FabSwingers.com forum: VPNs and your data

By *r_Insatiable666 OP Man
over a year ago

Cork

Do you use a VPN? Do you not?

How do you feel about your data being sold and used?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

Why would it bother me if my data was bought and sold

What data.....

Why would I worry about it

On a related note.....anyone else get the weird t-shirts ad on lots of different sites

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

I use a VPN to access iPlayer, itvx, plus other regions netflix and prime video. Also torrenting / darknet stuff etc.

VPNs don't really help with protecting data once you use logged in services like Google, social media, cookie tracking etc. They only avoid ISP tracking really, which Https does anyway.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Data will be the downfall of us all. We give a little bit of ourselves away with each interaction. I'm personally not too worried about it right now, but , with the advances in AI and the ability to quickly assess and utilize data, maybe I should be.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *r_Insatiable666 OP Man
over a year ago

Cork

"Data will be the downfall of us all. We give a little bit of ourselves away with each interaction. I'm personally not too worried about it right now, but , with the advances in AI and the ability to quickly assess and utilize data, maybe I should be. "

That and language models are trained off the data already collected

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

I quite like the saying... "If you're not paying, you ARE the product"

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *r_Insatiable666 OP Man
over a year ago

Cork

"I quite like the saying... "If you're not paying, you ARE the product""

Indeed and you are right about what you said but there are some interesting ideas around that

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

I use tor browser and then connect to a VPN that has been publicly audited by an independent body to verify they don't keep logs and are based in a non extradition country. That just means they can't be compelled by a warrant from a nation state on large scale fishing expeditions for VPN users.

Just being a VPN offer user flags you. Using Tor first masks this.

I don't check or log in to regular services when I am private browsing.

I teach my kids how to do this.

My phone is connected to Raspberry pi in my house so I can control my location when it suits me. I can be in France and my location shows I'm at home because I route my DNS traffic through the Raspberry pi at home. I also use that Pi to block all advertisement at the DNS level so there are no ads on any device in my house if you are connected to the WiFi. That's application called Pihole.

I am, first and foremost, protecting my children from a lifetime of profiling and association with my life time of profile.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

Again I ask ......what data can " they" get on you

What harm can it do exactly

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

"Again I ask ......what data can " they" get on you

What harm can it do exactly "

The most obvious usage of your data here would be targeted advertising. Also government monitoring for subversive/dissident keywords and usage. It's a safety net against mass profiling and surveillance.

But you're right to ask. For most people there is nothing of interest to see beyond advertising.

In other countries where they crackdown heavily on subversion these methods can help keep you safe.

Also your internet history can be pulled as part of a criminal investigation, and a VPN can prevent that.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

"I use tor browser and then connect to a VPN that has been publicly audited by an independent body to verify they don't keep logs and are based in a non extradition country. That just means they can't be compelled by a warrant from a nation state on large scale fishing expeditions for VPN users.

Just being a VPN offer user flags you. Using Tor first masks this.

I don't check or log in to regular services when I am private browsing.

I teach my kids how to do this.

I am, first and foremost, protecting my children from a lifetime of profiling and association with my life time of profile.

Your ISP can tell if you're using TOR... and I'd suggest that more of a red flag than a VPN is.

Piholes are cool, but I couldn't live with the slowdown on my gigabit connection.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

My basic thinking is that many Nations states are on record as doing what they call 'full take'.

That means that they record all of the activity on the internet in the entire world all of the time and store it. Most of it will be encrypted.

Now skip forward 20 years when AI and quantum computing can decrypt and parse that data in ways that we can't even imagine.

I imagine my child going for a job interview and being faced with a psychological/social profile that began when he was old enough to hold his first device and watch cartoons on YouTube. And his entire search and browsing history.

I imagine a third world war fought with AI super computers and my child being arrested as a dissident at the border to China because he looked at something on the internet ten years ago that they didn't like.

People get cancelled for saying one stupid thing on Twitter.

I don't think people really realize how easy it is to connect what they are writing on this website with their full name address and telephone number. Are you a site supporter ?

That also affects anyone else living in your house or associated with you through social networks.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

Just being a VPN offer user flags you. Using Tor first masks this.

I don't check or log in to regular services when I am private browsing.

I teach my kids how to do this.

I am, first and foremost, protecting my children from a lifetime of profiling and association with my life time of profile.

Your ISP can tell if you're using TOR... and I'd suggest that more of a red flag than a VPN is.

Piholes are cool, but I couldn't live with the slowdown on my gigabit connection."

