Threat Modeling: Protecting Your Network and Online Assets

I. Who Do You Want To Protect?

• Yourself and personal identity – Protecting your online presence, digital footprint, and sensitive information.
• Your family – Safeguarding the personal data and well-being of your loved ones.
• Your team (if applicable) – Ensuring the security and confidentiality of shared resources and projects.
• Clients (if self-employed) – Maintaining professional reputation, trust, and customer privacy.

II. What Do You Want To Protect?

• Reputation (self and work) – Preserving your personal and professional image in the digital world.
• Privacy and control over data access – Ensuring that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive information.
• Development environment – Securing your codebase, projects, and development assets from unauthorized access.
• Crypto transactions and crypto wallet – Safeguarding financial transactions and private keys for cryptocurrencies.
• Laptop/computer/devices – Protecting the integrity of connected devices from external threats.
• Content held on machines/devices – Ensuring that sensitive data remains secure, even if devices are compromised.
• Online accounts and passwords – Maintaining strong, unique passwords for all online accounts.
• Collaborative work – Securing shared resources and collaborating with trusted individuals.

III. Who Are You Protecting This From?

• ISP (Internet Service Provider) – Minimizing the risk of data interception or surveillance by your ISP.
• Network observers (Big Data, Government agencies) – Safeguarding against government or corporate espionage efforts.
• Online abusers (trolls, hackers, adversaries) – Protecting yourself from online harassment, cyberbullying, and malicious attacks.
• Online phishing – Avoiding phishing scams that target sensitive personal data.
• People who could physically access your connected machine/device – Preventing unauthorized physical access to devices.
• People/persons with abusive personal relationships – Protecting yourself from online harassment.

IV. What Do You Stand To Lose and How Severe Would That Loss Be?

• Consequences: Identify the potential consequences of losing your protected data, reputation, or assets.
• Prevention/Reduction Measures: Outline strategies to prevent or reduce these consequences.

V. Trust of Individuals

• Who Do You Communicate With? – Be mindful of who you share sensitive information with.
• What Are Circumstances? What Do You Share? – Consider the context and purpose of sharing personal data.
• Managing Trust Among Your Group – Establish clear guidelines for trust and collaboration.
• What Platform Do You Use? – Assess the security features of online platforms.

VI. Risk Scale for Different Scenarios

• Friends: Low to moderate risk.
• Strangers on forums: High risk due to anonymity.
• Workplace: Moderate to high risk, depending on company culture.

VII. Have You Had Any Reasons To Worry About Your Online Activities or Devices?

• Identify past vulnerabilities or close calls.
• Consider how these experiences impact your security strategies.