Love

Bytes

cypurr.nyc

slides.com/cypurr/love-bytes-p1/

staying safe while finding love online

Outline:

• Intro
• Catfishing
• Love Scams
• In Apps We Trust
• Conclusion

Intro

• Finding love is hard
• Apps open new possibility
• No longer limited by location

Intro

While these app facilitate meeting new cats they also introduce new dangers

• Facade is easy
• We find people but they can also find us and not always with the same intent
• Dating Apps have a lot of very personal information about us
• Lots of harassment and toxic behavior today we will get the criminal element out of the way

Catfishing

• Definition
• Origin

Catfishing

In some ways we are all catfish at the beginning of a relationship

Catfishing is really beyond what people usually do

Entails deception about age, gender, location

marital status, career and even interests

How to detect a catfish?

Hard to tell ?

• english
• commitment right away
• always unavailable for meeting or video
• overseas?
• boundaries

Catfishing -> Romance Scams

Text

• People are targeted for vulnerability
• Can go on for years
• Sharing intimate photos can leave you open to extortion
• Sometimes they work in teams
• Sucker's list
• Fake profiles often use stolen pics from people in the military

Romance Scams what to do ?

Text

Threat Responses

holistic-security.tacticaltech.org/

• Groups
  • Harder Group Boundaries
  • Authoritarianism
  • Fixed Patterns

• Individuals
  • Freeze
  • Fight
  • Flight
  • Comply
  • Tend
  • Befriend
  • Posture

Before a Protest

ssd.eff.org

• Enable full-disk encryption on your device
• Remove fingerprint unlock, pixel imprint, and FaceID
  • biometrics v. passwords - the 5th amendment
• Install Signal
• Back up your data
• Prepaid phone or no phone
• Face protection

At a Protest

ssd.eff.org

• Take photos and videos without unlocking

• Consider biking or walking to the protest

• Enable airplane mode

• IF arrested, remember:

  • request an attorney before/during questioning

  • You can't lie, but officers can (and will)

  • If asked to open your phone say you "do not consent to a search of your device"

  • Remember the 5th amendment!

  • Defending your rights may be penalized

• Not designed for privacy and security
• More locked down with proprietary code, making it harder to control than regular computers.
• Many apps collect and share data
  • Might not need access to your phone to get assets
• Phones and Phone #s attached to our identity, finances, etc

The Problem with Mobile Phones

Code: Instructions for your computer to complete.

"Open Source": A program that lets you read the instructions it contains (and even change them)

Proprietary: A program that keeps their instructions a secret

Phone Prep

"Smart" Components

Your info

• What information are you making available to your phone?
• What info is available to 3rd party programs?
• What info can be picked when your phone communicates with other devices?
• How is location tracked?

• Check your settings!
• Marie Kondo app management
• Use a browser instead of apps!
• Use a computer instead of phone!
• Turn things off! (bluetooth, nfc, etc)

• Check your settings/permissions regularly
• Update update update!
• Avoid new proprietary apps
• Make regular backups of important data!
• Leave your phone at home
• Educate others!
• Advocate for policy changes! (e.g. eff.org)

Let's install Signal

• What does it cost?
  • Nothing! it is a open source non-profit
• Why?
  • Signal offers encrypted texts between users
  • Privacy needs herd immunity
• Is it complicated?
  • It's like any other app, you can also make it your default text app on android
• What are the downsides?
  • It uses mobile data, it is secure but not anonymous-- still uses your phone #

Data in Motion

holistic-security.tacticaltech.org/

How would you make a secret code?

1. iOS/Android groups
2. Go to your app store
3. Search for "Signal"
4. Install the app
5. App setup
6. Safety numbers!
   • What is "verification"?
7. Send a message! (optional)
8. Who will you help install signal?

Resources

• NYC

  • CyPurr Collective- cypurr.nyc and cypurr@protonmail.com

  • NYC CryptoParty and Meetup.com for other events

  • Freedom of the Press Foundation (Freedom.press)

  • Tech and Learning Collective
  • Calyx Institute & CryptoHarlem
  • Pop Gym  (self defense)
• Online
  • Tactical Tech Collective- tacticaltech.org
  • EFF- Surveillance Self Defense (ssd.eff.org) Security Edu Companion (sec.eff.org)
• Tool Recommendations
  • privacytools.io
  • prism-break.org

Upcoming

Brooklyn Public Library every month

(Feb 2nd 2-4pm)

Monthly open meeting

(Feb 4th 6-8pm)

Movie night at Babycastles

(Feb 13th 7-10pm)

securiTEA time at Bluestockings

(Feb 16th 1-3pm)

And more! check out our social media or email list

Thanks!