[Cur]

How do other folks here get around the issues inherent with accessing ICmag (or other grow websites)? I'm looking to enhance my privacy for browsing, etc., and wanted to get some opinions on various options.

Thank ya kindly.

[Jaqen H'gar]

You could get a VPN. It will encrypt your traffic so only you and the VPN providor know your are accessing those sites.

That said, most people don't worry about it and are fine. Unless you live in some third world dictatorship i wouldn't worry too much about it.

[dank.frank]

Best not to take chances when there are options available.

VPN - Virtual Private Network
TOR - The Onion Relay

If browsing on mobile get a VPN that will let you route the traffic of specifc apps. Then use the Orbot/Orfox combo. Route all data traffic of apps like Facebook and Instagram ie social media trough the VPN.

Use Signal. Get others to do the same.

Always be sure to strip metadata from your images.

Use a secure email account like tutanota or proton mail.

They spend trillions to have the ability to collect information. I'm not saying these measures make it fool proof by any means, but it's better than the silver platter approach suggested above.

Privacy is a right. There is absolutely nothing wrong with exercising that right.



dank.Frank

[Jaqen H'gar]

Can you find one example of someone who was busted through posting information on a forum?

If not, you are probably safe.

[seeded]

Intelligence agencies own the internet and have hardware backdoors into everything with a computer chip in it. The more you protect yourself the more it looks like you've got something to hide so every step you take increases you chances of arousing attention from them which means your best chance is to just blend in with the normal flow of traffic and not show off anything extreme like a field of plants, piles of money, etc. that would warrant attention in real life. It doesn't hurt to use a VPN but I wouldn't worry too much if you're a small fish as you wouldn't be worth the time or effort either way.

If you're truly paranoid though the only solution is to go Amish.

[dank.frank]

Originally Posted by Jaqen H'gar

Can you find one example of someone who was busted through posting information on a forum?

If not, you are probably safe.

Do you have any proof anyone never has? Programs for parallel construction exist and it has been utilized. That was released years ago. Stingrays and license plate tracking programs. Privacy is an illusion.

Using things like I've suggested at least gives you an alternative means of attempting to stay as secure as possible.

One of the most common things they go for any more in a bust is electronics. PC/laptop, cell phone, pad device, etc.

That's why you should have your hard drives encrypted with a program like VeraCrypt.



dank.Frank

[Douglas.Curtis]

Yes, please be smart with security.

15 years ago the local ISP was illegally letting the local law enforcement watch internet traffic. I was using encrypted proxies to data mine CW and OG.

Had the local town officer say to me one day "You're that guy that surfs in a black hole, aren't you?"

Yeah, keep it safe. Still can't believe the guy actually asked me that question. Talk about a blonde moment. WHY would you tip someone off you're illegally watching traffic? *facepalm* Soooo glad I used encrypted proxies. LOL

[goldengreen]

I've been using the Opera browser and the newest version has built in VPN. Just go to settings and switch it on. It's common for people to use these now so it's not going to look suspicious.

[asaf]

In any case some layer between you and the net isn't bad. It is one more option.

In the side of free software it is easy, one blend of free shells, some cheap vps and tor.

As mentioned, we are permanently monitored, located on the map, we carry a number of sensors, and yes, from hardware exploits to face or voice recognition. But some layer can block curious of lesser entity.

Opera only shares binary packages.

Assuming that the most basic lessons are well learned: zero services and if it runs and does not return anything it has worked.

Zero also counts

[Dawn Patrol]

Originally Posted by Jaqen H'gar

Can you find one example of someone who was busted through posting information on a forum?

If not, you are probably safe.

This is a pretty cool place but keep in mind that members here are from all over the world. What may seem benign in your part of the world may make you disappear in another.

Posting to a cannabis forum may seem like it's no big deal, but I would never risk it personally without protection and I'm in the US. I never log on here without connecting through a VPN and I never access it from a mobile device. Governments pwn the internet and they buy and sell the data they collect to each other. The only thing that keeps you safe is the sheer amount of data they collect and the fact that you haven't (to this point) made yourself a target.

Thinking that no one has ever been busted from posting on a forum is not something I will disparage, but it is not intelligent thinking. Ask anybody that was active on Overgrow when their servers were seized.

Another member posted in another thread that they saw a program where a reporter walked three blocks in London and was captured on 130 security images. Think about that for a minute. You may not live in a major city like New York or London but unless you live in a tiny city or very small country, chances are your movements, purchases and communications are being logged and recorded by somebody.

All internet activity is captured and recorded. If it's encrypted its still captured but if it's good encryption they can't access the data at this point.

You can think otherwise but it may be to your eventual detriment.