AccessNow.org has posted a new guide to online security which may be of use to CDT readers based in China—or, indeed, anywhere else.
This guide is written for citizens in the Middle East and North Africa who want to use technology safely to communicate, organize, and share data (news reports, information, media, etc.) – but it can be used by anyone online anywhere who wants to protect their privacy and security. It is written for a wide audience with average computer literacy who would like to know what steps they can take to be safer online and when using mobile devices. This guide has tips and tools for reducing surveillance and monitoring, protecting privacy, and dealing with censorship. It covers: secure use of email and chat, good password habits, how to keep your computer free of viruses and spyware, how to get around censorship online while remaining anonymous, tactics for using mobile phones safely, and has links to more in-depth resources.
While all of the information in this guide is considered accurate and has been checked as of March 2011, protecting yourself online is a complex process that changes as new technologies and vulnerabilities emerge. There is no silver bullet to guarantee complete security and privacy, but these tools and strategies will definitely help make you safer.
The guide can be viewed online, or downloaded in PDF or Word formats for offline reference.
