Want to keep your communications safe from surveillance and hackers? Get an iPod touch

The iPod Touch's lack of phone signal makes it much more difficult to track than a phone

Is this the best way to stay secure online? (Cate Gillon/Getty Images)

In light of the huge Ashley Madison hack, you might be wanting to find a way to communicate that are safe and secure from the prying eyes of hackers or the intelligence services.

Fortunately, you don't have to fork out for a pricey super-secure device, or become a computer expert with the ability to encrypt your laptop - you can just buy an iPod touch.

As reported by Wired magazine, a WiFi-only iPod Touch, with no data or phone calling capability, can be a very secure device when used properly.

When you carry your phone around, it constantly connects and re-connects to the nearest phone tower to give you a good signal.

This is good when you need to make a call, but it also leaves a trail behind you, which can essentially be used to track your rough location and who you called or texted.

Since the iPod touch only works on WiFi, you can choose to only connect when you want to, leaving less of a trail when you move around.

Wired also points out that Apple's tough App Store requirements mean that it's very unlikely you could download an app that would contain spyware. Loading your phone with apps, especially ones that can track you, or being careless with your browsing, could potentially leave you open to problems, but generally iOS is a pretty safe system if you keep it updated and secure.

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has encouraged people to use encryption in their online communications (AFP/Getty) (FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

If you want to go one extra step, you can also use an encrypted messaging service, such as Surespot or Signal (which is endorsed by Edward Snowden), to give your communications that extra level of anonymity.

It's not a foolproof device, and certainly not totally anonymous. And naturally, to keep everything secure, people on both sides of the conversation need to be adopting the same level of security.

Telling your friends to switch from WhatsApp, iMessage or SMS to a super-encrypted messaging service might be a bit of a tough sell.

But it's surprising how safe you can keep your data with such a simple device and low-cost when you're on the move.