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Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN? (Read 4518 times)
barryfromthebush
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Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Jul 21st, 2019 at 6:41pm
 
Given the vast amount of wank being spewed by some members about VPN and proxy usage I want to know who wouldn't use one? especially when there are doxxers about.
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #1 - Jul 21st, 2019 at 7:17pm
 
barryfromthebush wrote on Jul 21st, 2019 at 6:41pm:
Given the vast amount of wank being spewed by some members about VPN and proxy usage I want to know who wouldn't use one? especially when there are doxxers about.


I don't use one.  Do you?  How would you ever get access to my IP?

Get yer glad rags off.
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Dnarever
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #2 - Jul 21st, 2019 at 9:51pm
 
90% do and it is mostly ok.

Most do not mention the problems a VPN can cause or the cost.

A vpn will slow down your service, sometimes by a lot.

How much will you pay for your VPN service ?

How much do you trust your VPN provider - they have the same data that you are trying to hide.

The advantages may or may not override the disadvantages. More secure and more anonymous are the primary plusses. And maybe that is true or it is most of the time.
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« Last Edit: Jul 21st, 2019 at 10:05pm by Dnarever »  
 
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barryfromthebush
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #3 - Jul 22nd, 2019 at 6:39am
 
Aussie wrote on Jul 21st, 2019 at 7:17pm:
barryfromthebush wrote on Jul 21st, 2019 at 6:41pm:
Given the vast amount of wank being spewed by some members about VPN and proxy usage I want to know who wouldn't use one? especially when there are doxxers about.


I don't use one.  Do you?  How would you ever get access to my IP?

Get yer glad rags off.


you don't need one, you have already doxxed yourself being a tosser so farq off back to your curry mobile
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #4 - Jul 22nd, 2019 at 2:59pm
 
It depends on what you look at.

If you venture into the DARK WEB then probably nothing will save you.

Generally a good protector like WebRoot's Secure Anywhere virus and spyware will do the job together with windows 10 firewall.

Another way is to use UBUNTU LINUX which is almost immune from most attacks.
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« Last Edit: Jul 22nd, 2019 at 10:33pm by juliar »  
 
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #5 - Jul 22nd, 2019 at 5:31pm
 
People use a VPN for a variety of reasons. Mainly I use it because when I am at work my real name and details could be harvested by a dodgy Admin. At home, because I can.
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #6 - Jul 22nd, 2019 at 5:44pm
 
Rose Grower wrote on Jul 22nd, 2019 at 5:31pm:
People use a VPN for a variety of reasons. Mainly I use it because when I am at work my real name and details could be harvested by a dodgy Admin. At home, because I can.


Your employer has paid for their employees to use a VPN they have paid for?

So....why did you pay to have a VPN service at home, Neferti?
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« Last Edit: Jul 22nd, 2019 at 8:29pm by Aussie »  
 
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #7 - Jul 22nd, 2019 at 6:14pm
 
Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?


millions do every day ... quite safely
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barryfromthebush
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #8 - Jul 22nd, 2019 at 6:32pm
 
unless they are stupid enough to post information that leads to the identity being discovered? case in point, Aussie.
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #9 - Jul 22nd, 2019 at 6:34pm
 
barryfromthebush wrote on Jul 22nd, 2019 at 6:32pm:
unless they are stupid enough to post information that leads to the identity being discovered? case in point, Aussie.


so you agree VPN's serve no purpose?  Cheesy Cheesy
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I hope that bitch who was running their brothels for them gets raped with a cactus.
 
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barryfromthebush
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #10 - Jul 22nd, 2019 at 6:48pm
 
John Smith wrote on Jul 22nd, 2019 at 6:34pm:
barryfromthebush wrote on Jul 22nd, 2019 at 6:32pm:
unless they are stupid enough to post information that leads to the identity being discovered? case in point, Aussie.


so you agree VPN's serve no purpose?  Cheesy Cheesy


Farque you're so dumb, How did you even survive childhood?
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #11 - Jul 22nd, 2019 at 6:58pm
 
barryfromthebush wrote on Jul 22nd, 2019 at 6:48pm:
John Smith wrote on Jul 22nd, 2019 at 6:34pm:
barryfromthebush wrote on Jul 22nd, 2019 at 6:32pm:
unless they are stupid enough to post information that leads to the identity being discovered? case in point, Aussie.


so you agree VPN's serve no purpose?  Cheesy Cheesy


Farque you're so dumb, How did you even survive childhood?



you'll figure it out once you hit puberty
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #12 - Jul 22nd, 2019 at 8:30pm
 
barryfromthebush wrote on Jul 22nd, 2019 at 6:32pm:
unless they are stupid enough to post information that leads to the identity being discovered? case in point, Aussie.


