Web security

[Kevin D Pem]

Yup Brave is it! VPN is great, duck duck go too. Pronto mail. Use them all.

Oops I forgot. I also use Debian in chromebook, Linux in chromebook is a VM/sandbox. It does the job so well my bank requires I verify it is me every time I login. The real reason I care about safety.

 

[AbdRahim]

Terrible that one has to become an expert cybersecurity, smply to exercise one's "right to privacy". Thanks for all of the info. I will definitely be paying more attention.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Here is an interesting 5G twist, an "improvement" to 5G service lets the tower precisely locate you, within "inches" or "centimeters"...

https://www.fastcompany.com/90314058/5g-means-youll-have-to-say-goodbye-to-your-location-privacy

Location-Privacy-Preserving Technique for 5G mmWave Devices

In fifth generation (5G) cellular networks, a single base station equipped with multiple antennas can determine the user position within centimeters, by processing the wireless millimeter-wave channel estimate. A fake base station serving a victim user can also obtain the user location. In order...

ieeexplore.ieee.org

 

[Neal]

I think I've stated my stance on this before. I embrace location, I have no issues with what my phone is tracking. It's AI to make the system and services better serve me. It can offer suggestions based on where I've been or where I'm going. It can help in emergencies to find and assist you with emergency services including road side auto services. There are people that will continue to fight the privacy battle and that's fine but I don't think you're going to win this one if you're going to use this tech. Want privacy then don't get AI devices (Phones, Tablets, Alexa) etc. Most importantly, what do you have to hide? What needs to be secure is secure (banking). Systems are in place for intellectual property that needs to be protected, i.e. communications, software, etc.

I see people going to such effort which IMHO is futile and at the same time losing the advantages of allowing devices to do what they do. For example taking pictures and knowing locations of your picture to build a story of where you've been for YOU to enjoy. I personally believe Apple is at the top of the privacy and security forefront, that's what I use primarily and if you have a concern for privacy and security I recommend Apple devices and not Google (Android).

My $.02. I use Google Chrome, I use an iPhone, I don't use VPN's, I do use HTTPS (SSL), I have location and everything within it ON. I do not allow Personalized Ads (ad tracking) but probably should, again just like Google it knows your searches and ads on this site will show based on your Google activity which is not a bad thing. It knows your interests and shows ads based on what you may want.

 

[RKins]

My $.02. I use Google Chrome, I use an iPhone, I don't use VPN's, I do use HTTPS (SSL), I have location and everything within it ON. I do not allow Personalized Ads (ad tracking) but probably should, again just like Google it knows your searches and ads on this site will show based on your Google activity which is not a bad thing. It knows your interests and shows ads based on what you may want.

I made the mistake of looking up the wood pizza ovens and I wish i never had - I'm getting bombarded with oven ads from BBQ guys......

 

[Neal]

How many of you concerned with Web Security use TAPATALK to view other forums?

When I created this forum I initially setup Tapatalk. Google classifies Tapatalk as malware and wouldn't approve this site for Google Ads. Tapatalk knew (knows) of this and was trying to appeal.

I inquired with the forum community that makes this forum'ware and learned Tapatalk is quite a data collector and probably wouldn't pass any privacy tests. So beware, if privacy is a concern of yours, you may want to delete tapatalk and discontinue use as I did once I learned of this.

 

[Amoque]

I honestly don't know what to think, how to avoid the issue, or how much it matters. Sure, if I'm dedicated, I can probably improve my online security, but what about every vendor where I use my Visa card, should I only use cash? If your car has navigation, a hotspot, or Bluetooth, do you know your not being tracked? Honestly, your OBDII system - in virtually every vehicle sold since 1996 - is the equivalent of an airplane's black box, do you safeguard that data from Jiffy Lube, your insurance company, your state's I/M program? Try and shut off the data steam from your car; virtually impossible.

Even if you encrypt your email, they still know who sent it and where it went; unless everyone you send to encrypts the reply... Same with phone calls. I remember my son, in the Army when cell phones were pay by the minute, telling me to never say anything on the phone I didn't want recorded - I laughed. I don't anymore. I'm not saying I don't care - I'm saying that I think it's too little, too late. I think our best hope is some of the legislation coming out of Europe because, the little I know makes me worry that my personal efforts are only feeding a fear monger who makes his living by making me think I can be safe.

 

[AbdRahim]

It is like bike chains. It won't prevent a dedicated professional, but a good enough one will make them have to work at it. Many will find it easier to go elsewhere. I will never give up.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I honestly don't know what to think, how to avoid the issue, or how much it matters. Sure, if I'm dedicated, I can probably improve my online security, but what about every vendor where I use my Visa card, should I only use cash? If your car has navigation, a hotspot, or Bluetooth, do you know your not being tracked? Honestly, your OBDII system - in virtually every vehicle sold since 1996 - is the equivalent of an airplane's black box, do you safeguard that data from Jiffy Lube, your insurance company, your state's I/M program? Try and shut off the data steam from your car; virtually impossible.

Even if you encrypt your email, they still know who sent it and where it went; unless everyone you send to encrypts the reply... Same with phone calls. I remember my son, in the Army when cell phones were pay by the minute, telling me to never say anything on the phone I didn't want recorded - I laughed. I don't anymore. I'm not saying I don't care - I'm saying that I think it's too little, too late. I think our best hope is some of the legislation coming out of Europe because, the little I know makes me worry that my personal efforts are only feeding a fear monger who makes his living by making me think I can be safe.

I started using Linux when a computer security analyst told me he would not use Microsoft products if they had the only product out there. I started using Pronto mail when I was told that Sweden had laws in place that kept my mail safe even from government eavesdropping. I have nothing to hide but I feel my mail should be private. I like a browser that my bank has to verify I am who I am every time I sign I because it gives up none of my information to anyone...

If I didn't do what I can only I could be blamed for any harm that might come to me and mine.

Do what you will.

 

[sealab2021]

Most people feel they have nothing to hide, and they don’t worry. Use a vpn and tor for certain things. Connect to the vpn first then start tor. Your isp will see you are connected to whatever country but won’t know what you are doing after that. VPN is handy for finding cheap flights, or specific information you are looking for within a country Ie something specific in Spanish language etc where you don’t want English results. Also you can view more content on platforms like Hulu and Netflix because you can change your viewing region. Changing your ip through vpn can also get you money saving coupons because they think you’re a new customer. Just FYI.