# 5 Easy Steps to Protect Yourself Online **URL:** https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/5-easy-steps-to-protect-yourself-online/24939 **Category:** Videos **Created:** 2025-02-14T17:00:49Z **Posts:** 30 ## Post 1 by @jordan — 2025-02-14T17:00:49Z > **[Staying Safe Online in 5 Steps](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5bKUA2sVFM)** > > Worried about hackers and data breaches? You're not alone. In this video we outline 5 simple yet crucial steps you can take today to dramatically improve you... Exciting stuff, here’s another video we’ve been working on. This week we’re talking about easy steps to increase your privacy & security. Have you or someone you know been putting off taking their privacy and security seriously? This video dives into 5 essential areas that everyone should implement to achieve a baseline level of privacy and security. We tried to make it as easy and accessible as possible so that everyone can follow along. As always, your feedback and thoughts are much appreciated. I’ve taken on board feedback from the last video, and I think you’ll find the audio levels much better in this video. --- ## Post 2 by @jonah — 2025-02-14T17:02:26Z --- ## Post 3 by @anon29374801 — 2025-02-14T17:05:20Z enjoyed the little nod to [XKCD.](https://xkcd.com/936/) Another great video, well done. --- ## Post 4 by @anon36940904 — 2025-02-14T17:12:20Z Fantastic video! I got no feedback this time. It’s perfect. --- ## Post 5 by @faxe — 2025-02-14T19:17:43Z It would be great, if a video like this (“5 easy steps…”) had a short summary of said steps in the description or as chapter headings or something. > **For example** > > 1. Use email aliases > 2. Always use Https > 3. … Privacy is such a broad topic and without watching the video there seems to be no easy way to know more specificly what the topics are and if there might be info that’s useful for me. Personally I only have time to watch youtube on weekends and add stuff to my watchlist throughout the week. Without knowing what is mentioned/discussed in this video, it has a much lower chance to end up on my watchlist since I don’t need yet another video suggesting me (to stay with the example from above) to use https and email aliases. Also, if this is intended (for example to get more people to watch the full video) that’s fine for me. I haven’t seen the video yet, so there’s no feedback regarding the content for now, but I’ll make sure to get back to you when I had the time to watch it. I hope this comes of as constructive criticism, at least it is intended that way, since I really enjoyed the way the other two videos are made. > **Somewhat off topic** > > Thank you for your work jordan, I really think it’s important to try to reach the broader masses through mainstream media and you’re doing a fantastic job at that. Keep up the great work! --- ## Post 6 by @jonah — 2025-02-14T19:33:47Z > [@faxe](#): > > since I don’t need yet another video suggesting While we definitely want to have all sorts of videos for everyone, I am anticipating _most_ of them will be more like the types of videos someone already in our community like you will want to share with a friend or family member, rather than watch yourself :wink: The timestamps are a good catch though, we should’ve been on that. I’ll ping @jordan to look at adding those :slight_smile: --- ## Post 7 by @anon39279085 — 2025-02-14T19:48:30Z tbh I would share to more friends and family if it was translated to my native language which I said previously I would volunteer: > [@It's time to stop using SMS, here's why!](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/its-time-to-stop-using-sms-heres-why/24336/7): > > A well done video. Honestly I wish to actually voice act in Greek so I can share it to friends and family who don’t understand English slight_smile (and maybe we can also expand on spanish audiences? You get the idea) and sparked that discussion Edit: but honestly other than that it’s fine it’s just this barrier we need to breach. --- ## Post 8 by @faxe — 2025-02-14T19:58:50Z Yeah I know I’m not the target audience but sometimes I watch these type of “beginner” videos, to get better at explaining privacy to other people or to get recommendations for people with a different threat model than me. --- ## Post 9 by @jordan — 2025-02-14T20:00:58Z Thank you for the feedback, I’ve added in chapters to each section of the video. Hopefully this makes it easier to navigate! We will definitely be adding chapter sections for future videos. --- ## Post 10 by @jonah — 2025-02-14T20:05:19Z We currently do not have access to YouTube’s multi-language audio feature, unfortunately. It might be possible