The encrypted messaging app, Signal, is quickly becoming a newsroom staple for communicating with sources, accepting tips, talking to colleagues, and for regular old voice calls and messages. While it’s a practical tool for anyone concerned with the security and privacy of their conversations, people working in newsrooms are particularly…

Passwords are the brittle wall that keep unwanted visitors out of your accounts. When it comes to account protection, two-factor authentication is one of the most effective defenses available. Two-factor authentication (or 2FA, for short) strengthens login security by requiring a second piece of information — a second factor beyond…

Most popular web browsers support two types of windows: ordinary windows and “private browsing” mode. Sometimes private browsing goes by a different name, such as InPrivate mode in Microsoft Edge, or Incognito mode in Google Chrome, but we’ll just call it private browsing. I research how people understand the web…

We love animated GIFs because they let us communicate so much with so little. They’re visual, cyclical, and easy to share — powerful features for communicating unfamiliar concepts to an unfamiliar audience. This is why we think it’s important to learn how GIFs can be used strategically in education. …

In the crowded world of encrypted messaging apps, few tools stand out. Wire gives you encrypted voice calls, video calls, and messaging. It uses wireless data (through a mobile plan or wi-fi), which can help save money on phone calls and SMS charges. This is great for those of us…

We’re witnessing the growth of attacks on supply chains — trusted distribution channels for delivering software and hardware. I want to tell you a bit about these attacks, because you’re going to hear more reporting about them in the future. Supply chain attacks typically turn trusted websites into hosts for…

Encrypted messaging apps like Signal, as well as WhatsApp and Viber, use your phone number as your main username. This means that if I want to chat with someone on these apps, I have to give them my phone number. But we may have many reasons — both practical and…

Computers are fragile things. You have to take care of them. When you don’t, their powers can be borrowed or stolen. Malware lets an unauthorized third party access or take control of your device. In practice, it’s become a catch-all term for a huge variety of malicious software. That could…

A few years ago I began sending hundreds of emails to strangers — many, encrypted. I was launching into my graduate research on the security habits of investigative reporters, and I wanted to hear from journalists with a variety of backgrounds. If I wanted to meet technologically savvy reporters, I…