Security on Montreal Counter-information

Signal Problems

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:02:00 +0000

Anonymous submission to MTL Counter-info

The following are lesser-known problems with Signal that anarchists and other targets of state repression should know about. These issues are known to the Signal developers.

Potentially sensitive information is permanently saved in account databases.

Despite being hidden, the following information is permanently saved.

All visible phone numbers: Most Signal users still have the phone numbers of all other chat members from before March 2024, when they could first change their phone number visibility to “no one.”

Some Camover Opsec Tips

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 12:26:00 +0000

Anonymous submission to MTL Counter-info

We’re just a few veterans of past Camovers who decided to take a break from scheming this month’s outings to share some tips with other crews. We prefer to win by tallying more points than y’all over a full month’s efforts and not because a bunch of you got busted.

First, let’s consider the current state of consumer camera technology, which has advanced in the past decade since the advent of the Camover tradition. This information is easily gathered by browsing product listings on Amazon. It is safe to assume that the security cameras we come across on homes and businesses, including doorbell cams, have certain capabilities:

A Practical Security Handbook: No Trace Project edition

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 12:32:00 +0000

From No Trace Project

PDF: read | letter booklet part 1 , part 2 | tabloid booklet • TXT

Note from the No Trace Project:

A Practical Security Handbook for Activists and Campaigns was originally published in the United Kingdom in 2004. While part of this handbook is now outdated, we believe some of it is still very relevant.

This document is a partial re-edition of the original handbook. We have freely adapted its contents, leaving out sections that we deemed outdated or irrelevant to this re-edition, improving wording, and changing a few details, while trying to stay as close as possible to the spirit of the original text. We have also added footnotes to point the reader to up-to-date information on DNA, CCTV, and other topics.

DNA you say? Burn everything to burn longer: a guide to leaving no traces

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:17:00 +0000

From No Trace Project

[READ] [WEB] [PRINT]

Note from the No Trace Project:

We hope that this translation will help English-speaking anarchists to better understand and protect themselves against the dangers of DNA.

We added many footnotes, either to add information or to explain our disagreements with the original text, especially in the section " A protocol for two ". Our footnotes are preceded by “ N.T.P. note”, whereas the original footnotes are not.

Announcing the Counter-Surveillance Resource Center

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 12:17:00 +0000

Anonymous submission to MTL Counter-info

Announcing the Counter-Surveillance Resource Center, an online hub for building a culture of resistance against surveillance.

Around the world, anarchists and other rebels are subject to surveillance due to our activities. Surveillance can be carried out by state institutions or other actors – for example, private investigators, fascists, mercenaries, and law-abiding citizens. Surveillance can be intended to disrupt our activities, make arrests, secure convictions or worse.

Confidence Courage Connection Trust: A proposal for security culture

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 15:51:52 +0000

From North Shore Counter-Info

There are two version of this text for printing and sharing. The first is a Full version of this text laid out as a printable pamphlet . The second is A short excerpt of the text laid out on two sheets to distribute widely

When we talk about security culture, people tend to have one of two kinds of experiences. The first is of building walls and keeping people out, the second is of being excluded or mistrusted. Both of these come with negative feelings – fear and suspicion for the former and alienation and resentment for the latter. I would say that they are two sides of the same coin, two experiences of a security culture that isn’t working well.

Staying safer in the streets

Fri, 08 Apr 2016 17:26:20 +0000

For the next time… Staying safer in the streets

Why wear a mask? It allows us to take action without fear of immediate identification. It’s not enough to cover half our face. Even if we get away, the police may use photos or video to charge us later. It’s best to cover our hair, face, arms, tattoos, and hands. Cloth gloves are best because they don’t transfer print, unlike plastic gloves. Make sure there are no identifying features on your clothes, shoes, or backpack; it’s nice to have a change of clothing. If we bring any materials with us, let’s wipe them down with rubbing alcohol to remove fingerprints. Bragging and storytelling are natural, but they’re easy to use against us. Don’t post anything on Facebook that we wouldn’t show a cop. The same goes for Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr. Remember that police will read our texts and call-log if they arrest us. If you are arrested, invoke your right to remain absolutely silent; name, address, birthdate and no more.