# :shield: Security and Privacy
Information about how to increase your privacy and security - with your devices and at home.

!!!tip
[PrivacyGuides.org](https://privacyguides.org) is an awesome all-around guide for increasing your all-around personal and digital security.  The site advertises itself as *"an impartial, non-profit organization that is focused on building a strong privacy advocacy community and delivering the best digital privacy and consumer technology rights advice on the internet."*
!!!

## :desktop_computer: Computer {#computer}
General computer security/privacy tips.

### AI (artificial intelligence){#ai}
==- :frame_with_picture: AI reverse-image search (for fact checking) {#ai-image}
[This Instagram reel](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVQOffrEz2W/) discusses how quickly and easily AI can be used to spread disinformation.  For example, after Hillary Clinton's hearing on the Epstein files on February 26, 2026, a photo circulated of her and Epstein:

![AI generated - not real! | 250](/learning/security/hillary1.png)

However, by using sites like [TinEye](https://tineye.com/), you can reverse-search that picture and find out it has *no matches* anywhere else on the Internet:

![AI generated - not real! | 250](/learning/security/hillary2.png)

Yet if you upload a picture of Trump and Epstein, for example, you'll find it has *many* matches:

![AI generated - not real! | 250](/learning/security/hillary3.png)

==- :camera_with_flash: Government use of AI for surveillance and killing of citizens
!!!warning
Anthropic has [refused to let the U.S. government use their AI technology for mass surveillance and autonomous killing of citizens](https://www.anthropic.com/news/statement-department-of-war):

![Anthropic stands up to U.S. government | 600](/learning/security/anthropic.png)
!!! 

!!!danger
Update February 28, 2026:
Looks like OpenAI is set to [work with Pentagon after Anthropic dropped Trump](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/28/openai-us-military-anthropic).  *"CEO Sam Altman claims military will not use AI product for autonomous killing systems or mass surveillance."*
!!!

**Check our [resist and unsubscribe](/activate/#resist) section for alternatives to mainstream AI services.**

===

### :key: Encryption {#encryption}

==- :key: How do I encrypt my data in case my laptop/desktop is ever lost or stolen?

!!!tip
**Mac**  
Macs have a built-in program called [FileVault](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/protect-data-on-your-mac-with-filevault-mh11785/mac) that will encrypt your disk at rest.

**Windows**  
Most modern Windows systems support [Microsoft BitLocker](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/operating-system-security/data-protection/bitlocker/) by default.
!!!

===

### :spider_web: Web browsing {#browsing}
Many Web browsers are now packaged with an AI component that hooks into your email, calendar, etc. - thus making the browser a bit of a privacy nightmare.  

==- :spider_web: What are some privacy-focused alternatives to Chrome/Internet Explorer?

!!!tip
* [Brave](https://brave.com/)
* [DuckDuckGo](https://duckduckgo.com/compare-privacy)
* [Tor](https://www.torproject.org/about/history/)
!!!

===

## :email: Email {#email}
==- :e-mail: How can I better secure my email? {#secure-email}

!!!tip
**Pick a good email provider**  
Lawyer [Liz Oyer](https://instagram.com/lawyer_oyer) shared a [great post](https://www.instagram.com/p/DUaqB3lEQaJ/) about how a copy of your Gmail account could be handed over (without your consent) to DHS.  

You might want to change over to a solution such as [Proton](https://proton.me/mail/security), which is based in Switzerland and offers a slew of privacy and security features.
!!!

!!!tip
**Use a strong password**  
Use a great [password generator](https://1password.com/password-generator) to generate strong and unique passwords for every online account you have.  `NNdWcxLqY5bCxRTVtmV4` is a great password.  `Winter2025!` is not.
!!!

!!!tip
**Use multi-factor authentication**  
A strong password pairs well with turning on multi-factor authentication (a.k.a. MFA), where you have to authenticate with a passkey, text message or authenticator code in *addition* to your password.  More information about MFA for Proton mail [here](https://proton.me/authenticator).
!!!

