Top 3 Ways to Protect Yourself Against CIA Spying

You’ve probably heard by now about theCIA’s hacking capabilities, which has been leaked by Wikileaks this past week.

It would seem that the CIA took it upon themselves to recreate an already robust spy program and entity we like to call the National Security Agency, and the hacking capabilities they have acquired is impressive.

The first of a seven part series Wikileaks has dubbed “Vault 7”, “Zero Day” was chosen because it describes and introduces the vast capabilities and scope that the CIA has acquired over the years. Developed in secrecy, the agency can easily access and hack smartphones, computers, and smart TVs.

For most of us “Average Joe’s”, thinking about how we keep Big Brother out of our daily lives can be daunting, so lets start with a handful of solid options that can be implemented immediately:

1.) Use Encryption

 
To best avoid all types of surveillance, whether by governments or individual hackers, using more secure apps for things like messaging is definitely recommended.

UseSignal, which is free for both iPhones and Androids, and is designed to avoid surveillance, and allows users information back and forth to each other using encryption.  It collects and stores very little information on its users.

WhatsApp is another good choice for secure, end-to-end encryption when talking, messaging, or transferring files.  It’s free for all Android, iPhone, and Windows phone users.

While all encryption can be broken given enough time and resources, using encryption apps will greatly reduce your chances of getting sensitive information stolen by the wrong people.

2.) Secure Your Smart TV When Not In Use

It’s a little crazy that we even have to have a segment about this, but your smart TV can be infected and used as a recording device, picking up all audio in the room.  Those mics have a surprisingly good range, too.

One of the hacks the CIA uses is to make it seem as if your TV is off, when it is actually still in listening mode.

One of the ways you can prevent this is to go into the Settings on your TV and disable all voice-related services that it offers.

However, the best method of ensuring your TV is not spying on you when in use is to unplug it when you’re not using it.

3.) Use a Faraday Sleeve with Your Wireless Devices

From these same leaks it appears as though the CIA has the ability to infect your smartphone, laptop, and/or tablet.

At least 23 Androids had “zero day”, or 23 yet unknown exploits, vulnerabilities, and/or bugs in the source code.  This allowed the CIA to use them as needed, instead of contacting the manufacturer to inform them of the update that was critical to its safety.

This easy access to all of our wireless devices, opens us up to all sorts of attacks, whether that is 24/7 GPS tracking, eavesdropping on calls, taking unwanted cam pics and videos, access to your personal and/or business email account, or gaining access to your other passwords.

Silent Pocket makes a sturdy, yet stylish black Napa leather Faraday Sleeve that blocks ALL signals to and from your wireless device.

Using our US patented magnetic enclosure, all you’ll need is one hand and two seconds to slide your device in and out of the protective sleeve.

Once inside it, GPS, cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, RFID, and NFC communication is instantly cut off from the outside world, giving you the choice to go on or off the grid again.  

Always be sure your device and the signals it broadcasts is protected with Silent Pocket!