Intro
Before the incident
- Plan with Holistic Security, Advocacy Assembly and Umbrella.
- Use Qubes OS.
During the incident
Computer
- đ Acquire a new computer that is not linked to you.
- â Connect to the internet with the Tor Browser or with Bitmask.
- Install Tails on an USB drive and boot your computer from it.
- Read the Digital First Aid Kit or contact the Digital Security Helpline.
Mobile Device
- đ Donât use it, turn it off and use a computer instead.
- â Acquire a new one that ist not linked to you.
- Communicate with Briar.
After the incident
- Apply for a grant from the Digital Defenders Partnership.
- Prepare for the next incident.
Knowledge
Holistic Security
Strategy Manual
By: Tactical Technology Collective
Description: Holistic Security is a strategy manual to help human rights defenders maintain their well-being in action. The holistic approach integrates self-care, well-being, digital security, and information security into traditional security management practices.
Umbrella
Digital and Physical Security Advice App
By: Security First
Description: Umbrella provides step-by-step advice to help you and your team operate safely in a hostile environment. Whether you are sending sensitive emails, attending a protest or dealing with a kidnapping, Umbrella is your one stop shop for the latest security tools and information.â
Digital First Aid Kit
By: Digital Defenders Partnership
Description: The Digital First Aid Kit aims to provide preliminary support for people facing the most common types of digital threats. The Kit offers a set of self-diagnostic tools for human rights defenders, bloggers, activists and journalists facing attacks themselves, as well as providing guidelines for digital first responders to assist a person under threat.
Advocacy Assembly
Training Platform for Journalists and Human Rights Activists
Description: Advocacy Assembly is a free learning community for human rights activists and journalists. Itâs a collaborative space where training organisations from around the world can upload their best training material and reach new audiences.
Tools
Tor Browser
Tor Browser contains everything you need to safely browse the Internet.
Description: Tor is free software and an open network that helps you defend against traffic analysis, a form of network surveillance that threatens personal freedom and privacy, confidential business activities and relationships, and state security.
Bitmask
Encrypted communication for mere mortals
Description: Bitmask is an open source application to provide easy and secure encrypted communication. You can choose among several different service providers or start your own. Currently, Bitmask supports encrypted internet (VPN) and encrypted email.
Link: https://bitmask.net/
Briar
Messaging App for Activists and Journalists
Description: Briar is a messaging app designed for activists, journalists, and anyone else who needs a safe, easy and robust way to communicate. Unlike traditional messaging apps, Briar doesnât rely on a central server - messages are synchronized directly between the usersâ devices. If the internetâs down, Briar can sync via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, keeping the information flowing in a crisis. If the internetâs up, Briar can sync via the Tor network, protecting users and their relationships from surveillance.
Qubes OS
Reasonably Secure Operating System
Description: Qubes takes an approach called security by compartmentalization, which allows you to compartmentalize the various parts of your digital life into securely isolated compartments called qubes.
Tails
Live CD/USB operating system preconfigured to use Tor safely.
Description: Tails is a live system that aims to preserve your privacy and anonymity. It helps you to use the Internet anonymously and circumvent censorship almost anywhere you go and on any computer but leaving no trace unless you ask it to explicitly.
Link: https://tails.boum.org/
Support
Digital Security Helpline
Real-time, Direct Technical Assistance and Advice
By: Access Now
Description: Access Nowâs Digital Security Helpline works with individuals and organizations around the world to keep them safe online. If youâre at risk, we can help you improve your digital security practices to keep out of harmâs way. If youâre already under attack, we provide rapid-response emergency assistance.
Digital Defenders Partnership
Emergency Grants for Users under Digital Attack
Description: The aim of the DDP is to protect and advance internet freedom, and to keep the internet free from emerging threats, specifically in repressive environments. We coordinate emergency support for individuals and organisations such as human rights defenders, journalists, civil society activists, and bloggers.