===

## :house: Home {#home}
==-  :video_camera: Should I use video cameras inside/outside my home? {#cameras}
Recording video inside/outside your home has security benefits, but commercial cameras may have iffy security/privacy settings.  Thus we feel this is a complicated topic, with many philosophical approaches and vendors to choose from, etc.  However, we offer some general considerations below:

**Ring**  
* According to this [EFF article](https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/02/no-one-including-our-furry-friends-will-be-safer-rings-surveillance-nightmare-0), Ring cameras could be a security nightmare.
* During the Super Bowl, Ring advertised a feature that would crowdsource video footage to help us find our lost pets.  Many interpreted this as, "Ring can use our video footage without our consent to find *anything*...like our vulnerable neighbors."  To turn off this "feature" navigate to `Ring app > hamburger icon (looks like 3 horizontal lines > Control Center > Search Party > Search for Lost Pets` and set it to **Disabled**.  Might want to also disable this feature for *Natural Hazards (Fire Watch)* as well. 

!!!success
*Note: on February 12, 2026, Ring [announced](https://blog.ring.com/about-ring/ring-and-flock-cancel-partnership/) the cancellation of the Ring/Flock partnership, claiming the relationship "would require significantly more time and resources than anticipated."*
!!!

!!!tip
You might want to consider an alternative to Ring - see our [resist and unsubscribe](/activate/#resist) section for more info.
!!!

===

## :iphone: Phone {#phone}
Tips to use your phone/apps more securely.

### Apps {#apps}
==- :iphone: Signal security tips (secure text/audio/video communications) {#signal}
[Signal](https://signal.org) is a secure text/audio/video communications app.  It encrypts everything you send, however there are some extra steps you should take to make sure your chats stay private in case your phone is lost or falls in the wrong hands.  Check out these handy guides:

!!!tip Signal security tips
* [Signal security checklist](https://activistchecklist.org/signal/)
* [Using Signal groups for activism](https://micahflee.com/using-signal-groups-for-activism/)
!!!

Also, the [takeactionmn](https://www.instagram.com/p/DUJOSOIETWN/?img_index=4) account recently shared a few key settings to increase privacy between iOS and Signal:

+++ Protect the people you're messaging
![Signal security settings.|400](/learning/security/signal1.png)
+++ Other security settings
![Signal security settings.|400](/learning/security/signal2.png)
+++

===

### General security 
==- :iphone: How can I make my *iPhone* more secure? {#general-iphone-security}

!!!tip

**Turn on lockdown (hardcore security/privacy)**  
* Consider putting your device in [lockdown mode](https://support.apple.com/en-us/105120) (also, check out [this story](https://www.404media.co/fbi-couldnt-get-into-wapo-reporters-iphone-because-it-had-lockdown-mode-enabled/) about a Washington Post report who had her phone confiscated, but authorities could not break into it thanks to lockdown mode).

**Disable Apple Advertising**  
* In `Settings > Privacy > Apple Advertising` set the *Personalized Ads* to **Off**.

**Disable Apple Intelligence Report**  
* In `Settings > Privacy > Apple Intelligence Report` set the *Report Duration* to **Off**.

**Disable biometrics**  
* Disable biometrics, as authorities cannot compel you to reveal your password
* Pro tip: short of going "full lockdown" mode, there's a nice little trick where you manually force PIN unlock just *one time *(h/t to [randahl](https://mastodon.social/@randahl/116026799800118775))*.

To do this, push and hold the iPhone **power button + volume up button**, and then *cancel* the keypad prompt that pops up.  The phone will then require a PIN for just the *next* unlock, even if you normally have Face ID enabled!

**Disable (some) notifications**  
Under `Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Allow Access When Locked`, switch *Notification Center* to **Off**.  This is a good setting to have set if your phone is ever stolen - because the thief cannot turn off airplane mode or see your notifications without unlocking your phone.

**Disable USB connectivity when locked**  
Under `Settings > Privacy & Security > Security`, make sure *Wired Accessories* is set to **Automatically Allow When unlocked**. 

**Setup your phone to "phone home" if stolen**  
[This Instagram reel](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVkqeJYjvPo/) shows you how to setup a shortcut in your iPhone so that if a specific phone number (or numbers) sends a specific message to your phone, it will capture audio/video/location and send all that data back to you.  Helpful for a stolen phone!