My IP had nothing to do with it, sock.
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #13 - Jul 22nd, 2019 at 9:50pm
 
Rose Grower wrote on Jul 22nd, 2019 at 5:31pm:
People use a VPN for a variety of reasons. Mainly I use it because when I am at work my real name and details could be harvested by a dodgy Admin. At home, because I can.


With the right equipment you employer can still access your data VPN or not.
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juliar
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #14 - Jul 22nd, 2019 at 10:37pm
 
What about TOR Browser ?

https://www.torproject.org/download/
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #15 - Jul 22nd, 2019 at 11:11pm
 
VPN's are not full proof.
Nothing is on the Internet.
That's the real price you pay for participation.
Even Australia's National Security was hacked easily by the Chinese a year back a bit in retaliation for Australia's amateur Spying effort on them.

World War breaks out and 80% of the Global Internet will be compromised - especially the basic mainstream Public arena.
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AIMLESS EXTENTION OF KNOWLEDGE HOWEVER, WHICH IS WHAT I THINK YOU REALLY MEAN BY THE TERM 'CURIOSITY', IS MERELY INEFFICIENCY. I AM DESIGNED TO AVOID INEFFICIENCY.
 
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #16 - Jul 22nd, 2019 at 11:15pm
 
If people want to find out what I have been looking at online, they can go through my facebook profile.
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juliar
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #17 - Jul 23rd, 2019 at 1:33am
 
Just think if Labor had actually built their Socialist Spying Network, the NBN, then they would have been able to watch everyone's every move through the NBN.

It would have been just like East Germany before the Berlin Wall came down where houses of suspect people were bugged by the Communists.
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #18 - Jul 23rd, 2019 at 8:18pm
 
Dnarever wrote on Jul 21st, 2019 at 9:51pm:


How much do you trust your VPN provider - they have the same data that you are trying to hide.



Not the ones who say they keep no logs. 

At least that's what they say. Like you say, can they be trusted?

A search for something like 'VPN providers that really take anonymity seriously' should narrow the field.
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juliar
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #19 - Jul 24th, 2019 at 10:54am
 
Unless you go to the DARK WEB or discuss criminal activities or look at child porn sites then you have nothing to worry about.

To protect yourself from virus and spyware you need a good protector like Webroot Secure Anywhere and the 64bit Windows 10 Firewall.

The Windows 10 Firewall stops incoming attacks and the Webroot prevents calls to the internet from unauthorized spyware etc.

Another very secure way is to use UBUNTU LINUX which is virtually immune from the mainly Windows virus and spyware attacks.
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #20 - Jul 24th, 2019 at 10:59am
 
juliar wrote on Jul 22nd, 2019 at 10:37pm:
What about TOR Browser ?


Tor with vpn offers an added layer of security, but at a cost of slowing things down.
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The Bible is our charter - David Ben-Gurion

Genesis 15:18 : To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the River Euphrates.
 
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juliar
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #21 - Jul 25th, 2019 at 1:53pm
 
UBUNTU LINUX is FREE to download and install. Plus the software is free to download and install.

UBUNTU LINUX includes a VPN which I have not tried and I think it is free.

It is best to put it on a spare PC rather than to try to get Windows 10 and UBUNTU LINUX to co-exist on the one PC although this can be done.

With UBUNTU LINUX you can safely look at any sites etc as it is almost immune from Windows virus and spyware.

In any case if something happens you can simply reload it from a DVD or USB stick and you are back to the original.
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #22 - Aug 5th, 2019 at 8:57am
 
barryfromthebush wrote on Jul 21st, 2019 at 6:41pm:
Given the vast amount of wank being spewed by some members about VPN and proxy usage I want to know who wouldn't use one? especially when there are doxxers about.


I don't use one for day to day etc, but when I travel I do use a VPN to my home network, especially when using Hotel wifi etc.

Even if you're on Linux, anything you do or share online is still an issue.

