1. Martus Account Set Up
Benetech is a non-profit organization that develops and supports Martus, a secure information management software for human rights monitoring.

2. Sign in screen. Here we can choose a language
Sign in screen. Here we can choose a language. To open a new account we will click the link.

3. Wizard walks the user through setting up an account
Wizard walks the user through setting up an account. The first step is to select a username.
Enter a unique user name. You can use capital letters, spaces, and symbols. You will need to enter it exactly as it was written each time.

4. The password is the most important security feature of Martus set by the user. The most important characteristic of a strong password is that it is long. Best practices also include ensuring that it is unique.

5. You will need to re-enter the password to confirm it.

6. Martus will tell you when the passwords match.

7. Entering Author and Organization information here will enable Martus to auto-fill those fields in the records you create, so you don’t have to type them each time you make a new record. This information is always encrypted, and will never be sent to the Martus server in plain, readable text.

8. A Martus account = Username + password + key
A Martus account = Username + password + key. The key is a unique key to your account that unlocks (i.e. deciphers and unencrypts) your data. An encryption key is really difficult and resource-heavy to crack.
Benetech cannot recover your account so making sure you can access your data is up to the user.
What's the first thing you do when you move into a new home? You make a copy of your key and you put it somewhere safe, not inside your new home.

9. The “default” server is in Ireland, with backup/mirror to Brazil
The “default” server is in Ireland, with backup/mirror to Brazil. Reminder that all data is encrypted so server operators/Benetech can not read.

10. Or you can use another server set-up and Benetech never has to know (now very labor-intensive, but becoming easier)
Remember that backup can also happen without internet on external drives, if done regularly and off-site, by dragging and dropping MBA files in and out. (Contacts still must be configured in order to read it).

11. Select ”Use default server” and click Connect Now.

12. Your key is a .dat file that lives on your computer in your Martus directory and is what lets you into your account; it is associated with your specific username/password pair.
There are two key backup methods:
Single-file backup: Key file (.dat) stored somewhere safe, works with username & password
Key-in-3-pieces: Key file split into 3 parts and backed up on 3 separate external devices, need 2 of the 3 pieces without username and password. (You cannot store two pieces on the same drive! Explain why: this would provide immediate full access to the account).
Note: You MUST back-up your key each time you change your password since they are all associated.... or remember your old password.
Best practices: not using the USB that you store your keys on as your primary USB, writing down your password (or a hint) and hiding it in a book, etc. etc.
Can also backup configurations & folders.

13. The Server Compliance Statement confirms that you are connected to a server that uses unmodified and trusted Martus software. Click Yes to use this server and continue.

14. Your key is a .dat file that lives on your computer in your Martus directory and is what lets you into your account; it is associated with your specific username/password pair.
There are two key backup methods:
Single-file backup: Key file (.dat) stored somewhere safe, works with username & password
Key-in-3-pieces: Key file split into 3 parts and backed up on 3 separate external devices, need 2 of the 3 pieces without username and password. (You cannot store two pieces on the same drive! Explain why: this would provide immediate full access to the account).
Note: You MUST back-up your key each time you change your password since they are all associated.... or remember your old password.
Best practices: not using the USB that you store your keys on as your primary USB, writing down your password (or a hint) and hiding it in a book, etc. etc.
Can also backup configurations & folders.

15. Your key is a .dat file that lives on your computer in your Martus directory and is what lets you into your account; it is associated with your specific username/password pair.
There are two key backup methods:
Single-file backup: Key file (.dat) stored somewhere safe, works with username & password
Key-in-3-pieces: Key file split into 3 parts and backed up on 3 separate external devices, need 2 of the 3 pieces without username and password. (You cannot store two pieces on the same drive! Explain why: this would provide immediate full access to the account).
Note: You MUST back-up your key each time you change your password since they are all associated.... or remember your old password.
Best practices: not using the USB that you store your keys on as your primary USB, writing down your password (or a hint) and hiding it in a book, etc. etc.
Can also backup configurations & folders.