Protecting Mobile Phone Security: A Journalist's Guide to Safeguarding Information During Elections
It’s an age of digital information—and where there is information, there are actors ready to steal that info or manipulate it to meet their own ends. This is why the security of a journalist's mobile phone is paramount; the amount of information, personal and otherwise, journalists have come to rely on their mobile phones to store and acquire has made it so that it’s almost impossible to work without one. It's not just about safeguarding personal information anymore; it's about protecting sources, stories, and democracy itself, especially during election coverage, where the stakes are high. Journalists must be vigilant in defending their mobile devices against potential cyberattacks from various adversaries, including government agencies, private corporations, and criminal groups.
The 2020 Investigative Reporters and Editors conference in New Orleans focused on this topic. The session drew a packed room of concerned journalists, including seasoned investigative journalists from major U.S. media outlets. Their primary concern: how to shield the information they gather and safeguard their sources when hacker groups and hostile actors are actively trying to infiltrate their devices, compromise their data, and uncover their investigative activities.
Journalists covering elections in challenging environments or corrupted democracies face a greater risk of being targeted. These elections are often marked by violence, censorship, and disinformation campaigns, all of which are antithetical to a journalist’s work. These actors will go to great lengths to quash opposing narratives–hence, an increased risk of hacking or a cyberattack. Here are some digital security recommendations for journalists to protect their mobile phone communications effectively:
Back Up Your Data
Before heading out for electoral coverage, ensure that your mobile device contains as little sensitive information as possible. Back up your files and information to protect against the risk of cell phone theft. Losing your phone is bad enough, but losing the valuable information it contains can be catastrophic and have far-reaching consequences for your sources and yourself.
Use Secure Phone Settings
Enable passwords or biometric authentication to unlock your phone. Disable any unnecessary features or services that could be exploited by malicious actors. If you sense an imminent threat, activate Lost mode on your device, which will prevent outside users from accessing your information.
Keep Software Updated
Frequently update your mobile operating system and software with the latest security patches and updates. This simple step can significantly reduce the risk of your device being targeted by attackers who exploit known vulnerabilities, especially in the immediate period following the release of a new update.
Use Secure Communication Apps
Use end-to-end encrypted messaging apps like Signal or WhatsApp to communicate with your sources or colleagues. This encryption ensures that only the intended recipient can read or listen to your messages. Otherwise, hackers or other bad actors may be able to listen in on/read your conversation.
Employ a VPN
Utilize a virtual private network (VPN) to protect your internet traffic from potential attackers. VPNs can also help bypass internet censorship in some countries, allowing you to access crucial information. VPN information can be found here.
Disable Automatic Wi-Fi Connections
Prevent your phone from automatically connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks, as this could expose your communications to interception. Always choose trusted networks or known networks. Public wifi in challenging spaces may pose a significant threat to your security.
Secure Browsing
Use a secure browser like Firefox Focus when surfing the internet or putting content online during election coverage. These browsers offer enhanced privacy and security features, protecting you against tracking and surveillance. Other browsers advertise safe modes, but Firefox Focus and Tor have been proven most effective.
Location Services
The use of location services depends on the circumstances. Disable them to avoid tracking, but if the risk of physical harm is high, enable them to share your location with colleagues or friends/family for safety and peace of mind.
Have a Plan in Case Your Phone Gets Lost
Have a plan in case your cell phone is compromised or lost. This may include alternative contacts or communication methods to ensure you can continue reporting even in adverse situations. Perhaps even having a backup cell phone (an older model or something of the like) on hand.
Stay Informed
Keep abreast of the latest digital security threats and best practices to protect your mobile communications. Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, and staying informed is key to staying safe. If there are cyberattacks happening to other journalists, it’s a strong bet you are on the list too.
Exercise Caution While Documenting
If you use your cell phone to take photos, videos, or livestream events, always be aware of your surroundings. Maintain a safe distance, especially when documenting potentially volatile situations. This is recommended in any volatile situation, not just election coverage.
It is never too early to prioritize mobile device security—but it easily could become too late. Taking digital security seriously enables journalists to continue their vital work, even when covering complex elections and facing threats from hacker groups. If this information is compromised it can jeopardize the physical safety of colleagues and sources, not to mention the journalist themselves. However, the stakes are higher than that. Protecting mobile phone security is not just a matter of personal safety: it's about upholding the integrity of journalism and democracy itself.