There is no need to get all tin foil hat like some but like not walking alone in a dark ally in a bad neighbourhood, you have to be smart when online too.

A lot of podcasts and YouTube channels, especially those right-wing nut jobs and qanon tards who scare their viewers will exaggerate the need for VPN and try to cash in on the fear they create, but using a VPN when you don't control the endpoint only solves so much.

Most of the things that bring people down aren't straight up hacks or data interception these days, it's user ignorance giving away the personal details or sharing too much, even with friends, on social media.

I've been involved in security audits for insurance purposes and the easiest way to get access to the area we weren't meant to was firstly to call and ask, pretending to be their IT, or leaving USB sticks in the carpark.  People just can't help but picking them up and checking for photos etc on them.

Rarely do people straight up "hack" their way in, they exploit vulnerabilities or the weakest links in the security, with 99% of the time is the users and a poorly managed network.

From a home user point of view, most data theft happens when they've had a virus and their local computer tech has a look at the computer.  They're human too and sometimes can't help but look for dirty photos etc.

The problem with a VPN is that you need to trust the source.  Your data may be encrypted over whatever Internet connection you're on, but what about the VPN provider, what then?

Even if you control the endpoint, you're still bound by the method of that endpoint connecting to the rest of the internet.

VPN for daily use seems over the top even when people are trying to attack you platforms such as this.
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juliar
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #23 - Aug 9th, 2019 at 9:59am
 
I most certainly am NOT replying to the Greeny Sadly Kangyroo!!!!

Now something actually interesting.




VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORKS – THE KEY TO SAFETY AND FREEDOM ON THE INTERNET
By Adrian Cheok - August 6, 2019

...

When we think of Governments blocking access to information on the internet, we tend to think of nations like China. Don’t be fooled.  Even in a supposed “liberal democracy” such as Australia, our telecommunication operators regularly block content. 

One of the most famous examples was when all the Australian operators blocked content about the Christchurch attack without any reference to law. In other words, they were blocking content of their own will.



Although of course, we abhor violence and killing, this shows that Australia does not have freedom of speech or freedom of information.

Australian Telecos Blocking Conservative Websites
In fact, Telstra is blocking web sites which primarily express a Right-Wing view of politics. This is clearly an outrageous breach of our hard-won freedom of speech.



Whilst some of these sites do feature material which is disturbing, they also contain much that is of great public interest. Users are free to access them or not. Importantly, these sites contain a great deal of content which is politically important.

Free Speech Being Trampled
The principle of free speech is intended to protect us all from Government interference. Now, our free speech is being trampled by virtue signalling corporations.

An example is Bitchute (from the list above) which has hosted a number of videos made by Tommy Robinson. Tommy has been de-platformed by the major Silicon Valley tech firms such as Facebook and YouTube.

These smaller, freer outlets like Bitchute are therefore important to those concerned about increasing Government intrusion and control which will only increase as time goes on.

Another example is Zero Hedge. This is a website which is primarily concerned with economics. It generally supports Right Wing laissez-faire Capitalism. Why would corporations even want to censor such a site?

These types of sites allow the dissemination of ideas which are unpopular with our Government and elites. They are among the few outlets for the Political Right.

With companies such as Telstra now actively censoring these smaller websites, we have to wonder, what next?

Tommy Robinson Censored
This was brought to the attention of The Pickering Post when we posted a video of Tommy Robinson and many users complained that they were presented with a message “Website not available” when they tried to watch it.

This message was provided by Telstra or other Internet Service Providers who had decided that their customers were not allowed to watch this content.

How a VPN Can Protect Your Privacy
Fortunately, there is a way around this corporate censorship, which is cheap, easy and legal. It simply requires the use of what is known as a Virtual Private Network.

How does that work, you may ask? Well, if we think of our internet connection as a pipe going from your computer into the World Wide Web (The Net) then the first place that pipe goes to is your Internet Service Provider (ISP). This could be Telstra, Optus, Dodo, iinet or a host of other providers.

When you click on a website on your Web Browser favourites (such as Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer), it sends a signal down the pipe to your ISP. The ISP sees that you wish to view a page on The Pickering Post for example.

The ISP then retrieves that Web Page from our website and sends it back down the “pipe” to your computer which displays it for you to read (as you are doing right now).