It just depends on the risk model. Sometimes I use Vpn over tor.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

So dont plan to overthrow any government or do any major criminal acts

Apart from that some of ye should be wearing tin foil hats

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

"So dont plan to overthrow any government or do any major criminal acts

Apart from that some of ye should be wearing tin foil hats

For me it's more like a tech hobby than a major paranoia. I just tend to hyper focus.

That said.

We teach our kids road safety

We teach them stranger danger

We teach them about consent

We have to teach them about technology in a world where our ability to understand it and it's consequences have been rapidly out paced by it's development.

I want my kid to call me when he's to d*unk to pretend he's not. And I reckon he will.

And I want him to tell me when a stranger on Discord convinced him and a friend to send face pictures of two boys in his class who then formatted gay sex into it and posted in a public forum. This happened. And he came to me.

We were the only parents in that meeting able to demonstrate that we had consistent education and supervision when it came to devices and communication platforms.

And shit still happened.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

"So dont plan to overthrow any government or do any major criminal acts

Apart from that some of ye should be wearing tin foil hats

There are quite a few countries in the world where the government can and do disappear people for stuff they say and do online. Thankfully here that's not the case here and targeted advertising is probably the biggest real world risk for law abiding Irish citizens. Your internet history can and is used against people in Irish courts though.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

"So dont plan to overthrow any government or do any major criminal acts

Apart from that some of ye should be wearing tin foil hats

For me it's more like a tech hobby than a major paranoia. I just tend to hyper focus.

That said.

We teach our kids road safety

We teach them stranger danger

We teach them about consent

We have to teach them about technology in a world where our ability to understand it and it's consequences have been rapidly out paced by it's development.

I want my kid to call me when he's to d*unk to pretend he's not. And I reckon he will.

We were the only parents in that meeting able to demonstrate that we had consistent education and supervision when it came to devices and communication platforms.

And shit still happened."

100% agree with this and indeed I did the same with my son especially after a young fella in Belfast took his own life after wanking on screen and getting sent threats looking for money

Nothing ever happened to him thank god

But still has nothing to do with my phone giving out data about me

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

It's as Filthy says. Everything you do is recorded and sold for advertising purposes.

My belief is that there will a point where technology will accelerate so rapidly that no nation state will be able to control it and then we will have no control over how our data is used for against us.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

Sitting behind a pihole, a VPN, and TOR unfortunately wouldn't have helped that poor man, or the kids photoshopping gay porn on discord. As you say, education is the key.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Using tor for non darknet activity, is to me , a tad dramatic, and tbh I don't see what you think you're getting that a VPN can't provide.

I use VPN to get round the age restrictions on my phone and for streaming.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

Put simply

Would you reckon that having publicly available photos of your dick online for cost you your job if the connection is made?

Right now we have reasonable data protection rights and laws in Europe so the risk is low and none of us are the target of nation state level attention.

I just don't think the world is going to look like that in twenty years

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

"Using tor for non darknet activity, is to me , a tad dramatic, and tbh I don't see what you think you're getting that a VPN can't provide.

I use VPN to get round the age restrictions on my phone and for streaming."

Total overkill. It's a hobby

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

"Using tor for non darknet activity, is to me , a tad dramatic, and tbh I don't see what you think you're getting that a VPN can't provide.

I use VPN to get round the age restrictions on my phone and for streaming."

My son is a trans teen. He does a lot of research and reads and listens to talks.

I want him to be able to keep his private info out of the Ad monsters hands. As well as doxxers and bullies and all the rest

That's the most honest answer I can give. I want to protect him.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oo32Man
over a year ago

tipperary

"Do you use a VPN? Do you not?

How do you feel about your data being sold and used?

Nope don't use one

Is it not protected...supposedly protected from all that

GDPR and that..

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

"Do you use a VPN? Do you not?

How do you feel about your data being sold and used?

Nope don't use one

Is it not protected...supposedly protected from all that

GDPR and that.."

GDPR and regulatory capture our strange bedfellows.

Just ask the Irish data protection commissioner.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

What do people use as their phones

Android ....can't set up without a gmail account and targeted ads

Iphone don't know who they work I've never had one

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Using tor for non darknet activity, is to me , a tad dramatic, and tbh I don't see what you think you're getting that a VPN can't provide.

I use VPN to get round the age restrictions on my phone and for streaming.

A simple VPN would of provided that. You've simply taught your child how to access the darknet and how to download illegal content. He probably now thinks he's safe on the darknet too.

