigma by mechanical means. Today we have 256 bit AES protecting bank accounts, medical info and other private info. How secure do you really think we are today?
Avoid any US government approved encryption method, use the strongest possible keys and above all educate yourself.
Be paranoid, they are after you, journalists, whistleblowers and anyone who opposes our "public servants."