Are journalists under targeted surveillance?

by | Oct 30, 2018

As our digital footprint grows , digital security is vital in protecting online identities and the work of journalists.By Lebogang Molefe

Criminals and hackers are making use of new methods to operate and steal information from journalists. This is according to investigative journalist Jorge Lois Sierra during a session on digital security at the African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC) on Monday, October 29.

Jorge Lois Sierra says it’s important for journalists to protect their emails, instant messaging, video and audio calls. Photo: Takalani Sioga

Sierra says that the media industry needs digital security to send and receive sensitive information, to ensure their privacy is protected.

Journalists are vulnerable to being hacked because they have crucial information for the work they do according to Sierra, who added that hackers use malicious software and other tactics to monitor what journalists are doing.

According to Sierra, people are more vulnerable to phishing, which he defines as a social engineering technique used to deceive journalists. Phishing exploits weaknesses on the internet through pop-up emails that encourage users to click on a link.  He added that sources can be better protected by journalists if they follow a toolkit guide of digital security.

With rapid changes in technology, computers are getting better at detecting passwords. Sierra says, “In the coming years journalists will need passwords with 25 characters for encryption to their accounts.”

With increasing hacking of journalists’ online profiles, Sierra emphasised that journalists must be aware of tools they can use to protect their identity and online identities by using anti-virus software and web services to assist.

The AIJC runs at Wits University until Wednesday, October 31.

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