My son is a trans teen. He does a lot of research and reads and listens to talks.

I want him to be able to keep his private info out of the Ad monsters hands. As well as doxxers and bullies and all the rest

That's the most honest answer I can give. I want to protect him."

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Using tor for non darknet activity, is to me , a tad dramatic, and tbh I don't see what you think you're getting that a VPN can't provide.

I use VPN to get round the age restrictions on my phone and for streaming.

A simple VPN would of provided that. You've simply taught your child how to access the darknet and how to download illegal content. He probably now thinks he's safe on the darknet too.

My son is a trans teen. He does a lot of research and reads and listens to talks.

I want him to be able to keep his private info out of the Ad monsters hands. As well as doxxers and bullies and all the rest

That's the most honest answer I can give. I want to protect him."

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oo32Man
over a year ago

tipperary

"Do you use a VPN? Do you not?

How do you feel about your data being sold and used?

Nope don't use one

Is it not protected...supposedly protected from all that

GDPR and that..

GDPR and regulatory capture our strange bedfellows.

Just ask the Irish data protection commissioner."

But there's still GDPR,there's a law for it an all

I'm not exactely looking up how to build a space ship or any other device or devices

It's mostly how far do I've to run to burn off a chunky kit kat

Or can I burn the house down if I forget to turn off the slowcooker

Porn...there's a lot of that

I did a Google search about a cough last week...and I think I died Tuesday,but I'm afraid to tell anyone

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

For some reason it's not letting me post.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

"For some reason it's not letting me post."

Funniest post I read in a while

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

"What do people use as their phones

Android ....can't set up without a gmail account and targeted ads

Iphone don't know who they work I've never had one "

Once you're in the Google infrastructure it's tricky not to give them your info. You can still use a VPN and an alternate browser though if you like

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *r_Insatiable666 OP Man
over a year ago

Cork

I knew at least somebody would call it tinfoil. It would have been 15 years ago but I think denying now is nearly the more ignorant take after all we have seen

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

"I knew at least somebody would call it tinfoil. It would have been 15 years ago but I think denying now is nearly the more ignorant take after all we have seen"

Denying what and whats the all we have seen

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

" A simple VPN would of provided that. You've simply taught your child how to access the darknet and how to download illegal content. He probably now thinks he's safe on the darknet too."

That's a fair comment. The way we approached it after his photo scare and after the internet started advertising pretty hardcore gender affirmation therapies at him was to explain that the internet is not safe for a child. That it's like a dark forest he's walking around in without a flashlight and the people he is talking to could be anyone.

So he could choose to go alone and figure it out for himself or we could go with him and hold his hand and a shine a light and give him the tools and skills he needs to be safe.

We believe that anonymity and privacy are essential life skills. He doesn't need all of those tools all of the time. But he does just some of them some of the time.

Could be over the top. Might not be. He's a good kid and we trust him. What's more he trusts us and we feel lucky for that.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *astelloWoman
over a year ago

Far far away

Excellent discussion on technnology, consent, education and privacy.

As an educator on the other side.. How to monitise your data.. Be afraid. The rate of profiling with the use of AI is growing exponentially and if its free.., your data is the moneymaker.

Ps.. I aint the devil..

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

"Do you use a VPN? Do you not?

How do you feel about your data being sold and used?

Nope don't use one

Is it not protected...supposedly protected from all that

GDPR and that..

GDPR and regulatory capture our strange bedfellows.

Just ask the Irish data protection commissioner.

But there's still GDPR,there's a law for it an all

I'm not exactely looking up how to build a space ship or any other device or devices

It's mostly how far do I've to run to burn off a chunky kit kat

Or can I burn the house down if I forget to turn off the slowcooker

Porn...there's a lot of that

I did a Google search about a cough last week...and I think I died Tuesday,but I'm afraid to tell anyone "

The Data Protection Commissioner for Europe is in Ireland. It's woefully and deliberately under resourced.

I recently made a complaint about a property management company that sent a consent form with all my personal details on it to a third party cold calling company. The form was unsigned.

No response.

Laws and enforcement are not the same and bad actors online are quite well able to leverage security through obscurity or are just operating at such a scale that the fines are just a line item in the annual budget.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

"Excellent discussion on technnology, consent, education and privacy.

As an educator on the other side.. How to monitise your data.. Be afraid. The rate of profiling with the use of AI is growing exponentially and if its free.., your data is the moneymaker.

Ps.. I aint the devil..

