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What is Signature Reduction?
Signature Reduction is a technique used by the military and intelligence agencies to reduce online information, or “signatures”, of their undercover operatives.
In civilian terms, it is a counter-surveillance technique designed to thwart online reconnaissance by stalkers, hackers and otherwise bad actors. Most people are unaware of the sheer amount of information available about them online.
Signature Reduction helps you hide your personal information from bad actors by reducing the searchable footprint of online activities common to the average internet user. This includes but is not limited to: purchasing subscriptions, booking vacations and checking in with social platforms such as Facebook and Google+.
Note that License Plate Tracking , CCTV Surveillance , facial recognition and other location based operations are not covered in this article.
How Does Signature Reduction Work?
Signature Reduction is achieved through the use of spoofed information, or false data that has been manipulated so as to reduce a signature’s relevance for search engines and other online resources. There are two different types of signaturization: Input Signaturization and Output Signaturization.
Input Signaturization is the process of adding false information on top of existing data — such as your name, address or phone number— to reduce its accuracy. Input Signaturization helps you disguise your identity by reducing revealing pieces of personal information (as stated above).
Output Signaturization is the removal or distortion of data to hide your online activities from the eyes of others. Output Signaturization is achieved by doing things like manipulating header information in an email, or filling out a form on a website with false and misleading information.
How Can Signature Reduction Help Me Protect My Privacy?
Signature Reduction techniques are designed to protect your identity from prying eyes online. The techniques outlined here are capable of stopping bad actors from tracking you through the internet by reducing your digital footprint and preventing them from identifying your identity based on information gathered during their reconnaissance.
Signature Reduction is a necessary step toward protecting yourself against cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers who can cause financial, emotional or physical damage depending on your circumstances. It is also necessary for keeping yourself safe from observations by the government and its intelligence agencies, as such organizations will be able to track your movements online even if their motive is not malicious.
How Can I Apply Signature Reduction Techniques to My Online Life?
While we recommend using the services of a professional agency, such as the services we offer here at Stature Optics Management, there are steps you can take yourself to minimize your online signature. Here are some tried and tested techniques:
1. Purchase prepaid credit cards instead of using your own
When making purchases online it is always better to use a prepaid credit card. By doing so you will not be revealing information about your personal bank account or other identifying details which can then in turn be used for credit card theft and other malicious activities.
2. Use Tor to access the web
Tor stands for The Onion Router which allows you to access the web without your internet service provider tracking your IP address or location. By using Tor, users are able to protect their identity online while surfing and conducting search queries.
3. Disable GPS on your phone and other devices
GPS tracking is a way of monitoring the location of an object or person. If you are using a smartphone it is highly recommended that you disable GPS in order to protect your privacy. This precaution can also be applied to laptops, desktops computers and tablets as well as smart televisions and other electronic devices that come with built-in GPS functionality.
With Signature Reduction techniques you will be able to build an online signature that steers away from prying eyes on the internet and protects your identity as part of your everyday life in the digital age!
Who Should Use Signature Reduction Techniques?
In theory, anyone who values their online privacy can benefit from the use of Signature Reduction. Many of our clients are wealthy people of means who are looking out for their own reputational interests such as politicians, celebrities, and entrepreneurs. Others are users who may have concerns about their privacy because of a personal situation such as being victims of domestic abuse or other types of harassment on the internet.
Users should also consider applying Signature Reduction techniques if they:
- Are a journalist who wishes to have more control over their sources and contacts.
- Want to keep their online identity concealed from prying government agencies or data miners.
- Use the internet for sensitive work purposes.
Why Should a Person Use Signature Reduction Techniques?
Signature Reduction is a straightforward concept that can be applied to any situation where a user wishes to protect their privacy online. Regardless of your reason for needing to reduce your signature, you should always keep in mind that this is not an infallible process. Signature Reduction can be used as part of an effective security strategy but it will never be sufficient on its own. This means that you should still take extra precautions such as using VPNs, encrypting your hard drives, and other online security measures.