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## What is being collected? ## What is being collected?
**Google** **Google**
Chances are that on a daily basis you use apps, services or maybe even an Operating System owned by a large company such as Google, Microsoft, Apple. They collect and maintain comprehensive records or everything you do, from the sites you visit, to the physical locations you’ve been. They store the photos and videos you take, and all device information, as well as of course the information that you manually input such as calendar events, emails, personal details etc (ref: [Privacy.google.com, 2018](https://privacy.google.com/your-data.html), [Privacy.microsoft.com, 2018](https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-GB/), [Apple UK, 2018](http://(Apple (United Kingdom), 2018))). Chances are that on a daily basis you use apps, services or maybe even an Operating System owned by a large company such as Google, Microsoft, Apple. They collect and maintain comprehensive records or everything you do, from the sites you visit, to the physical locations you’ve been. They store the photos and videos you take, and all device information, as well as of course the information that you manually input such as calendar events, emails, personal details etc (ref: [Privacy.google.com, 2018](https://privacy.google.com/your-data.html), [Privacy.microsoft.com, 2018](https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-GB/), [Apple UK, 2018](http://(Apple (United Kingdom), 2018))).
**Social Media** **Social Media**
Over [2 billion people](https://www.statista.com/topics/1164/social-networks/) regularly use social media. Facebook and Twitter both monitor and record current location, websites visited, browsing and shopping behaviour and the interactions you have with other users. They also have a fairly strong idea of your political engagements and income level based on how you use their services. Over [2 billion people](https://www.statista.com/topics/1164/social-networks/) regularly use social media. Facebook and Twitter both monitor and record current location, websites visited, browsing and shopping behaviour and the interactions you have with other users. They also have a fairly strong idea of your political engagements and income level based on how you use their services.
**Web Browsers** **Web Browsers**
Your web browser also allows for data to be recorded about you, without your immediate knowledge. Most browsers store cookies from sites and also record IP addresses, information about your devices, web beacons, HTTP referers and Pixel tags. Your web browser also allows for data to be recorded about you, without your immediate knowledge. Most browsers store cookies from sites and also record IP addresses, information about your devices, web beacons, HTTP referers and Pixel tags.
**Internet Service Providers** **Internet Service Providers**
Your ISP (the company providing you with your internet connection) monitor all your online activity. From the things you search for and the sites you visit, to your current location and shopping habits. They do this through deep packet inspection, and work closely with the government. Your ISP (the company providing you with your internet connection) monitor all your online activity. From the things you search for and the sites you visit, to your current location and shopping habits. They do this through deep packet inspection, and work closely with the government.
**The Government** **The Government**
The government works with private companies to collect large amounts of data on you. Including all emails and messages sent and received, GPS location data, video calls, debit/ credit card transactions, legal documents, health documents, travel documents and all media content uploaded. The government works with private companies to collect large amounts of data on you. Including all emails and messages sent and received, GPS location data, video calls, debit/ credit card transactions, legal documents, health documents, travel documents and all media content uploaded.
# How to maximize your security # How to maximize your security
**Passwords** **Passwords**
Ideally you should use a different, and secure password to access each service you use. To securely manage all of these, a password manager is usually the best option. Ideally you should use a different, and secure password to access each service you use. To securely manage all of these, a password manager is usually the best option.
| **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** | | **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** |
@ -35,43 +41,41 @@ Ideally you should use a different, and secure password to access each service y
**2-Factor Authentication** **2-Factor Authentication**
This is a secure method of logging in, where you supply not just your password, but also an additional code usually from a device that only you’d have access to. This is a secure method of logging in, where you supply not just your password, but also an additional code usually from a device that only you’d have access to.
