DEF CON 32 - Travel Better Expedient Digital Defense - Grey Fox

Expedient Digital Defense focuses on using free and readily available applications, or recommending paid-for commercial apps and tools that have proven records of credibility, to make our devices and online presence less harmful to us. We will follow a typical traveler in the United States, with some experiences drawn from overseas travel. The talk stresses the value of Operational Security (OPSEC), and the mindset of seeing every piece of communication through the eyes of your adversary. The intent is to make people think twice before revealing anything considered sensitive, even if using the latest and greatest encryption. The surveillance economy and ever-present data collection in our modern world demand better awareness of how our digital world works. We’ll discuss examples like invasive social media collection, foreign influence on public perception, data insecurity putting users in danger, and advertising models based on location and click tracking. Finally, the take-away is knowing the tools and tech available, and being able to select those which fit your needs, if at all. Most of the time, one mitigation isn't enough, and several need to be emplaced to achieve proper defense in depth, in case one solution fails. Even if no technical solutions are put in place, the user will have that "red team" mindset and awareness that calibrates better judgment over technical solutions, and promotes OPSEC and rational thinking for security rather than blindly depending on apps and gadgets.