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Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN? (Read 4513 times)
Setanta
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #30 - Aug 11th, 2019 at 7:42pm
 
SadKangaroo wrote on Aug 11th, 2019 at 7:39pm:
Even if you agree with 99% of what Juliar says, he'll focus on the 1% you don't and just start arguing with you until he derails the thread to the point of it being too toxic to continue.  And even though I'm not replying to him and trying to ignore him, you'll see what I mean with his insult-laden response to this post.

I don't have the same number of years on the front lines as you, only a mere 18, but still, at least in terms of the topic of the thread, it really depends on what one is trying to be "safe" from.

If it's bypassing Government Filtering, using OpenDNS, Cloudflare or Google DNS is the quickest way to get around that.

If it's being safe from the data retention laws, it depends on the exit point of the VPN and what sort of law enforcement agreements the country has with AU and if the VPN provider can be trusted.

If it's the security of the computer, it depends on the OS.  The record time we tested a fresh install of XP, patched to the last updates, it still took less than a week to be compromised with a crypto locker, not that there was anything on it.  A VPN won't stop that sort of thing, but it may be a minor speed bump.

There is no answer, but shitting on Windows and just saying use Linux, that's not the answer for everyone.

It's like trying to get an old repo to install and work and hitting the forums and asking questions.  The answers that say "Don't use that, use this instead" while they may help some, it doesn't answer the question, even in the slightest that was actually asked.



Pretty much although I don't have a problem with speed over VPN. I guess I'll see how that goes when FTTC is rolled out here.

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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #31 - Aug 11th, 2019 at 7:47pm
 
Setanta wrote on Aug 11th, 2019 at 7:42pm:
SadKangaroo wrote on Aug 11th, 2019 at 7:39pm:
Even if you agree with 99% of what Juliar says, he'll focus on the 1% you don't and just start arguing with you until he derails the thread to the point of it being too toxic to continue.  And even though I'm not replying to him and trying to ignore him, you'll see what I mean with his insult-laden response to this post.

I don't have the same number of years on the front lines as you, only a mere 18, but still, at least in terms of the topic of the thread, it really depends on what one is trying to be "safe" from.

If it's bypassing Government Filtering, using OpenDNS, Cloudflare or Google DNS is the quickest way to get around that.

If it's being safe from the data retention laws, it depends on the exit point of the VPN and what sort of law enforcement agreements the country has with AU and if the VPN provider can be trusted.

If it's the security of the computer, it depends on the OS.  The record time we tested a fresh install of XP, patched to the last updates, it still took less than a week to be compromised with a crypto locker, not that there was anything on it.  A VPN won't stop that sort of thing, but it may be a minor speed bump.

There is no answer, but shitting on Windows and just saying use Linux, that's not the answer for everyone.

It's like trying to get an old repo to install and work and hitting the forums and asking questions.  The answers that say "Don't use that, use this instead" while they may help some, it doesn't answer the question, even in the slightest that was actually asked.



Pretty much although I don't have a problem with speed over VPN. I guess I'll see how that goes when FTTC is rolled out here.



You have the problem too huh...

I was meant to get it end of 2017, won't be until 2020 at this rate.

Literally across the street the new estate has FTTH, but I'll be lucky if I ever get FTTC...

80GB on my 4G sim for important things, had to get a static IP for VoiP and work, otherwise, everything else runs via the ADSL2 :/
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juliar
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #32 - Aug 11th, 2019 at 8:06pm
 
Setanta does a quick self justification and conveniently ignores the obvious shortcomings of a VPN.

Why do people avoid the practicalities of things and disappear into vague arm waving stuff ? Lack of real hands on experience ?

Just think of those revealing logs at the VPN.  No doubt AFP etc routinely checks these to look for illegal activities.
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Setanta
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #33 - Aug 11th, 2019 at 8:10pm
 
SadKangaroo wrote on Aug 11th, 2019 at 7:47pm:
Setanta wrote on Aug 11th, 2019 at 7:42pm:
SadKangaroo wrote on Aug 11th, 2019 at 7:39pm:
Even if you agree with 99% of what Juliar says, he'll focus on the 1% you don't and just start arguing with you until he derails the thread to the point of it being too toxic to continue.  And even though I'm not replying to him and trying to ignore him, you'll see what I mean with his insult-laden response to this post.

