To be honest
Our guides do not replace official advice. In Germany, the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) has detailed preparedness tips, and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) covers online safety.
Guides
Well prepared.
Simply explained.
Short guides for you and the people who matter to you: how to stay in touch when something fails, how to look out for each other and how to protect your data day to day. Most tips help even without anynear.
Preparedness
When something fails.
Family emergency plan
Meeting points, who picks up whom, a contact person and key numbers: how to make an emergency plan for the whole family in half an hour.
Stay reachable in a power cut
What happens to phones and internet in a longer power cut, which arrangements help, and how your circle can still stay in touch.
Emergency folder
Emergency plan, phone list, powers of attorney and copies of key documents: what belongs in an emergency folder and how to keep it at hand.
Checking in
Living, working or out on your own: how regular check-ins help, who keeps an eye on them and what happens when someone does not check in.
Warnings on your phone
Phone alerts without an app, warning apps like NINA, sirens and radio: how you are warned in Germany and what to set up beforehand.
Messages without internet
When the internet or mobile network fails: what text messages, radios, emergency numbers and help points can do, and how anynear sends short messages by radio.
Everyday
Safe every day.
Secure messenger
Looking for a secure alternative to WhatsApp? Six simple questions to check any messenger yourself, from encryption to privacy.
Message scams
“Hi Mum, new number”, fake parcels and blocked accounts: how to spot scams by message and what to do if it has already happened.
New phone, lost phone
What matters before you switch phones, what to do if your phone is gone, and how a backup lets you take your conversations and circles with you.
Keeping passwords safe
What good passwords look like, why each account needs its own, what one-time codes and passkeys add, and how relatives can manage in an emergency.
Digital legacy
What happens to email, banking, subscriptions and photos if something happens to you, and three steps so your relatives can manage.
Messenger without a phone number
A messenger without a phone number or account: why it protects your privacy, how you connect by link and what to keep in mind.