Become a Master Protecting Yourself Online

Learn key techniques to safeguard your data and activity without compromising the convenience and power of the Internet.

Can you imagine waking up, having your morning coffee or tea, checking your email and…

finding out that your email has been hacked???!!!! Oh no! Then you discover that your netflix account has also been compromised…

...and then you remember that you meant to get around to freezing your credit reports after the Equifax breach, but haven’t gotten around to it.

Oy! How do you feel?? Violated, panicked, unsafe, betrayed, scared, helpless, angry, weepy...combination of feelings?

What DO you do NOW?

Sadly, reacting to a hacker and resulting data breaches takes a LOT of effort if you don’t have key practices in place to begin with.

Now, more than ever, protecting your data and activity online is key. I want to teach you internet security and privacy fundamentals so you don’t encounter this scenario.

Using secure methods in your digital work is critical to your reputation, your safety and your business…when done correctly. Having proper security controls can even help you earn customer trust and win business. And, these controls help you mitigate risk…and prevent you from the downsides of hacking, bankruptcy or worse.

It’s not enough to rely on your apps and cloud services without reviewing and adjusting key settings. That’s because the companies that make the apps are often more interested in getting your data than protecting you.

A 2-week hands-on intensive where you will learn the 3 essential principles of digital security AND take 2-5 key actions to make your online activity safer than you imagined. And keep yourself safe.

Are you sick and tired of worrying when some hacker is going to make your life hell because your information has been stolen or some hacker has broken into your email?

Or, have you experienced the “creepy” factor where ads for items or topics you’ve been researching seem to pop up everywhere online?

These problems are real – I once got TWO notices of systems getting breached in a week: one from Verizon and another from the Humane Society! And, I got overwhelmed by the number of ads I was bombarded with after reading my favorite news sites.

But what worries me the most is how much information about me and my family is freely available online to whoever types my name in a search box…

We live in a world awash with data, out of control emotions and the ability to get and broadcast data immediately to a broad audience. Everywhere you see, “us versus them”, “protect your attack surface”, and more bad news than good when it comes to protecting yourself online.

Well intended security professionals and software companies try to scare us into action. How is that helpful? It’s certainly not sustainable. I don’t know about you but the last thing I need is to be more anxious.

Instead, we need to take back control: of our information, of our online activity and of our privacy and security. In a values-based way. Calm. Grounded. Empowered.

I’ve tried a piece-meal approach. For example, I jumped to implementing a particular app on my Mac for password management without understanding the way I work and how I manage passwords needs to fit within the way I work. I didn’t realize the basic habits I would need to change or adopt. I also got stuck because I didn’t integrate key practices throughout my digital life.

I took countless security courses.

Too technical. I did not need to understand the ins and outs of scripting and pen testing or encryption! I just wanted to know how to set up my files and passwords properly!

Too black and white…and dry. The instructors didn’t take into account my context and values.

Too scary. I’m tired of being bombarded with “You must protect your attack surface” and similar tactics.

Too time-consuming and not enduring. I did not find anything that taught me how to stay on top of things in a sane way. Security and privacy programs are geared toward large companies rather than me as an individual and solopreneur. Many techniques that I came upon ended up as siloed solutions that actually left me and my data vulnerable.

Ugh!

So, I created my own methods and developed a system that works. I sleep better at night and perform my work and play online with greater confidence that I thought possible. Yes, even though there are continued hacks and breaches. Even in the face of “big tech” companies whose whole business is about vacuuming up data about us and our behavior. There is a middle ground where you can strike a balance between being private and being found.

I’m clear about the trade-offs I make so that I am findable online in terms of my consulting and teaching AND I maintain my confidential conversations and emails with loved ones and clients.

I come from a place of confidence, trust and knowledge in what works.

After nearly five years of research, experimentation and application, I found digital well-being in applying three principles that drive three essential practices. Just three!

Practicing Safe Internet (PSI for short) is a four-session workshop over two weeks that first helps you create a viable digital security plan. This has to come first, because otherwise all the tech in the world won’t help you. We will meet over Zoom.

With your strategy in place, you’ll then discover the ins and outs of data minimization, browsing containers and blockers, and secure communications. In plain English, with me by your side.

And finally, you’ll be ready for our step-by-step session on how to implement your own personal security program.

This is not a fluffy online course that leaves you with more questions than answers. With over 4 hours of clear instruction plus email access to me over the two weeks and two Q&A sessions, these sessions will give you both the strategic and tactical knowledge you need to practice safer internet.

You will experience learning in a fun, relaxed way over four 1 hour sessions plus two live Q&A sessions.  All this delivered in the convenience of your home or office - via Zoom web conferencing.

You get hands-on learning and doing, in manageable chunks, with me guiding you every step of the way.

People ultimately learn by doing. That’s why I have designed a series of hands-on actions.

People need support from a trusted non-anxious teacher. That’s why I bring “Chaplain Kaplan” to this course (I am, actually, a professional chaplain in addition to being a serious tech nerd).

People need a simple system that is focused on clear, easy steps. That’s why I created this digital security essentials course.

Before we begin the intensive, you get a brief pre-course assessment where you tell me what your biggest pain point is and give me an idea of your digital tools and apps. I will send you a custom PSI starter roadmap along with a workbook.

For both weeks, we will meet twice for 60 minutes. The first session is where I will teach you key principles and show you security techniques. The second session is hands on where you will build your security action plan and system.