I don't have the same number of years on the front lines as you, only a mere 18, but still, at least in terms of the topic of the thread, it really depends on what one is trying to be "safe" from.

If it's bypassing Government Filtering, using OpenDNS, Cloudflare or Google DNS is the quickest way to get around that.

If it's being safe from the data retention laws, it depends on the exit point of the VPN and what sort of law enforcement agreements the country has with AU and if the VPN provider can be trusted.

If it's the security of the computer, it depends on the OS.  The record time we tested a fresh install of XP, patched to the last updates, it still took less than a week to be compromised with a crypto locker, not that there was anything on it.  A VPN won't stop that sort of thing, but it may be a minor speed bump.

There is no answer, but shitting on Windows and just saying use Linux, that's not the answer for everyone.

It's like trying to get an old repo to install and work and hitting the forums and asking questions.  The answers that say "Don't use that, use this instead" while they may help some, it doesn't answer the question, even in the slightest that was actually asked.



Pretty much although I don't have a problem with speed over VPN. I guess I'll see how that goes when FTTC is rolled out here.



You have the problem too huh...

I was meant to get it end of 2017, won't be until 2020 at this rate.

Literally across the street the new estate has FTTH, but I'll be lucky if I ever get FTTC...

80GB on my 4G sim for important things, had to get a static IP for VoiP and work, otherwise, everything else runs via the ADSL2 :/


We were all to get NBN by 2016, cheaper and quicker, ours has been pushed back from April to September now. I would have preferred FTTH but FTTC with g.fast capability currently being installed but set to do v.fast, I don't have as many complaints about it yet. I'm just glad we weren't lumbered with FTTN as this is a flood zone and the water would kill the nodes.

I'm still wondering what to do, currently I run bridged/pass through adsl to a Linux box that does email/dns/www/etc with static ip. I'm kinda concerned about the VOIP part and hope my ISP will give information to set it up. I've been reading TPG doesn't but I don't use them.
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Setanta
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #34 - Aug 11th, 2019 at 8:17pm
 
juliar wrote on Aug 11th, 2019 at 8:06pm:
Setanta does a quick self justification and conveniently ignores the obvious shortcomings of a VPN.

Why do people avoid the practicalities of things and disappear into vague arm waving stuff ? Lack of real hands on experience ?

Just think of those revealing logs at the VPN.  No doubt AFP etc routinely checks these to look for illegal activities.


I think I understand the shortcomings better than you. If you read my previous reply to you, you would know that. They would find I visit sites like this one and bleepingcomputer and the like. What I have to wonder is what you need disposable Linux boots for and what you think you are hiding by doing it... The data still leaves from and comes to your ISP assigned IP. Any confessions?
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juliar
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #35 - Aug 11th, 2019 at 8:41pm
 
Setanta doesn't seem to be too clued up about Ubuntu LINUX and reckons you can run it as a DVD etc.

The only practical problem with this is all your settings etc go out the window when you reboot. Plus no updates ever happen.

An annoying problem with UBUNTU LINUX is that it can be disabled with a damaged package and it just has to be reloaded and all the settings put back in.

In the very unlikely possibility you get any sort of download problem eg virus or spyware with UBUNTU LINUX you can fix it just by reloading from the DVD etc.  You can't fix Windows 10 this easily.

With WINDOWS 10 the biggest risk is spyware being downloaded which then logs your keystrokes and forwards them to some hacker.

But WebRoot Secure Anywhere will stop any outgoing internet call and quickly remove the problem.

A VPN will not stop hostile windows spyware being downloaded into your Windows 10. Lots of hostile websites do this routinely.

Software downloaded from I think CNET nearly always contains rubbish. Similarly "free" virus checks are decidedly hazardous and a VPN won't stop this as the hostile site has clear communication to your Windows 10.

But UBUNTU LINUX simply ignores this Windows rubbish.

