Quote:
Originally Posted by LewisM
Wife - who works in Cyber Security for one of the Top 4 - insists NO smart devices in the house - for instance, NO smart TV's, no linking anything to anything. All laptops have the webcam covered over with tape. It is NOT a conspiracy, it is REAL and admitted to by the NSA and others after Snowden's outing. A mate that owns an info tech/data management business also is LOW tech at home.
Similarly, all apps on the phone that are NOT essential are deleted. Facebook accounts are deleted/not active (one of the FIRST things government agencies ask for baseline vetting is about Facebook etc. Just wait what they ask you for negative vetting...or TSPV).
The more technology evolves, the LESS I use it's functionalities. A few recent Black Mirror episodes regarding ratings and technology may make you think a bit too. Do we need it? NO! Life was just fine without it all. I manage to get through the day JUST FINE without seeing what some d!ckhead had for lunch...which then of course forms a profile....
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I totally agree, but there is a way to get around it. All these social media crap is designed to be addictive, just like the cigarette industry.
I have no website replacing apps like the CNN spp, Guardian app, Youtube app, Opal app, banking apps, they are not designed for the users, but for the companies. I cannot find any other reason that these companies spend extra effort in making separate apps beside a website. It is just for data collecting and selling your private data. Modern web browsers on Android or iOS are just as capable to do everything as the customized apps.
The problem is that there is little choice in cellphone / tablet OS'es, just Android or iOS, the first one being intrusive with ads and the second one has too many limitations.
To circumvent Android data raking is rather simple (and cheap, or even free) to bypass this. And NO ROOT required.
* NEVER use malware like the Facebook app and preferably, completely get rid of Fakebook. All other social media are just data raking apps.
* Whatsapp is another issue: it belongs to Fakebook and with email (e.g. the independent K9 Mail app) you can do the same, group email, share photos with family and friends with instant response. And you can also access it on tablet or computer, unlike Whatsapp.
* Get Adguard (
www.adguard.com) iOS: App Store, costs $2, Android: sideload via
www.adguard.com because it is not allowed in the Play store for obvious reasons. This blocks all ads as in installs a VPN based firewall and you decide which apps are allowed to connect with the internet. I block almost all apps, including all Google services, except a few browsers and K9 mail app. When uidating apps I disable Adguard briefly and allow everything to connect with internet briefly.
* Set the DNS to Adguard DNS (176.103.130.130 and 176.103.131.131) which blocks all ads even when the firewall is off (e.g for updates).
* Use Firefox browser which allows permanent 'desktop' user agent so no 'mobile sites' (i.e. stupid limited WAP pages) are shown. Desktop plugins of FF, such as uBlock Origin, an excellent tracker blocker, also run on Android. Set Duckduckgo as default search engine. Just as good as Google.
* Set all location sharing, contacts sharing, auto updates and push notifications to OFF in your Google account on your device.
* Disable the Gmail, Youtube, Google Now and Google Search app.
* Connect your device with internet (wifi / 4G) only when needed. Permanently online is another security and privacy leak. Navigational or sky viewing apps work excellently without internet and when you are needed for e.g. emergency, cell service is enough.
This is not a guarantee that you never will be tracked, but at least far less.