Obviously, throughout this process, your ISP can see which websites you are accessing and whatever information you are uploading or downloading through that “pipe.”

The Pickering Post administrators can also see your IP address, which they could potentially use to find out where you are situated. Whist the Pickering Post would never do that, other websites may not be so benign.

How a VPN Actually Works
Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) involves downloading a program to your computer. This program encrypts (scrambles) your internet signal. Consequently, it cannot be read by anyone else except the VPN.

Your encrypted signal goes to your ISP and is directed from there to the VPN.  The VPN then unscrambles your signal and sends it on to where it is supposed to go.

Information which your computer requests (such as this Webpage) is then sent back to the VPN server. The VPN then scrambles the signal once more and sends it back through your ISP to your computer.

Your computer then unscrambles the signal and displays the Webpage, just as it would do normally.

Read the informative rest here

https://www.pickeringpost.com/2019/08/06/virtual-private-networks-the-key-to-saf...
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #24 - Aug 9th, 2019 at 5:54pm
 
juliar wrote on Aug 9th, 2019 at 9:59am:
How a VPN Actually Works
Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) involves downloading a program to your computer. This program encrypts (scrambles) your internet signal. Consequently, it cannot be read by anyone else except the VPN.

Your encrypted signal goes to your ISP and is directed from there to the VPN.  The VPN then unscrambles your signal and sends it on to where it is supposed to go.

Information which your computer requests (such as this Webpage) is then sent back to the VPN server. The VPN then scrambles the signal once more and sends it back through your ISP to your computer.

Your computer then unscrambles the signal and displays the Webpage, just as it would do normally.

Read the informative rest here

https://www.pickeringpost.com/2019/08/06/virtual-private-networks-the-key-to-saf...


There has been workarounds to prevent this being effective for over a decade. The problem with this is that the VPN has to be set up going via the ISP or Company.

If the ISP / Company wants to or is required to in legislation thay can intercept the VPN set up process at their firewall/proxy device. They can then forward the VPM request to the VPN host from the ISP to the VPN Provider and then set up a VPN to the customer.

This means that the data is tunnelled between the ISP and the customer and between the ISP and the VPN provider. It is however transparent internally to the ISP and their legally required logging process.

Not sure how much this is used but it has been available for a long time. Both the VPN provider and the Client think that there is only one secure VPN in use.
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #25 - Aug 10th, 2019 at 12:04am
 
juliar wrote on Jul 25th, 2019 at 1:53pm:
UBUNTU LINUX is FREE to download and install. Plus the software is free to download and install.

UBUNTU LINUX includes a VPN which I have not tried and I think it is free.

It is best to put it on a spare PC rather than to try to get Windows 10 and UBUNTU LINUX to co-exist on the one PC although this can be done.

With UBUNTU LINUX you can safely look at any sites etc as it is almost immune from Windows virus and spyware.

In any case if something happens you can simply reload it from a DVD or USB stick and you are back to the original.


While what you are saying above is true to an extent, you're full of shyte. The extent is that it is all useless as far as this thread goes. I've been using Linux(Debian) exclusively since 1996. I can run windows in a virtual machine with snapshots and roll back any changes a session makes so the same can be said of windows to some degree, you are back to the original. Linux does not save you from browser related threats any more than the same browser in windows does except being a smaller target. Besides you can also reinstall windows if that was your thing. If you wanted to use Linux in the way you say, a live cd would be the way to go.

I have used the Linux VPN(openvpn) to allow people external to the school I worked for to access the internal network.

What a vpn provides is anonymity to the sites you talk to, encrypted data and a more secure way of accessing internal networks from outside than things like RDP, can the Govt get access to what you have been doing? Probably if they were interested in you and the country you are in and the VPN company were part of the "data sharing alliance". Why would they do it though? You'd really have to be a person of interest.
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« Last Edit: Aug 10th, 2019 at 12:17am by Setanta »  
 
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #26 - Aug 10th, 2019 at 8:41am
 
There are certain people in this thread, like many others they post in, who like to think they know more than they do and aren't giving good advice at all.  Setanta really summed it up well.

From the topic of the thread, Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?, the short answer is yes.

The longer answer starts with a question, what are you trying to be safe from?
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juliar
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #27 - Aug 11th, 2019 at 3:38pm
 
Poor Kangyroo is piqued that I prefer NOT to reply to her Greeny self.  You reap what you sow. Greeny types seem to think they are from some sort of superior order or something.