A VPN simply makes the transmission path unreadable. But the VPN provider can probably see the lot.
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Setanta
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #36 - Aug 11th, 2019 at 11:21pm
 
juliar wrote on Aug 11th, 2019 at 8:41pm:
Setanta doesn't seem to be too clued up about Ubuntu LINUX and reckons you can run it as a DVD etc.

The only practical problem with this is all your settings etc go out the window when you reboot. Plus no updates ever happen.

An annoying problem with UBUNTU LINUX is that it can be disabled with a damaged package and it just has to be reloaded and all the settings put back in.

In the very unlikely possibility you get any sort of download problem eg virus or spyware with UBUNTU LINUX you can fix it just by reloading from the DVD etc.  You can't fix Windows 10 this easily.

With WINDOWS 10 the biggest risk is spyware being downloaded which then logs your keystrokes and forwards them to some hacker.

But WebRoot Secure Anywhere will stop any outgoing internet call and quickly remove the problem.

A VPN will not stop hostile windows spyware being downloaded into your Windows 10. Lots of hostile websites do this routinely.

Software downloaded from I think CNET nearly always contains rubbish. Similarly "free" virus checks are decidedly hazardous and a VPN won't stop this as the hostile site has clear communication to your Windows 10.

But UBUNTU LINUX simply ignores this Windows rubbish.

A VPN simply makes the transmission path unreadable. But the VPN provider can probably see the lot.


My "clued upness" about Ubuntu tells me it is Debian based, the Linux OS I have used for over 20 years as a personal and server OS at multiple sites. You should quit before you make a total fool of yourself. It reflects badly on the young Libs as if they don't do enough of that themselves.

Here you go 'Liar. https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/try-ubuntu-before-you-install#0 Run it as a dvd/cd/usb, you can mount your HDD to save stuff if you choose to. You can also boot/use any of them in a virtual machine. Vmware or VirtualBox, go for it, give it a go. You can also use Windows/Linux in a virtual machine and take snapshots and roll back any changes made, nullifying what you have done. https://www.vmware.com/support/ws4/doc/preserve_snapshot_ws.html  https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-use-snapshots-in-virtualbox/ Your pretense at being knowledgeable is dismal, give it up.
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« Last Edit: Aug 12th, 2019 at 12:21am by Setanta »  
 
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juliar
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #37 - Aug 12th, 2019 at 8:25am
 
I have annoyed Setanta. This wasn't intentional as I merely wanted to state the FACTS - a weakness of mine.

I have used UBUNTU LINUX for years now and I am well aware of what it is and its shortcomings.

Running from a DVD, USB etc might seem amazing but it is not meant to be used like that as that is just a demo.

The best way is to install it on a separate PC so if it locks up it can be easily reloaded and then redoing all settings like printers. Also there are almost daily updates to fix bugs.

Unfortunately it is very easy to stuff up UBUNTU LINUX so that it won't run anymore. Just a broken package can do this.

The attraction of UBUNTU LINUX is that it is actually a FULL BLOWN server operating system compared to Windows 10 which is basically a cut down server operating system.

Also it is free, gratis and no charge and the software is also free to download.

An interesting problem is how can you identify on a UBUNTU LINUX server who deleted a file as WINDOWS 10 does this ?

Windows 10 is a very smooth system but UBUNTU LINUX out of the box is catching up compared to the early versions.


Now another thought re the need for the imagined security of a VPN which only encodes the actual transmission of data.

For normal people the main concern is connecting to their bank or paying for something on Ebay etc and having someone monitor their connection.

But there is already security on reputable sites - http and https.

What’s difference between http:// and https:// ?
In address bar of a browser, have you noticed either http:// or https:// at the time of browsing a website? If neither of these are present then most likely, it’s http:// Let’s find out the difference…

In short, both of these are protocols using which the information of a particular website is exchanged between Web Server and Web Browser.

But what’s difference between these two? Well, extra s is present in https and that makes it secure! What a difference 🙂 A very short and concise difference between http and https is that https is much more secure compared to http.

