// Field Knowledge & Guides

Digital Security Guides & Tutorials

Practical guides for journalists and frontline activists on hardening phones, securing accounts, and countering hacking and inspection attempts.

Security Alerts ⏱️ 1 min read

SMEX: Protect Your WhatsApp from Recent Glitch

Are you getting strange WhatsApp notifications? If you’ve been asked to verify your identity or received unexpected registration codes, you’re not alone. This issue is a known glitch affecting users across various countries, and both SMEX’s Digital Safety Helpdesk and WhatsApp’s Help Center have confirmed the bug. However, hackers might exploit this confusion to compromise […]

News ⏱️ 3 min read

Discord Introduces End-to-End Encryption for Voice and Video Calls

Discord has introduced end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for voice and video calls, giving users more privacy during conversations. But what exactly does end-to-end encryption mean? It ensures that only the participants on a call can see or hear the conversation — no one else, not even Discord, can access the content. This makes your voice and […]

News ⏱️ 4 min read

iOS 18: What’s New in Privacy and Security Features

On September 16, 2024, Apple rolled out iOS 18, introducing not just exciting new functionalities, but also a range of updates aimed at enhancing privacy and security for users. Here’s a look at some of the standout features that focus on protecting your data while simplifying your digital life. Introducing the Passwords App A key […]

News ⏱️ 3 min read

Exploring the Methods Behind the Coordinated Hezbollah Pager Explosions

In today’s rapidly evolving warfare landscape, technological innovation has given rise to cyber-physical attacks that blur the line between digital and kinetic warfare. The recent reports of coordinated pager explosions affecting Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon and Syria underscore the dangerous potential of cyberwarfare. Allegedly orchestrated by Israeli forces, this attack raises questions about the methods […]

News ⏱️ 3 min read

Enhancing Chrome browser security against quantum attacks

As quantum computing advances, traditional encryption methods are at risk of becoming ineffective, pushing companies like Google to rapidly adapt. Google is now bolstering Chrome’s security against potential quantum threats by replacing the current Kyber-based encryption with a more powerful, standardized post-quantum solution known as **Module-Lattice-based Key-Encapsulation Mechanism (ML-KEM)**. This significant upgrade, set to be […]

Security Alerts ⏱️ 1 min read

TikTok Struggles with Zero-Click Attacks Targeting Celebrities

Popular video platform TikTok has been grappling with a security issue that allowed attackers to hijack high-profile accounts. According to reports from Semafor and Forbes, attackers launched a zero-click exploit through direct messages. This malware compromised accounts without users needing to click on anything suspicious. The exact number of affected users remains unknown, but TikTok […]

Security Alerts ⏱️ 2 min read

Chrome Update Weakens Ad Blockers

Starting in June 2024, Google Chrome will implement significant changes to its extension system. Chrome will transition from using Manifest V2 to Manifest V3. According to Google, this update aims to enhance security, privacy, and performance for users. Impact of Manifest V3 on Ad Blockers One of the key changes brought by Manifest V3 is […]

News ⏱️ 2 min read

Privacy concerns surround Microsoft’s “Recall” feature

Privacy advocates have raised concerns about the new “Recall” feature offered by Microsoft for the upcoming CoPilot computer devices. Microsoft likens the Recall feature to granting computers “photographic memory,” capturing screen shots every few seconds. Microsoft confirms that users can choose which screenshots the feature captures, in addition to the option to turn it off. […]