| **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** | | **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** |
| -------- | ------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | -------- | ------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [] | **Use an authenticator.** | Use [Google Authenticator](https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1066447) where sites offer 2-FA. | [] | **Use an authenticator.** | Use [Google Authenticator](https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1066447) where sites offer 2-FA. Alternative authenticators include: [Authy](https://authy.com), [FreeOTP](https://freeotp.github.io), [LastPassAuthenticator](https://lastpass.com/auth/) and [AuthenticatorPlus](https://www.authenticatorplus.com). SMS codes are ubiquitous, but easy to break so although better than nothing, not ideal. Another option is a hardware-based 2FA, such as [Yubico](https://www.yubico.com/security-keys-authentication/), although with limited compatibility and of course a physical cost. |
Alternative authenticators include: [Authy](https://authy.com), [FreeOTP](https://freeotp.github.io), [LastPassAuthenticator](https://lastpass.com/auth/) and [AuthenticatorPlus](https://www.authenticatorplus.com).
SMS codes are ubiquitous, but easy to break so although better than nothing, not ideal. Another option is a hardware-based 2FA, such as [Yubico](https://www.yubico.com/security-keys-authentication/), although with limited compatibility and of course a physical cost. |
**Browser and Search** **Browser and Search**
Most modern web browsers allow for addons and extensions, these can access anything that you do online, avoid installing anything that may not be legitimate and check permissions first. Most modern web browsers allow for addons and extensions, these can access anything that you do online, avoid installing anything that may not be legitimate and check permissions first.
| **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** | | **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** |
| -------- | -------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | -------- | -------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [] | **Only use trusted browser addons and extensions** | Both Firefox and Chrome webstore allow you to check what permissions access rights an extension requires before you install it. Check the reviews. Only install extensions you really need. | | [] | **Only use trusted browser addons and extensions** | Both Firefox and Chrome webstore allow you to check what permissions access rights an extension requires before you install it. Check the reviews. Only install extensions you really need. |
| [] | **Use a private search engine** | Take a look at [DuckDuckGo](https://duckduckgo.com) or [StartPage](https://www.startpage.com). | [] | **Use a private search engine** | Take a look at [DuckDuckGo](https://duckduckgo.com) or [StartPage](https://www.startpage.com). Neither store cookies or cache anything. |
Neither store cookies or cache anything. |
| [] | **Consider a privacy browser** | Google openly collects usage data on Chrome. There are several privacy browsers out there which minimize the amount of data collected. Have a look at [Brave Browser](https://brave.com), [Yandex](https://browser.yandex.com), or [Comodo](https://www.comodo.com/home/browsers-toolbars/browser.php). As a more extreme choice, consider [Tor](https://www.torproject.org/). | | [] | **Consider a privacy browser** | Google openly collects usage data on Chrome. There are several privacy browsers out there which minimize the amount of data collected. Have a look at [Brave Browser](https://brave.com), [Yandex](https://browser.yandex.com), or [Comodo](https://www.comodo.com/home/browsers-toolbars/browser.php). As a more extreme choice, consider [Tor](https://www.torproject.org/). |
| [] | **Block scripts from bad origin** | Use an extension such as [uBlock Origin](https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock), to block anything being loaded from an external or unverified origin. | | [] | **Block scripts from bad origin** | Use an extension such as [uBlock Origin](https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock), to block anything being loaded from an external or unverified origin. |
| [] | **Block Trackers** | Use an extension such as [Privacy Badger](https://www.eff.org/privacybadger) to disallow adds from secretly tracking where you go, and which sites you visit. | | [] | **Block Trackers** | Use an extension such as [Privacy Badger](https://www.eff.org/privacybadger) to disallow adds from secretly tracking where you go, and which sites you visit. |
| [] | **Force HTTPS only traffic** | Use an extension such as [HTTPS Everywhere](https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere), to force all sites to load securely. | | [] | **Force HTTPS only traffic** | Use an extension such as [HTTPS Everywhere](https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere), to force all sites to load securely. |
