Welcome to the Kept Fire Safety Guide

General Guidance and Principles

• Assume visibility. Anything you post, say, or store could one day become public. Behave as if an audience is always possible.
• Compartmentalize. Keep your personal, professional, and activist lives separate — different accounts, devices, and contact details. If one part is exposed, the rest stays safe.
• Share on a need-to-know basis. Only give sensitive information to people who genuinely need it.
• Trust but verify. Double-check information before acting on it. Misinformation and phishing thrive when we act too quickly.
• Back up critical data. Keep at least one encrypted offline copy of important files (documents, photos, evidence) in case your devices are lost or compromised.
• Practice calm routines. Safety is a habit. Build small, consistent practices into your daily life so they become second nature.

Staying Safe Online

Accounts and Passwords

• Use a password manager (Proton Pass, 1Password) to generate and store long, unique passwords.
• Never reuse passwords across sites — one breach can unlock your entire digital life.
• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) everywhere — preferably with an authenticator app (Proton Authenticator), not SMS.
• Create separate email addresses for personal use, work, and activism. Proton Mail or Tuta Mail are good privacy-first options.

Devices and Browsers

• Keep your operating system, apps, and browsers updated — most hacks exploit old vulnerabilities.
• Use a privacy-focused browser (Firefox, DuckDuckGo ) with tracking protection enabled.
• Consider running a separate browser profile (or even a dedicated device) for sensitive work.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive logins. If you must, use a VPN like NordVPN.

Communication

• Prefer encrypted apps: Signal for messaging, Proton Mail for email.
• Assume unencrypted SMS, phone calls, and Facebook messages are not private.
• For sensitive collaboration, use end-to-end encrypted tools (Proton Drive, CryptPad ).
• Strip metadata from files and photos before sharing. Many devices allow "remove location data" before upload.

Social Media

• Adjust privacy settings but remember: nothing on social media is truly private.
• Don't post your address, family details, or routines.
• If you engage publicly, use a dedicated account not tied to your personal identity.
• Be cautious with friend requests — infiltration and impersonation are real risks.

Defending Against Doxxing

• Audit yourself: search your name and details online to see what's public.
• Remove old accounts, blogs, or posts where possible.
• Use WHOIS privacy for domains you register.
• Have a plan if targeted: document posts (screenshots with timestamps), report abuse, and lean on trusted contacts.

Staying Safe Offline

At Home

• Keep doors and windows locked, even for short trips out.
• Don't overshare online when you'll be away ("Gone for the weekend!").
• Know your neighbors. A trusted neighbor can watch your space or notice unusual activity.
• Keep an emergency kit: food, water, medications, copies of IDs, and cash.

In Public

• Stay aware of your surroundings. Limit distractions like both headphones in.
• Identify exits when entering crowded spaces.
• Stick to well-lit, populated areas when possible.
• Vary your routes and routines if you think you may be monitored.

At Protests or Public Events

• Carry only what you need. Leave unnecessary IDs, credit cards, and personal devices at home.
• Use a "clean" phone if possible — one without personal data or accounts.
• Write important phone numbers on paper or your arm in case your phone is lost or confiscated.
• Wear neutral clothing without identifying logos.
• If documenting, blur faces of others before sharing photos or videos.
• Have a meet-up plan with trusted friends in case you're separated.

Everyday Situational Awareness

• Trust your instincts. If a situation feels wrong, step away.
• Don't advertise sensitive affiliations (stickers on cars, clothing logos) if it could make you a target.
• When traveling, research local laws, risks, and safe spaces in advance.
• Maintain a low profile when needed — sometimes safety means blending in.

Closing Note

Staying safe doesn't mean staying silent. It means building resilience so you can keep going. Online and offline, small protective habits add up to real security.

By protecting yourself, you also protect your community — because no one can extinguish a fire that's kept alive together.