Protecting Yourself: Tips and Tools for Digital Security in Journalism
Journalists around the world work in different environments, but one thing they all have in common is the need for digital security. With a crackdown on press freedom and increasingly hostile environments, it is essential to take steps to protect your data, communications, and sources.
To ensure digital security, here are some tips and tools that journalists can use.
ENCRYPT YOUR DATA
Encryption is a process that converts information into a code to prevent unauthorized access. To ensure your data is safe, look for encryption in transit and at rest with every service provider you use. When data is encrypted in transit, it is protected by encryption as it travels from your device to the cloud service provider and over the internet. On the other hand, encryption at rest is a method in which the service provider encrypts the data when it is stored on their servers.
DO NOT OPENLY SHARE DOCUMENT LINKS
Be mindful of who has access to your documents and how much they can see. Never openly share a document link if it contains sensitive data. Instead, invite specific contributors to access it. Scrub metadata using a tool before sharing or copy the final version to a new document.
GET A VPN
A VPN allows you to browse the web securely through an intermediary server, protecting your internet activity and masking your IP address. While VPNs are useful, it's essential to do your research and select a trustworthy provider. Although VPNs are beneficial, they should not be relied on entirely for digital security as they only help in hiding your IP address and may not necessarily provide privacy protection. Therefore, it is essential to conduct thorough research before choosing a VPN provider. You need to trust that the provider does not keep records of the websites you visit and does not share this information with third parties.
DO NOT REUSE PASSWORDS
Avoid reusing the same passwords across sites. Create unique, difficult passwords of ten characters or more, and consider using passphrases, such as strings of random words personalized with characters and capitalization.
USE TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION
Using two-factor authentication for your logins can effectively block hackers from accessing your account or data even if they have your password. It is advisable to have a backup two-factor authentication and save recovery codes to avoid getting locked out of your account.
In today's digital age, protecting yourself and your data is crucial. By taking these steps, journalists can ensure their security and protect their sources, enabling them to carry out their reporting effectively.
Alan Herrera is the Editorial Supervisor for the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents (AFPC-USA), where he oversees the organization’s media platform, foreignpress.org. He previously served as AFPC-USA’s General Secretary from 2019 to 2021 and as its Treasurer until early 2022.
Alan is an editor and reporter who has worked on interviews with such individuals as former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci; Maria Fernanda Espinosa, the former President of the United Nations General Assembly; and Mariangela Zappia, the former Permanent Representative to Italy for the U.N. and current Italian Ambassador to the United States.
Alan has spent his career managing teams as well as commissioning, writing, and editing pieces on subjects like sustainable trade, financial markets, climate change, artificial intelligence, threats to the global information environment, and domestic and international politics. Alan began his career writing film criticism for fun and later worked as the Editor on the content team for Star Trek actor and activist George Takei, where he oversaw the writing team and championed progressive policy initatives, with a particular focus on LGBTQ+ rights advocacy.