In an effort to fight increased cyber-surveillance by authorities, more hackers and security experts are sharing their tips to online security with the public.

According to Russia Today, there has been an increase in “cryptoparties,” gatherings where newcomers can learn how to shield their online usage from detection, through programs like the Tor Project, which developers say protects internet users from “traffic analysis,” a process used to deduce who someone is communicating with on public networks.

Also among the programs being used is CryptoCat. The difference between this program and online messaging services like Facebook chat and Google Talk, said its’ creator, Nadim Kobeissi, is that the messages users send in the latter aren’t private — they go back to their respective hosts, and can easily be intercepted by either them or government forces.

More from RawStory.com at http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/09/22/hackers-share-security-tips-with-the-public-in-cryptoparties/