How does one get out of this mess?

So as most of you probably know, the Snowden leaks among others provided us with some pretty disturbing info about the surveillance that governments across the world are doing.

First and foremost, the NSA collects (or did at the time collect) as much metadata as possible from skype calls, phone calls etc. What you do on the internet is known. They can crack the SSL used by most major companies, either because the companies provide the NSA with the keys or through other means.

Moreover, the GCHQ goes a step further. Not just metadata, but all data they can get their hands on is stored for as long as possible.

Then the methods of surveillance. The microphones in your phone and laptop could be on at any time. The device could even act like it's off but not be off. Same for the webcams and cameras.

Maybe you think that you're not interesting enough to be under surveillance. Here's the thing: They'll record data about you no matter how uninteresting you are. Maybe they won't watch you through your webcam, they'll still keep track of everything you ever do on the net or say to a friend. If they don't like you, they will use it against you. If they do not care, it can still get leaked and you'll still get fucked.

Then there's corporate surveillance. It's not really surveillance in the normal sense but the effects are the same. All the data you give to online services they can, and some will, store. Google will keep track of your searches. So will Pornhub, so will Kikebook, etc. This shit can get leaked, and all it takes is a simple join operation and there you go: one neat table with all your personal info linked to your medical info and all your percieved interests, true or false, whatever the automated data analysis (or even just a log) keeps track of.

Now for my question/point of discussion: Is there even a way to get out of this mess and have a normal life?

For any proprietary software, one would have to check it's not sending any data. For all internet services, one should only send bare minimum, preferably using encrypted traffic through a VPN, and even that can't be trusted.

I don't want to be spied on, passively or actively. I don't want to have to constantly watch what I'm doing and live in paranoia either ("can I search for this thing and not worry about any leaks?" "what if I want to become a lawyer in 10 years and this leaks?").

I thought I'd just to take everything that could collect data about me, and throw it out of the window. If it's a site, I'd block it for myself. If it's not either FOSS or checked by a trusted source, I wouldn't install it. But I don't think it can be done. My friends are so used to everyone being on facebook that as someone who isn't on there I'd barely get in touch. They don't send text messages because whatsapp is cheaper. They don't call me on the phone because skype is cheaper. (that being said, phones are also fucked anyway, only PGP emails would be a viable option, and would clearly make one an outcast) I can't do my studies in a normal way because without google I'm fucked. Without a phone I'm fucked. I don't want to live like stallman but I don't want to be under surveillance either. But it seems that's just impossible.

Other urls found in this thread:

modmypi.com/download/BuildYourOwnZ80.pdf
linusakesson.net/scene/craft/
twitter.com/NSFWRedditVideo

just use a VPN

you can still get fucked by the VPN or backdoors in the VPN's servers. The government can tell the VPN to give their info. And even in the VPN isn't in your country, many countries work together and spy on each other's info. Also, VPNs don't work non-internet traffic afaik.

Man it sure looks like being part of the lower class is bad

Feels bad man.

I left Facebook in March 2015,
moved to a Libreboot laptop in January 2015 so that all software and firmware touching the CPU could be FOSS,
stopped using cellphones in summer 2013, my cellphone battery kicked the bucket coincidentally at the time of the first Snowden revelations, but I was aware of the problems long before thanks to Stallman. That seemed like the perfect moment to stop using cellphones.
Been using GNU+Linux since 2009, and deleted the last trace of a Windows partition in 2011.

And I didn't lost any friends, seriously. They call me home or send me email. I convinced a few of them of using Tox, XMPP, Diaspora or any such acceptable tech.

damn. at least introduce them to Telegram so that you don't have to use a proprietary app, but I would never trust Telegram with private conversations either unless you use GPG or something.

pretty much everyone one facebook has an email. the people who are really urged to talk to you will contact you by mail, trust me. The rest of what goes on in facebook is unnecessary crap and you know it.

Inform people that you won't discuss sensitive topics except if they install Enigmail on Thunderbird or use Tox.

Over the course of the last few years I transitioned to being a clueless pleb to living just like Stallman. I'm living the dream man

s/one/on

s/to/from

I've been heavily involved in political shit for the past six months and it is driving me fucking nuts how much people constantly try to force Facebook on me just to stay in the loop on anything.

It's awful. I was organizing some stuff with some friends. They were all in the facebook group, I didn't have face book. Luckily anything major changed a friend of mine would send me screens of it. Also, I got a lot less invitations to do stuff when I was not on whatsapp. People would just forget about me if it wasn't major, or not take the time to contact me in another way, except for maybe one or two good friends. I want to quit whatsapp but if I do I basically quit my social life.

I think I could maybe convince some friends to use PGP email, but I'm pretty sure some of them couldn't figure it out to safe their life. Also, it seems like I just get more invitations to do stuff when I'm on social media.

