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An excellent introduction to computer security. Provides easy to follow step-by-step directions for people of all skill levels, looking specifically at how to be more anonymous and more secure. Crucial reading!
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Bounty Hunters and Child Predators
Subtitled “Inside the FBI Entrapment Strategy,” this zine published by Crimethinc in 2012 looks at recent trends in FBI repression against social struggles. In particular, the zine argues that the FBI has shifted its focus away from targeting experienced anarchists and instead is focusing its efforts on entrapping newer and less experienced anarchists. The zine offers a good analysis of the history and development of this phenomenon, as well as some suggestions for how to stop it.
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Digital Security for Activists
This zine explores various issues related to computer security including basic principles for staying safe, a look at anonymity, picking passwords, the dangers of Google, etc. It’s a good mix of “how to” type information and narratives that tell important stories about why digital security is important. It is published by the Riseup.net collective who provides Internet services for various anarchist and anti-authoritarian projects.
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London Calling A Cellphone And Internet Security Primer
This zine is a basic primer to being more secure in your use of cellphones and the Internet. It offers both explanations of how surveillance technologies work and practical tips for lessening their impact.
Highly recommended!
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This zine by Kristian Williams, subtitled “Recent Case Studies; Warning Signs; Practical Advice,” presents profiles of recent provocateurs (Brandon Darby, “Anna,” “Bryan Owens”) used by the government to target anarchists. In all cases, there are patterns of behavior that are generally shared by most provocateurs that can be recognized. The key is not to jump to conclusions about a person’s intent, but to address problematic behavior immediately.
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This is an older zine (from 2001) on security culture that is still worth reading. It defines what security culture is, how it is useful in minimizing state repression, and the strategies the state uses to neutralize radical movements. It is particularly useful for its discussion of informers and infiltrators.
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Security Culture An INteractive Sock Puppet Farce
This zine is a script for a puppet show used to explain the concept of “security culture” to new audiences. The zine includes the complete script of the puppet show followed by an outline for a post-puppet show discussion on the topic. Co-published by The Insurgent Theatre and the Columbus Anarchist Black Cross.
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Stay Calm: Some Tips for Keeping Safe in Times of State Repression is a zine out of the Bay area that offers up a number of useful tips for staying safe during periods of repression. It includes suggestions for using technology safely, de-escalating conflicts within the anarchist milieu, and responding to grand juries and house raids.
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This zine offers a wealth of important ideas for countering state-led intelligence gathering efforts and makings safer and less penetrable networks. The zine attempts to move beyond simple snitch-jacketing and speculating by advocating for specific, reality-based approaches to gathering intelligence about potential informants within networks and developing concrete ways of verifying information. It also encourages addressing problematic behavior and individuals from the start and rejects the idea that individuals should just distance themselves from problematic individuals as it still leaves the network vulnerable.
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Tech Tools for Activism is another great zine that provides an introduction to computer security for activists. Undertaken as a collaboration between radical technology groups and collectives, this zine offers concrete alternatives for corporate and “unsecure” computer technologies including options for email, hosting websites, browsing the Internet, using mobile phones, and free software. This is a good introduction with practical examples on how and what to do to be more safer and more secure in your use of computers. This is “version 2.0” of the guide.
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What Is Security Culture A Guide To Staying Safe
This zine is an excellent introductory piece on security culture. It defines what a security culture is, gives practical examples of how it can be used and implemented, and addresses numerous other components of security culture. This is an essential zine!
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Why Misogynists Make Great Informants
Subtitled “How Gender Violence on the Left Enables State Violence in Radical Movements,” this zine looks at how unchecked misogyny in political movements/groups/whatever you want to call it creates an environment that is ripe for the recruitment and deployment of informants. Misogynist behavior is disruptive and pushes women and queer folks out of spaces, while constantly dominating the agenda.
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Activist Journeys 