use ubuntu

not windows

I know. I figure they are going to do what they will regardless. I just let them.

I probably should learn Linux.

do it! its free

Doubt it would stop NSA.

use TOR, use VPNs to stay anon

@Steve Angell Thank you for the info.

what are good vpns to use?

I am very careful and save nothing to speak of. They do not like you saving things.

Casandra I don't think new USB s wreck your computers. Just used ones that someone has put a virus or something on.

Links are OK but not files.

@hitchhiker Oh, okay.

PureVPN. not free. there are some free vpns out there but they keep your digital footprint

paid ones dont keep records

Yes new ones should be safe. Only found ones are we referring to.

Okay.

Sorry - I know it's blatantly obvious that technology is not my area.

how worried should we be about them storing information we are looking up/searching?

Paid ones run by the NSA no doubt. But they try to keep the illusion going. So they are unlikely to use information they have.

its good that you ask questions. very important to know the battlefield

True.

You, Dustin

@bint-min-cali Do you use duckduckgo?

Is google chrome safe? Safari? or are there other browsers should we be using?

@bint-min-cali depends on the kind of activity you practice

@Casandra sometimes

@bint-min-cali That's a pretty good one.

@bint-min-cali anything related to google, even remotely like whatsapp, instagram is under surveilance

W e are safer now because so many now understand reality. I advise doing too much to try to protect yourself. More likely it will draw attention to you.

facebook.. whatever

@SoftIce Some of the things I search are sensitive for Middle East....

@bint-min-cali whatever you watch, on your own personal device is under surveilance 247

@SoftIce Deleted facebook, whatsapp and instagram ages ago. 😃

if you do not take security measures

What are the odds the virus protection programs are actually just more data-mining tools?

like hiding your location, blocking your camera and mic, using vpns, proxies..

@Casandra 100% proven

Someone bought two phones. One in airport mode. Both sent all kinds of data as soon as they had internet access.

@SoftIce I hate being right.

its another money machine