DIY Cybersecurity for Domestic Violence

A resource of privacy + compassion by HACK*BLOSSOM.

Why Cybersecurity?

Domestic violence isn't always physical. Many intimate partners exert control using the technologies we rely on everyday. Being intimidated by constant phone-calls, stalked by location-sharing apps, humiliated on social media, forced to share sensitive texts and passwords: each of these experiences is a violation of privacy that affects your freedom to make decisions about your life. Being deprived of your autonomy is no less painful when it's digital.

DIY Cybersecurity asserts your privacy online. When you're threatened by your partner, you can always reach out to a domestic violence professional. But whenever you need to protect yourself online, you're not alone. Our Threat Scenarios explore, in-depth, how to resist a controlling partner. Each guide is accessible and empathetic: you're not obliged to follow any of our suggestions if you don't feel they're right for you. We also have Defense Strategies for proactively securing your digital life.

There's a quick exit button in the sidebar in case you need to suddenly leave the site. If you want to make sure there's no history of your visit, please read our guide on Private Web Browsing.

We hope you find strength and security. You deserve it.

My partner is harassing me through my cell phone.

Some partners send dozens, even hundreds of texts or phone-calls a day. This behavior is deeply invasive—using a cell phone should not be a harmful experience.

My partner is harassing me through social media.

While social media makes it easy to connect to friends and family, it carries a risk of private harassment and public embarrassment. You deserve a safe space online.

My partner is stalking my location.

Cellphones and social media reveal our physical location 24/7. Learn how to keep yourself off the grid without sacrificing your freedom.

My partner is surveilling my online activity.

By monitoring your devices with or without your consent, a controlling partner can create feelings of fear, anxiety, and helplessness. You have the right to use your electronics privately.

My partner has unwanted access to my online accounts.

Many controlling partners say that if you have "nothing to hide", you should be okay sharing email, social media, or bank accounts. That's not their decision to make.

My sex life is being used against me.

Sexts, nudes, and pornography are everywhere in modern relationships. When a partner tries weaponize sexuality, you can resist.

I want to leave my partner.

Leaving a partner can be dangerous. Create a technology safety plan that secures your online accounts and protects your data.

Defense Strategies

Cybersecurity is most effective when you're proactive. Take control of your digital spaces with these simple defense strategies. No tech experience is necessary!

Protect Your Passwords.

Use strong, unique passwords to keep your online accounts from being hacked.

Use Two-Step Verification.

Enable a safety-net when strong passwords aren't enough.

Browse the Web Privately.

Secure your web browser to search the internet without a trace.

Secure Social Media.

Reduce the risk of your social media being used against you.

Back-up Your Data.

Secure your most important data and collect evidence of harassment.

Create Secret Accounts.

Register with private email, phone-calls, and texts when you need safety.

About Us

Noah Kelley is the writer and developer of this website. HACK*BLOSSOM is an activist+artist platform fighting for love in digital spaces. We're based in Boston, Massachusetts.

Support

HACK*BLOSSOM is an unfunded grassroots organization. If you want to support our work, you can make a donation via Donorbox.

Donate

Acknowledgements

Wonderful illustrations are courtesy of Aurora Lady. Special thanks to Transition House for their invaluable expertise. Thank you to all the survivors, social workers, activists, volunteers, friends, and family who resist domestic violence. Your commitment to love is revolutionary.

Contact

We're happy to hear from you. It may take us some time to respond due to high volume of emails, but we'll be in touch.