| [] | **Disable Flash** | Adobe Flash has been around since the dawn of the internet, however it has been falling in popularity for a while. It brings with it many unpatched vulnerabilities (a few of which you can [read about here](https://www.comparitech.com/blog/information-security/flash-vulnerabilities-security/)). | [] | **Disable Flash** | Adobe Flash has been around since the dawn of the internet, however it has been falling in popularity for a while. It brings with it many unpatched vulnerabilities (a few of which you can [read about here](https://www.comparitech.com/blog/information-security/flash-vulnerabilities-security/)). See [this guide](https://www.howtogeek.com/222275/how-to-uninstall-and-disable-flash-in-every-web-browser/), on how to disable Flash player. |
See [this guide](https://www.howtogeek.com/222275/how-to-uninstall-and-disable-flash-in-every-web-browser/), on how to disable Flash player. |
**VPN** **VPN**
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows you to securely connect to the internet, when you visit a site, your visiting it through the secure VPN connection and not broadcasting your own IP address. A VPN will hide your identity on the websites you visit, to your internet service provider, and to anyone else trying to track you, they can also encrypt your traffic so you can browse more securely on public networks. They’re really easy to setup. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows you to securely connect to the internet, when you visit a site, your visiting it through the secure VPN connection and not broadcasting your own IP address. A VPN will hide your identity on the websites you visit, to your internet service provider, and to anyone else trying to track you, they can also encrypt your traffic so you can browse more securely on public networks. They’re really easy to setup.
| **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** | | **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** |
| -------- | ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | -------- | ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [] | **Use a VPN** | Ideally use a paid-for VPN, as they’re considerably better quality so won’t affect your speeds, nor show adds. | [] | **Use a VPN** | Ideally use a paid-for VPN, as they’re considerably better quality so won’t affect your speeds, nor show adds. Take a look at [VyprVPN](https://www.goldenfrog.com/vyprvpn), [NordVPN](https://nordvpn.com), [IPVanish](https://www.ipvanish.com) and [TunnelBear](https://www.tunnelbear.com). |
Take a look at [VyprVPN](https://www.goldenfrog.com/vyprvpn), [NordVPN](https://nordvpn.com), [IPVanish](https://www.ipvanish.com) and [TunnelBear](https://www.tunnelbear.com). |
**Social Media** **Social Media**
| **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** | | **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** |
| -------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | -------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [] | **Check your privacy settings** | Most social networks allow you to control your privacy settings. Ensure that your profile can only be viewed by people who you are in your friends list, and you know personally. | | [] | **Check your privacy settings** | Most social networks allow you to control your privacy settings. Ensure that your profile can only be viewed by people who you are in your friends list, and you know personally. |
@ -82,6 +86,7 @@ Take a look at [VyprVPN](https://www.goldenfrog.com/vyprvpn), [NordVPN](https://
**Your Devices** **Your Devices**
| **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** | | **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** |
| -------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | -------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| [] | **Turn of connectivity features that arn’t being used** | When your not using WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC or anything else- turn those features off. These are commonly used to easily hack individuals. | | [] | **Turn of connectivity features that arn’t being used** | When your not using WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC or anything else- turn those features off. These are commonly used to easily hack individuals. |
@ -92,25 +97,25 @@ Take a look at [VyprVPN](https://www.goldenfrog.com/vyprvpn), [NordVPN](https://
**Phone Number** **Phone Number**
| **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** | | **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** |
| -------- | ---------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | -------- | ---------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [] | Avoid using your real phone number | Where possible, avoid giving out your real phone number while creating accounts online. You can create phone numbers using services such as [Google Voice](https://voice.google.com) or [Skype](https://www.skype.com/en/features/online-number/). For temporary usage you can use a service like [iNumbr](https://www.inumbr.com) that generates a phone number that forwards messages and calls to your main number. | | [] | Avoid using your real phone number | Where possible, avoid giving out your real phone number while creating accounts online. You can create phone numbers using services such as [Google Voice](https://voice.google.com) or [Skype](https://www.skype.com/en/features/online-number/). For temporary usage you can use a service like [iNumbr](https://www.inumbr.com) that generates a phone number that forwards messages and calls to your main number. |
**Communication** **Communication**
SMS texting is not secure. SMS texting is not secure.
