The task of securing our digital papers and effects can seem overwhelming for all but the most technically savvy people. But there’s a lot everyone can do to protect their privacy in the digital age.
If you use a smartphone, you can immediately install the Signal app for iPhone and Android. It’s free, open source software that will let you text and call securely with anyone in the world. All you need is a wifi signal or cell phone data plan, and for your friends and family to install the app, too. It couldn’t be easier to use.
Below are some links that will help you understand the threats you face online today, and some of the steps you can take to mitigate them. There’s no foolproof solution to make sure no one is monitoring your communications or habits, but knowledge is power. The more you know about how to protect yourself, the better off you’ll be.
- Encryption Works: How to Protect Your Privacy in the Age of NSA Surveillance (Freedom of the Press Foundation)
- Quick Guide to Alternatives (Tactical Technology Collective)
- Online Privacy and Mobile Privacy Basics (Library Freedom Project)
- DIY Cybersecurity for Domestic Violence (Hack*Blossom)
- Social Media Self-Defense (Elle Armageddon)
- Online Guide to Practical Privacy Tools (EPIC)
- Guide to Online Privacy: Tips (Center for Democracy and Technology)
- The 3 Minute Guide to Online Privacy (Grey Coder)
- How To Be Completely Anonymous Online (Slashgeek)
- 10 Incredibly Simple Things You Should Be Doing To Protect Your Privacy (Forbes)