Cyber Safety & Security

In today’s digital world, staying safe online is more important than ever. From protecting personal information to defending against cyber threats, cybersecurity is essential for individuals, businesses, and communities alike.

Our mission is to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the internet safely and confidently. Whether you're learning how to create strong passwords, avoid phishing scams, or secure your devices, we provide practical guidance and up-to-date insights to help you stay protected.

Cyber threats are constantly evolving—but with the right awareness and habits, you can stay one step ahead. Explore our resources, stay informed, and take control of your digital safety.

Fake News Sources & You

Misinformation spreads fast online, shaping opinions, influencing decisions, and sometimes causing real-world harm. This page is designed to help you recognize misleading content, understand how false information spreads, and learn practical ways to verify what you see. From social media rumors to misleading headlines, we break down common tactics used to distort facts and provide tools to spot them. Our goal is to empower you to think critically, check sources, and share information responsibly so you can navigate today’s digital world with confidence.

Politifact

Fact-checking journalism is the heart of PolitiFact. Our core principles are independence, transparency, fairness, thorough reporting and clear writing. The reason we publish is to give citizens the information they need to govern themselves in a democracy.

FactCheck.org

We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding.

Washington Post-Fact Checker

In an award-winning journalism career spanning nearly four decades, Glenn Kessler has covered foreign policy, economic policy, the White House, Congress, politics, airline safety and Wall Street. He was The Washington Post’s chief State Department reporter for nine years, traveling around the world with three different Secretaries of State.

Snopes

When misinformation obscures the truth and readers don’t know what to trust, Snopes.com’s fact checking and original, investigative reporting lights the way to evidence-based and contextualized analysis. We always document our sources so readers are empowered to do independent research and make up their own minds.

Where to Watch & Listen:

Staying informed starts with choosing reliable news sources you can trust. Well-established organizations like BBC News, Reuters, and Associated Press are known for fact-based reporting and strong editorial standards. In the United States, outlets such as NPR and PBS NewsHour provide in-depth, balanced coverage of current events.

At the same time, many people now get news from platforms like TikTok, Twitch, and Substack. These can be useful for discovering perspectives and breaking updates, but they vary widely in reliability since content is often created by individuals rather than professional newsrooms. It’s important to verify information you see on these platforms by cross-checking with trusted sources and looking for creators who cite credible evidence.

By combining reputable news organizations with careful use of social platforms, you can stay informed while avoiding misinformation.

Wired Services:

Wire Services: Reuters and Associated Press (AP) are widely considered the gold standard for unbiased news because they focus on reporting facts to feed other media outlets rather than pushing a specific agenda.
Daily News Coverage: BBC News, NPR (specifically their news reporting), and The Wall Street Journal (for hard news, not opinion) are highly rated for objectivity.
Specialized/Independent News: Ballotpedia provides nonpartisan information on politics, while Straight Arrow News focuses on center-aligned reporting.

Podcasts:

Tangle with Isaac Saul: A highly-rated, independent, non-partisan politics podcast that provides a nuanced view by presenting best arguments from both sides of the political spectrum.
UNBIASED Politics: Hosted by lawyer Jordan Berman, this podcast delivers a clear, impartial recap of US politics and legal news, focusing on facts.
SmartHER News: Founded by former Fox News correspondent Jenna Lee, it provides concise, non-partisan news updates geared toward busy listeners.
Ground News: Often recommended for its objective approach to news, this service offers a "blindspot" feature that allows users to see stories ignored by specific sides of the political spectrum.
NPR News Now/Up First: Known for reliable, fast-paced updates and comprehensive summaries of the day’s top stories.

Twitch:

Hasan: https://www.twitch.tv/hasanabi
Zachap: https://www.twitch.tv/zachap
JamesFromTheInternet: https://www.twitch.tv/jamesfromtheinternet
TYT: https://www.twitch.tv/tyt
PeaceFireNow: https://www.twitch.tv/peacefirenow

TikTok & Substack:

UndertheDeskNews
Aaron Parnas
NowThis
RogueDNC
Congress Watch Daily
Vice
NPR
Al Jazeera English

Data Security & Privacy

Data security and privacy are essential for protecting your personal information in an increasingly connected world. Every time you browse the internet, use an app, or make an online purchase, your data—such as passwords, financial details, and browsing activity—can be collected and, if not properly secured, exposed to cyber threats. Strong data security practices, like using unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and keeping software up to date, help prevent unauthorized access. At the same time, understanding privacy settings and being mindful of what you share online can reduce the risk of your information being misused. By taking simple, proactive steps, you can better safeguard your digital identity and maintain control over your personal data.

