One of the trends we ’ve seen is how , as the word of the NSA ’s spotting has spread , more and more average people want to know how ( or if ) they can defend themselves from surveillance online . But where to start out ?
The bad news show is : if you ’re being personally direct by a hefty intelligence agency like the NSA , it ’s very , very unmanageable to defend yourself . The good tidings , if you could call it that , is that much of what the NSA is doing is aggregative surveillance on everybody . With a few belittled dance step , you may make that form of surveillance a lot more difficult and expensive , both against you one by one , and more loosely against everyone .
Here ’s ten footfall you may take to make your own devices secure . This is n’t a thoroughgoing list , and it wo n’t make you totally safe from spying . But every step you take will make you a short bit safe than modal . And it will make your attackers , whether they ’re the NSA or a local criminal , have to work that much harder .
Use end-to-end encryption
We recognise the NSA has beenworking to undermineencryption , but experts like Bruce Schneier who have seen the NSA documents palpate thatencryption is still “ your friend ” . And your best friend stay unfastened source system that do n’t apportion your private key with others , are loose to examination by security expert , and write in code data all the way from one end of a conversation to the other : from your twist to the somebody you ’re chatting with . The easiest cock that achieves this end - to - remainder encoding isoff - the - record ( OTR ) messaging , which give instantaneous messaging client end - to - final stage encryption capabilities ( and you may use it over exist services , such as Google Hangout and Facebook chat).Install iton your own computing machine , and get your ally to put in it too . When you ’ve done that , take care into PGP – it ’s wily to use , but used well it ’ll end your email from being an open book to snoopers .
Encrypt as much communications as you can
Even if you ca n’t do end - to - destruction , you’re able to still encrypt a batch of your Internet traffic . If you apply EFF’sHTTPS Everywherebrowser addon for Chrome or Firefox , you’re able to maximize the amount of web information you protect by forcing websites to encrypt webpages whenever possible . Use a virtual private connection ( VPN)when you ’re on a connection you do n’t intrust , like a cybercafe .
https://lifehacker.com/why-you-should-be-using-a-vpn-and-how-to-choose-one-5940565
Encrypt your hard drive
The latest version ofWindows , Macs , iOSand Android all have style to encrypt your local storage . Turn it on . Without it , anyone with a few minutes physical access to your figurer , tablet or smartphone can replicate its contents , even if they do n’t have your countersign .
Strong passwords, kept safe
word these day have to be ludicrously foresightful to be safe against firecracker . That include the password to email account , and countersign to unlock gimmick , and word to web services . If it ’s risky to re - use parole , and high-risk to use short parole , how can you commemorate them all ? utilize apassword managing director . Even pen down your passwords and hold them in your wallet is safer than re - using the same short memorable watchword — at least you ’ll know when your notecase is steal . you’re able to produce a memorable strong master password using a random Christian Bible scheme like that described atdiceware.com .
Use Tor
“ Tor Stinks ” , this slide leak from GCHQ says . That shows much the word service are worried about it . Tor is an the unfastened source program that protect your namelessness online by shuffling your information through a global electronic connection of volunteer servers . If youinstall and use Tor , you could conceal your origins from corporate and aggregated surveillance . You ’ll also be shew that Tor is used by everyone , not just the “ terrorists ” that GCHQ take .
Turn on two-factor (or two-step) authentication
Google and Gmailhas it;Twitterhas it;Dropboxhas it . Two factor authentication , where you type a countersign and a regularly change verification telephone number , helps protect you from flack on web and cloud services . When useable , turn it on for the inspection and repair you utilise . If it ’s not available , recite the company you want it .
Don’t click on attachments
The easiest elbow room to get intrusive malware onto your computer is through your electronic mail , or through compromised websites . Browsers are catch good at protecting you from the bad of the web , but files send by electronic mail or downloaded from the connection can still take complete control condition of your calculator . Get your friends to send you information in text ; when they direct you a file , two-fold - check it ’s really from them .
Keep software updated, and use anti-virus software
The NSA may be attempt to compromise net ship’s company ( and we ’re still expect to see whether anti - virus company measuredly disregard government malware ) , but on the balance , it ’s still beneficial to have the company seek to bushel your software than have attackers be capable to exploit old bug .
Keep extra secret information extra secure
mean about the data you have , and take superfluous steps to encrypt and hold in your most secret information . you could useTrueCryptto separately encrypt a USB flash drive . You might even want to keep your most private data point on a cheap netbook , keep offline and only used for the purposes of reading or editing documents .
Be an ally
If you understand and care enough to have take this far , we ask your assistant . To really dispute the surveillance country , you need to teach others what you ’ve learned , and explain to them why it ’s of import . Install OTR , Tor and other software for worried colleagues , and learn your protagonist how to apply them . Explain to them the impact of the NSA revelations . expect them to signal up toStop Watching Usand other campaigns against bulk spying . hunt a Tor node , or holda cryptoparty . They require to stop watching us ; and we need to start making it much hard for them to get away with it .
This article isreproduced from Electronic Frontier Foundationunder Creative Commons licence .
Image byLjupco Smokovski / Shutterstock
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