Thats interesting... I wonder what insights you might have into what people can do help prevent our data leaking into the hands of those who don't have our best interests at heart?

You could like be a spy for the rebel alliance from your seat at the galactic empire table

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

"Excellent discussion on technnology, consent, education and privacy.

As an educator on the other side.. How to monitise your data.. Be afraid. The rate of profiling with the use of AI is growing exponentially and if its free.., your data is the moneymaker.

Ps.. I aint the devil..

Thats interesting... I wonder what insights you might have into what people can do help prevent our data leaking into the hands of those who don't have our best interests at heart?

You could like be a spy for the rebel alliance from your seat at the galactic empire table

Spin up the latest version of Kali Linux on an airgapped computer?

There was a fantastic browser plugin available for a while that would feed Google spoof information about every you did. Totally confusing the algo.

It was written by Moxy Marlinspike. He developed Signal and most of the cryptographic protocols for online communication used by WhatsApp etc

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

The problem is it's so fucking convenient to use a device where you're already logged into your Google account that remembers all your passwords, and using Amazon where you can buy cheaply and easily with a couple of clicks and Google pay etc etc. Once you get used to the simplicity of it then it's hard to go back. Sure we could all use an airgapped Linux Pc but what would you do on there with no internet and no idea what all our logins were even if we did have internet. They have you by the short and curlys.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

Love the idea of sending nonsense data to Google tho, gonna go and (erm) Google that

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

So who's going to admit to using Google ad words in their advertising

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

"So who's going to admit to using Google ad words in their advertising

I use duckduckgo and avoid the Google ads... but if I was selling online I'd be all over that lol.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *r_Insatiable666 OP Man
over a year ago

Cork

"I knew at least somebody would call it tinfoil. It would have been 15 years ago but I think denying now is nearly the more ignorant take after all we have seen

Denying what and whats the all we have seen "

Most things are digital now, how often do you see card only? Where is your medical records? Have you forgot about Snowden?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

"The problem is it's so fucking convenient to use a device where you're already logged into your Google account that remembers all your passwords, and using Amazon where you can buy cheaply and easily with a couple of clicks and Google pay etc etc. Once you get used to the simplicity of it then it's hard to go back. Sure we could all use an airgapped Linux Pc but what would you do on there with no internet and no idea what all our logins were even if we did have internet. They have you by the short and curlys."

There's the rub. Frictionless access to convenient quality of life improvements.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

"I knew at least somebody would call it tinfoil. It would have been 15 years ago but I think denying now is nearly the more ignorant take after all we have seen

Denying what and whats the all we have seen

Most things are digital now, how often do you see card only? Where is your medical records? Have you forgot about Snowden? "

Card only .....I use credit and debit cards ....nothing illegal so couldn't care that the banks see what or where I spend my money

If I need to pay someone ....revolut or cash via a withdrawal from an ATM

Im not feckin Jason Bourne ...I don't need to hide a trail

Medical records ....with my doctor and in 3 different hospitals ...is someone going to clone me

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *r_Insatiable666 OP Man
over a year ago

Cork

"I knew at least somebody would call it tinfoil. It would have been 15 years ago but I think denying now is nearly the more ignorant take after all we have seen

Denying what and whats the all we have seen

Most things are digital now, how often do you see card only? Where is your medical records? Have you forgot about Snowden?

Card only .....I use credit and debit cards ....nothing illegal so couldn't care that the banks see what or where I spend my money

If I need to pay someone ....revolut or cash via a withdrawal from an ATM

Im not feckin Jason Bourne ...I don't need to hide a trail

Medical records ....with my doctor and in 3 different hospitals ...is someone going to clone me

Would you not care about your credit card information being taken and used? No?

Your medical records are also stored on some dustbin database that was hacked not too long ago.

You're a genius so I'm guessing you can understand something as simple as this.

If someone paid some ruskies for your medical information, and they then decide to declare you dead. Is that possible? Sure. Does it matter? Well if you're considered dead, and you go about using your cards, your license ect I heard it's not a fun experience.

It's not just about having your information, if they can get to your information, they can create information.

People write multiple thesis on this.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

"I knew at least somebody would call it tinfoil. It would have been 15 years ago but I think denying now is nearly the more ignorant take after all we have seen

Denying what and whats the all we have seen

Most things are digital now, how often do you see card only? Where is your medical records? Have you forgot about Snowden?

