Guarding the Digital Hearth: Staying Safe Online in Uncertain Times

In times like these—when conversations about civilian-on-civilian violence, even public executions, are no longer unthinkable in the U.S.—safety isn’t only about locked doors and steady walls. It’s also about protecting the digital hearth: the devices, accounts, and footprints that impact so much of our lives and make us more vulnerable than we'd like to admit.

In America, the climate feels heavier than it has in decades. For people who are outspoken, politically visible, or simply different from the communities around them, this reality can feel frightening.

This post is not about panic. It’s about wisdom. And, it's about refusing to normalize a culture of violence that is NOT NORMAL. Now is the time to be extra mindful of personal safety—especially online. Part of the Hearth Keeper's duty is to protect her hearth and her home.

One of the biggest risks today is doxxing: having your personal details—address, workplace, phone number, family information—spread with malicious intent. Once that information is out, it can’t be taken back, and the danger can escalate quickly.

That’s why we must take our digital safety seriously more than ever. By scrubbing identifying information and managing your online footprint, you can reduce your exposure, lower your risk, and protect both yourself and the people you love.

I want to walk you through practical steps to strengthen your digital safety. The goal isn't paranoia, but like having a strong lock on the front door of your home - you hope you’ll never need it, but you’ll be glad it’s there.

1. Mind Your Footprint

Every post, comment, and like adds up to a digital record of your life.

• Audit old accounts—delete or deactivate what you don’t use.

• Review privacy settings—most platforms reset or update these without notice.

• Think twice before posting real-time locations, financial details, or family information.

2. If You’ve Already Posted Sensitive Content

Many people worry it’s “too late” to protect themselves. It’s not.

• Clean what you can: delete or archive old posts, especially those with addresses, children’s schools, workplaces, or political details that feel too exposing.

• Limit visibility: move older posts into “friends-only” or private archives where possible.

• Shift your habits now: even if old posts remain, you can change how you post from this point forward. Future safety matters just as much as past history.

• Document & back up: before deleting, consider saving copies of important political or personal posts privately. This lets you protect yourself while not erasing your story.

Remember: doxxers thrive on ease. Even small layers of privacy—removing addresses, making your profiles less searchable—make you a harder target.

3. Strengthen Your Accounts

• Use long, unique passwords for each account.

• Enable two-factor authentication, ideally with an authenticator app instead of a phone number.

• Regularly review which devices and apps have access.

4. Secure Your Devices

• Keep your phone and computer updated.

• Lock devices with PIN, password, or biometrics.

• Back up essential files to encrypted drives or trusted cloud services.

5. Be Careful with Communication

• Use encrypted apps (Signal, WhatsApp) for sensitive conversations.

• Be cautious with screenshots—assume they can and will be shared.

• Don’t tie your phone number to every account—consider a second number for public use.

6. Think Ahead

If you’re considering relocation, digital safety should be part of your plan:

• Save essential documents in multiple secure locations.

• Decide which accounts to close, migrate, or anonymize.

• Set up international-friendly communication tools early.

7. Safety Without Silence

In times like these, many of us feel a deep need to speak out. Resistance matters. Community matters. Voices matter. Digital safety doesn’t mean disappearing.

Instead, think of it as choosing how and where you show up:

• Separate identities: Create alternate accounts for advocacy, activism, or commentary—ones that don’t connect back to your personal address, phone number, or family.

• Use layers: Share publicly what feels safe, and keep deeper conversations within encrypted, trusted circles.

• Control your exposure: You don’t have to broadcast every detail to be impactful. Sometimes the most effective voices are those that can endure because they’ve protected themselves wisely.

Protecting yourself is not the same as staying silent. It’s about making sure your voice isn’t cut off before it can make a difference.

Sources:

• Pew Research Center – Online Harassment in America (2021): shows rising cases of doxxing and online harassment.

• Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) – Surveillance Self-Defense guides.

• National Network to End Domestic Violence – resources on digital safety and privacy.

• Southern Poverty Law Center – The Year in Hate & Extremism reports (annual).

• FBI / Department of Homeland Security bulletins (you can cite “warnings of increased domestic extremist threats”).

• Council on Foreign Relations – U.S. Domestic Terrorism: Threats and Trends.

• Consumer Reports – How to Protect Yourself Online.

• Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA.gov) – practical digital safety checklists.

• Freedom House – Freedom on the Net reports.