Setanta is roaring at all speed squashing all.

All I said is that Ubuntu Linux is handy if you want to look at any dubious sites as UBUNTU LINUX is virtually immune from attack as these attacks are almost always set up for Windows 10.

Even that annoying spyware rubbish that lots of sites download into Windows 10 just goes nowhere.

Yes I have got WINE on UBUNTU LINUX 64bit but some Windows 10 software doesn't work in it. UBUNTU tells you this.

So what I have posted IS relevant as the whole idea of a VPN is to protect the user from anything and everything.

So UBUNTU LINUX protects the user from virus and spyware WITHOUT the annoying complexity and slow speed of a VPN which can be a pain in the neck to keep going and you have to pay for it usually.


And how sure are you that the VPN provider is not watching what you are doing ?

And anyone who uses a VPN could attract unwelcome attention just to see what they are doing that requires such secrecy ?

And if you really want to inflict severe pain you can set up UBUNTU LINUX with a VPN.


And just to reassure Stetanta about his desire for relevancy here is an excellent article describing the PRACTICAL aspects of a VPN on (shudder) UBUNTU LINUX.

https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/best-vpn-for-linux/



But be warned your VPN may not be as secure as you think if the VPN supplier logs your progress and gets hacked by AFP or whatever.

Now to shake your complacency about your imagined security with a VPN.

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-ways-vpn-not-secure-think/



And to really test how good your slow shaky VPN is, have a search thru the DARK WEB!!!!   And AFP or some Govt surveillance mob will be watching you.
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« Last Edit: Aug 11th, 2019 at 3:55pm by juliar »  
 
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #28 - Aug 11th, 2019 at 7:27pm
 
juliar wrote on Aug 11th, 2019 at 3:38pm:
Poor Kangyroo is piqued that I prefer NOT to reply to her Greeny self.  You reap what you sow. Greeny types seem to think they are from some sort of superior order or something.


Setanta is roaring at all speed squashing all.

All I said is that Ubuntu Linux is handy if you want to look at any dubious sites as UBUNTU LINUX is virtually immune from attack as these attacks are almost always set up for Windows 10.

Even that annoying spyware rubbish that lots of sites download into Windows 10 just goes nowhere.

Yes I have got WINE on UBUNTU LINUX 64bit but some Windows 10 software doesn't work in it. UBUNTU tells you this.

So what I have posted IS relevant as the whole idea of a VPN is to protect the user from anything and everything.

So UBUNTU LINUX protects the user from virus and spyware WITHOUT the annoying complexity and slow speed of a VPN which can be a pain in the neck to keep going and you have to pay for it usually.


And how sure are you that the VPN provider is not watching what you are doing ?

And anyone who uses a VPN could attract unwelcome attention just to see what they are doing that requires such secrecy ?

And if you really want to inflict severe pain you can set up UBUNTU LINUX with a VPN.


And just to reassure Stetanta about his desire for relevancy here is an excellent article describing the PRACTICAL aspects of a VPN on (shudder) UBUNTU LINUX.

https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/best-vpn-for-linux/



But be warned your VPN may not be as secure as you think if the VPN supplier logs your progress and gets hacked by AFP or whatever.

Now to shake your complacency about your imagined security with a VPN.

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-ways-vpn-not-secure-think/



And to really test how good your slow shaky VPN is, have a search thru the DARK WEB!!!!   And AFP or some Govt surveillance mob will be watching you.


What do you mean?

You know you can just run Ubuntu or whatever with a bootable CD/DVD/USB in VMWare or boot the cd directly. No need for all the rigmarole. Just because linux is a smaller target doesn't mean there are not vulnerabilities that can be exploited. I was a sysadmin for 18 years at a school and worked as a consultant to a couple of businesses, I have a little knowledge. I have used Linux exclusively as my main OS for over 20 years and as the server OS at the school and a small local ISP that has since moved on to just hosting. You can carry on like a fish out of water all you like but if you think Linux is a get out of gaol free card, you are mistaken. You should check out bleepingcomputer.com.
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #29 - 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.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #45 - Aug 13th, 2019 at 8:16pm
 
As I have alerted the masses to the danger of spyware etc it would seem I have avoided being caught.