Card only .....I use credit and debit cards ....nothing illegal so couldn't care that the banks see what or where I spend my money

If I need to pay someone ....revolut or cash via a withdrawal from an ATM

Im not feckin Jason Bourne ...I don't need to hide a trail

Medical records ....with my doctor and in 3 different hospitals ...is someone going to clone me

Would you not care about your credit card information being taken and used? No?

Your medical records are also stored on some dustbin database that was hacked not too long ago.

You're a genius so I'm guessing you can understand something as simple as this.

It's not just about having your information, if they can get to your information, they can create information.

People write multiple thesis on this. "

Filed under fiction or science fiction

Right I'll declare myself dead so

Tell people my debts have died with me

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *r_Insatiable666 OP Man
over a year ago

Cork

[Removed by poster at 21/09/23 15:09:45]

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *r_Insatiable666 OP Man
over a year ago

Cork

Ignorance is bliss.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

"Ignorance is bliss."

Definitely....not living in fear of living is wonderful

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *r_Insatiable666 OP Man
over a year ago

Cork

"Ignorance is bliss.

Definitely....not living in fear of living is wonderful "

Fear or just aware? Do you fear your car? You just can be aware that you're driving a vehicle that could harm someone.

But I suppose self driving cars is also science fiction

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

"Ignorance is bliss.

Definitely....not living in fear of living is wonderful

Fear or just aware? Do you fear your car? You just can be aware that you're driving a vehicle that could harm someone.

But I suppose self driving cars is also science fiction

No because I actually have one of them that self drives when I hit a button.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *r_Insatiable666 OP Man
over a year ago

Cork

"Ignorance is bliss.

Definitely....not living in fear of living is wonderful

Fear or just aware? Do you fear your car? You just can be aware that you're driving a vehicle that could harm someone.

But I suppose self driving cars is also science fiction

No because I actually have one of them that self drives when I hit a button.

How are they actually? I'm pretty sure the technology has advanced passed the legislation. There's some weird things happening there.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

"Ignorance is bliss.

Definitely....not living in fear of living is wonderful

Fear or just aware? Do you fear your car? You just can be aware that you're driving a vehicle that could harm someone.

But I suppose self driving cars is also science fiction

No because I actually have one of them that self drives when I hit a button.

How are they actually? I'm pretty sure the technology has advanced passed the legislation. There's some weird things happening there."

Still don't trust it 100% and it tells you to keep one hand on the wheel in case something happens

If it see's you closing your eyes it sets off an alarm and stops the car

When I used it the first time it tried to drive up a slip road on the M9 on a bend as the camera got confused following the white lines but updates have improved the software

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

"Ignorance is bliss."

That might be a bit harsh. The risk model for Iranian dissident isn't the same as a bog man and his day to day business. Different again for someone who wants to make an innocuous darknet purchase with some crypto

Personally I am an enthusiast any privacy and an advocate for pushing against the monetization of my personal information but I'm not a zealot.

I recognise that these things will never affect most people so while I'm passionate about sharing knowledge I also think it's we to keep things in perspective and try to educate our kids who are the ones the ones facing the most uncertainty

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

It's really easy to go TOO far with this stuff. I think a reasonable degree of caution is sufficient. There is no need to worry about the Russians declaring an Irish fella dead. If you really want to be safe you can always close you bank account, delete your online accounts and go live in a cabin in the woods.. but most people see sufficient benefit to a modern lifestyle that they feel the risk of other people holding some data on n you is ok on balance.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Ignorance is bliss.

Personally I am an enthusiast any privacy and an advocate for pushing against the monetization of my personal information but I'm not a zealot.

Our kids are actually way more advanced with tech than we are and as for self driving car that langer musk saw ya coming bog

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

"Ignorance is bliss.

Personally I am an enthusiast any privacy and an advocate for pushing against the monetization of my personal information but I'm not a zealot.

Our kids are actually way more advanced with tech than we are and as for self driving car that langer musk saw ya coming bog

Definitely not a Tesla

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *r_Insatiable666 OP Man
over a year ago

Cork

Definitely was a bit of an extreme example but it's harder to explain the more subtle uses of data.

I do agree with Filthys point, we are willing to sacrifice privacy for a modern style of living. Whether we should or not is hard to say.

A funny case with self driving cars, some self driving AI was trained using caucasian people for safety. It wasn't till they tested night time driving that they released their big error.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

"It's really easy to go TOO far with this stuff. I think a reasonable degree of caution is sufficient. There is no need to worry about the Russians declaring an Irish fella dead. If you really want to be safe you can always close you bank account, delete your online accounts and go live in a cabin in the woods.. but most people see sufficient benefit to a modern lifestyle that they feel the risk of other people holding some data on n you is ok on balance."

