Understanding OPSEC:

OPSEC, or Operations Security, is a set of practices designed to protect sensitive information from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. In a personal context, it involves being mindful of the information you share online and ensuring that your digital footprint does not inadvertently reveal more than necessary.

Why OPSEC Matters

1. Preventing Information Leaks: By controlling what you share, you minimize the risk of adversaries piecing together sensitive details about you, which could lead to identity theft or other malicious activities.

2. Protecting Personal Safety: In extreme cases, lax OPSEC can lead to physical harm if your location or routines are disclosed, potentially making you a target for harassment or worse.

Practical OPSEC Tips

1. Be Cautious with Social Media: Avoid oversharing personal details like addresses, phone numbers, or daily routines. Think twice before posting about your vacation, as it might signal that your house is empty.

2. Use Privacy Settings: Regularly review and update privacy settings on all your online accounts to control who can see your information.

3. Secure Communication Channels: Use encrypted messaging apps for sensitive conversations to protect against eavesdropping.

4. Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Activities: Public networks are often insecure; stick to secure, private connections when handling sensitive information.

5. Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common mistakes people make regarding OPSEC, such as oversharing on social media or using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities. A great resource for this is https://ssd.eff.org/

Insecure Browsers Track You

1. Cookies:

   • Function: Cookies are small text files stored on your device by websites to remember preferences or login information.
   • Tracking Potential: Insecure browsers may allow third-party cookies, enabling cross-site tracking for targeted advertising or data selling.

2. Metadata:

   • Definition: Metadata provides context about your online activities, such as IP address, browser type, and operating system.
   • Security Risk: Insecure handling can lead to leaks, allowing trackers to build profiles of your online behavior.

3. Fingerprinting:

   • Mechanism: Collects device and browser characteristics (e.g., screen resolution, fonts) to uniquely identify users.
   • Risk: Even with a VPN or incognito mode, insecure browsers may allow fingerprinting, enabling persistent tracking across sessions.

VPN for DNS Security

1. What is a VPN?

   • A Virtual Private Network encrypts internet traffic between your device and a server, enhancing privacy by masking IP addresses and protecting data from interception.

2. Securing DNS with VPN:

   • DNS Queries: Without security, DNS can be intercepted or manipulated (man-in-the-middle attacks).
   • VPN Features:
     • Encryption: Encrypts DNS queries to prevent spying.
     • DNS Leak Protection: Ensures all queries go through the encrypted tunnel.

3. Choosing a VPN:

   • Protocols: Opt for secure protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN, balancing security and speed.
   • Providers: Select reputable paid services with no-logs policies to ensure data privacy.

4. Additional Security Measures:

   • Use privacy-focused browsers and tools (e.g., ad blockers) to minimize tracking risks.
   • Combine VPNs with other privacy tools for comprehensive protection.

Browsers

• Waterfox (free)
• TorBrowser (free)
• Mullvad Browser (best used with MullvadVPN paid)

VPNs

• Mullvad VPN
• Private Internet Access