I guess people just browse to their friends list or something and think "hey I'll ask if he wants to grab a beer". People are so absorbed into social media that they just forget about you if you aren't on it.

Nobody needs fake friends, nig.

Get involved in open hardware, gitgud at electronics

Don't use computers.

(Bear in mind your lack of computer use'll get noted too, but that's a hit you can't get around).

an IP address is not a person. don't use your real name on the internet like the mindless normalfags. if you don't want to be tagged in other people's photos on facebook, don't go to parties and don't let your normalfag "friends" take photos of you. use public wifi, use someone else's internet connection (like your mom's), or use a fake name when signing up with your ISP if you live alone. 10 years from now even if you want to run for president, they won't be able to prove it was you who googled "how to hide lolicon collection from NSA". it could've been a family member, friend, or neighbor hacking your wifi who googled that. don't be so extremely autistic about everything or you won't enjoy life very much.

of course you should still use some basic tools like a firewall and script blocker to protect your privacy and security and avoid full-blown malware like Windows 10. if you need a portable computer consider using a small lightweight laptop with no built-in mic or camera instead of a cuckphone/tablet. use burner phones if you need a mobile phone.

Burner prepaid dumbphone. Turn it off and remove the battery when you don't need to be reachable.

Use Linux.

Don't use corporate social media (Facegram, Twatter).

Grow a beard and wear sunglasses to foil facial recognition.

Pay cash for things whenever possible. Corporations and governments collect extensive information on people through their debit/credit card purchases. It's often possible to pay cash for things that you wouldn't expect, if in a somewhat roundabout way.

That's the simplest advice. You can do a lot more, but it gets rather complicated. For example, Tor can be a very effective anonymity tool. But using Tor automatically flags you for additional surveillance and collection. So if you fuck it up, you might actually be worse off than if you had not drawn attention to yourself.

I use Tor and various anonymity and encryption software and techniques, but I've made a hobby of it, so I don't mind putting in time do try to do it right.

PGP sucks. Use Signal.

Only VPN providers who mix their traffic with Tor.

mullvad
ipredator
perfectprivacy
...

TP

I think this is why I don't get invited to parties.

It isn't that you're not on social media.

It's that you're the kind of person who isn't on social media. Ya dig?

Perfect advice.

+ never ever buy hardware online. Real flea market?

+ secondhand. Dont forget all the hardware IDs. flea market? No hardware ID connected with your real name, phone number ...


EXACTLY! HIGH ACCURATE

Therefore you need as much encryption as possible.

TP

What are these things you convinced then to use?

At some point you have to stop looking for technical solutions to allow you to continue to avoid addressing the problem and fight back directly against the people doing this to you.

Use old style landline phone.
Use 90's or older computer, or even build your own based on old design.
Everything recent is suspect, full of sketchy designs and backdoors.

landline phones are microphones people voluntarily install in their houses.

The actual book for anyone who wants it:
modmypi.com/download/BuildYourOwnZ80.pdf

What about Arduinos, I doubt they'd be backdoored. They're too small and basic. If we wrote an OS, or used ArdOS or something that would work right? And We'd still have something faster than 90s stuff right?

You mean the 8-bit avr core or the 32-bit arm?

You can easily just install a switch between the line and phone. It's a lot easier than fumbling with cell phone battery.

The ATmega ones.

Basically this. If you want enjoy the offerings of modern tech as it's meant to be and still be secure, you have to have deep pockets or a host of compromises come calling.

its about 200 years late for that, the moment people fell for the "won't someone think of the children?" mentality, they subconsciously decided to give away all of their rights.

For computers get Libreboot system or if you don't support it then at least use FSF-approved GNU/Linux distros otherwise you'll have linux blobs and hardware blobs running even in a ((Linux)). Donwside of FSF-approved ones are some hardware such as bluetooth or webcam may not work and so does proprietary microcode shit.

For mobile phones there's replicant and other Android-based privacy centric ROMs, theres even a lot of those privacy phones lately but the fact is telecom system's LAC/CID/BTS can already expose your location just by having a SIM card (bonus if apps phones that data to 3rd parties even if you spoof your location and data with xprivacy).

Maybe at least go live in iceland which has best privacy laws atm. Look for countries with pirate party.

We all know US privacy laws suck and they can seize literally any data sensitive VPN/email companies anytime with their "secret courts." so just get away in US and find a better ISP because all ISPs in US is cancer.
Hacker tip: If your ping is low that means your less private ;).

You should calm down tho, its not like it can be brought up in the court and prove instantly that it's really you or you did those shit. Its digital, its not accurate but its dangerous!. What matters is if people saw you actually doing it (like posting rants in kikebook 2 years ago and people saw it rather than NSA employees finding out you like scat porn). Right now, someone should invent a tool to mess up metadata with fake information so it becomes phony (something like 'metadata shows I love peanut butter but I'm allergic to peanuts').