Totally. Aside from my sex life, porn habits and a little online shopping I am all in on the Google ecosystem. It's easy enough to take steps to block most tracking and advertising if one is inclined that way.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Ignorance is bliss.

Personally I am an enthusiast any privacy and an advocate for pushing against the monetization of my personal information but I'm not a zealot.

Our kids are actually way more advanced with tech than we are and as for self driving car that langer musk saw ya coming bog

Definitely not a Tesla

They say it’s the best auto pilot system there is and the tech inside is amazing ah well maybe I’m trying too justify that I’m actually the langer he seen coming

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By * la carteCouple
over a year ago

Dublin

"Definitely was a bit of an extreme example but it's harder to explain the more subtle uses of data.

I do agree with Filthys point, we are willing to sacrifice privacy for a modern style of living. Whether we should or not is hard to say.

A funny case with self driving cars, some self driving AI was trained using caucasian people for safety. It wasn't till they tested night time driving that they released their big error."

The more personal data and information available to a company/government about a person or population, the easier to manipulate and control... simple psychology.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

"Definitely was a bit of an extreme example but it's harder to explain the more subtle uses of data.

I do agree with Filthys point, we are willing to sacrifice privacy for a modern style of living. Whether we should or not is hard to say.

A funny case with self driving cars, some self driving AI was trained using caucasian people for safety. It wasn't till they tested night time driving that they released their big error.

The more personal data and information available to a company/government about a person or population, the easier to manipulate and control... simple psychology."

And FB is on the record using their algorithm to experiment with shifting public sentiment.

That macro effects of large scale information gathering are much more far reaching than than insta catching on you might like some undies.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *astelloWoman
over a year ago

Far far away

Spoke to someone recently on this. Involved in cyber security, he stressed quite vigorously how at risk we actually are. We click agree with abandonment without knowing what we agree to. The cyber security team are more reactive than proactive. The advent of machine learning, our data will be monetised to the highest bidder.

As someone who works in this sector, I teach ethics, reg, control, db mgt but alas its like the lone cowboy in the wild west.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

"Spoke to someone recently on this. Involved in cyber security, he stressed quite vigorously how at risk we actually are. We click agree with abandonment without knowing what we agree to. The cyber security team are more reactive than proactive. The advent of machine learning, our data will be monetised to the highest bidder.

As someone who works in this sector, I teach ethics, reg, control, db mgt but alas its like the lone cowboy in the wild west. "

One of the last big projects I worked on had the names, addresses, dates of birth of a couple hundred thousand men, women and children accessible on a laptop that more than 20 people had access to. Their roles did not necessitate that access. Simply lazy data management. They were also sending this data outside of the EU to third parties without consent and without any GDPR risk assessment or compliance.

It wasn't difficult to fix it but the catastrophic potential of just one person deciding to abuse that data can't be over stated.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

"Definitely was a bit of an extreme example but it's harder to explain the more subtle uses of data.

I do agree with Filthys point, we are willing to sacrifice privacy for a modern style of living. Whether we should or not is hard to say.

A funny case with self driving cars, some self driving AI was trained using caucasian people for safety. It wasn't till they tested night time driving that they released their big error.

The more personal data and information available to a company/government about a person or population, the easier to manipulate and control... simple psychology.

And FB is on the record using their algorithm to experiment with shifting public sentiment.

That macro effects of large scale information gathering are much more far reaching than than insta catching on you might like some undies."

What has a Fuck Buddy got to do with this

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

"Definitely was a bit of an extreme example but it's harder to explain the more subtle uses of data.

I do agree with Filthys point, we are willing to sacrifice privacy for a modern style of living. Whether we should or not is hard to say.

A funny case with self driving cars, some self driving AI was trained using caucasian people for safety. It wasn't till they tested night time driving that they released their big error.

The more personal data and information available to a company/government about a person or population, the easier to manipulate and control... simple psychology.

And FB is on the record using their algorithm to experiment with shifting public sentiment.

That macro effects of large scale information gathering are much more far reaching than than insta catching on you might like some undies.

What has a Fuck Buddy got to do with this

Sometimes I whisper my credit card number into their ear

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By * la carteCouple
over a year ago

Dublin

"Definitely was a bit of an extreme example but it's harder to explain the more subtle uses of data.

I do agree with Filthys point, we are willing to sacrifice privacy for a modern style of living. Whether we should or not is hard to say.

