So today I find out that the Internet Security I'm using (Kaspersky) is closely linked to the Russian Government. Anyone got any views or ideas.
Meh....what are you going to do? I operate on the idea that since I am not the one writing the code, its likely compromised anyway, if not Russia, by the NSA. I would operate under the assumption that American anything software is far more likely to be compromised, in fact I am certain of it. If you want to keep something secure don't put it on, or send it over the computer.
Give a man a gun, and he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he can rob the world.
Get an external hard drive for your sensitive files. Encrypt with "TrueCrypt" or some such, and only unlock it when you need to. Use a password manager. Backup frequently. Windows has built in firewall and antivirus. It's there anyway, you might as well use it.
Meh....what are you going to do? I operate on the idea that since I am not the one writing the code, its likely compromised anyway, if not Russia, by the NSA. I would operate under the assumption that American anything software is far more likely to be compromised, in fact I am certain of it. If you want to keep something secure don't put it on, or send it over the computer.
Peppercorn. You nailed it. Zip nada nothing commercially sold can or ever should be relied upon to be secure from eyes! Nothing!
Say or communicate nothing you wish to keep secure. Pain in the neck to meet face to face but zero other options!
Get an external hard drive for your sensitive files. Encrypt with "TrueCrypt" or some such, and only unlock it when you need to. Use a password manager. Backup frequently. Windows has built in firewall and antivirus. It's there anyway, you might as well use it.
I may add, never do backup while on line. Use more then one hard drive for backups and alternate them. If one fails, you have an older backup device. Test them as well to ensure they are working.
The below is a nice unit. Encrypted but no software to hack. Manual numeric code and unit / data self destructs after a few bad password attempts. The cover on the stick is very tight for first few years but then wants to pop off, bit a bit of tape wrapped around it holds in nicely in place. Mine fell off keychain one time and I found it in the driveway buried in snow and ice a few days later and had even driven over it with my truck and it was dry and fine.
Take a look at https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rSINqVMTCG0
Not cheap but depends on what you value. Sort of like having five cans of soup and a box of 50 , 22shells in your prep or a few hundred pounds of food and seeds etc
Yes, we all have to be careful because the Russian Government and the NSA have teams of people assigned to hack your personal computer because of all of intelligence it has to offer when it comes to national security... Really?
Personally, I'm not afraid if they find out that I'm a law abiding Christian, am Conservative, like long-range shooting and prefer my steak medium-rare. If it's money they want, I have little. If they take it, I'm insured. I'm not involved in stealing state secrets or am I a jihadist. They will find-out that I lead a quiet life. What do I really have to worry about from the NSA, CSIS or the Russian Government?
Buy whatever software package that you are comfortable with, keeping in-mind your lifestyle and what reasonable amount of security you need. Lets put things into perspective...
None you improvise, one (or more) is luxury.
Alrighty Wayne, Think security isn't important...Challenge accepted.
When I next post in this thread I don't want to hear a peep of complaint from you.
Give a man a gun, and he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he can rob the world.
Alrighty Wayne, Think security isn't important...Challenge accepted.
When I next post in this thread I don't want to hear a peep of complaint from you.
What challenge, what complaint? Do you post on a thread hoping to hear everyone agree with you? I was just expressing my opinion. Isn't that what one does on a forum?
If you have a point, I'm happy to honestly try to understand your point of view. Why would you be so concerned about security regarding the Russian Government?
None you improvise, one (or more) is luxury.
Wayne, didn't you say you don't care whats known about you, and by default whats done with it. You need a lesson in meta data and what can be done with it...Hey does Doug ever let you use his pool? or is he one of those dick neibours? Say hi to Amy for me, and if you need some tips on using that new multi meter of yours, I'm only a PM away, I like to be helpful when I can..Im that kind of guy...and how hard do you think it would be for me to crack your ebay password? Maybe one of the names of your 3 kids?(or grandkids) would you like me to stop? has the point been made? am I ringing your Bell?
Give a man a gun, and he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he can rob the world.
