šŸ¦ Twitter šŸ¤« Whistleblower Testimony Highlight

(originally posted: bmac politictech blog, where posts organized by category are searchable by title)

Excerpt From Cyberscoop Article:

From the response, it appears some execs were willing to place personal gain at the highest high priority.

[ source article ]


Earlier Coverage On This Whistleblower:

If you recall earlier videos, some have been known to plant evidence, to attempt to silence Journalists, Lawyers, and Activists.

Allowing (est) 5,000 employees access to emails, phone numbers, and other contact information, opens up potential towards phishing attacks mentioned in the video below (hypothetically):https://www.youtube.com/embed/wo7maZzLeb8

A reminder of what can happen to those thinking “privacy doesn’t matter.”

Today it may be a lawyer defending Human Rights, tomorrow it could be anyone.. depending which direction political winds blow.

šŸ—žļø šŸ“ŗ šŸ¦ Twitter Whistleblower: Mudge

DISCLAIMER: video covers very recent whistle blower report.

Allegations still require looking into, and are not considered proof of “intent”.

Share the video / article.

Originally posted at BMAC Politictech Blog (posted here early)

TWITTER WHISTLEBLOWER: MUDGE (L0pht / cDc)

VIDEO COVERS:

What do I need to know?

What are the privacy implications?

How many employees have access to sensitive user data?

Were there user privacy compromises (this year) at Twitter?

Was SMS 2FA abused (this year) for mobile phone surveillance?

Who is this ‘Mudge’ guy? Why should we listen to him?


šŸ“° FIND OUT THIS AND MORE.

šŸ“ŗ IN TODAY’S VIDEO:

(watch on šŸ§… Tor Friendly, decentralized Peertube by clicking above image)


Watch Inside Post:https://www.youtube.com/embed/xS2jzX7Ace8


šŸ”— THANKS FOR SHARING (one way to support is sharing links on Social Media, Telegram…)


(below, I share screenshots I put created, underlining key points)

WHISTLEBLOWER REPORT HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF ANONYMITY ON SOCIAL MEDIA:


EARLIER 2022 STORIES OF CONCERN

Firehose Data Allows Real-Time Tracking (2022)


Mitto AG Abused SMS 2FA For Mobile Surveillance (2022)


TIP: Use a dedicated email for social media accounts. Don’t use the same email or phone number you have connected to a bank, or “big tech” platform accounts. Every account sharing information can be neatly linked together.


šŸ›”ļø Twitter Introduces A New Phone Number Badge

This ‘badge’ will allow users to demonstrate they have a phone number connected to their account.

I see no problem with this, as long as phone numbers stay voluntary. Although it could potentially open certain users up (with this badge) to more likely attacks (earlier bug: phone number reveal).

Given information covered in the above video, requiring a phone number / identification would create a serious safety risk to activists, journalists, lawyers, and others in a sensitive position.

Not only does a phone number tie directly to a user’s identity (more reliably so than other means), it also opens them up to a host of new targeted “spear phishing” attacks.

The whistleblower report states up to 5,000 Twitter employees have access to sensitive user data. And, a Twitter employee was arrested for using their access to spy for the Saudi gov.

A country that executes its own dissidents.

There is no “safe” way for activists to share their phone number (or other personally identifiable information).

Email would make for far more secure form of 2FA, with an added bonus of protecting user identity, personal safety.

Regardless of the whistleblower report, I do hope Twitter remains a success. As long as it remains a place allowing free flows of information.

The only way this remains possible is if anonymous accounts are allowed to stay. As long as they are, I will continue to support Twitter over other mainstream Social Media platforms
(this way your data remains in your hands, depending on practices).


šŸ§… šŸ”’ Twitter Now Has A Tor Hidden Service Onion Address

This one is a great move by Twitter. Nothing but good things to say about it.

Follow me on Twitter (onion), here.


TAKEAWAY:

We live in a world where power has become increasingly centralized…

šŸŒŽ A world where data contractors / monopolies can abuse access, power.

Simply Put: We simply can’t trust our personal data in the hands of strangers. No matter who they may work for.

When one has enough data, especially biometric data, one can use this in combination with AI, media, and various sensory applications / targeted experiences, to engineer future human behavior.

This is the very real future we are looking at. Don’t underestimate the power of data.


It’s why this page exists. Privacy (moreso anonymity) is vital to a free society, where people hold the power.

TIP: By proxying most of your internet data into mixnets, I2P / Tor (and newer options like Lokinet), you can make that data useless (instead of identifying).

Think of Tor as a haystack. Instead of the normal circuit your network packets route, Tor uses multiple layers of mixing / encryption to mix Tor browser client data into

In this world of increase, truly “free speech” cannot exist without the ability for anonymity.


