Advanced Digital Security & OPSEC
For High-Risk Environments (Clear/Dark Web)
Core Principles
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1. Zero Trust: Assume all platforms store data in plaintext and will eventually be compromised.
2. Compartmentalization: Isolate identities, emails, passwords, and activities.
3. Encryption First: Protect everything with strong encryption.
4. Redundancy: Backups must be offline, encrypted, and geographically dispersed.
Step-by-Step Implementation
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1. Secure Password Management
- Master Password:
* Create a memorable 25+ character passphrase.
* Practice until you can type it from memory in under 3 seconds.
* Never reuse it elsewhere.
- Password Vault:
* Use an offline manager (e.g., ColdCard).
* Generate all other passwords as random 20+ character strings.
* Optional: Separate vaults for clear vs. dark web activities.
- Backups:
* Export vault to encrypted file (e.g., AES-256 Veracrypt container).
* Store on air-gapped USB/external HDDs in secure physical locations.
* Update backups every 3 months.
2. Identity & Email Compartmentalization
- Pseudonyms:
* Unique usernames per platform, never reused or cross-referenced.
- Email Strategy:
* Use 12+ distinct email addresses: separate for banking, forums, shopping, etc.
* Employ aliasing services (e.g., SimpleLogin, Proton Pass).
* Never link dark web and clear web identities.
3. Threat Mitigation
- Assume Compromise:
* Use PGP for all sensitive communication.
* Operate as if any platform may be seized.
- Device Hygiene:
* Only manually enter master password.
* Avoid autofill; disable it on all untrusted devices.
* Use a dedicated device for high-risk activity.
4. Encryption & Backups
- Encrypt sensitive files with Veracrypt or age.
- Use strong, unique passphrases.
- Store backups in multiple offline, secure locations.
- Test quarterly to ensure readability.
Advanced Security Enhancements
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- MFA:
* Use hardware tokens like YubiKey. Avoid SMS-based 2FA.
- Network Security:
* Use Tor Browser (Safest Mode) + VPN (no logs).
* Never access Tor services directly without Tor.
- Live OS Usage:
* Use Tails or Qubes for high-risk tasks.
* No persistence. Boot from clean USBs stored securely.
Disaster Recovery
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- If devices are destroyed, retrieve offline backups.
- Forgotten master password = total loss.
- Store physical copy of master password securely (bank vault).
Summary Checklist
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- One master password (25+ chars, muscle memory).
- Unique passwords for each account.
- Compartmentalized identities.
- Encrypted, offline backups in 2+ places.
- Assume compromise always.
Final Rule:
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If you can remember a password (except the master), it's not secure.
If you reuse a name or email, you've failed. Stay paranoid. #plebchain