A funny case with self driving cars, some self driving AI was trained using caucasian people for safety. It wasn't till they tested night time driving that they released their big error.

The more personal data and information available to a company/government about a person or population, the easier to manipulate and control... simple psychology.

And FB is on the record using their algorithm to experiment with shifting public sentiment.

That macro effects of large scale information gathering are much more far reaching than than insta catching on you might like some undies.

What has a Fuck Buddy got to do with this

Sometimes I whisper my credit card number into their ear"

God, I'm feeling horny now

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

"Definitely was a bit of an extreme example but it's harder to explain the more subtle uses of data.

I do agree with Filthys point, we are willing to sacrifice privacy for a modern style of living. Whether we should or not is hard to say.

A funny case with self driving cars, some self driving AI was trained using caucasian people for safety. It wasn't till they tested night time driving that they released their big error.

The more personal data and information available to a company/government about a person or population, the easier to manipulate and control... simple psychology.

And FB is on the record using their algorithm to experiment with shifting public sentiment.

That macro effects of large scale information gathering are much more far reaching than than insta catching on you might like some undies.

What has a Fuck Buddy got to do with this

Sometimes I whisper my credit card number into their ear

God, I'm feeling horny now

American Express

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *arrot_in_a_boxCouple
over a year ago

kinda dublin

"Definitely was a bit of an extreme example but it's harder to explain the more subtle uses of data.

I do agree with Filthys point, we are willing to sacrifice privacy for a modern style of living. Whether we should or not is hard to say.

A funny case with self driving cars, some self driving AI was trained using caucasian people for safety. It wasn't till they tested night time driving that they released their big error.

The more personal data and information available to a company/government about a person or population, the easier to manipulate and control... simple psychology.

And FB is on the record using their algorithm to experiment with shifting public sentiment.

That macro effects of large scale information gathering are much more far reaching than than insta catching on you might like some undies.

What has a Fuck Buddy got to do with this

Sometimes I whisper my credit card number into their ear"

She whispered in my ear, said "Cash or Credit", and I jizzed in my pants.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

Tell me your one time password baby.

Surprised we haven't mentioned some of the scariest shit so far.

My TV is on all the time and is connected straight to the internet. Who knows if it's getting patched for vulnerabilities. Most probably not.

I have three Echos and two Firetvs always listening.

When was the last time you all updated your router firmware? Those often have vulnerabilities that allow hackers root control due to running outdated software.

That dodgybox you use to watch TV CAME with snooping malware out of the box from China. Do you know what it's reporting back?

Are you absolutely certain noone has infiltrated any of your devices already?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Tell me your one time password baby.

Surprised we haven't mentioned some of the scariest shit so far.

My TV is on all the time and is connected straight to the internet. Who knows if it's getting patched for vulnerabilities. Most probably not.

I have three Echos and two Firetvs always listening.

When was the last time you all updated your router firmware? Those often have vulnerabilities that allow hackers root control due to running outdated software.

That dodgybox you use to watch TV CAME with snooping malware out of the box from China. Do you know what it's reporting back?

Are you absolutely certain noone has infiltrated any of your devices already?

I know what ours has reported back

Where the fuck did you send me can’t understand a word their saying boy

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *r_Insatiable666 OP Man
over a year ago

Cork

"Tell me your one time password baby.

Surprised we haven't mentioned some of the scariest shit so far.

My TV is on all the time and is connected straight to the internet. Who knows if it's getting patched for vulnerabilities. Most probably not.

I have three Echos and two Firetvs always listening.

When was the last time you all updated your router firmware? Those often have vulnerabilities that allow hackers root control due to running outdated software.

That dodgybox you use to watch TV CAME with snooping malware out of the box from China. Do you know what it's reporting back?

Are you absolutely certain noone has infiltrated any of your devices already?

Iran's nuclear program was halted by an infected USB key left in the employees carpark.

I had to do an assignment in college about finding a way to infiltrate some company. It reminds me that the greatest weakness to computer security is human error.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *electableicecreamMan
over a year ago

The West

You only have to look at what works in the mainstream to see where the real every day danger is.

If you believe that your Amazon account is about to renew its prime membership then I have a bridge to sell you. It's the elderly that are vunerable.

I like to play 'how long can I keep you on the phone' when these guys call me. I go through all the motions and keep making mistakes and getting them to repeat again and again how I install the remote desktop software.