šŸ’Ž THANKS FOR SUPPORTING / SHARING THIS


Do You Think Twitter Really Fired Mudge For The Reasons They Stated?

NEXT: SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

šŸ” OSINT + šŸ”Ž PRIVACY: “The Internet Is Forever” (Internet Archive / WayBack Machine)

Click image below to watch the latest video on Peertube (mirrored more places later on)

[ Peertube ] (šŸ§… Tor Friendly)

[ Bitchute ] (šŸ§… Tor Friendly)

Post may be updated later with additional information / screenshots. Check back if interested.


Internet Is Forever?

The level of “The Internet Is Forever” is real (here).

I’m hoping some of you find this resource helpful.

And If you haven’t heard of the “Internet Archive” until today, even better.

Searching

https://web.archive.org/web/*/EnterYourWebsiteHere – show all captures

Internet Archive Video, Bitchute.com/yourprivacytv (my channel)


LINKS

Internet Archive (WayBack Machine, Read Books, Movies + More)

WayBack Machine (Advanced Search)

Internet Archive Under Attack (Blog post)


Please Do Share This! (+ Don’t Forget To Follow)

ā¤ļø Support Options (Full List) On Frontpage (Thank You For Supporting original content)

šŸ“² “Hey, Get The App!” — šŸ”’ But Should You? šŸ¤” (+SOLUTIONS)

(originally posted on bmac July 25th, 2022 (where posts organized by category, are searchable by title)

But is an App the RIGHT choice… for everything?

Thanks for following along (thanks to those sharing links to videos / tutorials).

Every company wants us to “get the app“…

But is the app the RIGHT choice… for everything?

Should you REALLY get the app? (probably no šŸ˜›)

Is the App:”Just trying to offer new features / help“? Or seeking new paths of access for information gathering? In most cases, there are no additional features on the app compared to the website.

(So why get the app? šŸ¤”)


Should You “Get The App”?

Answer: depends.

We know various apps track us (numerous techniques).

SUMMARY: DO NOT GET THE APP

  • Compared To Permissive Apps, Privacy Can Be Improved In Browser
    Accessing Services Through Apps Adds Variables:
  • Apps request unnecessary permissions (beware: some apps even have permission to modify other permissions)
  • access to sensitive parts of the phone– microphone, camera, pictures, files, SMS text messages…
  • Apps with microphone access communicate using hidden ultrasonic sounds- SmartTV’s come with a microphone – television broadcasting may communicates with apps on your phone (using combined speakers and microphone access)

APP DANGER: ULTRASONIC TRACKING

Beware apps that request microphone access without actually “needing” microphone access (ulterior motives likely at play… from recording conversation, to ultrasonic tracking)

STORY: 234 Android Apps Requiring Microphone Access Were Identified To Be Listening For Ultrasonic Beacons Constantly, Without User Knowledge (Braunschweig University of Technology in Germany). READ THE STORY HERE


CONSIDER. . .

Tor, I2P, Lokinet, may be tools offering protective measures for privacy online…

But, have you considered the risk of coordinated ultrasound (tracking through methods humans are unable to detect via senses)?

Running Tor Browser (ie: with Javascript enabled) could be sending hidden tracking beacon communications to your Android phone apps (remember the ones asking for microphone permissions? šŸ¤«), coordinating to compromise user anonymity.

TIP: Tor Browser On “Safest” Mode When Anonymity Is Key (if not, at least disable javascript where possible).


When To Get An App?

Consider a financial app (for example) may be designed with additional security features, vs normal web browser..

This is where an (isolated) App could be a better option (isolate app maximally)

Outside that, we should focus on finding privacy friendly FOSS alternatives, where we can.


Avoid Apps:

  • That exist to collect permissive access for major corporations
  • That offer website access (allowing you to control browser environment
  • Where you cannot control app permissions
  • Where a FOSS alternative is viable

Browser Risk

  • MiTM (browser redirection, browser hijack (bettercap, BeEF toolkit).
  • Not everyone will catch a browser attack in the act (ie: phishing)
  • Not sandboxing leads to tracking (a sandbox’ allows you to run something inside controlled environment space, separated from sensitive system files and hardware)

What To Install

  • If Android / iPhone user, install only apps you really need (take advantage of transparent, FOSS licensed apps where possible to meet needs)
    Example: consider an open source internet radio app, instead of alternative music apps pushing for many permissive requirements
  • Apps can be are our greatest privacy risk (some have access SMS txt messages, photos, calls, cameras – many sell your location data)
  • If you have a dedicated PC you feel trustworthy, accessing personal services via this device can be ideal.
  • try sandboxing for personal services (browsers offering this / Bubblewrap / Firejail)-allows you to choose if you wish to share your identity and other interests / browser history

SOLUTION: Old Smartphone / Tablet Device For App Isolation

Install apps on old Android tablet / phone (as I have been doing last few yr for ‘work’ related apps)
I have one Android I have used for recording video / photos.Another one is dedicated to apps I don’t trust (isolating access, data from the app)

This may be a potential solution for you if you have old smartphones with no sim card.