for us to add Greek captions? --- ## Post 11 by @anon36940904 — 2025-02-14T20:06:32Z This is more of a general comment: There is so much potential (as perfect as this video and the following ones I’m sure are going to be) for video essays on privacy and security. You have done and been showing a stupendous job at making them. The next evolution of videos from PG/Jordan I am envisioning and hoping for are more investigatively showing all the bad and poor sides of big tech and their piss poor products from a UI, UX, privacy, and security POV. These would be a little long form 15-25 minutes exposing through proper exposition like some of the veteran YouTubers like Veritasium and Johnny Harris and the old VSauce. Anyways - it’s just my wishlist and hope for getting to next level production of PG videos. Hope you think about it and consider it. Thanks! --- ## Post 12 by @anon39279085 — 2025-02-14T20:07:05Z yeah this is why I initially suggest voluntarily translation and voice acting, because of the lack of this feature. And yeah I am not saying no to subtitles better than nothing, on a voluntary basis though we probably have to have the script or otherwise listening in may be fine but then it’s also where sometimes youtube auto generated captions often gets some things wrong, maybe it’s accurate on TTS not sure. But also above what I said I guess. --- ## Post 13 by @jonah — 2025-02-14T20:11:39Z Well I am just saying even if we had volunteers to record alternative audio, we have nowhere to upload it :confused: > You may not have [multi-language audio](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/13338784?hl=en) available. We will continue to roll this feature out to more creators. --- ## Post 14 by @anon39279085 — 2025-02-14T20:12:56Z oh you’re right apologies. I haven’t delve into this for a while I guess and I’m more remembering what Tom Scott did thinking it’s accessible (I guess my brain works in mysterious ways). Yeah then subtitles is viable if that’s ok. --- ## Post 15 by @Cyber-Typhoon — 2025-02-14T21:00:57Z Peertube link: https://neat.tube/videos/embed/1GaeNH2GyUark4kNXCcL6Q --- ## Post 16 by @bitsondatadev — 2025-02-14T21:02:35Z > [@jonah](#): > > We currently do not have access to YouTube’s multi-language audio feature, unfortunately. It might be possible for us to add Greek captions? I was going to suggest just doing it in PeerTube but unfortunately [this is a feature that isn’t available in PeerTube yet](https://github.com/Chocobozzz/PeerTube/issues/939). womp womp… @jonah would you consider publishing multiple videos then? I don’t think you have to pay more for uploading things multiple times on their site. --- ## Post 17 by @bitsondatadev — 2025-02-14T21:23:48Z Amazing work @jordan, I really like the subtle mentions of why joining an unbiased privacy community is so powerful, and the headlines that flash by to quickly reinforce the storytelling that this isn’t doomerism speak (though less people are under this spell recently). All of these steps were really easy and approachable (aside from the unfortunate initial brute force password changing one first has to do when moving to a password manager, but not much you can do and that is likely the most important). > [@jonah](#): > > I am anticipating _most_ of them will be more like the types of videos someone already in our community like you will want to share with a friend or family member, rather than watch yourself :wink: I actually just watch them like someone attending church. We’re all reading the same thing over and over again and just nodding our heads and raising our hands and saying “Use that password manager! AMEN!” In all seriousness, sending this one to a stubborn family member who only uses it when they have to access shared family passwords that I refuse to let people send over SMS…though in theory now I guess we could share them over Signal..but I’m gonna just omit that fact. --- ## Post 18 by @jordan — 2025-02-14T22:45:55Z I added Turkish and Greek translations of the video, they’re done using an AI tool so they might not be perfect. Let me know if they’re okay! --- ## Post 19 by @anon39279085 — 2025-02-14T22:48:40Z I see you added quite the languages indeed, Hopefully international community comes forward, will try and let you know. Edit: I’ll have it done by tomorrow, I’ll be having it as a draft atm I’ll leave to for later :+1: --- ## Post 20 by @Niek-de-Wilde — 2025-02-14T23:24:10Z We decided to adopt AI translations for the videos last week. This is because the videos generally have a lower threatmodel so this is why having small errors here and there are not that serious, the written articles like the protestors guide and the