StatMN Information Security

Privacy

Privacy is becoming increasingly relevant in the realm of public health. Your data can be misused in ways that directly impact your mental and physical health. Our recommendations are not comprehensive, and these issues will eventually require intense intervention by either you and/or your government.

An open source ad and tracker blocker is the first and most critical step to protecting yourself and your family. Install one on all of your browsers. Generally, privacy advocates recommend uBlock Origin. It can also be installed as an extension in Firefox mobile.

Open source web browsers that aren't controlled by the same company that controls the websites you visit may also be beneficial. The most popular option here is Mozilla Firefox. Another option that may remove some of the complexity of installing browser extensions is Brave. When configuring these browsers, consider using a privacy-focused search engine, such as DuckDuckGo.

Another step to reduce the amount of data you give to companies to use against you is to only install apps that respect your privacy, and access the services that you don't trust through your mobile device's web browser. After deleting apps that heavily track you at all times like Facebook, you'll also notice an increase in battery life!

When you get a system notification, make sure you read the options before dismissing it. If an application is asking for permission to do something, think about what it could do with that permission and whether you trust it with that power. Did you read our cookie notice?

Think about what you put on the internet. If you woudn't tell something to a passing stranger, don't put it online unless you are certain the data is stored securely.

Use a password manager like Bitwarden. It works on most devices and is free and open source. Don't let all your hard work protecting your privacy be undermined by a hacker.

Nearly all Americans are tracked by their carriers who then feed that data to analytics services to target advertisements more precisely. Due to their privileged position as internet service providers, this may be unavoidable. If your carrier offers an opt-out option, call them to ensure you have enabled it.

If a website is making you think or feel differently, talk with someone about it. Consider whether the information is credible and deserves to do this. Remember, clickbait and ads exist entirely to use your emotions for political and/or financial gain. They're incentivized to change the way you think, and additionally, the most insidious companies attempt to do so without your knowledge. When your thought patterns are warped by information you read online, having an open conversation with someone else may help you recognize these psychological changes.

Many people don't understand the incredible power wielded by data analytics due to its immense complexity, and even those who do find it challenging to avoid its influence. If you identify thoughts in yourself or others that give you safety concerns, consult an expert before intervening if possible. These thought patterns are not often constructed through conscious choice, and confronting them can be upsetting.