I have been thinking the same thing. I have zero skills when it comes to keeping the tech side safe. I'm a ladypede with a toddler so I want to ensure we are 100% safe, but I want to DO something. I was an executive assistant for 20+ years so I have mad organizational, planning skills- I get shit done and work well under pressure. I could organize a group, maintain docs, plan mtgs and keep records, however I don't know how to do this safelyband securely. I have considered reaching out to other pedes in my area to organize, but again, how do I know reaching out and setting up a meeting place won't invite the unwanted?? If someone out there has the skills to create a safe, secure initiate type method please let us know! We need to start organizing now!
Probably right about record keeping. There are so many talented and gifted pedes here so I'm sure someone will have great ideas on how to organize safely and securely. Someone mentioned subgroups on TD for localities, we'll probably have to start at that level and work outward from there. But I'm sure there are many, like me, who feel isolated at a time like this and need to rally with like-minded/goal minded individuals. We need to gather to boost morale and organize/develop a pathway to achieve our goals. I'm glad this post was made, this has been on my mind for some time. Thank you!!
That's a hard one, though the solution is likely found in knowing both your computer and web service providers hardware, software and vulnerabilities.
In terms of hardware, the big chip manufacturers have embedded systems on your motherboard (e.g., Intel Mgmt System) that have "god level" access to all your hardware and software, including memory. You can minimize this to an extent through disabling firmware (see Jeremy Soller of System 76) or finding chips / ethernet combos that aren't set up for it (e.g., Intel makes some chips without vPro).
For the firmware (bios / uefi) finding open source code versions will help, as they can be checked. There are projects out there (Coreboot, Libreboot) that provide some options and make recommendations for hardware. There may be some option to use single board computers, as their bootloaders are simpler (e.g., Odroid products, Pine64). Since single boards are similar to cell phone, you have phone options, as well, such as the Pinephone
For operating systems, Window, IOs have remote services that are constantly running in the background, tracking telemetry and such. Chris Titus on youtube does a good run down on what you can do there. You can opt for GNU/Linux, Microsoft has been sitting on their board and non-opensource code has been added to the kernel (binary blobs). Much of the same for OS's is true for phones and android, though you can get degoogled versions of Android, Rob Braxman on youtube is into that. If you're plugged into Google services, they can track you.
Since Linux is becoming more political, with Linus Torvalds being marginalized and Richard Stallman getting canceled, there could be some solutions on the horizon with micro kernel operating systems, such as Redox OS a la Jeremy Soller. Its still in its infancy, but he's a rising star and claims to have a mature OS already.
In terms of online, they can track you IP address, content and even fingerprint your computer (e.g., screen size). There are solutions, but I don't think any are threat free. Tors as a browser works to hide your IP address and a personal vpn will encrypt your content. Tors also helps hide your fingerprint. Brave may be a little better than Firefox, for the time being. If you going to log in to an account, you're going to be tracked, so its best to mix up your browsers and choose one for logging in.
I'm not about meetings and conversations. I know journalists have used Proton mail with encryption. But I think those are good questions.
Personally, I think you asked one of the best questions I've seen here. Those are just some thoughts. I hope they helped.
Agreed. We should have gotten away from them years ago, but people love their addictions.
Ham radios and CB radios are always options for when in a pinch. Definitely not the most secure though.
Another less thought of option is group chats on game consoles. These are not monitored nearly as heavily as phones are and, despite being on a big tech server, are relatively private for the time being. Under the radar for now.
I've been looking up high tech mobile phones that offer much better levels of privacy and security. Came across cipher.tel. Might be worth checking into
I have been thinking the same thing. I have zero skills when it comes to keeping the tech side safe. I'm a ladypede with a toddler so I want to ensure we are 100% safe, but I want to DO something. I was an executive assistant for 20+ years so I have mad organizational, planning skills- I get shit done and work well under pressure. I could organize a group, maintain docs, plan mtgs and keep records, however I don't know how to do this safelyband securely. I have considered reaching out to other pedes in my area to organize, but again, how do I know reaching out and setting up a meeting place won't invite the unwanted?? If someone out there has the skills to create a safe, secure initiate type method please let us know! We need to start organizing now!
Probably right about record keeping. There are so many talented and gifted pedes here so I'm sure someone will have great ideas on how to organize safely and securely. Someone mentioned subgroups on TD for localities, we'll probably have to start at that level and work outward from there. But I'm sure there are many, like me, who feel isolated at a time like this and need to rally with like-minded/goal minded individuals. We need to gather to boost morale and organize/develop a pathway to achieve our goals. I'm glad this post was made, this has been on my mind for some time. Thank you!!
That's a hard one, though the solution is likely found in knowing both your computer and web service providers hardware, software and vulnerabilities.
In terms of hardware, the big chip manufacturers have embedded systems on your motherboard (e.g., Intel Mgmt System) that have "god level" access to all your hardware and software, including memory. You can minimize this to an extent through disabling firmware (see Jeremy Soller of System 76) or finding chips / ethernet combos that aren't set up for it (e.g., Intel makes some chips without vPro).
For the firmware (bios / uefi) finding open source code versions will help, as they can be checked. There are projects out there (Coreboot, Libreboot) that provide some options and make recommendations for hardware. There may be some option to use single board computers, as their bootloaders are simpler (e.g., Odroid products, Pine64). Since single boards are similar to cell phone, you have phone options, as well, such as the Pinephone
For operating systems, Window, IOs have remote services that are constantly running in the background, tracking telemetry and such. Chris Titus on youtube does a good run down on what you can do there. You can opt for GNU/Linux, Microsoft has been sitting on their board and non-opensource code has been added to the kernel (binary blobs). Much of the same for OS's is true for phones and android, though you can get degoogled versions of Android, Rob Braxman on youtube is into that. If you're plugged into Google services, they can track you.
Since Linux is becoming more political, with Linus Torvalds being marginalized and Richard Stallman getting canceled, there could be some solutions on the horizon with micro kernel operating systems, such as Redox OS a la Jeremy Soller. Its still in its infancy, but he's a rising star and claims to have a mature OS already.
In terms of online, they can track you IP address, content and even fingerprint your computer (e.g., screen size). There are solutions, but I don't think any are threat free. Tors as a browser works to hide your IP address and a personal vpn will encrypt your content. Tors also helps hide your fingerprint. Brave may be a little better than Firefox, for the time being. If you going to log in to an account, you're going to be tracked, so its best to mix up your browsers and choose one for logging in.
I'm not about meetings and conversations. I know journalists have used Proton mail with encryption. But I think those are good questions.
Personally, I think you asked one of the best questions I've seen here. Those are just some thoughts. I hope they helped.
Omagaman
In the event that it's required, Status is an app that would work.
I think we need to get away from smart devices entirely, if I’m to be honest.
Agreed. We should have gotten away from them years ago, but people love their addictions.
Ham radios and CB radios are always options for when in a pinch. Definitely not the most secure though.
Another less thought of option is group chats on game consoles. These are not monitored nearly as heavily as phones are and, despite being on a big tech server, are relatively private for the time being. Under the radar for now.
Yes we are. Waking up today to full throttle online.
I've been looking up high tech mobile phones that offer much better levels of privacy and security. Came across cipher.tel. Might be worth checking into
Plenty exist now, do some research instead of setting traps