**Stop leaking your location**  
Instagram user [etchaskej](http://instagram.com/etchaskej) shared a post about various [privacy concerns associated with your phone](https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUR7KHZkTDf) - and how it continually leaks your location data by default.  To lock it down (instructions below are for iPhone but etchaskej's video covers Android too):

* Go through every app on your phone and make sure *none* of them track your location at all times (set each app to use your location **only while using** - or **Never**)
* Under `Settings > Privacy > Tracking` and set to **Allow apps to request to track.**
* Delete the cached location history stored by iOS.  Go to `Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services > Significant Locations & Routes` - toggle it **Off** and also tap **Clear History**.

**Turn your phone FULLY off**  
Even when your phone is "off" it's not *really* off (more info via [this Instagram reel](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVEOFHdDiel/)).  So you might want to consider a Faraday bag such as those offered from [MOS equipment](https://mosequipment.com/collections/faraday-bags).
!!!

==-  :video_camera: How can I safely and securely record ICE's activities? :ice_cube: {#record-ice}
Instagram user [thatnickpowersguy](https://www.instagram.com/thatnickpowersguy/reels/) has a [really helpful post](https://www.instagram.com/reels/DULlUqNDQ1P) about how to [setup a Siri shortcut](https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/0aa0e94a7c894a87a6b781c95155cf03) which will do all of the following in one click (after setup):

!!!ghost
* Record a video clip 
* Send the clip - and your location! - to a defined list of recipients
* Save the clip to Dropbox *(optional)*
!!!

==- :space_invader: How can I make my *Android* more secure? {#general-android-security}
From a friend of ours:

!!!ghost
* Folks who want better Android device security should look at [GrapheneOS](https://grapheneos.org/).
* Android has a lockdown mode to restrict Bluetooth and biometrics unlock. [Here is how to enable it](https://www.howtogeek.com/806113/how-to-use-lockdown-mode-on-android/).
* The equivalent to iOS lockdown mode is [Android's Advanced Protection mode](https://support.google.com/android/answer/16339980?hl=en). It is relatively new so I don't know how good it is or it's prevalence across the disjointed android phone market.
!!!

==- :warning: How do I use my phone to alert family/friends that I'm having an encounter with law enforcement?
An iPhone shortcut setup like *this* can help you quickly blast out an alert to trusted contacts with your location, and then record an audio clip of what's going on and have that sent as a follow-up message as well:

![iPhone shortcut for an "SOS" alerts of sorts | 600](/learning/security/shortcut-sos.png)

===

## :bust_in_silhouette: Personal {#personal}
==- :octagonal_sign: How do I stay safe while protesting? {#protesting}
[This Instagram reel](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVB4tU8iQPx/) goes into more detail and discusses these points:

!!!tip
- Retain an attorney *now*. Don't wait until you're detained.  If you can't afford an attorney, there are so many doing this pro bono right now as well as local and national non-profits.

- Carry a letter on your lawyer's letterhead WITH you stating they represent you. Keep it on you at all times.

- The "Sharpie Hack." Memorize your lawyer's phone number AND write it on your arm in permanent marker. No one will be able to say they didn't have your lawyer's contact info!

**If you are detained, say THIS (and nothing else):**

*"I'm exercising my right to remain silent. I want my lawyer. My lawyer's name is [Name] and their phone number is [Number]."*

(No debate. No arguments. Just that sentence.)
!!!

## :luggage: Travel {#travel}
==- :sleeping_accommodation: How can I have a more secure hotel stay? {#secure-travel}
[This Instagram reel](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSLDLZjkt4h/) offers some good tips:

!!!tip
* Park in front of the hotel
* Use the main entrance (not stairwells and side entrance)
* During check-in, guard your personal space (don't let anybody see your room number)
* Wait until the elevator door closes before pushing your floor
* While riding the elevator, stay within a few inches of the emergency button
* Scan the space for surveillance devices
* Put an alarm under the door crack 
!!!

===