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This article will learn how to build the perfect survival phone for optimal security and privacy.
Even though many preppers may be hesitant to use a device that is always connected to the power grid, a smartphone may assist you with each of these tasks.
Of course, you should either not have a phone or have a more off-grid phone and simply has voice and text capabilities.
Some preppers, on the other hand, like the everyday ease of a smartphone, and if you’re one of them, you’ll want to keep reading.
Here are some simple phone security steps to follow.
Keep Your Physical Phone Secure
First and foremost, use a Phone Case. You cannot have a survival phone if your phone breaks instantly upon dropping it. Most of us already do this, but if you don’t, I recommend adding one.
It’s not only for protecting your smartphone. I also use it to store tiny, thin objects in the rear of the phone for EDC or emergency usage. I include some cash, a bandaid, and a small flat multitool.
Secondly, attach a camera cover. I’m using an ultra-thin camera cover to cover the selfie camera and laptop webcam. When I’m not using it, I keep it closed so that a hacker can’t use it to spy on me.
These are simple to set up and provide me with peace of mind. I don’t use one on the front-facing camera since I usually keep my phone on flat surfaces with the screen facing up, so it’s theoretically hidden.
Finally, if you don’t want your location tracked, carry a Faraday Bag. I prefer to go digitally off the grid now and again, utilizing a faraday bag to guarantee that my whereabouts aren’t monitored.
I get my digital data and then put my phone in a faraday bag to take it entirely off the grid whenever I choose.
Basic Digital Security
There are a ton of basic things you can do to immediately become safer online. First, get a firewall application, like Netgaurd on Android or Lockdown on Apple. Second, get a VPN and turn it on when you don’t want your location to be tracked.
However, I wouldn’t rely on a VPN completely as most applications have access to your phone through GPS, WiFi, and Cellular Triangulation.
Blocking all unauthorized access through settings and going to HTTPS sites only does far more than simply rerouting your data through a single VPN step.
Next, you would want to encrypt your DNS with an app like DNSCloak, ensuring that websites and 3rd parties can’t track you.
After that, simply disable many things in the settings, such as personalized advertising, location services, and telemetry.
You can find a complete list here: 21 Essential & Simple Cybersecurity Tips – 2021
Suggested Apps
1. Signal
Signal uses normal cellular phone numbers as IDs and secures all conversations with other Signal users using end-to-end encryption.
2. Brave
Brave is a free and open-source web browser based on the Chromium web browser created by Brave Software, Inc. It disables advertising and website trackers while also allowing users to donate bitcoin to websites and content providers.
3. Protonmail
ProtonMail provides encrypted email, making it almost difficult for anybody other than the sender and receiver to read it.
4. goTenna
goTenna enables your phone to connect to reliable, secure, and decentralized communication networks. The goTenna app connects to your mobile to provide 100% off-grid texting, GPS, and other cool features like ‘push for assistance.’
5. Scanner Radio
Listen to live audio from over 7,000 fire and police scanners, weather radios, amateur radio repeaters, air traffic control, and marine radios all across the world.
6. OsmAnd
OsmAnd is an offline navigation tool that gives you access to free, high-quality offline maps from all around the world. A contour map of sea depth and information on marine items. Basically, easy-to-use marine maps that don’t require access to the internet.
On hiking paths without cell coverage, use offline topo maps and GPS! You don’t have to rely on your data plan to obtain maps because your Android phone’s GPS can acquire its position from satellites. Have more fun and safe GPS backcountry excursions.
8. First Aid - American Red Cross
The official American Red Cross First Aid app puts expert advice for everyday emergencies in your hand. Get the app and be prepared for what life brings. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice it’s never been easier to know first aid.
Simple step-by-step instructions guide you through everyday first aid scenarios. Fully integrated with 9-1-1 so you can call EMS from the app at any time. Videos and animations make learning first aid fun and easy.
9. PlantNet Plant Identification
PlantNet is a smartphone application that allows you to identify plants by just photographing them. When you don’t have access to a botanist, this tool comes in handy!
PlantNet is also a fantastic citizen science project: all of the plants you picture are gathered and studied by experts all around the world in order to better understand and preserve plant biodiversity.
10. Knots 3D
Knots 3D will rapidly teach you how to tie even the most difficult knot. It is used by arborists, fishers, firefighters, climbers, military, and boy and girl scouts all around the world. Knots 3D will be your go-to reference with over 140 knots! Grab some rope and have a good time!
Final Words
Every day, new upgrades and apps are released for cellphones. If you have a favorite prepper software or addon that I haven’t included on this list, please share it with us over at defiel.com@gmail.com, along with a description of why you enjoy it and how you use it.
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to make a survival phone for optimal security and privacy.
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My phone has been hacked several times. I’m using my business phone number. It’s never too late to learn these things. Thanks for posting this!
Awesome survival phone content! I’ve been looking over the internet for a piece on survival phone packed with tips. This one had everything I needed to secure my survival phone and improve its privacy settings. Thanks for this!