The Digital First Aid Kit is a free resource to help rapid responders, digital security trainers, and tech-savvy activists to better protect themselves and the communities they support against the most common types of digital emergencies. It can also be used by activists, human rights defenders, bloggers, journalists or media activists who want to learn more about how they can protect themselves and support others. If you or someone you are assisting is experiencing a digital emergency, the Digital First Aid Kit will guide you in diagnosing the issues you are facing, and refer you to support providers for further help if needed.

The Digital Security First Aid Kit for Human Rights Defenders a contribution from activists for activists to help us be more secure in our digital practices. It’s designed to help activists deal with the most common security issues that might jeopardize the integrity of our devices and communications. Any at-risk user who encounters security-related problems can use this kit to mitigate the immediate consequences and find guidance to address ongoing security issues.

Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline works with individuals and organizations around the world to keep them safe online. If you’re at risk, we can help you improve your digital security practices to keep out of harm’s way. If you’re already under attack, we provide rapid-response emergency assistance.

Lantern is a censorship circumvention tool available for Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS that delivers fast, reliable, and secure access to censored websites and apps.

Lantern … is often referred to as a VPN for ease and translation; however, it operates with much more sophistication. VPNs use standard protocols and server infrastructure, rendering their website traffic obvious to network observers. This makes it relatively easy for censors to detect and block connections. Lantern uses a wide range of techniques and protocols to stay undetected, unblocked, and seamlessly connected.

In addition to its circumvention tool, the Lantern application also offers its censorship-resistant, privacy-protected public content storage feature called Discover.

https://lantern.io/faq

Psiphon is a free and open-source Internet censorship circumvention tool that uses a combination of secure communication and obfuscation technologies, such as a VPN, SSH, and a Web proxy. Psiphon is a centrally managed and geographically diverse network of thousands of proxy servers, using a performance-oriented, single- and multi-hop routing architecture.[1]

 Psiphon is specifically designed to support users in countries considered to be "enemies of the Internet".[2] The codebase is developed and maintained by Psiphon, Inc., which operates systems and technologies designed to assist Internet users to securely bypass the content-filtering systems used by governments to impose censorship of the Internet.

Psiphon. (2022, November 8). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psiphon

An expert guide to protecting you and your friends from online spying.

Umbrella is an app for Android designed to help human rights workers stay secure on and off line. Here is what Holly Kilroy says about the app:

Umbrella’s content has been sourced from best practice security manuals and digital security guides, and provides practical advice for everything — from how to make a secure phone call or protect files, to counter-surveillance or what to do in case of arrest.

Lessons give simple step-by-step actions of what to do in any given security situation, and show the best tools for it.

Levels allow users to choose their level of ability and also get answers that reflect the level of risk or the type of protection needed.

Checklists help mark the user’s progress and share with colleagues what actions have been implemented or have yet to be done.

Tools recommended in the lessons can be tricky, so a tool-guide gives step-by-step help on how to set up and use the tools suggested.

A dashboard provides real-time updates on possible security threats, and alerts the user if there is anything in the vicinity that she/he should be aware of – from physical security risks like protests or kidnappings, to environmental or health security risks like floods or disease outbreaks.

Umbrella is free, open-source, and has cleared a security code-audit – it doesn’t track users’ location or take any personal data on them. Once the app is downloaded it can be used without data – the only feature that needs Internet access is the dashboard.