Digital security: The basics to keep you safe online

The revelations into the electronic surveillance activities of the US National Security Agency and its Prism system have shown that no one is safe from being spied on. However, journalists can still use some clever tools and open source programs to ensure more security browsing the web, sending emails and communicating with colleagues and sources.

Sandra Mamitzsch of re:publica, Germany’s largest conference on internet and society, offered useful insights on how to start securing your data during her workshop How to keep the NSA out of your Email – a Practical Guide to more Security for your Data at the DLDWomen conference.

“Everything you do online is only as secure as your passwords and your software” says Sandra Mamitzsch. “So use open source wherever possible.”

Here are her best tips:

Strengthening your mobile device

• Update frequently
• Make backups
• Full disk encryption (works for Android devices)
• Use a code/password to lock your device
• Change standard configurations, for example services which have the permission to track you and get your address book data on the iPhone
• Don’t jailbreak you device if you are not sure what you are doing. From the perspective of hackers, it’s more secure to use a standard operating system that is being updated frequently.

Browsing the web

• Always use secure encryption protocol HTTPS
• Use Tor anonymity network – it bounces your communications around a distributed network of relays and makes it impossible to track you
• Activate Do not track option in your browser
• Install blockers like Ghostery which is a plug-in for your browser
• You can use separate browsers, one for logging into your Facebook/ Twitter accounts and another one, where all trackers are blocked.

Email

• Use email encryption software GPG4win for Windows and GPGTools for OSX
• Use mail clients Thunderbird with the security extension Enigmail. Please note people you are communicating with should also install the program.

Chat

• To chat securely, use Adium (OS X), Pidgin (Windows, Linux), ChatSecure (iOS) or Gibberbot (Android)
• Use Threema instead of What’sApp. The app is available both for iOS and Android and ecnrypts your messages. Make sure that the person your are communicating to uses the app as well.

Useful tools for more security

• Tor anonymizer
• Tails – the amnestic incognito live system uses Tor anonymity network, helps you leave no trace on the computer you’re using and encrypt your files, email and instant messaging.
• PortableApps to use with a USB flash drive
• OS X portable applications
• 8 password manager options for Mac and iOS

Further reading on security and encryption:

Encryption Works: How to Protect Your Privacy in the Age of NSA Surveillance by Press Freedom Foundation

The workshop took place at this year’s conference DLDWomen (15-16th July) organized by the German publishing house Hubert Burda Media. DLD (Digital Life Design) is a global conference network devoted to the latest digital trends.

Author and photo: Natalia Karbasova