So, you’re still here to make your computer even more NSA proof? Let’s take a look at what people have come up with recently to make their PC’s secure and private again. Goodbye 1984!
The Operating System: Linux A Good Alternative, But Not For Newbies
Most people rely on either Windows, Mac OS X, Ubuntu or various distributions. They are all flawed and easy to hack. Yes, Ubuntu is as secure as Windows – most hackers are more familiar with Linux anyway and writing a Linux exploit is not exactly rocket science. So, believing you are 100% secure if you migrate to Ubuntu is false hope. Especially if you are new to Ubuntu and don’t even know how to compile and configure a firewall, your Ubuntu machine is easier to hack than a secure Windows PC that is properly configured (VPN, decent firewall, ports closed, etc!).
So – if all operating systems are flawed and even the best security out there will not fully protect you what’s left to do?
Virtual Machines – Not Safe From Viruses
Migrating to a virtual machine is one solution, but as pointed out by various whitepapers, viruses are capable of infecting virtual machines and you may not want to fully rely on virtual machines for your sensitive data , although I still encourage the use of virtual machines if you are just starting out with creating a secure computer environment. You may want to read our guide
Security By Isolation: Why Not Create An Entire Virtual OS?
The concept of virtual machines is great, so why not take it to the next level and create an entire virtualized OS? That’s what the makers of Qubes OS Project might have thought:
Qubes is an open-source operating system designed to provide strong security for desktop computing. Qubes is based on Xen, the X Window System, and Linux, and can run most Linux applications and utilize most of the Linux drivers
NSA-Proof Fonts For Your Emails (Wow, awesome concept)
Some smart people are working on cryptic fonts that you can use to write NSA-proof mails. The clou?
The NSA will most likely have bots that can scan your mail for keywords, but if you are using cryptic fonts, those bots will have a hard time scanning your mails. Neat!
So how does it work? First you head over to http://z-x-x.org/ and download the font, it’s as easy to install as any other font. It’s a .otf font and also includes a Mac OS X version. If you don’t know how to install the font, read this guide but it should be as easy as a double-click on the otf file unless you messed up your system badly.
Upcoming Security Devices: McAfee’s Plot To Liberate The Internet Again
Internet mogul McAfee is planning to release a device called Decentral to make computers NSA-proof by creating so called floating networks
According to McAfee the device will make it impossible for governments to tell who you are or where you are located. The device will support Android and iOS.
I can’t help it, but I like rebels like DotCom and Afee who simply fight on despite legal troubles and what not and don’t give up fighting big brother.
Additional Resources
- Part 1 – General
- Part 2 – Remove UserAssist Entries
- Part 3 – Clean Paging File When You Shut Down
- Part 4 – Private Browsing
- Part 5 – Tor vs VPN
- Part 6 – Cryptic Fonts And Virtual OS’s
- Part 7 – Set Up Bitmessaging
- Part 8 – Flash Cookies
- Part 9: Installing Tails on Raspberry Pi
- Creating encrypted containers
Your computer can be made NSA proof but your activities online can’t.
You can limit your risk by using TOR or similar programs and switching to linux (but NOT SuSe or any that Microsoft bought out).
It will take quite a bit of work, but you can harden your system significantly.
And if all else fails, make it look like your activity is someone else’s… lol
I am sure NSA is already capable of sniffing TOR etc, there are simply too many holes.
I agree on your last statement: Make it look like someone else’s activity, that’s in general the best strategy and secure VPNs that are used by many are still very reliable to fake this. Or let something traffic-intensive run in the background so all they get is noise lol
But still, if they want your data they will get it, they have too much tax money to play around with and all the time in the world to crack all tools and invent sneaky ways to eavesdrop on you.
I dont have anything to hide, I dont even put passwords on my tax returns and what not.. seriously who cares. I am more concerned about their manipulation techniques really. Not only facebook is messing with your head, doing silly mass-media experiments and what not.