I would like to have more fun with you, I can you know? but I have stopped, just because anything else would be more identifying to others.....Everyone, in everyway has left their digital DNA across the internet. Everything is logged and on your permanent record. Imagine if I had ill intent Wayne? and I don't even have your IP address for cross referencing data as the government can.
Doesn't mater that you don't care about your data, you will when it can be used against you such as in identity fraud, with ebay access I would have use of your credit card. Its only natural to pull the curtains when someone is trying to look in the window, pull them tighter when its the government. except you Wayne..you don't really need curtains for privacy do you? Anthony and Edith do.
Governments, all of them want information on everyone. Imagine a foreign government wanting to effect policy in other country, lets just say to the benefit of their own corporate sector, mining for example.
In the targeted country you would want to find all the people that can influence that sector. Enviromentalists, scientists, labour unions,policy makers. Once found, you can file them into groups, where they stand now, the likely hood of changing them to favour your position, their likes/dislikes/needs/debts....the conditions you can use to influence them...the ramifications of this cant be missed by you? or maybe it can. It doesnt mean you have something to hide to want privacy. It means you understand how it can be used agaist you!
Give a man a gun, and he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he can rob the world.
I'm currently reading Social Engineering - The Art of Human Hacking. It should be required reading for anyone interested in security.
Peppercorn,
I'm aware that the information you share on the internet can be later back-referenced to you. That's why it's important to only share what you don't mind others knowing. I'm well aware of how much information that I can get on anyone with one telephone call. I was a police investigator for many years and this is really a basic investigative technique. So much for the lesson, but if you really want to play...
I didn't think that's what we were talking about... Do you really think that CSIS, the NSA or the Russian Government is unable to find-out what they want to know without using this program???
It has less to do with the brand of internet security you use, who the manufacturer of the software is, or who their friends are than it does with what information you voluntarily share on the Internet (knowingly or unknowingly). This is especially true on social media (facebook, twitter, etc.) and it's for this reason that I don't use these programs. It's also the same reason why I don't list my credit card information on-line (although I'm not financially responsible for any illegal usage) and use a VPN (so good luck obtaining my IP address). It comes down to common sense.
I don't mind people knowing where I live, or who my neighbours are. This is public information (a telephone book). Hardly requiring a genius to figure it out. Personally, I couldn't care less. If however, anyone threatened me or my family, that's what the police are for. If there was no police, I'm capable of dealing with it myself. I'm not threatened by someone knowing my name or to whom I'm married. They do not know where I am, or where I'm going to be; with no way of finding out. They would however quickly realize they chose the wrong target.
People can be paranoid about lots of things. Someone can be concerned about the type of security software they are using and the software manufacturers relationships. At the same time they can share their location and habits with the world on social media. Like I said, when it comes to Internet Security, a bit of perspective is warranted...
None you improvise, one (or more) is luxury.
My perspective is that privacy is often a trade-off for ease of use & low or no-cost usage. If something is free, then YOU are the product. Everyone has a different tolerance for what their priority is on privacy and what they are willing to trade off. Personally I trust Western democracies more than the Russian government or a private company to use my data for nefarious purposes (or screw up less often). There are actually a lot of built-in controls and policies for govt & police relating to privacy which work well, most of the time (regardless of what Snowden has said, half of which is outright BS).
I take certain steps for security when it comes to banking & health info, less so on others. It's not really feasible to research every single product or service, but you can't be naive either. If they really to know my age & gender, then I will tell them I am a 70-yr old man, and they will wish me happy birthday on the wrong day! π I use social media but I do not always provide accurate info, for data which I feel they have no legitimate right to know. I rarely comment on obscure prepper-related topics unless they are things my friends are familiar with, topically. Also cognizant that some prepper topics can be misconstrued out of context, esp relating to firearm use, home protection, etc.
Check out the news story recently, on how genealogy DNA data was used to solve a cold case (the Golden State killer)- I bet the person who submitted their DNA to trace ancestry never fathomed it could one day be used that way (possibly against them or their relatives)
Thanks for the tip on the book Gallowshumour.
HopeImReady
"The thing about smart mother f*ckers, is that they sometimes sound like crazy mother f*ckers to dumb mother f*ckers." -Abraham .β