This work was done in collaboration and the support of Transitions Online
Computers and the Internet are all about information gathering, storage and exchange. Hence, the topic of security in the digital realm relates to the security of information and its communication. The Internet, in theory, provides everyone with an equal opportunity to access and disseminate information. Yet, as time has shown, this is not always the case. Governments and corporations realise the importance and value of controlling information flows, and of being able to decide when to restrict them. The security of information is further complicated by malicious individuals creating computer viruses and hacking into computer systems, often with no other motive than causing damage.
Confusion and complexity is heightened by the abundance of software, hardware and electronic devices built to interact with an increasingly sophisticated and complicated network. Users have to immerse themselves in concepts and technology that seem to be far removed from the real world. The security of your information, online identity and the privacy of your communications falls first and foremost upon your shoulders and requires comprehension of how the Internet and your computer actually work.
The Internet has profoundly changed social interaction and the dissemination of ideas and knowledge. Publication is no longer restricted by geographic or financial boundaries, and any citizen could become a journalist and reach a global audience.
This online training course has several objectives. It aims to educate and raise awareness to the technical aspects behind computer and Internet operations as a precursor to explaining inherent digital risks and vulnerabilities. Because it is virtually impossible to predict and describe in advance every security situation that one could encounter – the emphasis here is to provide enough background information and explanation of risks to make the user aware of the problem and able to make an educated and appropriate response. The other objective is to provide solutions to the most common security threats faced by journalists working in politically repressive countries, as well as links and references to software tools and manuals for further study and exploration of the subject.