TIP: Reset phone to factory FIRST. This ensures no old data connects you to it.

If using standard Google based Android, setup with a BRAND NEW gmail account, connected to nothing associated with you.

(Android with Google asks for your gmail address to sync. By using the brand new gmail account, nothing connects back to you)

For those able, another flashed Android OS is an option.SOLUTION: Separate Data Using Containers (Librewolf [Firefox Fork] Pictured)

Utilize built in containers inside a browser like Librewolf, a privacy focused browser based on Firefox:


Linux Users SOLUTION: Sandbox Browser Sessions With Firejail:

Run Firefox Inside Temp Dir (restricts access outside):

firejail –private firefox

Run Firefox With Dedicated Sandbox Directory:

firefox –private=/home/Justin/ffpersistent firefox


Changing habits (including apps with access) is among the most important steps to protecting ourselves online.

Share and Question Everything. Thoughts Welcome.


(original tips + writing is Supported by those sharing posts, video + coffee ā˜• ā¤ļø)
Grateful to Support.

šŸ” Smartphone: “IMSI Catchers” (Thoughts + Mitigation)

Note: restricting to “4G only” may not be right for everyone. If it negatively affects service, you can disable with:

systemctl disable 4g-only.service (if service is affected in your area).

Tips for common, 2G / 3G. 4G cell site simulators exist (active, less common).

Originally shared on bmac June 21st, 2022.


Hey friends, šŸ˜€

Today let’s talk a bit about what are commonly referred to universally as: “Stingrays” (popular model), and for Linux phone (Pinephone tested) users, sharing a small service for “4G Only” persistence (every boot): here).

Why? After noticing downgrades, wanted to see if it will affect my service over the long run (good coverage). Opted to try “4G only” for a while.

4G only restricts 2G / 3G and could cause service interruption during moments lacking 4G availability.

Includes tips for Android users. iPhone, not having as many options, does carry a “4G Only app“.


Cell Site Simulators (examples: “Stingrays”, “IMSI Catchers”): False Cell Towers appeal as “strongest signal in the area” for phones in nearby area (ex: 10,000 phones per device in some cases). Once connected, phone location can be tracked, and on lower security (ex: 2G), SMS / calls can be more easily captured)



SUMMARY: most Cell Site Simulators rely on downgrade attacks to cause your phone to connect to the less secure (encryption) 2G services (and other times 3G). We talk about how to mitigate for Linux phones (Pinephone service), Android, and iPhone (briefly).


INTRODUCTION

Video (older) introducing an Android tool for detection and mitigation of “cell site simulators”.

A basic introduction to what these devices are designed to do (mimic cell towers), and what various models may look like (including homemade), from the smallest (fitting in the palm of the hand), to the flying…

Watch Here:https://www.youtube.com/embed/w8reJoOl5fM


RELATED VIDEO: Top 11 Android Privacy Tips


Tracking With Cell Site Simulators

Essentially functioning as false towers.

If You Have A Phone…

it will eventually fall into this surrounding net…

These devices can scoop all phones in the area. Some reportedly handle 10,000 phones in vicinity, at a time.

Common in midst of a protest (examples, further down).

We all deserve the right to privacy in our home, and inside our most personal devices.

Privacy represents the most fundamental Human Rights (no right guaranteed without right to privacy)

Companies producing Cell Site Simulators have:
non-disclosure agreements


SIM CARDS: SILENT SMS + MORE

While we are talking smartphones, it’s best to include SIM cards in the mix.

Did you know your SIM card carries its own microcomputer, runs its own OS and browser, and accepts hidden binary text messages?

You can learn more about this on our video, here:https://www.youtube.com/embed/U4h6YuDxmLo


CELL SITE SIMULATOR MITIGATIONS

Downgrading phones to 2G service makes content easier to intercept (ie: calls and SMS txt, due to weak security in the 2G).

4G Cell Site devices run more expensive (comparing to 2G / 3G), generally offering location tracking.

Previously, price quotes (released a couple years back) marked “Hailstorm” devices for over $450,000.

Ultimately, for both criminal and official purposes, most rely on “downgrade” attacks.

Some may notice 4G blocked during certain areas of protest.


