Protect your data: Focus on digital security for journalists!

Protect your data: Focus on digital security for journalists!

In today's digital world, journalists are standing: inside and advocates: inside of civil society against numerous challenges, especially when it comes to the safety of your data and information. While the digital behaviors are deeply anchored in us, instinct for self -protection on the Internet often seems to fail. So how can you protect yourself from the dangers on the net? This answers Luis Assardo, a digital security trainer and investigative data journalist.

Assardo, who teaches the "Digital Security for Journalists in Times of Crisis" course, warns of the ignorance of many people in relation to the digital threats that lurk on the Internet every day. This course is offered online and is available free of charge from July 7th to August, provided by the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas in cooperation with Gijn. In this context, important measures to protect journalists: inside and their sensitive data are conveyed.

Frequent safety errors in everyday digital life

The list of the most common mistakes that journalists: inside and other users: Making inside is long. A common pitfall is the use of public WiFi. According to Assardo, 28% of Latin Americans live in areas with poor mobile broadband coverage, which is a danger. He advises you to use a VPN if you move in such environments.

Another important topic is the protection of the data private sphere. Although WhatsApp is widespread, there are concerns about privacy. Assardo recommends considering safer alternatives such as signal or threema. It is also essential to carry out regular device updates, since unpaid software is a high security risk.

Select
• data: protect regular backups from loss.
• Do not react impulsively to distractions in online nuisance.
• Caution when downloading: Phishing attacks are widespread.
• passwords should never be noted on paper, but should be managed with a password manager.
• sensitive information should not be stored on platforms of large companies.

Promotion of digital security

The International Center for Journalists (

digital security is indispensable