Security
Table of Content- Privacy & Security Table of Content
Do you think you have fort knox security that protects your privacy? well do you? As you may have read, at the part 1 of this article, privacy is a rare thing these days. But, am going to show you some neat tricks to protect your privacy online. Keep in mind though, these are not fool/fail/bug-proof tricks.
Tor browser secure and private browsing
Tor browser, is a Firefox based browser that helps you to enable online anonymity. Tor is free and open source. It is for Mac, Windows, Linux and android. It is for web browser, IM clients, remote logins, and more. It prevents anyone from learning your location.
A variety of people use tor, those are:
Tor has several other privacy related project that might interest you.
Ubuntu
- sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/tor-browser
- sudo apt-get update
- sudo apt-get install tor-browser
For the complete changelog, see:
gitweb.torproject.org - builders/tor-browser-bundle.git/blob - Bundle-Data/Docs/ChangeLog.txt
Windows
For windows download this package tor-browser-2.3.25-10_en-US.exe, (for other packages see torbrowser#downloads) its a self-extracting 7z package. Meaning double click it and select where to extract.
click the Start Tor Browser.exe and after that the vidalia control panel will appear.
And, after that, Tor browser has started!
Note: "For privacy reasons, the list of web pages you visited and any cookies will be deleted."
Mac os x
Download Tor for mac en-US-i386 or en-US-x86_64 unpack it, start the TorBrowser_en-US.app then the vidalia control panel will open, and start the tor browser.
With tor you will have online privacy. Now, some Secure Phone calls...
Secure Phone calls
Secure phone calls is something most of us like, without worrying of someone eavesdropping on ones phone calls. I have found some applications just for that:
cellcrypt
One Google search, and I found cellcrypt. Cellcrypt Mobile™ is a downloadable application that runs on off-the-shelf cell phones such as Android™, BlackBerry®, iPhone® and Nokia® smartphones and uses government-grade security for protecting sensitive voice calls against interception.
RedPhone
RedPhone is an application that enables u to have a secure connection between your calls provides end-to-end encryption for your calls, securing your conversations so that nobody can listen in.
- Use the default system dialer and contacts apps to make calls as you normally would.
- RedPhone will give you the opportunity to upgrade to encrypted calls whenever possible.
- RedPhone calls are encrypted end-to-end, but function just like you're used to.
- RedPhone uses your normal phone number to make and receive calls, so you don't need yet another identifier.
Secure text messages
Secure text messages, for those dirty messages that are not addressed to your girlfriend...
TextSecure
TextSecure, from the same makers of RedPhone. TextSecure: encrypts your text messages over the air and on your phone. It's almost identical to the normal text messaging application, and is just as easy to use.
- A full replacement for the default text messaging application.
- All messages are encrypted locally, so if your phone is lost, your messages will be safe.
- Messages to other TextSecure users are encrypted over the air, protecting your communication in transit.
SecureSMS
SecureSMS CellTrust's SecureSMS® technology provides a mobile world of trust with a pioneering, HIPAA, FIPS, FISMA, Sarbanes-Oxley compliant turnkey system for management of encrypted text messaging wherever you are.
some facts according to the SecureSMS website: CellTrust's pioneering use of the mobile network control channel and it's first-of-kind secure global gateway connecting to 800+ carriers in over 200 countries enables CellTrust SecureSMS® to deliver a suite of leading-edge mobile security features meeting HIPAA, FIPS, FISMA, Sarbanes-Oxley and other global compliance standards.
Secure video chats
For secure VOIP calls, u cant use skype anymore thanks to Microsoft and the NSA. So i was looking for a different app and found jitsi. Jitsi (formerly SIP Communicator) is an audio/video and chat communicator that supports protocols such as SIP, XMPP/Jabber, AIM/ICQ, Windows Live, Yahoo! and many other useful features. for a complete list of those useful features, see the Jitsi features page. But, keep in mind, the features page says: "work in progress. some features may be missing."
Jitsi
from jisti/screenshots
Tox
Meet tox, an application that aims to be a secure messaging VOIP app, that wants to protect your privacy. tox says:
Project Tox, also known as Tox, is a FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) instant messaging application aimed to replace Skype.
With the rise of governmental monitoring programs, Tox aims to be an easy to use, all-in-one communication platform (including audio, and videochats in the future) that ensures their users full privacy and secure message delivery. - Tox
Although the download button says: Tox isn't ready yet, downloads will be available soon! am inclind to agree with them since there github is constantly being updated. If you want to help them, the code is available at github.com/ProjectTox-Core.
If those applications does not satisfies your needs, here are some alternatives.
Google keys
As you may have read at the top of my article, is that, if you use Android, you may be giving Google - and indirectly the NSA - your passwords.
Of course this can be turn off, with a single slap on your screen phone. For a more detailed explanation keep reading:
How not to give Google your keys and, indirectly, the NSA:
Go to your home screen, press the Menu button, select "Settings", under "Personal" select "Backup and reset". Is the "Back up my data" checkbox checked? If so, all of the wifi passwords that your phone remembers are being synced to your Google account.
The apps above are just a few u can use. For a more detailed list on how to secure your data see: Simple Ways to Make Anonymous Phone Calls, Secure Your Data.
Keep in mind folks, that these apps are not fail proof. Even when using Tor, someone who really wants to know where u are. They, whit some effort can find u!
Conclusion
Do keep in mind that, the NSA may have some significant eavesdropping software, and they do use them efficiently, it does not mean that they are listening to U!, it means that they are listening to people that are a "Person of interest" to them. Granted they do break some individuals liberty's, for security. Whether thats 'OK' or not, well, that up to you.
If you have some tips on security, please comment below. For some debat on Privacy, please comment at the first part of my Privacy & Security article.