I do recall once some relatively harmless spyware got in and reset Mcafee. Eventually I got rid of it and also got rid of McAfee.

I now use Windows 10 64bit FireWall to stop incoming spyware etc and WebRoot Secure Anywhere to stop outgoing internet calls. Very effective.

https:// to banks etc is equivalent to a VPN but better.

About the only reason one would want a VPN is if one was doing illegal stuff over the internet and wanted to stop an eavesdropper. Or perhaps to stop the internet provider from blocking certain web sites.

Does email go as simple text ? I am not sure but I think it is encrypted as an option.


Of course UBUNTU LINUX is immune to Windows spyware and virus and there are very few UBUNTU LINUX spyware and virus.

I am not sure if you are using WINE on UBUNTU LINUX if that is susceptible to Windows spyware and virus.
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #46 - Aug 20th, 2019 at 10:56am
 
Is it true that my ISP is spying on my web browsing? Does DuckDuckGo fix that?
Gabriel Weinberg, CEO & Founder at DuckDuckGo.com (2008-present) Updated Jun 11 · Upvoted by Adam D'Angelo, Quora CEO

Yes, your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is likely spying on your web browsing, and yes, DuckDuckGo can help you significantly cut down on their ability to spy on you.

Your ISP is the company that gets you onto the Internet – your home Internet or mobile data provider. If your ISP is spying on you, it means they can use or sell your browsing history to others for things like creepy ads that follow you around the Internet or to junk mail providers.

Whenever you connect to a website or other place on the Internet, you can be using either an encrypted (secure) connection, or an unencrypted (unsecure) connection.

In a web browser, you can check on whether you are using an encrypted connection by looking for a padlock or similar icon in the address bar. If you see that icon, you should also see an "https://" at the beginning of the website address, rather than "http://".

...
If a website is using an encrypted connection (i.e., HTTPS, like https://duckduckgo.com/):

ISPs cannot see which specific pages within that website you visit (everything after the '/').
ISPs cannot see what you search for or what you type into forms.
ISPs can still see the domain of the website you are visiting (everything up to the '/').

...

When you do a search, you may have noticed that you can see your search terms in the address bar. That might make you think, even if the search engine is using an encrypted connection (i.e., starts with https), then your ISP can still see your search terms. But, actually that's not correct — the ISP can only see the domain part — the rest (everything after that first slash) — is actually encrypted and the ISP cannot see it (see picture).

What all this means is that with your web surfing, you can block ISPs from spying on you to a great extent by using as many encrypted (secure) connections as possible. Unfortunately, that’s not something you can do entirely on your own – the website you want to visit has to offer an encrypted connection option, but more and more of them are doing just that.

How DuckDuckGo can help you use more encrypted connections

At DuckDuckGo, we offer a tool to help you more regularly use encrypted connections when browsing the Internet. If you’re unfamiliar with DuckDuckGo, we are an Internet privacy company that empowers you to seamlessly take control of your personal information online, without any tradeoffs. We operate a private search engine alternative to Google at https://duckduckgo.com, and offer additional apps and extensions to protect you from Google, Facebook, Twitter and other tracker networks, no matter where you go on the Internet.

So, how do our apps and extensions help you use encrypted connections? They offer Smarter Encryption, which is a feature that automatically ensures that you use encrypted connections to websites whenever available. You don’t even have to think about it; this feature works in the background, silently redirecting you to secure website connections. We keep a list of millions of websites that offer encrypted connections, and make sure to encrypt your connections to those sites.

On desktop, you can get our Smarter Encryption by installing DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials for Firefox or Chrome. On mobile, you can get Smarter Encryption by using our DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser on iOS or Android. In addition to Smarter Encryption, our apps and browser extensions include other privacy essentials like tracker blocking and private search.

Unfortunately, some websites still do not offer encrypted versions. You can’t change that, and neither can we. But, if you want to take further steps to protect your privacy, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Doing so isn’t as seamless as our tool, and there are a lot of VPN options and considerations, so we have put together a guide for further information. You could also go one step further and use a technology called "Tor;" we have another guide with information on that option.