Let us dig a little more.
HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP is a protocol using which hypertext is transferred over the Web. Due to its simplicity, http has been the most widely used protocol for data transfer over the Web but the data (i.e. hypertext) exchanged using http isn’t as secure as we would like it to be.

In fact, hyper-text exchanged using http goes as plain text i.e. anyone between the browser and server can read it relatively easy if one intercepts this exchange of data.


But why do we need this security over the Web? Think of ‘Online shopping’ at Amazon or Flipkart. You might have noticed that as soon as we click on the Check-out on these online shopping portals, the address bar gets changed to use https.

This is done so that the subsequent data transfer (i.e. financial transaction etc.) is made secure.

And that’s why https was introduced so that a secure session is setup first between Server and Browser.

In fact, cryptographic protocols such as SSL and/or TLS turn http into https i.e. https = http + cryptographic protocols.

Also, to achieve this security in https, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is used because public keys can be used by several Web Browsers while private key can be used by the Web Server of that particular website.

The distribution of these public keys is done via Certificates which are maintained by the Browser. You can check these certificates in your Browser settings. We’ll detail out this setting up secure session procedure in another post.

Also, another syntactic difference between http and https is that http uses default port 80 while https uses default port 443.

But it should be noted that this security in https is achieved at the cost of processing time because Web Server and Web Browser needs to exchange encryption keys using Certificates before actual data can be transferred.

Basically, setting up of a secure session is done before the actual hypertext exchange between server and browser.

Differences between HTTP and HTTPS

In HTTP, URL begins with “http://” whereas URL starts with “https://”
HTTP uses port number 80 for communication and HTTPS uses 443
HTTP is considered to be unsecure and HTTPS is secure
HTTP Works at Application Layer and HTTPS works at Transport Layer
In HTTP, Encryption is absent and Encryption is present in HTTPS as discussed above
HTTP does not require any certificates and HTTPS needs SSL Certificates

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/whats-difference-http-https/
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« Last Edit: Aug 12th, 2019 at 6:27pm by juliar »  
 
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Setanta
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #38 - Aug 12th, 2019 at 6:11pm
 
Roll Eyes
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SadKangaroo
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #39 - Aug 12th, 2019 at 6:16pm
 
Copy/paste skills ≠ Understanding Roll Eyes
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juliar
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #40 - Aug 12th, 2019 at 6:21pm
 
Setanta is lost for words.

The loony greeny Kangyroo is just incapable of comprehension so she begs for attention from her hero.
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SadKangaroo
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #41 - Aug 12th, 2019 at 6:26pm
 
juliar wrote on Aug 12th, 2019 at 6:21pm:
Setanta is lost for words.

The loony greeny Kangyroo is just incapable of comprehension so she begs for attention from her hero.


Do these petty tactics actually work for you?

Childish insults, deliberate misspellings, gender-swapping, what are you trying to achieve?

You were called out for something you posted that was wrong, and you're trying to hide that by obfuscation and personal attacks...

Are you really that insecure you won't use this as a moment to learn and grow?

Glass is not even as transparent as you.

Well if you must, do your worst, everything that needs saying in this thread has already been said so even if you stay on brand and go full-blown toxic cry baby and ruin it, at least the OP got the answers they sought already.

Have fun arguing with yourself, peace out.
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juliar
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #42 - Aug 12th, 2019 at 6:30pm
 
Oh Gosh! The loony Greeny Kangyroo is annoyed and is continuing her HATE session with me. Classic Greeny. They are all the same. THEY are ALWAYS right and YOU are ALWAYS wrong.
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juliar
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #43 - Aug 13th, 2019 at 8:43am
 
Now something of scary relevance for the paranoid users of futile VPNs.

A VPN won't stop a SCAM email.





Think you’re too smart to fall for a scam? That makes you the perfect victim
Isabelle Lane 10:01pm, Aug 12, 2019 Updated: 9:48pm, Aug 12

...
Scammers are fleecing Australian victims of record sums. Photo: Getty/TND

Australians are on track to lose more than half a billion dollars to con artists and cybercriminals this year – and those that think they’re too savvy to fall for a scam may be most at risk.

