Below is a list of some of my favorite web resources on security and privacy. Most of these were in my book, but I’ve added some others here and plan to keep this list up to date. You can also check out my Data Privacy Checklist and my annual Best & Worst Gifts Guide.
- Web Tools & Guides
- Blogs & Other Resources
- Podcasts
- Technical Web Sites
- Books
- Movies/Documentaries
- Online Training
- Fighting the Good Fight
Web Tools & Guides
This list has gotten unwieldy … I need to further organize it some day. Top choices first…
- Consumer Report’s Security Planner. This is a wonderful tool that provides you a custom checklist after you answer a brief questionnaire. I highly recommend this tool to everyone.
- EFF’s Your Security Plan. Another tool to help you do personalized threat modeling.
- Privacy First Steps: great, short startup guide for beginners
- EFF Surveillance Self Defense. Tips and tools for safer online communications.
- DNC Security Checklist (PDF). Lots of solid, actionable advice here. (NOTE: They update this from time to time – if this link breaks, just search for “DNC Security Checklist”.)
More great resources:
- Defensive Computing Checklist. Another great list of ways to improve your security.
- Router Security. Excellent site with lots of great tips for securing your home router
- DangerZone – a kick-butt tool for dealing with shady documents (or to scrub any document of its metadata)
- Protestor’s Guide to Smartphone Security – a fantastic, comprehensive guide
- iVerify: smartphone security app that includes several top tips for improving your privacy and security
- CISA’s Cybersecurity Resources for High-Risk Communities
- US Gov’t Identity Theft site
- Ars Technica published a nice series of articles on security: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
- Apple’s Personal Safety User Guide
- CISA’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month resources.
- Restore Privacy. Another great site for finding secure and privacy-respecting tools and services.
- Tips from US-CERT. A site from the US government with lots of tips and info on computer security.
- Simple Opt Out. It’s anything but simple, but nice to have some much info all in one spot.
- EFF’s Cover Your Tracks tool. This replaces their previous Panopticlick tool.
- Duck Duck Go’s privacy guides.
- Persona based training matrix. This is an interesting guide with a slew of tips based on who you are and who you’re trying to hide from.
- No More Google. A nice list of Google alternatives for all the many services they provide.
- Switching Software. Another great site for finding private alternatives to popular websites and software.
- Check Short URL. This handy site will expand shortened URLs for you (like bit.ly and Facebook/Twitter URLs), even showing you a screen show of what the page looks like.
- No More Ransom. A non-profit devoted to helping break ransomware crypto so that victims don’t have to pay.
- ID Ransomware. A tool for identifying which ransomware you’ve been infected with and then guiding you to other resources for help.
- Digital Breakup: Tools and info for breaking off a relationship with someone
- Internet Smarts: Surfing and Shopping Safely Online – a comprehensive, categorized list of online safety resources
- A Brief History of Hacking – nice concise timeline of important events in computers and hacking
- Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) – doing some great work to curb the use of mass surveillance by law enforcement
- Dealing with stalkers, spyware. If you’re a victim of cyber stalking o if you suspect your devices have been compromised with spyware, check out the Coalition Against Stalkerware (including their excellent Resources page). You might also check Stay Safe Online and Tech Safety resources.
Blogs & Other Resources
- The Value of Privacy. This is a particular blog entry by Bruce Schneier that is a must-read.
- Duck Duck Go’s Spread Privacy blog.
- Privacy Guides. An amazingly-comprehensive site devoted to the best of the best everyday tools for privacy.
- Techlore. Another great site with great training and tutorials. Check their “resources” page, too.
- The New Oil. Yet another awesome site with lots of recommendations and resources.
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Online Anonymity. An incredibly comprehensive guide to understanding how you can be tracked online and in real life, and how to prevent or mitigate it.
- Terms of Service; Didn’t Read. You read the terms of service before clicking “accept”, right? Neither did anyone else.
- Defending Digital blog. Focus on protecting kids online.
Podcasts
- Security Now! This is where I really got into security. While it can get a little technical sometimes, it’s always fun – and full of random other fun stuff like sci-fi books and movies.
- Firewalls Don’t Stop Dragons. (Tooting my own horn proudly.)
- Surveillance Report. With Henry from Techlore and Nathan from The New Oil.
Technical Web Sites
These web sites are geared toward more technically-savvy types.
- Schneier on Security. Security expert Bruce Schneier’s excellent blog.
- Gibson Research. Great site containing free web security tools from my favorite security podcaster, Steve Gibson. Includes ShieldsUp!, SpinRite (hard drive rescue utility), and lots of other cool stuff.
- Project Zero. Google’s security initiative, promoting web security and privacy.
Books
- Means of Control by Byron Tau – listen to my interview
- Your Face Belongs to Us by Kashmir Hill – listen to my interview
- Privacy is Power by Carissa Véliz – see my review
- Data and Goliath by Bruce Schneier – see my review
- Click Here to Kill Everybody by Bruce Schneier
- No Place to Hide by Glenn Greenwald – see my review
- The Code Book by Simon Singh
Movies/Documentaries
You can learn a lot from these documentaries. I highly recommend them.
- Glenn Greenwald’s TED Talk on Privacy. It’s only about 15 mins long and a must-watch.
- The YouTube Effect. Very interesting documentary about the massive impact YouTube has had.
- The Social Dilemma (Netflix). A must-see documentary that shows how social media has created serious problems in its overzealous and callous quest for more attention. There’s an overly-dramatic fictional depiction woven throughout the movie, but it does help to illustrate the key points of the documentary.
- The Great Hack (Netflix). Another must-see documentary that explains how Cambridge Analytica used Facebook to seriously influence voters in the 2016 US election, Brexit in the UK, and many other elections around the globe.
- Terms And Conditions May Apply – about online privacy and what sorts of things you’re signing away in End User Licensing Agreements (EULA’s). (View on Amazon Prime.)
- CITIZENFOUR – about Edward Snowden and how his initial information was given to reporter Glenn Greenwald.
- The Minority Report. This movie is an excellent action-thriller sci-fi movie in its own right, but it also clearly depicts the dangers of handing over life-altering decisions to AI algorithms.
- ANON (Netflix). As a dystopian sci-fi movie, it’s so-so; but it serves as an insightful criticism of ubiquitous facial recognition systems.
- Frontline: The United States of Secrets – Great two-part show from PBS.
Online Training
I’ve created a one-hour video on secure communications for my publisher, Apress. I hope to do more in the future. I also will try to find some other good online content to post here.
Fighting the Good Fight
The following organizations are doing some excellent work on behalf of everyday people. Take a look at their web sites, and if you like what you see, send them a little money. If they send you a sticker or magnet, proudly display it where others will see. (See this “Give Thanks” article for more info and organizations.)