Digital Safety - How to protect your online identity

Summary

In this video, Aanes from the Balan Tech Team discusses essential digital safety practices for researchers, journalists, and human rights advocates. Emphasizing the importance of protecting both personal and professional digital identities, the video covers key security steps like threat modeling, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and encrypting devices. It also provides tips for maintaining privacy on public networks, using VPNs, antivirus software, and trusted communication tools like Signal. Additionally, the video offers guidance on avoiding phishing attacks and staying updated with security measures to safeguard against emerging threats.

Takeaways

• 😀 Assess your digital safety risks with threat modeling to understand potential attacks like phishing or surveillance.
• 😀 🛡️ Separate your personal and professional digital identities to protect both your privacy and mental well-being.
• 😀 🔑 Use strong, unique passwords and consider using a password manager to securely store them.
• 😀 🔒 Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts for an additional layer of protection.
• 😀 🔐 Encrypt your devices and data, including storage and cloud services, to secure information even if devices are lost or stolen.
• 😀 📍 Use device tracking tools like 'Find My Device' to remotely locate, lock, or erase lost devices.
• 😀 🌐 Secure your Wi-Fi network by changing default credentials, setting strong passwords, and enabling features like MAC address filtering.
• 😀 🌍 Use a VPN to hide your IP address and encrypt your internet traffic, especially on public networks.
• 😀 🦠 Install antivirus software to protect your devices from malware and regularly update it for the best protection.
• 😀 🌐 Browse securely by using privacy-focused browsers, blocking ads and trackers, and regularly clearing cookies and browsing data.
• 😀 📧 Stay vigilant for phishing attacks by verifying email addresses and checking URLs before clicking on links.

Q & A

Why is digital safety important for researchers and human rights advocates?

Digital safety is crucial for researchers and human rights advocates because it helps protect not only the individual but also their sources, research, and collaborators from potential online threats, including surveillance and hacking.

What is threat modeling and why is it important for digital safety?

Threat modeling is the process of identifying potential risks and adversaries, such as phishing or surveillance, and understanding how to mitigate these threats. It is important because it helps researchers assess and manage the specific risks they face in their work.

What are the benefits of separating personal and professional digital identities?

Separating personal and professional digital identities is important for mental hygiene, as it helps maintain a boundary between work and personal life. It also enhances digital security by minimizing the risks of exposing personal information through work-related activities.

What is a good password, and how can a password manager help?

A good password is long, complex, and unique, combining uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. A password manager helps by securely storing and organizing passwords for different accounts, making it easier to manage complex passwords.

What is two-factor authentication (2FA) and why should it be used?

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an additional layer of security that requires users to provide two forms of identification—typically a password and a second factor like a phone, security key, or authentication app. It is important because it significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive accounts.

How can encryption protect your data and devices?

Encryption protects your data by converting it into a code that can only be decrypted by authorized users. It can be applied to devices, storage, cloud services, and communications, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure even if the device is lost or stolen.

What are some of the best practices for securing your internet connection at home?

To secure your home internet connection, change the default router credentials, set a strong and unique password for your Wi-Fi, enable MAC address filtering, and disable WPS. It’s also important to use WPA3 encryption, which is the latest and most secure standard for routers.

What is a VPN and how does it enhance digital security?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a third-party server, hiding your IP address and protecting your online activities from hackers, your internet provider, and advertisers, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.

Why should you be cautious about phishing attacks, and what steps can you take to avoid them?

Phishing attacks trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or financial data. To avoid falling for phishing, verify the sender’s email address, look for suspicious links, and be wary of urgent requests for sensitive information. Always hover over links to check the URL before clicking.

What role do software updates play in maintaining digital safety?

Regular software updates are crucial for patching security vulnerabilities and preventing attacks. Enabling automatic updates ensures that your device and applications are always running the latest security features, protecting you from known threats.