We're Not Saying You're Being Watched
But You're Being Watched
If you're here then you at least have a concern about your digital privacy. Well, we understand. We do too.
In fact - We're more than concerned. Alarmed would be a better choice of words. Over the years we've learned how easy it is to learn pretty much whatever we want about anyone. In the world. Like the whole world. If you were born, then we can learn not only basic facts about your life, but 95% of the time we can learn some pretty intimate facts too.
And this is just a digital startup. Years of experience, yes - Amazing tech skills, yes. But a private business all the same. Imagine the government for instance. Or a well funded organization intent on passive reconnaissance? ...or not so passive reconnaissance?
Either way, there are some basic steps anyone in the world can take that can drastically reduce someone like us, or them - chance of uncovering information that can be used against you in some pretty amazing ways.
Below, we will talk about some free, open source software that can be used to protect yourself - and some ways a bad actor can attack you in everyday situations if you decide not to. We believe taking these few steps are worth their weight in gold. Well, its software - so maybe not their weight, but you get the idea.
Keep reading if something like this appeals to you, and if you don't want to take the time to configure these ideas into your everyday computing but still want to protect yourself - then we have some solutions for that too.
"Privacy" Has become a relative term.
Not Chrome. Not Firefox. Not Edge.
Tails.
I know you've probably never heard of it, and there's a reason for that. The tech giants would hate it if everyone did. Tails is an all in one Operating System built with internet browsing, office tools, encrypted messaging and image editing capabilities - and it all boots from a USB drive.
Sounds pretty great right? It is. Tails lives on your computer's RAM so when you turn the it off, everything you've done is deleted. It's pretty much a computer in your pocket. All you need is something with a USB drive and RAM and you're in business.
Everything is a trade off when it comes to computing power, privacy, and ease of access. Tails lives in the devices RAM so it is a little slower that your regular laptop computer - But not as slow as you would think. When it comes to everything you do being tracked online vs. Waiting a few extra seconds for a page to load, I'll wait a few seconds for some peace of mind.
Persistence.
For When You Don't Need Everything Deleted
Most of the time we don't need everything wiped from a computer after we use it, but it's a good option to have - and, it's a good "best practice" from a security standpoint. But, it can get in the way if you need to save files. Which everyone needs to do from time to time. Tails OS has the ability to create a persistent drive for cases just like this. A portion of the USB's memory will be reserved to save your files for when you need them the next time you boot back up. Encrypted and Password Protected. Which makes this solutions our best pick. It's easy to use, intuitive, and totally secure with all incoming and outgoing internet traffic running through the TOR network. If you loose your Tails drive, who ever finds it would have no way of ever recovering what is on the persistent partition.
Tails is Open Source software and is totally free to compile and use by everyone in the world. Digital Dropkick will put this Operating System on a USB drive for you and set everything up for only the price of the drive and shipping. We have several options available. Check out the store if this is something that appeals to you.
Tails is for people who want privacy, but still want to be able to use a Windows or MacOS System from time to time on their home computer. Read below for info on more nuclear options, including privacy software for Android/Apple devices.
More.
So, How Important Is Windows To You?
Because if you can take it or leave it, and are willing to learn something new - Then you my friend need a fresh Linux Distro. Distro meaning Distribution. Linux is more free and open source software created for everyone. Is there a learning curve? Yes, but there was a curve when you first started using technology and you've made it this far. Why not take this seriously?
Linux
That little USB stick we were just talking about? Tails? It is a "flavor" of Linux - Not only does it have a clean interface, but it has an extreme focus on privacy. Pretty much all Linux Distros have this focus, but the other flavors offer more in the way of processing power because they are installed directly "on the metal" of your machine. They offer complete control over your computer and give access to functions that Windows and Mac users don't have due to the programming of those respective Operating Systems.
The bigger tech companies like Microsoft and Apple write out a lot of the control a computer owner could have by programming things out of the users reach. For one reason or another, the abilities offered by Linux just aren't available to main stream computer users.
Phones.
People, Listen -
You don't realize how easy it is to gain access to your devices. Granted, we have a lifetime of experience at this type of thing - but today all anyone has to do is some selective, intent Youtube searches and they can break in to pretty much anything. There are some best practices to keep yourself safe and we would be more than happy to educate you - but more than that, there is Software you can install that can help too. Then, if you take this as seriously as we do - Hardware solutions as well.
Schedule a consultation. Give us a call. They're are packages available that can put your privacy back in your hands forever.