Its only the system that needs to be destroyed, then the rest will follow.
For now the best political party is pirate party although I don't agree to having leaders of some sort.

You can't hide but you can still disguise, they don't want opposing power so don't let them know that you 'know'. The fact you know all about this dystopian truth is good enough, what about those who don't and would also share the same hate about it?
Live in a sheep's clothing for a while but don't get used to it. This happened because the current system is flawed. Back in the old days theives, pirates, bandits are feared but now there's police and public security and prisons today, although the ancient times is worse thats why the bible was born (among with other religions to establish peace except for islam). The only thing to be feared of is another decade of silent dystopia. (((They))) saw the loophole and exploited it. Pure dystopia eventually leads to a revolution so they disguised it (and they're spying on all of us to narrow down the threats to the current system run by globalist elites).

not a chance your going to be running anything practical on a atmega, not anywhere near 90's stuff

and to mention they cant do any floating point math or more than 8-bit multiplication

Amen to that brother

Another thing to add to the list:
Cars
In the UK the government track vehicle movement using your license plate. Without a car it becomes much harder to get a job or travel in general.

You can do cool stuff with those anyway, even if they're limited.
linusakesson.net/scene/craft/

Better choice for general-purpose computer is m68k Amiga or Atari. They even made pentium-class CPUs for those (M68060).
Or maybe a DEC Alpha, if you can find one! Those are 64-bit, even if they're clocked at 533 MHz typically (for the 21164 chips).

i imagine this isn't really a problem for you

Yeah like we would care about this leftist cuck in here

Are you new? Speak for yourself.

you're the only one who must be new here. almost all the stuff that snowden leaked was already well-known by both the tech communities since decades, and before snowden there have been several whistleblowers who warned against the NSA. Probably, the most interesting stuff that snowden stole from the NSA is included in the leaks he didn't release: that's why he should be treated as a piece of shit, not as an hero

Even if Marx himself leaked the NSA stuff that wouldn't change a thing

and fuck filthy commie stallman amr??? =^)

By using it to track OUTGROUP because OUTGROUP causes all the problems in the world and once all of OUTGROUP has been murdered we can finally start dealing with UNRELATED PROBLEM

When we do this we will establish a new normal and you won't have to worry, fat Americlaps can lick special sauce off of sausage fingers secure in the knowledge their privacy and liberty are in the safest of hands.

Don't buy electronics, don't use the internet. That's the only way friend. Or just stop giving a shit. 99% of this surveillance does not affect you. Give up on your dreams of being a social agitator. Just do as your told and don't cause trouble. Heck you don't even need to vote really. All the e-voting machines are rigged anyway.

Moxie is a faggot sellout and you know it. Use Silence.

...

anyone have the shops of that picture and him walking outside a concentration camp?

hi schlomo. how's the weather in tel-aviv?

Why? Are those even set up for reading from/writing to storage? Only reasons for even having an OS that I can think of are multitasking and dealing managing data on storage devices, and it doesn't seem like one of those microcontrollers would be doing either.

Um, user. It goes much further than that. Cell phone companies sell your location data (with your name and number removed, but that doesn't help much) to other companies to do what they want with it. Some ISPs are starting to do deep packet inspection so they can sell information about your interests. Companies are pushing more and more to have software and even OSes datamine your device for information about you. All of this so they can sell the information to advertisers or other parties who wish to know you better so they can better try to manipulate your opinions and views of the world for their benefit (it can also be subpoenaed.

Recommendations:

Forgot some:

We /cyber/ nao

No, seriously, its time

Thanks for your posts user, advancing the conversation

I should note that the communication practices I listed are not necessarily the most secure practices, but rather the most secure I've found that still allow easy communication with normal people without requiring them to change as well and don't require altering your life you an extreme extent (such as going between public access points for internet instead of connecting from home).
It should also be noted that the Snowden leaks were 3 years old as of June and it's quite possible that the NSA has further expanded their capabilities (for the case of storing phone call recordings, Russia now requires phone companies to keep them on hand for 6 months), also the NSA's Utah data center was not yet operational at the time of the Snowden leaks.

Even if you cut yourself off completely you still have to beware of other people's phone cams and mics when you're out.

No, the ATmega only has very small memory and internal storage. You need to make your own circuit to add external storage. In fact, they don't even have a CRTC so the dude who made the Craft demo did all the video signal timing stuff (and audio too) with his software inside the chip. Same deal if you want to connect a keyboard or mouse, and of course you need circuitry to interface with those or any other devices.
There's of course more complicated and capable microcontrollers, but at what point do you know you're entering the botnet land of hardware backdoors? The older and simpler the gear is, the safer it probably is.