I’m going to start a new annual tradition for the last blog of the year: I’m going to collect my favorite security and privacy resources for the year. Not just my own stuff, but from all sources. I have a Resources tab that’s chock full of stuff, but this article will be the best of the best, focusing on the newer items – like things I may have discovered just this year. Everyone has different preferred methods of learning, so I try to cover all the bases.
Top Articles
Many of these are my own articles, which themselves reference others. After all, a lot of what I do here is try to bring you important info. But there are some other good articles that I wanted to call attention to, as well.
- Ars Technica series on security, privacy: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
- CISA: Ransomware awareness for Holidays & Weekends
- My data privacy checklist (will be updated in a few weeks)
- My Debit Card Was Hacked – why you should cancel your debit cards
- Freeze your credit at all FOUR bureaus
- Consumer Reports VPN review – says “Windows 10”, but should work for Mac, too
- How to Safely Download Software
- How to Send Files Securely – my most-viewed blog post
- The Pro & Cons of Antivirus Software
- Bruce Schneier: The Value of Privacy
Podcasts & Blogs
If you haven’t gotten into podcasts yet, you really should give them a try. I find it’s easiest to consume them while doing mindless tasks, like running on a treadmill, making dinner, doing household chores, or (in the before-times) commuting. Note that some of these sites call out “privacy” specifically, but they also cover security (they go hand in hand).
- Firewalls Don’t Stop Dragons (of course)
- Security Now! – one of my major inspirations
- Privacy, Security & OSINT – a little more technical, but this guy knows his stuff
- Spread Privacy – DuckDuckGo blog
- Restore Privacy – great reviews and in-depth articles
Web Tools & Apps
There’s been an explosion of websites and tools to help you secure your devices and protect your privacy. Lots of great options here.
- Privacy Guides – if you want to get serious about privacy, this is your go-to site
- Techlore – Excellent tutorials on privacy and security, also a podcast
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Online Anonymity – dense but extremely comprehensive
- Priiv app – currently iOS/macOS only, but coming to Windows and Android
- Signal messaging app – the gold standard for true end-to-end encrypted chat
- Consumer Report’s Security Planner – personalized security, privacy tips
- Operation Privacy – another custom security, privacy tool
- CheckShortURL – where does that bit.ly link really go?
Books and Documentaries on Security & Privacy
The books here would make great gift ideas.
- Firewalls Don’t Stop Dragons (of course) – 170 tips, written for non-technical people
- Privacy is Power: my book review
- Data and Goliath: my book review
- Extreme Privacy – haven’t read this yet, but looks good
- The Social Dilemma (Netflix) – required watching if you use social media
- Terms and Conditions May Apply (Amazon Prime)
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