general recommendations are a lot more critical, and therefore AI translations are not used there. --- ## Post 21 by @anon39279085 — 2025-02-14T23:33:25Z Tbh with articles and stuff I feel most people can conveniently translate through their browsers. Honestly I feel the problem is that some errors I’m seeing can lead to definitions being lost or At this point important grammar error even if most people can fill the Gap. Like I use AI for checking my writing pretty often and it’s by no means perfect, sometimes I have to tell it specifically which word not to change and stuff like that. --- ## Post 22 by @cooolguy — 2025-02-15T16:21:10Z Good work expanding into video formats. Keep it up. --- ## Post 23 by @TinFoilHat — 2025-02-15T18:19:53Z This is the first time I watch your production, it is in general a pleasant experience, a big thumbs up for your work :+1:. Just a quick feedback for the video: 1. Sources are missing on Neat.Tube. 2. Sound quality of the voice over could be improved a bit, it sounds like recorded using Apple Airpod, which is… not so good, but of course it does not affect content delivery. 3. I suggest including links for relevant PG guides, which is currently absent on both platforms. It would reduce friction for viewers to dig deeper on specific topic, if they are interested. 4. The sequencing of the recommendation seems a bit overwhelming for target audience. While securing account is extremely important and should be prioritized, it is a very tedious process which many people don’t wanna do. Putting it as the first recommendation could turn them away. I think recommending easy steps first (even not the most effective step) might be better. 5. Recommendation on device password section seems a bit too much for most people. We are talking about people who reuse passwords everywhere, telling them to memorize a 4-phrase device password with symbols, numbers and Upper case characters isn’t really realistic, bear in mind they also need to memorize their password manager password (which would be another lengthy one). I understand the importance of it but considering the target audience, I think it is fair to assume they have a rather low physical threat level, prioritizing biometrics might be more beneficial. 6. On Private Browsing section, targeting Chrome ONLY seems not the best approach as MS Edge and Samsung browser (I know there is a long list but these are the biggest names, so..) are the same if not worse. Also in this section it only focuses on Browser itself so I think renaming the section to “Privacy Respecting Browsers” might fit the content better. --- ## Post 24 by @anon36940904 — 2025-02-15T18:33:55Z I think you are being unnecessarily critical for no reasonable rationale you have explained. > [@TinFoilHat](#): > > Sound quality of the voice over could be improved a bit Subjective but also almost objectlively wrong I feel. It depends on your set up and the expectation of quality of sound you have. If you are expecting IMAX sound, keep expecting. But there is no probelm with it for a video of this kind. > [@TinFoilHat](#): > > I suggest including links for relevant PG guides, which is currently absent on both platforms. It would reduce friction for viewers to dig deeper on specific topic, if they are interested. I think the viewers are knowledgeable enough to follow the PG links in the video shownotes and get to the forum and the main website to learn and read more about privacy and security. > [@TinFoilHat](#): > > telling them to memorize a 4-phrase device password with symbols, numbers and Upper case characters isn’t really realistic, bear in mind they also need to memorize their password manager password (which would be another lengthy one). This was not mweant literally. It was meant to show and explain the strength a password to have more than anything specifc. – I think your overall assessment of that this video is about and is saying is incorrect as you are taking things too literally and are nitpicking at this point. When it comes to being pedantic with a piece of work, there is no right answer for anyone and we you can keep arguing for what it should be like. The contents of the video doesn’t get any dumber or simpler - it is ideal for all who are looking to change and improve their digital lives. --- ## Post 25 by @jonah — 2025-02-15T18:49:03Z > [@TinFoilHat](#): > > I suggest including links for relevant PG guides We actually can’t add links in videos without being part of the YouTube Partner Program, FWIW. When we get access to more features on the platform we’ll be sure to take advantage of them. --- ## Post 26 by @TinFoilHat — 2025-02-15T18:49:09Z Hmm, my feedback is quite neutral