See: here, here, and here as examples where 4G was blocked during protest. Nearly all serious protests deal with this, (possibly) forcing connection to cell site simulators.


VULNERABILITY: SYMPTOMS OF ATTACK (Then Again… There Aren’t Always Signs)

  • Quicker than normal battery drain (push max battery usage)
  • High power usage forced on phones (amplification can allow farther operation distances)
  • Downgraded service to 2G, 3G (from stable 5G, 4G)
  • Service disruptions (problems sending SMS txt, calls, internet)We should ask ourselves: Why is there no tower provider authentication, to protect our phones from these devices?
    If providers desired so, it would be so.

Why Do Downgrade Attacks From 4G To 2G, 3G Happen?

Downgrade attacks occur to move phones to a more ‘receptive’ environment.

  • 4G Cell Site Simulators (pricey)
  • 2G, 3G offers lower security capabilities (ie: receiving calls / SMS txt)

Use To Our Advantage?

Since said false malicious cell spy towers utilize downgrade attacks to force all phones in the area to connect to their malicious cell site simulator…

We can attempt to mitigate downgrade attacks by forcing 4G only (keep in mind not all settings are saved after reboot – that is the idea of trying the 4g-only service for the Pinephone service: it forces 4G/LTE only, each reboot)


ANDROID USERS: SETTING 4G / LTE ONLY

  • Open Dialpad
  • Dial: * # * # 4 6 3 6 # * # * (this opens testing window)
  • Go into “Phone Information”
  • Set Your Preferred Network Type To LTE Only for 4G only (keep in mind this settings holds until reboot)

iPhone Users: 4G / LTE Only There is a reported 4G only app.

You can also access iPhone service options by following this page.


Pinephone / Linux Phone Users

Today I am writing today to intro a small example “4G Only” Service.

It’s something I wanted on my Pinephone (Linux phone) to prevent downgrade attacks.

Symptoms Of Malicious Intent

  • Phone jumps from its reliable 4G, down to 2G, or 3G
  • Phone has service disruption after this connection change
  • Internet may lose reliability, texts and calls may show issue / stalling

Apps like Android’s “Cell Spy Catcher”: take 24hr to map out all current cell towers (and locations), alerting you to towers which move or behave suspiciously, such as changing tower information, and location (ie: true cell towers are not moving around, changing location šŸ˜¤)


RELATED STORY: In some areas, attacks could even be of foreign interests, even criminal networks.

See Example: IMSI Catchers found planted on Whitehouse grounds
(said to be of foreign origin – details in article)

Mitigation (For Most Cases / Devices): Force 4G Only.

Sure, settings in the Gnome / Phosh allow you to momentarily selecting 4G only, issue here is, it resets to allow 2g, 3g, 4g on the next boot. This service ensures 4G is the only available service to the modem (during service downgrade attempt).

Setting Up 4g-only Service

The service is simple to setup.

Simply download / clone package from Gitea onion (use torify git clone, or Tor Browser to view and download), and run the install.sh script (using sudo). This moves everything where it belongs, making a new command in our execution path, and enabling the service (by default starting 1st on your next reboot).

If you would like the service to start right away, you can run the command installed:

sudo 4g-only

Or (once running install.sh), you can start the service without reboot by issuing:

sudo systemctl start 4g-only.service

To avoid having to reboot.

What Does It Do?

First detects your current modem location (does change), setting “4G / LTE Only” for that modem, every reboot.

Running:

sudo 4g-only

forces 4g-only from the commandline.

If you need access to 3G as well, there is a single argument:

sudo 4g-only reset

Personally, I recommend 4G-only (not the reset) to prevent connection to these lower services linked to most malicious cell site simulators (note: during downgrade attack you may lose service – but at least you may know why..)

Checking Status Of 4g-only.service

Once installed (after a reboot), you can check the status of 4g-only.service.

sudo systemctl status 4g-only.service

Once you have run the install.sh, you will have 4g only every single boot 100% of the time.

If you need access to 4G + 3G (not recommended for most areas), I added the ability in the systemctl ‘stop’ command of the service.

And so:

sudo systemctl stop 4g-only

Won’t just allow 3G, it keeps 4G preferred.

But for myself, and most people, I do recommend leaving the service as is, allowing 4G Only (not including 3G), if you wish to mitigate downgrade maximally.

If you notice service disruptions on 4g Only, this could be a sign of downgrade attacks. That alone IMHO, can be useful to know.

Will share more options as tested in future (check back).

Hope you find useful. ā¤ļø šŸ“± šŸ§


šŸ™‚ Thanks for following this page and spreading the word!

Be sure to share this post everywhere!