| **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** | | **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** |
| -------- | ------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | -------- | ------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [ ] | Don’t use SMS. | [ ] | Don’t use SMS - Use E2E encrypted messaging apps | [iMessage is secure](https://techcrunch.com/2014/02/27/apple-explains-exactly-how-secure-imessage-really-is/). For non-Apple users [Signal](https://signal.org) is the most secure option. As of late 2016 [WhatsApp](https://www.whatsapp.com) is also [end-to-end-encrypted using the Signal protocol](https://signal.org/blog/whatsapp-complete/). Signal can also protect your phone calls. |
Use E2E encrypted messaging apps | [iMessage is secure](https://techcrunch.com/2014/02/27/apple-explains-exactly-how-secure-imessage-really-is/). For non-Apple users [Signal](https://signal.org) is the most secure option. As of late 2016 [WhatsApp](https://www.whatsapp.com) is also [end-to-end-encrypted using the Signal protocol](https://signal.org/blog/whatsapp-complete/). Signal can also protect your phone calls. | | [ ] | Use a secure email provider | Most email providers completely invade your privacy intercepting both messages sent and received. [ProtonMail](https://protonmail.com) is a secure email provider, that is open source and offers end-to-end encryption. There are alternative secure mail providers (such as [CounterMail](https://countermail.com), [HushMail](https://www.hushmail.com) and [MailFence](https://mailfence.com))- but [ProtonMail](https://protonmail.com) has both a clear interface and strong security record |
| [ ] | Use a secure email provider | Most email providers completely invade your privacy intercepting both messages sent and received. [ProtonMail](https://protonmail.com) is a secure email provider, that is open source and offers end-to-end encryption.
There are alternative secure mail providers (such as [CounterMail](https://countermail.com), [HushMail](https://www.hushmail.com) and [MailFence](https://mailfence.com))- but [ProtonMail](https://protonmail.com) has both a clear interface and strong security record |
**Your Router** **Your Router**
| **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** | | **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** |
| -------- | -------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | -------- | -------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [] | **Don’t use a default password** | Change your router password- [here is a guide as to how](https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-change-your-wireless-routers-admin-password-2487652). | | [] | **Don’t use a default password** | Change your router password- [here is a guide as to how](https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-change-your-wireless-routers-admin-password-2487652). |
@ -118,6 +123,7 @@ There are alternative secure mail providers (such as [CounterMail](https://count
**Operating Systems** **Operating Systems**
Although Windows and OS X are easy and convient, they both are far from secure. The ideal option would be to install a security-based OS. Where this often isn’t possible, using a VM or dual-booting with a consumer-focused Linux distro is still preferable to primarily using a either of Microsoft’s, Apple’s or Google’s services. Although Windows and OS X are easy and convient, they both are far from secure. The ideal option would be to install a security-based OS. Where this often isn’t possible, using a VM or dual-booting with a consumer-focused Linux distro is still preferable to primarily using a either of Microsoft’s, Apple’s or Google’s services.
| **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** | | **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** |
@ -127,6 +133,7 @@ Although Windows and OS X are easy and convient, they both are far from secure.
**Shopping** **Shopping**
| **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** | | **Done** | **Security** | **Details and Hints** |
| -------- | -------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | -------- | -------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [] | **Use a pre-paid debit card, topped up with cash** | There are a lot of options out there, some are free, some are only available in certain locations, some do require identity checks, whereas others don’t- so it’s worth shopping round to find the one that’s right for you. | | [] | **Use a pre-paid debit card, topped up with cash** | There are a lot of options out there, some are free, some are only available in certain locations, some do require identity checks, whereas others don’t- so it’s worth shopping round to find the one that’s right for you. |