actually, of course I didn’t sugarcoat. I assume PG team would rather have direct and honest feedback so they won’t have to guess what I mean, no matter they agree or not. Those are simply my feedback, based on [Jonah’s Reply](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/5-easy-steps-to-protect-yourself-online/24939/6) , which gave me an impression of the target audience. > [@jonah](#): > > We actually can’t add links in videos without being part of the YouTube Partner Program, FWIW. When we get access to more features on the platform we’ll be sure to take advantage of them. Thanks for the reply, I think both in-video or in description would work just fine, it aims to reduce the number of clicks for viewers, hence reducing user friction and improving UX. --- ## Post 27 by @anon36940904 — 2025-02-15T18:54:55Z > [@TinFoilHat](#): > > I assume PG team would have rather direct and honest feedback so they won’t have to guess what I mean, no matter they agree or not. Yes - but it did not read as neutral though but alright. I still feel some of your feedback was nitpicky but that’s where subjectivity comes in as there is no wrong way to make a video. --- ## Post 28 by @TinFoilHat — 2025-02-15T19:05:14Z > [@anon36940904](#): > > some of your feedback was nitpicky Not really nitpicking, just my feedback for this video are mostly minor in nature. It is a good thing, it means they get most things right, isn’t it? --- ## Post 29 by @anon36940904 — 2025-02-15T19:16:26Z Hah, you’re also picking very selectively from my comment that does not show my comment in full and is misguiding.. I did say “I still feel..” - clearly implying/meaning it is a personal opinion. So what your response effectively means is you’re arguing for/against personal opinions. Now your comments 100% doesn’t make any sense. I am done with corresponding with you. --- ## Post 30 by @jordan — 2025-02-20T06:03:29Z Apologies for the late response, thanks for leaving feedback. > [@TinFoilHat](#): > > Sound quality of the voice over could be improved a bit, it sounds like recorded using Apple Airpod, which is… not so good, but of course it does not affect content delivery. I agree that it could be better, I am using a condenser USB microphone so not quite as bad as Apple Earpods. I think the audio quality is fine and good enough currently though, I will tweak the audio settings a bit to get it to sound better with my current equipment though. > [@TinFoilHat](#): > > I suggest including links for relevant PG guides, which is currently absent on both platforms. It would reduce friction for viewers to dig deeper on specific topic, if they are interested. If you click the sources link in the description it will take you to a page with all the sources as well as the relevant pages on Privacy Guides. We could make it more obvious by changing it to “Sources & links”, definitely something to think about. > [@TinFoilHat](#): > > Recommendation on device password section seems a bit too much for most people. We are talking about people who reuse passwords everywhere, telling them to memorize a 4-phrase device password with symbols, numbers and Upper case characters isn’t really realistic, bear in mind they also need to memorize their password manager password (which would be another lengthy one). I understand the importance of it but considering the target audience, I think it is fair to assume they have a rather low physical threat level, prioritizing biometrics might be more beneficial. I see your point, I still think two passphrases isn’t particularly hard to remember for even most non-technical viewers. The main goal of that section was to just get people using a more secure password that’s randomly generated, the visuals on the screen was just an example. > [@TinFoilHat](#): > > On Private Browsing section, targeting Chrome ONLY seems not the best approach as MS Edge and Samsung browser (I know there is a long list but these are the biggest names, so…) are the same if not worse. Also in this section it only focuses on Browser itself so I think renaming the section to “Privacy Respecting Browsers” might fit the content better. This video was aimed towards a more general audience, the majority of people use Chrome so it made sense to target those people specifically. I felt that getting into the weeds about less popular browsers might distract from the message. > [@TinFoilHat](#): > > “Privacy Respecting Browsers” might fit the content better. That’s kinda my bad lol, I wanted to have that title for the section but it wouldn’t fit so I went with Private Browsing instead. I needed something a bit shorter, but yeah you’re right we could have covered search engines too.