Good thread, I'll add mine in no particular order:
1.
Defense in depth Always assume that every countermeasure you take will be breached - i.e. your phone will be found, your computer unlocked etc. etc. Then plan around that. Add additional layers of security like encryption, password protection, clearing stuff down after a punt. This massively reduces the chance of a single mistake outing you.
2.
Use a staging area. Don't go directly from home from the punt. Have somewhere else you go first. It might be a pub, a mcdonalds, a service station or whatever. It will give you a chance to calm yourself down, and make sure you've cleaned up and followed any security procedures like clearing phone down in place. Ideally, you should go to this location sometimes when you're not punting, so it just become a routine place that you go, and reduces suspicion.
3.
Reality check - every month or so, google 'my husband/boyfriend sees prostitutes' and check out threads on places like not allowed. This will give you information as to how people get caught, and also give you a splash of cold water to the face. The danger of hanging around sites like UKP is that it normalises what you're doing. That can lead you to do let your guard down. What you're doing is not 'normal', not generally socially acceptable, and if you get found out, will cause you a whole fucking world of trouble. You need to keep that fear of getting caught, because fear keeps you alive.
4.
Create security habits Mentally go through everything you do that could get you caught, and work out the steps you need to take to reduce the risk. Then make sure you do it every time, until it becomes second nature. For example - always locking your computer. Always closing your browser. Always clearing your phone down. If you have to remember to do this stuff, one day you'll forget, then you're dead. It also reduces the risk of getting caught due to getting lazy, because habits are easy to keep doing, whereas remembering to do stuff isn't.
5.
Don't give yourself away online As several members here have found to their cost, it's surprisingly easy for a determined adversary to triangulate different pieces of data to identify you. There might be millions of men in South London, but if someone works out you from your posts you are aged 43, have a poodle, drive a Saab, work in sales, are able to post to a punting site at 11AM and like Jack Daniels, they probably have a suspect list of less than 20. If you post that your wife is in her 41 and still in good shape as well, you've created a fingerprint. Post some misinformation now and again, and keep things vague.
6.
There is no rule 6.7.
Username, passwords and emails Never, ever, ever reuse usernames or passwords between site, and ffs don't make your passwords easy to get. I saw one bloke who got nailed when his missus tried his email address along with his car reg on AW. She got in, found a hotlist and some feedback. Try explaining your way out of that one. Additionally, if you ever use a regular email account for punting, you need your head examining.
8.
Admin access to computers If someone has admin access to your computer or other device, they can install monitoring software. Treat any computer where the admin account might not be secure as compromised. A particularly savvy adversary may be able to monitor you without admin access, just by being left alone with the machine for 30 mins. Use an encrypted USB stick with firefox portable or similar on if you think that might be an issue.
9.
Always treat security as your first priority If something happens during your punt preparations which could jeopardise security, abandon the punt. You can always punt another day as long as you don't get busted. If you catch yourself doing something which is a risk (you realise you've left a browser logged into AW, you find a receipt in your pocket), review your procedures to make sure it can't happen again.
It is through these small lapses that people get caught.. Receipts in pockets, stray hairs, text messages. Once suspicion is aroused, it is a lot more likely more evidence will be found.
10.
If confronted: deny, deny, deny, and stop completely (at least until the heat has died down) If you've ever had dealings with the police trying to nail something on you, you'll know that they will try to trick you into making a confession by claiming they already know you are guilty. A lot of coppers get arrests this way, because it's psychologically easier to confess than hold out. Smart women will do the same. In both cases, unless they confront you with hard evidence, they is a good chance they are bluffing you. Sweat it out. If you are busted, an initial denial isn't going to make things any worse than they already are.
11.
Don't out specific tips in public I've seen a couple of people here share info about certain apps which are useful. The problem with that is that they are feeding information to the other side. not allowed read these boards, and will immediately be looking on their OH's phone for those apps. They quickly become a liability. Share it via PM instead.
Am sure there are others but I'm bored of writing now.
