The Personal Digital Resilience Handbook: An essential guide to safe, secure and robust use of everyday technology

Everyday technology brings convenience, connection, and opportunity—but it also brings new vulnerabilities. In The Personal Digital Resilience Handbook, Dr. David Wild tackles the quiet fragility of the devices and services we depend on daily. From ransomware and data breaches to power outages and platform failures, the risks are real, but so are the practical steps you can take.

Why Digital Resilience Matters

This handbook defines digital resilience as the steps individuals, families, and communities can take to make their use of digital technologies more robust and less prone to critical failure. It goes beyond traditional cybersecurity to address the full picture: reliability, privacy, control, and recovery. Whether you are dealing with a broken hard drive, an online account breach, or the growing influence of data collection, the book offers clear, actionable guidance.

Practical Steps Across Your Digital Life 💻

Chapters 1 through 4 walk through securing the major pieces of your digital life:

• Building a digitally resilient computer
• Creating a robust digital backup system
• Using the internet resiliently
• Hardening your smartphone

Each chapter ends with a checklist to help you measure your progress. It’s like a check-up for your digital life—testing the brakes, changing the oil, and installing seatbelts.

Advanced Resilience for the Curious 🔒

Chapter 5 takes readers further, exploring advanced digital resilience for those who want greater control and protection. The guidance is primarily aimed at a U.S. audience, but many ideas translate to other countries. Dr. Wild, a professor at Indiana University’s Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering, draws on his research in crisis technologies and data security to provide practical, trustworthy advice.

Who This Handbook Is For

This book is for anyone who uses a computer, smartphone, or the internet—and that includes Uncle John, Aunt Maude, and tech-savvy grandchildren. Whether you are new to digital security or looking to go deeper, you’ll find clear steps that are within reach.