Things to Know About Web Security Before Trump’s Inauguration: A Harm Reductionist Guide
EDITS: wow, this got way more attention than I ever anticipated. There are definitely steps ad guides to take you even further — figuring out what to do with data, encrypting your email w PGP, etc. but this is for my friends who I love so much and are overwhelmed/new to all of this. The most important thing to keep in mind is that NOTHING IS SECURE — your task is remember that and do everything within your power to make things hard for people to see your private information.
Starting in January 2017, the person who was endorsed by the KKK, is a enthusiastic racist and misogynist, emboldened white fascist every- listen, you know the rest. Let’s not talk about it. Anyway, Trump is about to have jurisdiction over the CIA, the FBI, the IRS, the NSA, and also drones.
While this changes little for many people who are already doing this organizing work and know how to use these tools*, this is a *harm reduction* guide and checklist for people who are freaked.
People on Twitter keep saying that this is going to lead to a resurgence of an anti-fascist popular movement. I’m skeptical, and I’ll take it — but if that’s the case it also means more people need to take more precautions, not just to protect ourselves, but each other.
Emails — ha ha ha, just think of all the wacky jokes about this one, huh. Gmail IS secure — it’s just whether or not you trust the admins to not share your info. That is a whole nother story of law and security that you should look up. Getting a RiseUp account might seem like a plan but consider that every email you send might as well set your address as number1propertydestroyinganarchist@riseup.net
Passwords — Let’s be honest with ourselves, sometimes this stuff seems cool — I’m Rami Malek ooh I encrypted an email, Signal’s got a weird little chime. No judgement.
All of that is for NOTHING if you don’t have a secure/unique password for your accounts. Here’s a random password generator: http://passwordsgenerator.net/ Memorize it. Same with 2-step verification which is super easy to use: https://www.turnon2fa.com/ Also update your your ad blockers, your anti-virus software — this stuff matters as much as the other stuff, if not more!
Smart Phones — keep your phone with you at all times in public, OR if you’re going somewhere you do not want to be tracked, leave it at home!! Use…