In any case, you should consider using our tool or another similar tool to make sure you are using more encrypted connections when surfing the Internet. Doing so will cut down significantly on the ability of your ISP from spying on your browsing history. And it’s not just your ISP that can do this. When you connect to a website unencrypted, many parties could spy on you (like the ISP of the website you are connecting to), or anyone snooping on your wifi. Using encrypted connections will help shut the blinds on all of them.
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juliar
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #47 - Aug 22nd, 2019 at 7:55pm
 
Now this is where a VPN is absolutely ESSENTIAL for your sanity and safety!!!


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How do I learn the dark web?
Gary L Lamp, Internet Addict at IA Anonymous (2005-present)  Answered Mar 26

It’s fairly easy, you can access it on your phone in 3 steps.

First you need to download a VPN app.(so nobody can track your identity or location that way) I use an iPhone personally, go to you app or play store and find a highly rated VPN security app, the thing with VPN security apps is that you absolutely get what you pay for. Free apps will be slow and not as secure. Grab one for $2-$5. Once it is downloaded immediately open it and turn it on (you are now protected from being traced by IP address)

Next, you need an Onion browser. Again go to your app or play store and grab one a free one is ok. They have some that are a combo of Tor browser+VPN security. This allows you to browse the DW safely and anonymously. Also a Tor (Onion browser) is the only way you can visit any DW sites as they end in .onion.

Open your the Onion browser that you chose, make sure the VPN security IS ON FIRST. Then search for links and URLs to whatever you want. If you want more specific information you can hit me up at leelamp84@icloud.com
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #48 - Aug 22nd, 2019 at 8:01pm
 
Strap on your VPN and go for the bumpy ride on the (shudder) DARK WEB!!!!!




How do you access the dark web for free?
Zral Kheri Updated Jul 9

*Note* I am not responsible for any trouble you may get yourselves into. This is just the point of view from a person who knows a little bit about the concept of the dark web and is not a full expert in this subject.

Also, there is a difference between the dark web and deep web.

The dark web can be accessed in many ways. However, I only know one way, which is through Tor browser (Tor).

As far as I know, Tor is being monitored by the government and it may not be the best of ways to access the dark web if you want privacy. I recommend getting a VPN to surf the dark web as people can track your IP easily.


On Tor, instead of “.com” or “.org” endings for websites, the tor ‘Dark web’ endings are .onion or otherwise known as Onion links.

Onion links go to a variety of types of websites (shopping [lol idk maybe illegal?], bitcoin deposits [again I have no clue why], and etc.)

I will be showing you the levels of the internet which lead on to the dark web. (It would be hard explaining the details of it, and I know people love visuals for explanations)

...

You see, The deep web is above the dark web, which means the dark web is really *low low* on the hierarchy and is considered “dangerous” in terms of the type of data that is located there. I highly advise not to access this part of the web as it is not such a smart idea to do so.

Alright! I am done here - Zral Kheri


https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-access-the-dark-web-for-free
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #49 - Aug 22nd, 2019 at 8:17pm
 
Tor, German for Gate, is the gateway to the DARK world of the (shudder) DARK WEB!!!!



A beginner’s guide to Tor
Last updated: May 23, 2019

WHAT IS TOR?

Tor (originally called The Onion Router because it layers your traffic like an onion) is a free network of servers, or ‘nodes’, that randomly route internet traffic between each other in order to obfuscate the origin of the data.

The Tor Browser can significantly increase a user’s privacy and anonymity online. In internal documents, the NSA even refers to Tor as “the king of high-secure, low latency internet anonymity.”

...
Tor is short for “The Onion Router”.

Tor is often viewed negatively by the press and law enforcement agencies, but it has many positive benefits.

Journalists and their sources rely on it to communicate securely and anonymously, without fear of government interference.

Secure communication is essential in whistleblowing cases, like the Edward Snowden revelations.

Similarly, Tor is important for law enforcement as it allows for covert operations and investigations online.

Tor currently has about two million daily users worldwide, most of them originating from the United States, Germany, and Russia.

You can use Tor to hide your IP address, browse the dark web, and run a server anonymously.

Tor does not replace your VPN, as it only anonymizes your browsing and a few other select services (which need to be specifically configured).


Connecting to Tor through VPN connection is a great way to maintain your internet privacy and security. Not only will it hide your browsing data from your VPN company, it will also hide your home IP address from the Tor entry node.

https://www.expressvpn.com/internet-privacy/tor/
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Re: Is it safe to use the internet without a VPN?
Reply #50 - Aug 25th, 2019 at 5:39pm
 
Venture where angels fear to tread - the DARK WEB!!!!!!

