The Internet Security Thread

[Reciprocity]

The world as we know it has changed dramatically in the last few weeks. There are still options to keep relatively secure with Telecommunications Devices whether Cell phones or computers. This thread will become comprehensive as time goes on involving simple to complicated options.

Update: 7/13/13 Since there is a alot of info in this thread and might confuse people looking for a good starting solution to protect themselves from being snooped on, i'll make some simple recomendations.

1. Linux Mint : The best linux OS for beginers simply because it emulates the windows GUI. IMO it's best to ween off of windows slowly by installing the duel boot option on the installation disk or simply run it off the live disk to try it. Keep you windows OS while you try it.

2. Firewall : Normally, Linux dosen't need a firewall but its still best to play it safe so download GUFW which is availible from Linux.

3. Anti-Virus: Not needed, in 5 years ive yet to get a virus or malware running Linux. Some users install CLAM AV for windows files.

4. Browser: Firefox with Security Extensions Ghostery, HTTP everywhere, BetterPrivacy, No Script, Google Disconnect , ADBlockPlus, User Agent Switcher. this will make you untrackable and leave no traces at websites.

5. Search Engines: DuckDuck Go, Startpage and ixQuick.

6. Email: Thundebird with Enigmail OpenPGP plugin, StartMail Beta (Not out yet) but you can sign up for the Beta.

7. Encryption : Truecrypt is one the better easy to use on sensitive files.

8. Passwords : passwords should be atleast 15 characters long. DuckDuck Go has
a nice random PW Generator, use it and then reverse what it comes up with. Your Linux
OS should have a strong PW for extra security. Remember, never use the same PW for everything.

9. Private Cloud Storage : Something that is rapidly gaining popularity in the last 2 months since the NSA Scandal. Private Cloud Storage allows the user to store and share data, pictures music etc with friends, family on hardware in your house or buisness. There are alot of hardware solutions on the market. For further security most use a VPN to their cloud hardware for remote external access. This is a good solution to those who no longer wish to use facebook and have family and friends that think the same.


Common Sense & Open Source Philosophy

Common sense goes along way when protecting critical data such as, tax returns, banking info, email contacts, etc. Critical data should not be stored on you computer period, but kept on a DVD disk and encrypted. If you must keep info like this on a hardrive, i'd advise you get an outboard drive and keep it encrypted as well.Conservative Journalist and Organizations need to be particularly careful and have their servers Penetration Tested and Hardened by IT Security Professionals. Journalist working abroad should always encrypt their hard drives on laptops, should use the strongest possible encryption when sending emails, they should also only do this threw VPNs.

So why Open Source and why now? Because Open Source takes you out of the proprietary software like Microsoft and thousands of other companies that have been compromised by US Intelligence Agencies as well as other US government entities, Private Data miners, Private Infomation Brokers, etc. Further, there are no backdoors with Linux & Open Sourceware simply because tens of thousands of programmers, source coders all over the world are constantly reviewing the Linux kernel looking for any anomalies, especially backdoors

7/30/13. Since The NSA Prism Scandal, a myriad of American based Companies have surfaced promising internet security and Anonymity, problem is these companies are still under US Jurisdiction and are still subject to Law Enforement subpoenas & US Intelligence NSL's (national security letters) so your data & communications can still be compromised.

8/5/13. On the subject of Tablets which i did not touch upon, be advised that these things bleed critical data when you sink to clouds. I would advise dumping the Android engine altogether since its part of Google and collects vast amounts of personal data. There is an alternative which i use for my Nexus. I rooted Ubuntu into it which is way more secure. Be advised this can be difficult. I will post a guide on this soon. BTW Micrsoft based tablets are just as bad.



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