Support options ā˜• (original tips / writing supported by coffee, crypto, cashApp)

šŸ”‘ SSH Part II: Adding Key Auth & Checking Fingerprints (Avoid MITM)

Learning to check SSH fingerprints is a staple for using remote ssh safely. Failure to match fingerprints opens us to potential MiTM.

[ Did you miss ssh writeup Part I? We discuss how default Linux OS hostnames can sometimes give away default password, pitfalls in numerical passwords (changing default passwords should be priority #1).

First we identified the OS by default hostname, then we used a “most common numerical pin number wordlist” to crack the default SSH password in seconds, demonstrating how successful ssh cracking (using Hydra) looks, and offering solutions/advice HERE) ]


INTRODUCTION

Do you accept “new” ssh client key fingerprint prompts without checking them against the server in question’s own key fingerprint?

If you accept ssh key fingerprints (without verification), you may be setting yourself up to be an unwitting victim of a MITM (Man In The Middle Attack).

[This topic is covered in PART II (scroll down for Tutorial]

Additionally in PART II, we swap out weak default password authentication, to a much stronger (passwordless) RSA key authentication login assisted by ssh-keygen (we use to generate strong keys).

After which, we disable the password login option altogether (to prevent brute force attackers), and finally, we restart SSH for all changes to take effect.

As a Bonus, a video covers converting SSH server to a Tor Hidden .onion service, adding additional security/encryption benefits (without need for open ports).


(REFRESHER) PART I:

Part I video is below, covering weak default password examples in real Pinephone operating systems (applying to all Linux / UNIX machines / default logins).

In this scenario, we first scan machines on the LAN (as an attacker would), immediately identifying operating systems by their default hostname. After which we use Hydra (brute force cracker) to run known default username/pin number lists against the SSH server identified OS of our Pinephone.

After demonstrating how easy it can be to identify and crack SSH logins on machines sharing the same connection/LAN, we then go in to tighten up sshd_config settings to prevent future brute force attacks. As well as talk password security.

This video is below:


TUTORIAL (WITH SCREENSHOTS/VIDEO)

PART II:https://www.youtube.com/embed/CZ8BjLjl7EA

Today’s Video continues on from this SSHD Config angle.

As the introductory paragraph details, first we check key fingerprints shown by our ssh client against the server side’s ssh key fingerprint. We must ensure these fingerprints match, otherwise we risk MITM attack. Never accept new fingerprints without verifying.


ADD SSH KEY AUTHENTICATION (NO PASSWORD NEEDED)

(ssh more securely)

Have you ever accepted a fingerprint and wished to start over to be sure?
(to: delete all saved keys for host / server and reconfirm fingerprint?)

REMOVE PREVIOUS KEY FINGERPRINTS (CLIENTSIDE):

ssh-keygen -R HostHere


CHECKING FINGERPRINT (SERVERSIDE):

ssh-keygen -lf /etc/ssh/ssh_host_ecdsa_key.pub

NOTE: THE ABOVE COMMAND IS ECDSA. LATEST AND GREATEST ADVICE IS FOR ED25519. CHECK THIS:

ssh-keygen -lf /etc/ssh/ssh_host_25519_key.pub


NEXT:

Connect (from clientside) to our SSH server to check the fingerprint output. Does it match the above “CHECKING FINGER (SERVERSIDE)” output?

See the screenshot below to watch this comparison in action.

SCREENSHOT CHECKING FINGERPRINT (COMMANDS ABOVE):

IMPORTANT: I felt the need to explain 01:56 — do not accept the key (unless you previously recognize it). This key fingerprint acceptance is to demonstrate the plain ‘password: ‘ prompt itself (fingerprint acceptance required to show). Follow below for fingerprint checking instruction (or follow video after 3min).


TIP #1 FINGERPRINT CHECKING:
Check the server’s fingerprint from a separate network (if working remotely from it), or if you have physical access + a monitor, even better. By using a separate network to check the fingerprint upon connection, you are compartmentalizing both client checks from one another, further verifying fingerprints match from multiple networks.

Running the fingerprint checking locally (serverside) is always the best method (when possible).


TIP #2 FINGERPRINT CHECKING:

write hosts/fingerprints down , post them on your wall/corkboard/office: no risk in having a written list of your machines hostname/ip + correct ssh fingerprints. This can save you from having to check.

Why? You may one day need to login from a new machine without physical access to the server. Having record can help you check without risking the login/accepting fingerprints remotely.


After working on fingerprint checks, we add the key to our server, allowing our client machine to automatically login upon connection.


