ThePythonicCow
27th October 2013, 00:16
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has a well thought article on how to improve one's computer security: Ten Steps You Can Take Right Now Against Internet Surveillance (https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/10/ten-steps-against-surveillance). A tip-of-the-hat to Slashdot (http://yro.slashdot.org/story/13/10/26/1337231/ten-steps-you-can-take-against-internet-surveillance) for pointing this out.
Here's a brief summary of what the article contains:
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Here's ten steps you can take to make your own devices secure. This isn't a complete list, and it won't make you completely safe from spying. But every step you take will make you a little bit safer than average. 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.
Encrypt as much communications as you can.
Encrypt your hard drive.
Strong passwords, kept safe.
Use Tor.
Turn on two-factor (or two-step) authentication.
Don't click on attachments.
Keep software updated, and use anti-virus software.
Keep extra secret information extra secure.
Be an ally.
=====================
I will admit to not doing several of these steps myself ... at least not much. I rely more on never travelling with any data, being the only one (outside of my cat, a burglar or a SWAT team) with access to my computers, not running Windows for normal work, not using Wi-Fi, not using smart phones or other such proprietary devices for anything interesting, and having deep familiarity with my computer system and the software running on it.
Just as in the real world, security is very situational dependent. Someone living in rural Alaska has quite different concerns (say hungry bears) than someone living in certain parts of Detroit (say dope addicts.) An undercover CIA agent has very different concerns than a typical Wal*Mart checkout clerk.
Here's a brief summary of what the article contains:
=====================
Here's ten steps you can take to make your own devices secure. This isn't a complete list, and it won't make you completely safe from spying. But every step you take will make you a little bit safer than average. 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.
Encrypt as much communications as you can.
Encrypt your hard drive.
Strong passwords, kept safe.
Use Tor.
Turn on two-factor (or two-step) authentication.
Don't click on attachments.
Keep software updated, and use anti-virus software.
Keep extra secret information extra secure.
Be an ally.
=====================
I will admit to not doing several of these steps myself ... at least not much. I rely more on never travelling with any data, being the only one (outside of my cat, a burglar or a SWAT team) with access to my computers, not running Windows for normal work, not using Wi-Fi, not using smart phones or other such proprietary devices for anything interesting, and having deep familiarity with my computer system and the software running on it.
Just as in the real world, security is very situational dependent. Someone living in rural Alaska has quite different concerns (say hungry bears) than someone living in certain parts of Detroit (say dope addicts.) An undercover CIA agent has very different concerns than a typical Wal*Mart checkout clerk.