In this article, digital security experts share with Reporters Without Borders (RSF) a checklist for journalists to protect themselves and their sources against surveillance and digital attacks. Cybersecurity is a critical concern for journalists working on sensitive issues, as they are at heightened risk of having their electronic devices hacked […]

In this article, cybersecurity expert Ben Finn shares with Reporters Without Borders (RSF) why journalists should always back up their files and data, and explains the simple “3, 2, 1” backup rule designed to prevent disastrous data loss. Electronic devices, crucial to the work of journalists, are vulnerable to technical […]

Many journalists wrongly think that biometric authentication features, such as fingerprints or facial recognition, are a sufficient way to protect their digital devices. Although this technology has its benefits, it is not sufficient to replace strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. Biometric authentication seems secure… A booming trend. Biometric authentication features […]

Browsing system Tor enables journalists to anonymise their communications and may help access websites that are blocked on the local Internet. This article explains how Tor works and the benefits for journalists to use Tor in conjunction with a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Governments, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), or other […]

In this article, a digital safety expert gives advice to journalists on how to keep their information safe when reporting in authoritarian regimes. Journalists reporting in authoritarian regimes face an increased number of digital safety threats. In this article, a digital safety expert, who asked to remain anonymous for safety […]

Mainstream search engines such as Google, Yahoo or Bing save your IP address, search queries, and other identifying information which, if accessed by authorities or third parties, could be dangerous to journalists working in unfriendly places. Fortunately, secure search engines exist, and RSF, along with tech expert Ben Finn, has […]

Popular messaging apps are owned by private companies that store users’ communication on their own servers, putting journalists’ information at risk. In order to keep exchanges private, journalists can consider using the messaging application Element, an encrypted alternative that stores all its data on a personal server that uses a […]

Due to their valuable data, journalists can become targets of ransomware attacks, online attacks that block a user’s access to their own files with the intent to sell or use as blackmail. RSF and tech expert Ben Finn explains what journalists can do to reduce their likelihood of becoming a […]

Contrary to popular belief, just using a password and encrypted communication software does not guarantee the safety of a device’s data. Anyone, especially journalists, should ensure that the information stored on their hardware is also encrypted.   Simply having a password at the login page of a computer is not sufficient […]