GENERATE RSA KEY PAIR

ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096


PASSWORD-FREE KEY AUTH: MORE SECURE SSH ACCESS

COPY KEY TO SERVER:

ssh-copy-id username@host

SEE SCREENSHOT BELOW FOR ABOVE STEPS IN ACTION


After successfully copying our key, we then connect by ssh to test it, if it lets us in without problem or password, we did it!

TESTING PASSWORD FREE KEY AUTHENTICATION


TIGHTEN UP SSHD_CONFIG (SERVERSIDE)

We add a few more lines to /etc/ssh/sshd_config, ensuring only our machine can login:
(disabling password guessing by relying on our newly minted key alone)

/etc/ssh/sshd_config:

PasswordAuthentication no
ChallengeResponseAuthentication no
UsePAM no

Restarting SSH allows our configuration changes to take effect:

sudo systemctl restart ssh

[Timestamps are found inside the video description]


* BONUS: PART III: Tor SSH .Onion (Hidden Service):

This 3rd (optional) video shows how to setup SSH access as a Tor Hidden Service.

BENEFIT #1: By disabling ssh locally and allowing only the Tor ssh we prevent unknown machines from attempting brute force attacks (if we failed to follow previous videos). The only ssh attempts will be from those you give the onion address to.

BENEFIT #2: Additional layer of end to end encryption between the tor clients on ssh client and server side. Add to this the ssh encryption keys/fingerprints themselves on your client/software side, and you have a much more secure ssh setup.

Comments/Questions Welcome below:


Like content/videos like this? Share it with Linux users (Reddit, Telegram, Discord, IRC).


ā¤ļø If you appreciate content like this and want to ā˜• Buy Me a Coffee hit ‘support’ button on:
Home Page

Thoughts, comments and any questions welcome below.

šŸ” Part I: Securing SSH (+ Weak Password Demo)

(mirrored from bmac Securing SSH Part I, SSH Part II)

MOST COMMON PIN NUMBERS:
(use NONE of the following pins)

1234
1111
0000
1212
7777
1004
2000
4444
2222
6969
9999
3333
5555
6666
1122
1313
8888
4321
2001
1010
12345
123456
654321
4321


SSHD CONFIGURATION LINES TO UNCOMMENT/ADD TO /etc/sshd_config

CLICK HERE FOR EXPLANATION BEHIND EACH SSHD CONFIG LINE BELOW:

/etc/sshd_config:
MaxAuthTries 3
MaxSessions 5
PermitRootLogin no
AllowUsers JerryExample # Only user can ssh remotely
LoginGraceTime 1m

If you liked this, you may also like to read/watch:

SSH Securing Part II Howto:
Learn to implement more secure ‘key’ based ssh logins and disable passwords
(follow this one! +Avoiding MITM (Learn How To Check Fingerprints – or you might regret it later)
(full of screenshots + cut / paste commands)


Share this post with everyone. Leave your thoughts below.


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šŸ’¾ Failing Harddrive Mitigation + Encrypted Backups

Backstory:

Logging a real-world failing drive experience, carrying important data (not in earlier backup). Followers asked for content including behind the scenes, ‘daily activities’. Here we are. Thank you for the suggestions.

(Unfortunately, rendering gigabytes of video + imgs (regularly) became tough on our Harddrive. )


Tools You Should Know About

  • smartmontools (command: smartctl)
  • ddrescue (GNU ddrescue) (copy important files before attempting to avoid ‘finishing off drive’!)
  • photorec (copy important files before attempting to avoid ‘finishing off drive’!)

šŸ’¾ āš°ļø FAILING HARDDRIVE: WHAT TO DO

This video offers advice, putting you in a more optimal position to recover your most important data, BEFORE a given disk ultimately fails (completely dead).

Recommending pre-failure testing tools like smartmontools (detect a possible failing drive), before it completely dies.

(let me know in comments if monitoring disk health is something you would like to see more of)

Of course it goes without saying, backing up your important, personal files and keys (ahead of any issues), is highly recommended (and probably the most important step).

TIP: Create an encrypted volume, prior to adding backup files. Next move that newly created encrypted volume to your outside media (for storage).


BEFORE DISK FAILS (DO THIS, RIGHT AWAY)

Installing smartmontools:

Debian / Pop!_OS / Ubuntu: sudo apt update && apt install smartmontools -y

Arch / Manjaro Based: sudo pacman -S smartmontools


Using Smartmontools (Example Command):

smartctl -a /dev/sda


Create Hidden Encrypted Backup Inside Video File (Steganography + Crypto)

(the following video displays a Linux Pinephone – but, you can use Zulu-crypt on ANY Linux machine, in the exact same way!)