The longer they are talking to me and wasting their time the less time they are scamming some poor vulnerable elderly lady.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *aulupforitMan
29 weeks ago

Corbridge

How do you know if a VPN is actually working?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
29 weeks ago

East / North, Cork

"How do you know if a VPN is actually working?"

You can check whatismyip.com before and after connecting to your Vpn. It should change

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *aulupforitMan
29 weeks ago

Corbridge

"How do you know if a VPN is actually working?

You can check whatismyip.com before and after connecting to your Vpn. It should change"

Yep I get that and I use the green dot but it might just change on your screen and not protect you at all.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
29 weeks ago

I use a vpn for the firestick at home, and that's about it. Its €25 for the year

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
29 weeks ago

East / North, Cork

"How do you know if a VPN is actually working?

You can check whatismyip.com before and after connecting to your Vpn. It should change

Yep I get that and I use the green dot but it might just change on your screen and not protect you at all."

If your external ip changes on that site then it IS working

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *aulupforitMan
29 weeks ago

Corbridge

"How do you know if a VPN is actually working?

You can check whatismyip.com before and after connecting to your Vpn. It should change

Yep I get that and I use the green dot but it might just change on your screen and not protect you at all.

If your external ip changes on that site then it IS working"

Okay but I still do not get it as could just be a change in a number and you are not protected at all and just a big con.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
29 weeks ago

East / North, Cork

So when you go on that site it tells you the IP you are connected from. Then when you connect your VPN then if the IP is changed then it will report your VPN connections IP instead of your IP. If you get a different IP than that PROVES that anyone you connect to is seeing the VPN IP instead of your real identifiable IP.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
29 weeks ago

East / North, Cork

On reflection I think VPNs maybe aren't for you.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *runchMan
29 weeks ago

Dublin

The Age of Surveillance Capitalism

Read that from cover to cover and some of you may come around to the idea of VPNs and protecting your data.

Anyone who naively believes data is not being utilised for nefarious purposes ought to read up about Cambridge Analytica.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *aulupforitMan
29 weeks ago

Corbridge

"On reflection I think VPNs maybe aren't for you. "

I use a vpn always but I was just making a point and most do not get it as just because they change a ip address means nothing really and might be just for you thinking it is safe.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
29 weeks ago

East / North, Cork

"On reflection I think VPNs maybe aren't for you.

I use a vpn always but I was just making a point and most do not get it as just because they change a ip address means nothing really and might be just for you thinking it is safe.

While VPNS are not the be all and end all of internet security, they do provide a level of anonymity and definitely does not "mean nothing". With a few caveats, as far as the site you're visiting is concerned you are accessing to them from the VPN network you are connecting to, and not from your home IP address. The site your connecting from can't tell your home IP and your ISP can't monitor what you're doing. Of course if you login to Facebook or something then Facebook will know who you really are so you have to be careful how you use the connection if you want to be anonymous. You can also use something like TOR over your VPN also if you want an extra layer of safety.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *runchMan
29 weeks ago

Dublin

Just being a VPN offer user flags you. Using Tor first masks this.

I don't check or log in to regular services when I am private browsing.

I teach my kids how to do this.

I am, first and foremost, protecting my children from a lifetime of profiling and association with my life time of profile.

Flags to who? If ISP, surely using Tor arouses more suspicion then a VPN

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
29 weeks ago

somewhere

Am I on some list for using limewire,Napster and Pirate Bay back in the day

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
29 weeks ago

East / North, Cork

[Removed by poster at 12/04/24 11:32:12]

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
29 weeks ago

East / North, Cork

If you connect to a VPN first then your ISP has no idea you're using TOR

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *runchMan
29 weeks ago

Dublin

"If you connect to a VPN first then your ISP has no idea you're using TOR"

Exactly, so why would anyone do it the other way around like suggested above.

Think the dark web is far more of a threat to any government than Billy next door using a VPN to obfuscate his dodgy box stream

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
29 weeks ago

East / North, Cork

"If you connect to a VPN first then your ISP has no idea you're using TOR

Exactly, so why would anyone do it the other way around like suggested above.

Think the dark web is far more of a threat to any government than Billy next door using a VPN to obfuscate his dodgy box stream"

Agreed. I'm sure intelligence agencies have powerful tools at their disposal that would strip back these technologies (dodgy TOR nodes, openvpn vulnerabilities, encryption backdoors etc), but they are probably reserved for matters of national defense and wouldn't reveal these capabilities to prosecute billy watching a dodgy copy of Dune 2. There is definitely such a thing as "safe enough" for the kind of thing a normal member of society is up to.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

Post new Message to Thread