Take care beware or you may be buried in SCAM email if the denizens of the DARK WEB get your email address.

TOR and a VPN are essential before goring into the DARK WEB.

A spare machine and a different internet account is a good idea to foil scammers,



Out from the Shadows: The Dark Web
by Austin Castle | Jul 23, 2019 | Featured Posts, Home + Mobile

You’ve likely heard of the dark web.

This ominous sounding shadow internet rose in prominence alongside cryptocurrencies in the early 2010s, eventually becoming such an ingrained part of our cultural zeitgeist that it even received its own feature on an episode of Law & Order: SVU. But as prominent as the dark web may be, few average internet users can properly explain what it is and the cyber threats it provides a haven for. Let’s step back from the pop culture mythos and dive into what makes the dark web so dark.

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Open Web, Deep Web, and Dark Web: Know the Difference
The open web, or surface web, is the internet we use every day. This includes all the web content that can be found through search engines and is accessed by traditional web browsers. Though you might find it surprising that the open web accounts for just 5% of the internet. The rest is made up of the deep web.

The deep web is the section of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and cannot be found through traditional search methods. This means that the only way to access deep web content is through a direct URL. While rumors about the deep web make it seem as if it is exclusively used for nefarious purposes, content on the deep web is often banal. It is largely comprised of school and university intranet systems, email and banking portals, internal sites for businesses and trade organizations, and even things like your Netflix or Hulu queues. Nothing to be afraid of there.

While the dark web is technically a part of the deep web, it takes anonymity a step further by using overlay networks to restrict access, often attracting users engaged in illicit activity. These networks use special anonymized software to grant users access; the largest and most famous of which is Tor. Tor stands for “The Onion Router,” which references its “onion routing” technique of using encapsulated layers of encryption to ensure privacy. Tor websites are most easily recognized by their “.onion” domains, and by the fact that they cannot be accessed through traditional web browsers. You may have heard stories about the NSA trying to shut Tor down, but don’t expect the services to go away soon. It has funding from high places, with a recent FOI request revealing that one of Tor’s largest financial contributors has long been the U.S. State Department—likely to offer encrypted communication options for State Department agents working in the field.

Is the Dark Web Illegal?
The dark web isn’t inherently illegal—the illegality comes from how it can be used. Darknet markets, such as the infamous and now defunct original Silk Road, showcase how thin the line is between legal and illegal dark market activities. As long as what you are purchasing is legal, using a darknet market is as lawful as making a purchase from any other online retailer. But buying illicit drugs or human organs? Yeah, that’s definitely illegal.

Although not as remarkable as some of the more grotesque items available, one of the most commonly found items for sale on the dark web is data. With a reported 281 data breaches in just the first quarter of 2019, we have already seen 4.53 billion records exposed this year alone. That’s potentially more than 4 billion chances for hackers to profit off the victimization of strangers, and a majority of them will use the dark web to do so. We have seen several high-profile data breaches resurface on the dark web—Equifax, Canva, Under Armor, and Evite all recently had their user data available for sale on darknet markets.

The Dark Web and Malware-as-a-Service
Beyond selling your data, the dark web can be used to harvest it as well. Webroot Security Analyst, Tyler Moffitt, explains this growing threat:

“Anyone can create malware in today’s landscape where the dark web is very accessible,” says Moffit. “There are ransomware services on .onion links that will allow you to input just a few bits of information, like a bitcoin address, desired ransom, late fees, etc., and unique binaries are generated to distribute however they like. The only ‘catch’ is that the portal creator usually takes a cut (around 30%) for any ransom payments made.”

These malware-as-a-service attacks mean that an attacker doesn’t even need to know how to execute one; they just need to know how to navigate to the portal. Therein lies the largest dark web danger for many consumers—anonymized cyberattacks available at the click of a mouse.

Keeping Your Data Off the Dark Web
Like a hydra with its multiple heads, black markets will likely never be wiped out. When you shut one down, two more will pop up. Darknet markets are just their newest evolution. While you can’t expect to see this threat disappear anytime soon, you can take steps to keep your data secure and off the dark web.

Read the rest here

https://www.webroot.com/blog/2019/07/23/out-from-the-shadows-the-dark-web/
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