You don’t have to create a “hidden” volume if you prefer not to. It is just as easy to create a normal LUKS volume, on the same Zulu-crypt menu.https://www.youtube.com/embed/87yg8peq3kw


Watch Today’s Video


BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO COPY DRIVE

  • Attempt to mount partition carrying your /home directory (carrying your most personal, important and sensitive files).
  • If you can successfully mount this partition in question, copy your MOST IMPORTANT files first.
    (ie: .ssh directory (keys), /home/user/cryptowallets, /home/user/Pictures, /home/user/Documents)
  • Do this priority copying FIRST.

At some point the drive will fail, COMPLETELY. And by then it will be too late (unless you have identical drives laying around with which you can swap working parts to attempt to reanimate the drive… save yourself the trouble.).

When faced with a failing harddrive, FIRST priority should always be recovering our most important / personal / sensitive files, BEFORE complete failure of the drive.


RESTORATION

AFTER SAVING YOUR MOST IMPORTANT FILES TO ANOTHER DISK…

You can restore them to a new installation by copying them (and their directories) into the identical location of your user $HOME directory (ie: /home/user).

Moving the copied files (from failing drive) into a new installation home directory (or existing), restores the original ssh keys (in case you use key authentication), accounts for messengers, and browser / program customization and bookmarks.


Backup Using dd Video

Here I covered backing up your disk with dd command:


List Your Detected Partitions:

lsblk


Example dd Backup Command

The dd command uses various options (leave a comment if you need help!)

sudo dd if=/dev/sda of=/mnt/disk/backup_06-11-2022.img bs=8M status=progress

  • The above example command would backup the entire /dev/sda harddrive (if= is the ‘input file’ or drive). Making if=/dev/sda backup the entire /dev/sda drive. As another example:
    if=/dev/sda1 would backup only the /dev/sda1 partition.
  • The of=/mnt/disk/backup_06-11-2022.img part is where you would like to send your backup image. You can create any name you would like for your backup, ending the filename in .img to represent an ‘image’ of your partition, or entire drive (depending what you choose for if=)

Example Screenshot (Backing Up)

The above command sends our image backup of /dev/sda to /tmp/backup_06-11-2022.img.

From here it’s important to move it to your newly created zulucrypt volume (/tmp directory is just that, temporary: we are taking advantage of the temporary nature – but remember, never send a backup to a potentially failing drive (defeats the entire purpose of backup).


Use dd command to make backups for ANY Linux system, desktop, server, hardware (skipped ahead to 54 seconds leaving out unrelated):https://www.youtube.com/embed/pq3nL2ZWqUg?t=54


For Pinephone / Pinetab Users (starts at beginning to discuss Jumpdrive):https://www.youtube.com/embed/pq3nL2ZWqUg


Regular multi-gigabyte rendering (ie: current count is 181 videos rendered on channel) is hard on our hardware. If interested in helping the channel: various Support options exist on frontpage.

(either way, planning to continue guides)

Sharing the link, post, or video, is another a great way to Support this!


šŸ’½ Are you interested in learning more about harddrive failure monitoring, or recovery software? Let me know in the comments. If I feel there is enough interest, I will make a tutorial.

Thanks for watching! Any questions on this video? Ask below!

Axon: Can Weaponized Drones “Protect The Children”?

(from June 4th: BMAC)

Hey friends, šŸ™‚

Just got back from close to a week out of town, and excited to be back!

Last 2 days have been working on this video to share with you all.


Doing my best to cover (what I believe) are monumental precedents. This video is one example.

We have to be careful about throwing support behind precedents being set, as we know private profiteers will continue pushing the envelope over what has been done, and what could be done…

Dangerous to independent autonomy, privacy, Human Rights…

And personally, I don’t think weaponized taser drones would be all that effective as a security feature for the case they mention.

The only positive, (I guess) would be as a distraction for a potential attacker.


I’ll leave the video with you (may add more to this writing later if interested check back).https://www.youtube.com/embed/sHSt5Z3hELE


ALTERNATE MIRRORS

[ PEERTUBE ]

[ LBRY / ODYSEE ]

[ BITCHUTE ]

[ YOUTUBE ]

[ šŸ§… ANONYMOUS INVIDIOUS ] <- Link For Tor Browser Only


RELATED LINKS

Axon CEO Reddit AMA


Be sure to Share far and wide.

šŸ’” šŸ“ŗ Privacy Friendly Social Media Options + Why It Matters (“Hacking Humans”)

Hey everyone!

I think it’s really important not to put all our eggs into any one basket.

I’m not saying you should leave any platforms… rather I am saying, you may enjoy a new account, with privacy assurance (peace of mind) into the future!

I’ll say it: I like Twitter. And, as long as it does not require personal information, I will continue to use it.

It’s a valuable tool.

Especially for OSINT.


