Encryption is available, you can use it if you want.
But most people really don’t care.
Encryption probably raises a big red flag, and they likely have stuff in place that will blow right through it. Obfuscation of some kind might be a better bet, but they likely have technologies that can sniff that out as well.
Myself, I’m gonna start using carrier pigeons!
1. With regards to cell phones and triangulation: turn off GPS services. I stress this to anyone with a smartphone. Not only does GPS decimate battery life, it's basically a tracker for everywhere you've been. Turn it off in your settings unless you need it (i.e. traveling).
2. With regards to landlines: either don't have one or only use yours for emergencies. Most households don't have landlines anymore. We personally don't use one, as I have a HAM radio setup on battery backup if the SHTF.
3. With regards to social media: DON'T USE IT! I live a very happy life without social media. Most people say they can't live without it, but I challenge anyone to try. It's really not that hard. You won't miss those updates from your sophomore-year college roommate's best friend's dog's sister's second cousin, and if your mother needs to talk to you, she can call or stop by.
Otherwise, spend $25 on a digital certificate and encrypt the Hell out of everything you own. Two- or multi-factor authentication (i.e. password AND certificate or USB key or biometric reader) is the safest way to ensure no one can break into an account. Use a password safe (I LOVE
1. With regards to cell phones and triangulation: turn off GPS services. I stress this to anyone with a smartphone. Not only does GPS decimate battery life, it's basically a tracker for everywhere you've been. Turn it off in your settings unless you need it (i.e. traveling).
2. With regards to landlines: either don't have one or only use yours for emergencies. Most households don't have landlines anymore. We personally don't use one, as I have a HAM radio setup on battery backup if the SHTF.
3. With regards to social media: DON'T USE IT! I live a very happy life without social media. Most people say they can't live without it, but I challenge anyone to try. It's really not that hard. You won't miss those updates from your sophomore-year college roommate's best friend's dog's sister's second cousin, and if your mother needs to talk to you, she can call or stop by.
Otherwise, spend $25 on a digital certificate and encrypt the Hell out of everything you own. Two- or multi-factor authentication (i.e. password AND certificate or USB key or biometric reader) is the safest way to ensure no one can break into an account. Use a password safe (I LOVE KeePass) that generates random (>128 bit) passwords and use it to log in to websites from a trusted computer. I deliberately set my banking and investments passwords to a 32-character random set of numbers, letters, and symbols that I can only access from my home computer to prevent anyone from snooping on me accessing it from a public terminal or wifi from my phone or laptop.
The tools are out there, folks. Read up about them and learn how to use them. You can bet your bottom dollar that the Feds are!
I think it goes a little deeper than electronic communications from you to another.
Communications about you between your doctor to your insurance company for example.
You have control over your direct communications. You have zero control over indirect communications.