Protecting the Confidentiality of Your Personal Discussions
In the aftermath of billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency associates causing a stir in various government agencies, journalists have been urging federal workers to communication privately via secure platforms. One such tool is Signal, a user-friendly application that's perfect for more than simple work discussions.
Both personal and professional conversations can benefit from the use of simple, reliable tools like Signal, especially when communicating with colleagues, researching legal resources, or simply chatting with friends.
Personal Devices and Networks
It's crucial to remember that your employer has the right to monitor usage of devices they own, including computers and phones. With this in mind, it's a smart idea to use a personal device for personal discussions and Google searches.
Moreover, the employer's Wi-Fi network can be a potential source of trouble, as they may be able to track connections between employees. For this reason, it's best to save any criticisms or complaints about work for your home network or your personal phone plan, ensuring that your employer can't trace your messages.
Why Signal is the Gold Standard
While there are many tech platforms that offer encryption as a privacy feature, Signal is often considered the gold standard. Should Signal receive a warrant or subpoena, they have very little information to turn over.
End-to-end encryption, while not unique to Signal, combines with the app's commitment to user privacy to create a highly secure environment for conversations. Signal's builders, being a non-profit, do not have access to user information such as contacts, which may be accessible via apps like WhatsApp.
To further ensure privacy, Signal's builders advise enabling the "disappearing messages" feature, which allows conversations to self-delete after a predetermined timeframe, protecting users from potential data breaches.
Tor Browser as an Added Security Measure
When considering other privacy measures, Tor Browser is often recommended. Serving as a secure alternative to popular browsers such as Firefox or Safari, Tor is a crucial tool in shielding your internet activity from prying eyes.
Tor works by distributing internet traffic across a global network of computers, making it impossible to identify a single user's activity or location. While using Tor, websites will not be able to see your IP address, allowing for greater anonymity.
Many news organizations even offer SecureDrop folders, which enable users to send encrypted documents and communications anonymously using Tor.
Additional Best Practices
In some cases, companies may employ aggressive measures to locate employees who leak information, such as watermarking emails or tweaking messages. To avoid complications, experts recommend being cautious when sending exact copies or images of emails or documents.
Another important factor to keep in mind is the legal risk associated with violating a non-disclosure agreement or sharing confidential information. However, taking the time to establish private communication channels with colleagues or friends can be an excellent way to protect your rights and help others do the same.
References:1. The Wirecutter, “Signal messaging app review.” Retrieved from https://www.thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-secure-messaging-app/2. The Intercept, “How Signal became the go-to messaging app for protesters and spies alike.” Retrieved from https://theintercept.com/2017/06/27/how-signal-became-the-go-to-messaging-app-for-protesters-and-spies-alike/3. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, “Signal Foundation.” Retrieved from https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2017/02/18-fas cases-private-encryption-uphold-consumer-rights4. The New York Times, “How to Protect Your Privacy Online.” Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/04/07/your-money/how-to-protect-your-privacy-online.html5. The New York Times, “How I Went Dark, Without Losing My Mind.” Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/14/technology/sleuths-advice-and-tools-for-going-dark.html
Utilizing Signal for work-related discussions provides an additional layer of security, making it ideal for communicating with colleagues or researching legal resources. In the tech business, Signal is widely recognized as a top-tier platform due to its stringent data protection measures and commitment to user privacy.