Speaking Of Twitter, They Have A New Official Tor Hidden Service

If you have an account, use it.


And Be Sure To Watch My Video On Tor Browser Usage To Minimize Footprints.


For more anonymous Twitter OSINT usage, take a look at this Tutorial On Creating A 2nd Tor Browser For Anonymous OSINT (adding + customizing privacy-redirect to use Tor Hidden Services Only).

(using a 2nd Tor browser for this dedicated purpose. Simply download a 2nd copy, and follow the original tutorial!)

If you simply want to search and view frontends: Twitter, Youtube, Reddit, Search Engine Redirects, and more, see my earlier post on privacy-redirect. And “Search Google Anonymously“.


This article is not about pushing you off platforms. It’s about giving you options.


šŸ“ŗ VIDEO MIRRORS

Click Image Below To Watch On Peertube:


[
Peertube ]

[ Odysee / LBRY ] (if you aren’t on Odysee yet, register w/my invite link)

[ Bitchute ]

[ Youtube ]

[ Invidious ] (šŸ§… šŸ” Tor Hidden Service Link – Only Works In Tor Browser)


Watch And Read:


Social Media

Behind the scenes, political, social, and other power sectors guide (or manipulate) the direction of trends (and more) heavily using social media data and associated identities.

They shape your experience… after they fingerprint your mindset…

Something To Think About: Are centralized social media sites part of “hacking” humans?

Watch the latest video (scroll down), and read below…


Alternatives

Would you like a more “straight up” platform option?

What Do I Mean?

A social media experience that provides exact search results.

Where larger creators do not overshadow regular everyday people.

Where corporations do not set the trends.

Where smaller creators are not hidden behind the paying, and downranking / “shadowbanning” is not part of the equation.

Anyways, just watch the video! šŸ˜‰
(and share!)


HACKING HUMANS

In the beginning of this video, we utilize a fitting clip of Yuval Harari, explaining how, using our data, and our identity (this is key), humans are being “hacked” online.

He emphasizes the need for a combination of extreme computing power, tons of personal data, and (emphasis on this one) “biometric data”.

A big part of this (biometric data part) is being able to link the vast sums of data together.

To put a face on it. Group individuals by interest. Analyze, and then even engineer behavior.

Collecting this data, and associated identity can be done any number of ways, some of which I explain in the video (including recent news story examples).

Outside the ways mentioned in this video, web crawling (bot / program scans the web) for identifying information, physical features (biometrics), and social networks.

Centralized Social Media requiring identity for authentication makes up the perfect ingredients for this formula for “hacking humans”.


Try Out One Or More Mentioned In The Video

Follow me at Mastodon instance: https://fosstodon.org/@RTP

If we want to be free people, we should realize tools like Tor Browser really are essential (helping ‘scramble’ data’s associated with identities on any given day).

What I mean by that, is by using Tor Browser (properly) and a pseudo-anonymous account (ex: nickname, non linked data), traditionally useful data can become massively useless.

When going through Tor Browser (used properly, identity is no longer tied – there is no way to determine how many ppl are on Tor browser at any given time, how large the group for each set of browser windows, etc.

Example: data could be x number of people with multiple devices, or 5 million people’s data. One can’t be sure (outside ip addresses connecting into Tor, but this is encrypted / compartmentalized multiple times over along the destination path).

Each split between thousands of exit nodes that make their connection to the destination.


LINKS

Mastodon Servers (Facebook / Twitter Alternative)

Pixelfed Servers (Instagram Alternative)

Peertube Servers (Youtube Alternative)


Added: if you join an instance, accounts are completely”free”. Many do accept / rely on donations (if you are in a position to do so, or would like to) to help continue running their servers.

(It’s not required to donate)

Even sharing your experience with others (ex: as I try to do here) is another way to “give back” to the instance, maybe leading up to another user who is able to.

No pressure, I am not affiliated with any instances or organizations relating to any of the above mentioned topic, but wanted to mention this, to help spread awareness.


Questions? Opinions? Leave Your Thoughts Below!


If you like what I do, you can now buy me a coffee ā˜• ā¤ļø And if you do (if you don’t, still like to hear from you), comment what you like most (topic, content), and I’ll do my best to keep it in mind, to put some focus on it in future content.

(or, if you don’t like what I do, maybe share this video somewhere horrible and maybe talk trash about it? šŸ¤” šŸ˜ everything helps the algorithm)

Until the next one…

Thank you for visiting! If you would like to help with coffee/sdcards/hardware costs for the channel/blog (ex: video rendering killed hard drive Jun 2022), Iā€™d love that. Either way, I sincerely appreciate Likes, Shares and Comments! Thank you. šŸ™‚