frontline activists meet the academy: tools and knowledge

Frontline Activists meet the Academy:Frontline Activists meet the Academy: Tools and KnowledgeTools and Knowledge

Robert GuerraRobert Guerra

Global Voices Citizen Media SummitGlobal Voices Citizen Media SummitBudapest, Hungary - June 27, 2008Budapest, Hungary - June 27, 2008

OverviewOverview

IntroductionIntroduction IssuesIssues Questions to askQuestions to ask RecommendationsRecommendations SummarySummary

IntroductionIntroduction

MissionMission

Strategic planning, technology and training.Strategic planning, technology and training. Training – Communication security, Anti-Training – Communication security, Anti-

Censorship Censorship Advocacy – Internet Policy & Governance (ICANN, Advocacy – Internet Policy & Governance (ICANN,

IGF, etc)IGF, etc)

Area of focus : Area of focus : North America: USA/CanadaNorth America: USA/Canada Latin America & CaribbeanLatin America & Caribbean Africa - Eastern Congo (DRC), South AfricaAfrica - Eastern Congo (DRC), South Africa Central AsiaCentral Asia

IssuesIssues

CensorshipCensorship Internet (web & email)Internet (web & email)

SurveillanceSurveillance Internet (web, email), Mobile PhoneInternet (web, email), Mobile Phone

HackingHacking Exploiting website insecuritiesExploiting website insecurities

Blocking & Take-down of sitesBlocking & Take-down of sites

Questions to askQuestions to ask Background InformationBackground Information

Mission Mission What is the mission of the organization?What is the mission of the organization? How communicate with others?How communicate with others?

Internet Access – What is it like?Internet Access – What is it like? Internet CaféInternet Café Shared ComputerShared Computer Home / OfficeHome / Office

Technology Technology ISP usedISP used Mailbox – in /out of countryMailbox – in /out of country

RecommendationsRecommendations Share best practicesShare best practices

Tools to decrease vulnerabilitiesTools to decrease vulnerabilities Open source softwareOpen source software

LocalizeLocalize Software & training manualsSoftware & training manuals

Support networksSupport networks DecentralizedDecentralized Real-time help desk (Support and backup/mirror)Real-time help desk (Support and backup/mirror)

Monitor / Assess success Monitor / Assess success Short, Medium & long TermShort, Medium & long Term

Recommendations (2)Recommendations (2) EmailEmail

Client : Client : Thunderbird + GPG PluginThunderbird + GPG Plugin PGP (Commercial tool)PGP (Commercial tool)

Web: Gmail+SSLWeb: Gmail+SSL Mixed: Vaultletsoft, HushmailMixed: Vaultletsoft, Hushmail

Free vs CommercialFree vs Commercial

Server: Move Mailbox to friendlier jurisdictionServer: Move Mailbox to friendlier jurisdiction Google Apps - Google Apps - MX Hosting freeMX Hosting free!!

ExamplesExamples

Recommendations (3)Recommendations (3) ChatChat

Keep it simple & Multi-platformKeep it simple & Multi-platform Peer to Peer tool (Skype) issues – BandwidthPeer to Peer tool (Skype) issues – Bandwidth Off-The-Record Enabled chat client (OTR)Off-The-Record Enabled chat client (OTR) Pidgin+ OTR (Adium)Pidgin+ OTR (Adium)

Anti-CensorshipAnti-Censorship TORTOR PsiphonPsiphon

MirroringMirroring Replication of blog content to mirrorsReplication of blog content to mirrors

Recommendations (4)Recommendations (4) ComputerComputer

Disk EncryptionDisk Encryption Best CryptBest Crypt TrueCryptTrueCrypt (FOSS / Multi-Platform) (FOSS / Multi-Platform) PGP (Commercial)PGP (Commercial)

Whole Disk EncryptionWhole Disk Encryption FOSS - TrueCrypt (PC)FOSS - TrueCrypt (PC) Commercial - PGP (Win/PC)Commercial - PGP (Win/PC)

Q & AQ & A