This page points users to tools and resources and additional reading on a core component of online extremism and terrorism researchers’ well-being: maintaining their (online) privacy and security.
You will notice that most of the available resources are targeted not at academic researchers, but at activists, journalists, and others, but are nevertheless directly relevant because they speak to many of the same issues faced by researchers in our field.
If you are familiar with additional resources on these topics—especially if you have personally found them useful—that could be added to this page, please drop us a line at info@voxpol.eu.
Advice and Guides
Academic Researcher? Learn the Best Ways to Minimize Harm in the Conduct of Your Research
VisitPart of the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Surveillance Self-Defense project, this playlist outlines how to assess the risks that you, your research subjects, and your data may face; and what to consider while conducting, storing, and reporting on research.
Best Practices for Conducting Risky Research and Protecting Yourself from Online Harassment (2016)
FeaturedVisitAuthored by Alice E. Marwick, Lindsay Blackwell, and Katherine Lo for Data & Society Research Institute.
Data Detox Kit
VisitProduced by Berlin-based Tactical Tech, this ‘detox kit’ includes step-by-step instructions on increasing your online privacy by, for example, changing your device name and clearing your location footprints, and securing your data by, for example, strengthening your screen locks and passwords.
Documenting Online Harassment
VisitThis section of PEN America’s ‘Online Harassment Field Manual’ details how to document online harassment, which is an important step to take should you end up reporting online harassment to police or decide to pursue legal action against an online abuser.
Hate Campaigns: What You Should Do
VisitPrintable one-pager from Finland’s Union of Journalists with brief advice not just for those subject to online hate, but also their colleagues and employer.
Social Media Safety Guides
VisitHeartMob has compiled individual user-friendly guides on how to best use reporting and privacy tools on Facebook, Reddit, Tumblr, Twitter, and YouTube.
So You’ve been Doxed: A Guide on What To Do Next
Visit‘Doxing’ is the term used to describe the malicious online posting of an individual’s private or identifying information. This guide seeks to help victims of doxing navigate their options and better understand their situation.
Tools and Services
C.O.A.C.H.
VisitIt can be hard to digest entire security guides that go into a variety of details, Crash Override's Automated Cybersecurity Helper (COACH) portions out some basics in a bite-sized, interactive, easy-to-follow way, including giving you direct links to tools and websites that will help you secure yourself.
This service supplied by the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto allows you to get personalised online safety recommendations through answering a few simple questions. (It is confidential - no personal information is stored and they don't access any of your online accounts).
Crash Override Crisis Helpline
Visit**If you feel that you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number.** Otherwise, check out the ‘Advice and Guides’ section above and, if you still have questions and/or concerns about coordinated online mob harassment, email coordinated online mob harassment, we welcome you to contact help@crashoverridenetwork.com, who may be able to supply additional advice.
