A First Look at Digital Security

"Say you know that you want to protect yourself online, but you don't know where to start. Or maybe you've heard about a best practice or tactic to use, but you don't know how to implement it. Well, you're in luck!"

Access Now, an international organisation working to defend and extend the digital rights of users at risk around the world, this booklet provides what is meant to be a friendly and personable first look at digital security for people at risk: activists, journalists, human rights defenders, and people in marginalised communities. Born out of Access Now's experience at the Allied Media Conference in the summer of 2016, the booklet introduces 4 user personas. The metaphoric (non-human animal) characters draw on numerous conversations and interactions with clients of Access Now's Digital Security Helpline, which is a free-of-charge resource offering 24/7 real-time, direct technical assistance and advice to activists, independent media, and civil society organisations.

For example, Savant is a (feline) journalist "communicating with survivors of puppy mills. Savant's sources have secret information about a mill that has the chance to shut it down. Shady characters have already attempted to find out what information that is, so now Savant takes care that all of her communications are encrypted, and when she collaborates on an article, she uses encrypted document sharing options as well." The booklet outlines what needs protecting and which specific strategies she can use to mitigate her vulnerabilities. "Our hope is that these characters illustrate how to think through your personal approach to digital security, giving you a stepping stone to solving some of the problems you may confront."

The booklet concludes with links to resources to help the reader implement the practices listed in this book.