And, after the workshops each week, you can join me in a Q & A session on Fridays.

We’re not done yet.

After the two core weeks, we’ll add to and supplement what you’ve learned through four action guides with step-by-step instructions and access to me via email for the first 180 days to answer your questions. That’s right, you get 6 months access to me.

And, if you are one of the first 10 people to sign up for my course, you get a 1:1 30-minute call with me.

Not long ago, I took a similar program on security and privacy. It didn’t cover key elements of security for an individual - as opposed to a business - and the course required knowledge of LINUX and other advanced technologies. The training covered a portion of the Practicing Safe(r) Internet curriculum. The training was from someone I know who is an amazing expert on digital privacy and the price was $3,500.

You know what? It’s worth every penny...if that’s what you need and are fairly technical.

These expensive programs are worth it because they don’t only teach valuable content; they coach people through a repeatable process. It’s process that leads to action and success. That goes well beyond the usual online courses that focus exclusively on passive information. 

After nearly three decades of teaching and consulting, I’ll never teach anything other than a meaningful process. And this is what I’ve brought to Practicing Safe(r) Internet.

But I’m not going to charge you $3,500. The price for this training will be more expensive in the future but not now.

That’s because I’m going to ask you to help me get to the higher price point with your feedback on the course. Your investment is way less than it will be in the future, because you’re going to promise to help me get even better at teaching about online security and privacy.

You can email directly - your feedback is always welcome and appreciated. 

My request for feedback does NOT mean you’re getting a half-baked experience. Not at all. The feedback I got from previous Practicing Safe(r) Internet workshop participants was some of the best of my career. 

But, I can do better. There are always things to improve and your feedback is essential to improvement. Plus, this is a key way I can live my value of trusted relationships. 

And, this is why your investment isn’t $3,500. Not even close.

It’s $318. $300 for the course and $18 toward the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an organization that is hard at work fighting for our digital privacy. 

That’s less than a tenth of the price for a digital security playbook that could literally save your butt from online calamity. And you’re helping me out with your feedback at the same time, so it’s win-win for both of us.

Let’s work together!

Will this course continue to be updated? And will I get free access to future versions?

Yes! This is my core product. In the first six months, I’ve already fully revamped and pushed out version 2.0 of the workshop. I have an on demand version in the works and you get this when I release it in the next few months for the first year. After that you can pay a small (discounted) fee for any future updates for the on demand version.

Will this work for someone who isn’t a “techie”?

 Yes! In fact, I’ve designed this course for mere mortals! This is a beginner to emerging intermediate level class and perfect for folks who have been too shy or intimidated to take an internet security class before. 

I send out a pre-course assessment / learner's survey before each workshop so I understand what kind of laptop and mobile phone you use. I then tailor the workshop modules and playbooks to your devices and most needed actvities online.

There are a ton of tips and tools on security on the internet. Why should I pay for your course?

Here’s why you should consider learning with me:

• You save yourself a ton of time and aggravation by learning three key practical skills that you can apply time and time again to your Internet safety.
  
• You get a practicing safer internet system, not a series of random tips and tools
• You practice setting up and using the practicing safer internet system, while getting your questions answered and being supported for six months.
• As I mentioned above, I send out a learner's survey before each workshop so I understand what kind of laptop and mobile phone you use. I then tailor the workshop modules and playbooks to your devices and most needed activities online.
• Unlike one-size-fits-all solutions, you first work through your “privacy stance”. This means where and when you need to have privacy and how privacy is related to but different from security.

Here’s a couple of examples. 

Let’s say you have a side gig doing home decluttering for folks in your neighborhood. In this context, you NEED to be found on the Internet. I provide you with a method to do this while keeping your personal information that you want kept private, out of the picture.

Or, let’s imagine that you are volunteering and you want to make sure that your correspondence and your notes are kept secure. I help you do that. The specific apps and tools I recommend, I use and have been vetted - they each meet strict privacy criteria.

You get to learn in a fun and engaging way. Have you ever tried to implement a technique from a site - only to be bored to tears and confused? We nip those experiences in the bud.

Why a live workshop?

We learn best in real-time settings with the ability to practice and get our questions answers immediately. That's why I offer live workshops and follow up with helpful videos and other resources to reinforce your learning.

How will this workshop be delivered?

You will participate via Zoom meetings. Once you register, you'll receive a link to the Zoom meetings. I cap the number of participants to 25 per workshop. In addition, with permission of the group, I can make recordings available to participants via a secure file folder.

Over the two weeks, there will be two workshops each week plus a Q & A session. You are also welcome to email me questions and I will respond via email. If you get stuck, we can set up a brief call or I will record a video for you and send you the link.

Is this course for business security and privacy?

No, this course is for individuals. I do work with companies and I’m happy to schedule a call with you to discuss your business needs. You can contact me here: https://www.rethinkprivacy.com/contact/

Want to take back your privacy and stop playing "whack-a-mole" with your data online? Then come join me for the workshop. I can't wait to meet you!

"Our own information is being weaponized against us with military efficiency. Every day, billions of dollars change hands and countless decisions are made on the basis of our likes and dislikes, our friends and families, our relationships and conversations, our wishes and fears, our hopes and dreams. These scraps of data, each one harmless enough on its own, are carefully assembled, synthesized, traded and sold."

~ Tim Cook, CEO Apple