Black Bag Confidential

Take a look at this piece by our friends over at 4Patriots. It runs down a whopping 22 off-label uses for aluminum foil, including several survival solutions.

If you’re taken hostage, the first 30 minutes are the most critical. Should you ever find yourself in a hostage situation, here are six things you can do to survive that first half hour — and hopefully make it home to your loved ones unharmed.

For many people, learning a specific combat style instills a sense of confidence. But how do you know if the class you signed up for at your local dojo is worth it? Here’s Damian Ross, founder of the Self Defense Co., to teach you six signs that your self-defense instructor sucks. ​

As you’ll read in the first of this week’s must-read articles, modern science is edging closer and closer to science fiction. And while the possibilities are endless, so is the potential for overreach. Let’s take a look.

As I’ve said before, the most important thing you can do if you’re caught in an active shooter scenario is MOVE. Once you are in a defensive position that is well hidden and away from the site of the shooting, it’s time for the next phase of survival.

In this edition of the Weekly Drop, you’ll discover the best multitool for people on a limited budget, whether plants are a sufficient deterrent to home invasions, alternative home defense weapons if you’ve been stripped of your right to bear arms and how to mentally prepare yourself for a life-or-death situation.

Looking for an innovative, low-cost way to expand your cache of emergency supplies? Then look no further. Our friends at 4Patriots offer up several suggestions on how to turn a humble garbage bag into the Swiss army knife of survival gear. ​

Dear Black Bag Confidential Reader, According to the FBI, Americans lost $1.3 billion to cybercrime in 2016, and that amount is expected to increase in 2017. This should not come as a surprise. Our lives are becoming more and more integrated with smart technology, and criminals are capitalizing on this, coming up with novel ways …

There are reports of more far-right rallies planned in the coming weeks. What should you do if one of these events erupts in your town? How do you protect yourself if you suddenly find yourself surrounded by rioters? Here’s how to make sure you make it back to your home safe and alive.

Wondering what you can do after the violence in Charlottesville? Here’s your action to take. Plus, mudslides in Sierra Leone, hidden threats to your emergency storage and a gun-toting drone that can fire in midair.