Useful Links and Tidbits

OCCRP runs a service that will let you upload documents and strip out the metadata and then you can download the 'clean' version. It is behind SSO (requires a login) but all staff can use it: https://meta.data.occrp.org/.

All OCCRP staff can access our training platform if they are logged into their google account: TRAINING LIBRARY. If someone external needs access to the training platform, please create a ticket at requests.occrp.org/training-access.

How to Stay Safe on the Internet

Easy steps you can take now to make your work environment more secure

Set disappearing messages in all groups or 1-on-1 conversations, especially with sources. This feature exists in Signal, Wire, and Whatsapp.
Use a VPN on your laptop and your phone. OCCRP recommend Mullvad VPN. It helps to block network injection attacks (like the one NSO uses). If you don not have a VPN account, contact tech support.
We do NOT recommend you use e-mail on your phone. An attacker can theoretically download your connection credentials and access your mail from somewhere else.
Enable hard drive encryption on your computer. Use the built-in tools for Windows and MacOS or VeraCrypt (cross-platform).
Use a password manager. OCCRP recommends KeePassXC.
In case of security incidents, please contact OCCRP's security team.

Browser Security

OCCRP generally suggests using Chrome or Firefox - or, even better, installing both and using one for your normal web browsing and one for work, or to log into your google account. Either way, we strongly suggest using these browser extensions:

HTTPS everywhere Firefox / Chrome
Privacybadger Firefox / Chrome
uBlock origin Firefox / Chrome
CSS Exfil protection Firefox / Chrome

For a deep dive into surveillance self-defence you can head over to the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

How to Add Information to a Wiki

Step-by-step guide

Navigate to the correct section of the Wiki.
Create a sub-page if there is no page that fits your need yet.
On an existing page, click the Edit button in the top right corner of the page.
If you created a new page, you are automatically in edit mode.
It is very important that you use the right template for new pages, for example for new person or company profiles.
Give the page a meaningful title or the section that you want to add a meaningful headline.
Please use the formatting options that the Wiki tool provides.
You can add links using the button in the menu bar. Please do not just paste links into the text, it is really hard to read.
If you want to add screenshots or images, please use the interface to resize them so that the page looks nice.
Do not add documents to the Wiki, use Aleph for that.

The OCCRP Wiki uses a software called Confluence, you can find a detailed manual for it here.

How to File a Ticket With ID

OCCRP's Research Desk, also called ID, has access to a ton of databases and is staffed with highly skilled, experienced researchers. They will help you with your research questions (in the context of OCCRP investigations, not life!).

Filing a request is really easy:

Go to ID's website.
Log into your OCCRP account the same way would log into other OCCRP services like Aleph.
Click on FILE A NEW REQUEST.
Fill out the form, depending on what you need information on. Please make sure that you mention the investigation that you are working (using the code name).

How to Search in Aleph

OCCRP's data tool Aleph is your friend! From simple searches to complex analysis, it can show vital connections and help skimm through thousands of documents. Below's a basic tutorial video on how to do searches in Aleph. The in-depth documentation can be found here. Feel free to reach out to the data team if you have further questions or need any help.

How to Request Data Support

OCCRP's Data Desk, previously known as the Data Team, has a technical staff that provides data support on active investigations. Data support includes, but is not limited to, acquiring data relevant to an investigation, and processing and analyzing data to support different lines of inquiry.

To request data support:

1. Go to our ticket submission form (https://requests.occrp.org/data).

2. Fill out and submit a ticket for support.

Please be as detailed as possible, mentioning:

- the investigation you are working on

- the problem you are trying to solve or questions you are trying to answer (explaining them in the context of the overall investigation),

- what results you are hoping for.

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