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Basics of Privacy and Security Online
We all use the Internet. To one degree or another, we live our lives online. And just like we would in our offline lives, we need to take steps online to protect ourselves and maintain our privacy.
If you do nothing else to secure yourself online, at the very least follow these guidelines:
- Create a unique, long password for each account. Never use information in your password that could be easily discovered about you, such as a childhood pet, mother's maiden name, etc. Change your password at least a few times a year, and preferably once every month or two for accounts with sensitive information.
- Think carefully before disclosing your location. Make sure the social media accounts you're using don't have location or geotracking automatically enabled.
- Enable 2-factor authentication whenever you have the option.
- As much as you can, try to read any Terms of Service documents that you are asked to agree to. If you're having trouble understanding it (as most of us without legal training do), check Terms of Service; Didn't Read (link on right-hand side of page) and do a little searching around
- Never do anything sensitive (log into a bank account, type your SSN, search for explicit content) on an open Wi-Fi network. Assume that if the network is not yours, and/or is unencrypted, that everything you're doing can and will be viewed by anyone with basic hacking skills. Learn how to stay safe(r) on public Wi-Fi here.
- Install all software updates immediately on your devices. Often the updates are designed to protect against specific security flaws.
- Put a sticker or piece of tape over the webcam on your laptop or computer when you're not using it. Computer webcams are easily hacked.
- If you're not paying for a service with money, you're likely paying by providing the company with your data, often in ways you'd never have agreed to if you knew about it. Keep this in mind whenever you sign up for a free service.
Guides to Help You Safeguard Your Information
- DIY Guide to Feminist CybersecurityLists of ideas, technology tools and steps for making your information more secure and private
- FemTechNet Guide to Locking Down Your Digital IdentitySimple steps to safeguarding your personal information
- Electronic Frontier Foundation: Security Starter PackPlaylist to help you discover how to assess your personal risk, protect your communications and information, and start thinking about incorporating privacy-enhancing tools into your daily routine.
- Data Detox KitAn eight day data detox kit. "In just half an hour or less per day, you'll be well on your way to a healthier and more in-control digital self."
- EPIC Online Guide to Practical Privacy ToolsHuge list of tools to help secure your online identity
- Test Yourself!How aware are you about your risk of ID theft? Look at 11 situations in which you might be subject.
- What Is My IP Address?This website provides lots of essential information about IP addresses (what they are, how to find yours and then hide it, etc.), as well as other services like a free network speed test, VPN comparison sheet, and a blacklist check.
In The Event Of Catastrophe: Identity Theft, Hacking, and other Horrors
- Have I Been Pwned?Search here for your email addresses to see which data breaches you have been exposed to.
- IdentityTheft.govThis is where you would need to go to report an identity theft to the US government.
- Identity Theft: A Recovery Plan (Federal Trade Commission)A comprehensive list of what you need to do and when if your identity has been stolen. This PDF is available through the Federal Trade Commission, a US government entity that you'd be contacting at some point anyways if you needed to report a stolen identity.
- I've Been Hacked! Now What? (LifeWire)10 things you need to do after being hacked to get your computer back.
Terms of Service
- Terms of Service; Didn't Read (TS;DR)The "Sparknotes for Terms of Service Agreements". This site aims to provide easy-to-understand, quick-to-read ratings assessing Terms of Service agreements from major companies such as Google, Facebook, YouTube, GitHub, and many more.
Protect Your Devices
- iPhone Security Tips (MacWorld)Take steps to ensure your Apple device is safe from hackers and easy to find if stolen or lost.
- The Privacy Enthusiast's Guide to Android (Lifehacker)The Android platform is much less simple to keep secure than the Apple platform. Follow these tips to secure your Android device now.
- How to Turn Off Location Services On Your Smartphone (Consumer Reports)Instructions on how to turn off location services on Android and Apple phones.
- What To Do Before--And After--You Lose Your Phone (Wired)Take proactive steps in the event that you lose your phone or have it stolen.
Protect Your Computer or Laptop
- How to Clean Your Computer Inside and Out (Wired)A messy, cluttered computer is more likely to be a vulnerable computer. Wired takes you through the steps to clean it up.