Why It Matters

Privacy is about control over your data, not hiding something
The U.S. has no comprehensive federal privacy law; protections are patchwork
Corporations track you to sell ads; governments track you to enforce laws
Surveillance infrastructure is active, expanding, and sometimes exceeds stated policy

Secure Your Accounts and Devices

Use a password manager and enable two-factor authentication everywhere
Assume your credentials have already leaked (check haveibeenpwned.com)
Use a strong PIN, keep software updated, and encrypt your device storage
Use a VPN on public WiFi

Limit Online Tracking

Websites, ads, and searches build detailed profiles: location, income, health, politics
Use Firefox or Brave, install uBlock Origin, and decline optional cookies
Audit Facebook privacy settings and limit app permissions

Travel and Your Phone

Your phone knows where you sleep, who you know, and what you believe
Border agents can search your devices without a warrant under CBP's 2026 rules
Before travel: remove sensitive apps, log out of accounts, use airplane mode at the border, or bring a clean travel device

Cloud Storage

Major platforms (Google, Apple, Microsoft) respond to government data requests
Store sensitive documents in encrypted services like Proton Drive, not plain Google Drive

Your Action Checklist

Password manager + 2FA on all important accounts
Use Signal for sensitive conversations
Firefox + uBlock Origin; opt out of cookies
Encrypted cloud storage for sensitive files
Clean your phone before international travel
Assume anything you write digitally could someday be read by unintended eyes

Learn More

Electronic Frontier Foundation (eff.org) and their Surveillance Self-Defense guide (ssd.eff.org)
ACLU (aclu.org)
The Markup (themarkup.org)
Krebs on Security (krebsonsecurity.com)
IAPP (iapp.org) for privacy law changes

Artificial Intelligence & You

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how data is collected, analyzed, and protected, bringing both major benefits and new risks to data security. AI can strengthen cybersecurity by quickly detecting unusual activity, identifying threats, and responding to attacks faster than traditional methods. However, it also introduces challenges, as cybercriminals can use AI to create more convincing phishing scams, automate attacks, or exploit vulnerabilities at a larger scale. In addition, AI systems often rely on large amounts of personal data, raising concerns about how that data is stored, used, and protected. As AI continues to evolve, maintaining strong data security requires a balance between innovation and responsibility, with clear safeguards, ethical use of data, and ongoing awareness from both organizations and individuals.

AI Can Fake Almost Anything

Realistic fake videos, photos, voices, and crowds are easy to produce now
Watch for: eyes that don't blink right, melted-looking hair, shifting backgrounds, voice not matching mouth
Viral does not mean real. Strong emotional reactions to content are often the point, not a side effect.

How to Check

AIorNot.com, TrueMedia.org, Google Reverse Image Search, GPTZero.me
Treat results as a strong signal, not a verdict. Your own skepticism is the best tool.

Scammers Are Using AI Too

Voices can be cloned from three seconds of audio. Emails can look exactly like your bank, Medicare, or the IRS.
Red flags: urgency, secrecy ("don't tell your family"), threats, gift card or wire transfer payment requests
No legitimate organization demands immediate action or unusual payment. Ever. Hang up and call back on a number you looked up yourself.
Set a Family Safe Word: Pick a random word only your immediate family knows. If anyone calls claiming to be a family member in distress, ask for it first.

AI in Your News

Major outlets use AI for routine stories. It can state things incorrectly with complete confidence.
Always ask: what does the original source actually say?

The Bigger Picture

AI was built on work by people who were never asked or paid, displaces lower-income workers most, and has a significant environmental footprint
The people promoting AI loudest are profiting from it most. Apply normal skepticism.

Your Action Checklist

Set a family safe word tonight
Pause before sharing anything that triggers a strong emotional reaction
Bookmark one fact-checking tool: AIorNot.com, TrueMedia.org, Google Reverse Image Search, or GPTZero.me
Never pay by gift card, wire transfer, or crypto in response to any call
If a call feels wrong, hang up and call back on a number you looked up yourself
Ask "who benefits?" when a tech leader or headline tells you AI will change everything
Share this information with someone else. Scammers target people who they assume aren't hearing it.