From text messages mimicking Australia Post and emails impersonating the tax office to fraudulent mobile banking apps, consumers are being bombarded with increasingly sophisticated scams.

On Monday, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) revealed scammers are expected to rake in a record $532 million by the end of 2019.

As part of National Scams Awareness Week (August 12 to 16), the ACCC is urging consumers to refresh their scam “protection and detection” skills.

The campaign’s theme is “too smart to be scammed?”, with evidence showing that people who overestimate their ability to outsmart scammers are putting themselves at risk.

“Many people are confident they would never fall for a scam, but often it’s this sense of confidence that scammers target,” ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard said.

People need to update their idea of what a scam is so that we are less vulnerable.’’
Modern scammers are “professional businesses dedicated to ripping us off”, with call centres, convincing scripts, staff training programs and “corporate performance indicators their ‘employees’ need to meet”, Ms Rickard said.

More sympathy needed for scam victims
In addition to the financial toll, being scammed can have a devastating effect on victims’ lives and relationships, new research showed.

Nearly one in 10 Australians have been scammed in the past year, suffering an average loss of $12,000, Westpac’s State of Scams report released Monday said.

One in two scam victims were affected emotionally, including losing faith and trust in others and feeling anxious about unknown callers.

Two-thirds of victims were too embarrassed, ashamed or anxious to let their friends, family or colleagues know they had been scammed, with victims of dating and romance scams worst affected.

“While we’re seeing record levels of financial loss to scams, it’s not just our wallets that are suffering,” Westpac head of fraud Ben Young said.

“Our data shows that scammers are taxing our time, creating stress and taking a toll on our relationships.”

From advertising to discount dockets, modern consumers are “conditioned” to be susceptible to “manipulative” marketing tactics, and scams are no different, Deakin University consumer behavior expert Paul Harrison said.

“The main issue is that it is easier to believe than not to believe,” Dr Harrison said.

“You actually do have to exist in a world where you can trust institutions and trust brand. It’s quite rough on people to say you shouldn’t fall for scams – everyone falls for scams all the time.”

A perennial money spinner for heartless criminals, dating and romance scams are a “classic example” of commons cons most people believe they’re too clever to fall for, Dr Harrison said.

“We like to think that if it happened to me, I wouldn’t fall for it,” he said.

“But everone is potentially a victim.”

‘Sextortion’ scams on the rise
The Australian Cyber Security Centre recently warned of a new wave of ‘sextortion’ emails spreading through Australia.

The agency reported receiving more than 300 reports from Australians targeted by sextortion emails, where scammers threaten to release intimate images of victims unless a ransom is paid.

“Sextortion preys on the fears and insecurities of recipients, using stolen passwords and other social engineering tricks to convince recipients their reputations are at risk,” Crispin Kerr, manager of cybersecurity firm Proofpoint Australia, said.

Mr Kerr said email scams have evolved to include “stolen and leaked personal data”.

He urged recipients of such emails to use the free online resource Have I Been Pwned to check whether their email account has been breached.

Anyone receiving sextortion emails should “stay calm and assume the sender does not actually possess screenshots or video of any compromising activity”, Mr Kerr said.

“In almost all cases, they are merely scams that pose no risk to recipients if they do not interact with the email sender.”

Tips for protecting yourself from online scams

Don’t click on links, or open attachments, from suspect senders

Never provide your credit card or bank account details via email

Don’t send money to anyone threatening you with extortion – contact the police

Use strong passwords and don’t reuse passwords across different accounts. A password manager can help with this

Set up 2-factor authentication

Visit Have I Been Pwned to check whether your email account has been breached, and change your passwords if so

Review your financial statements, and if you spot a suspicious transaction, report it immediately

To report a cybersecurity issue visit https://www.cyber.gov.au/report.


https://thenewdaily.com.au/money/consumer/2019/08/12/scams-target-australians/
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Setanta
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #44 - Aug 13th, 2019 at 2:16pm
 
Cool strawman suit dude but it's not Halloween. No-one said a VPN would do that. Half a brain is all you need not to get scammed, how many times have you been caught?
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