Internet Security

It has been my experience that sending money to Western Union is a big red flag for rip-off. It may be different in your area, but not in mine.

[QUOTE=Willieherman;1095877]It has been my experience that sending money to Western Union is a big red flag for rip-off. It may be different in your area, but not in mine.[/QUOTE]No, I am not sending money "to" WU. I am sending money through WU to people I know, there is no scam. I am not just sending money to WU. The problem is, WU wants the people I send money to to provide my name and phone number. For obvious reasons I do not want the chica to know my full name and phone number, because I don't want them calling my house or googling me and showing up at my front door one day.

[QUOTE=Crazy Jim Wood; 1095874]I finally found a WU that does not require me to present I'd, I use a fake phone number and PO box.

But now the assholes on the other end want me to give my info to the chica so she can get the money. [/QUOTE]If you used faked info on the sending end, give them THAT info. Hell, you're REAL info at this stage would come across as FAKE anyway.

You don't mention an amount, but I would send a small TEST amount first, to feel out how it goes.

Also:

If the intended recipient has a bank account, and there is a branch you can access, even by making a deposit sent through the mail (using no return address of course), all you need then is her bank account number to make a deposit. Banks don't give a shit who puts money into an account, only when it gets taken out.

Bank name
Account number and type e.g. checking or savings
In-person deposit at YOUR local branch
Or, The bank's address for mail-in deposits (this can be researched online at the bank's website)
It's free unless you mail it in, then 44 cents for a stamp.

You don't even need to know her name.

I finally found a WU that does not require me to present I'd, I use a fake phone number and PO box.

But now the assholes on the other end want me to give my info to the chica so she can get the money.

Google: "green dot moneypak" and see if that will work for you. It's an easy way to send money or pay bills annonymously.

Not sure if this is strictly internet security but this is the best place I could find.

I'm looking to pay for a site using mastercard but I don't want it in any way tied to my person. Is there any truly anonymous card I can find anymore in California? I've tried looking online for a way to use a prepaid debit mastercard to make online purchases but it seems all of the information is outdated.

Does anyone know of a good anonymous mastercard available in California that will let me make online purchases? Thanks a lot for your help fellow mongers. I didn't know where else to turn.

I just got a pm from well his initials are PH, seems his wife got into is account, PM'd me and said stop telling hubby where to find girls that he is married.

I know of several lately who have been careless, e-mail accounts open on phones and txt messages to be read.

Receipts in pockets for lunch with someone.

Browser history not erased on your smart phone, and turn tracking off on your phone also.

And to leave your USA page open for wifey to find,"SHIT".

Just remember to be diligent.

BTW Firefox and I believe now Internet Explorer have Private Browsing where nothing is saved while you are browsing that means no bookmarks either.

Just to let you know as it was put before. Explorer has a private brousing if you have google crome but if not on explorer go to tools and it may have "incognito window" just go there and you are safe.

[QUOTE=Jethrow1; 1200584]I just got a pm from well his initials are PH, seems his wife got into is account, PM'd me and said stop telling hubby where to find girls that he is married.

I know of several lately who have been careless, e-mail accounts open on phones and txt messages to be read.

Receipts in pockets for lunch with someone.

Browser history not erased on your smart phone, and turn tracking off on your phone also.

And to leave your USA page open for wifey to find,"SHIT".

Just remember to be diligent.

BTW Firefox and I believe now Internet Explorer have Private Browsing where nothing is saved while you are browsing that means no bookmarks either. [/QUOTE]Apple's Browser "safari' has had private browsing for many years. And you can additionally click it to not bookmark pages. My super computer friends say Firefox is more secure-VS

[QUOTE=VerySlowly;1200714]Apple's Browser "safari' has had private browsing for many years. And you can additionally click it to not bookmark pages. My super computer friends say Firefox is more secure-VS[/QUOTE]Google Chrome browser has under tools an incognito widow selection that does not save any history. Very safe, and also pages load much faster than with other browsers.

[QUOTE=VerySlowly;1200714]Apple's Browser "safari' has had private browsing for many years. And you can additionally click it to not bookmark pages. My super computer friends say Firefox is more secure-VS[/QUOTE]An apple guy? I knew I liked you for a reason.

Safari is also easy to get rid of cookies. Another area of the computer where even someone with elementary computer skills can snoop.

You have my wife who say's, have at it BUT don't bring anything home!

Ahhhhhh the lucky monger I am! (and yes I tell her everything-full disclosure)

WBB.

[QUOTE=Jethrow1; 1200584]I just got a pm from well his initials are PH, seems his wife got into is account, PM'd me and said stop telling hubby where to find girls that he is married.

I know of several lately who have been careless, e-mail accounts open on phones and txt messages to be read.

Receipts in pockets for lunch with someone.

Browser history not erased on your smart phone, and turn tracking off on your phone also.

And to leave your USA page open for wifey to find,"SHIT".

Just remember to be diligent.

BTW Firefox and I believe now Internet Explorer have Private Browsing where nothing is saved while you are browsing that means no bookmarks either. [/QUOTE]

Heard of tor from the New York Times article and was wondering if anyone has any experience with it. From what I read about tor you can apparently surf the web in anonymity. I'm always looking for ways to keep safe online anyone have any suggestions besides the standard antivirus and firewall software?

Tor link:

[url]https://www.torproject.org/[/url]

Hi,

Until I get some reviews up, I thought I'd drop some knowledge that might be useful. Long timers probably know this stuff already, but I figured I'd throw in what I can. I hope general reports is the right place, since I didn't see anywhere more relevant.

Obviously everyone is computer literate, since they are posting on a forum. The last thing I want is to be corresponding with. Someone. And I find a troop of blue or green uniforms at my door. This isn't going to stop an fbi trace, but it's not like anyone here is high on the most wanted list. You can use a proxy server to mask your IP address.

There's a few ways to do it, and obviously you can google if my explanation isn't clear.

One way is to go into your (for internet explorer) web browser's Tools Options Connections Lan Settings. Then select proxy server, enter a proxy IP and port. To find a proxy IP and port just google proxy server IP's. They change too often for me to give out any.

Another way is to use a proxy software like proxy way or whatever you find that is right for you budget (the free ones usually work just fine).

Proxy servers aren't bulletproof, but they are a little protection you might not have otherwise had. (Theoretically, a site could be put up for a fake SW that collected everyone's IP that visited the site, that's one headache that can be avoided).

All,

Read through these posts and want to point out a couple of methods that are useful for ensuring "security" from prying eyes.

This doesn't apply to "internet security" but rather "over the shoulder" security of folks who might use your computer after you do.

"Account Security"

For windows

Turn off auto login. Make a person either 1) pick an account or 2) type in the account name / password. If multiple people use your computer, set up an account for each of them. Also, if you use the "type in the account name" option, make an account that is named something no one will ever guess. Beause Windows won't display the account names, no one will be able to pick it. Also, for every account except YOUR account and the ADMIN account. Disable admin services and make them a guest or user. THis will prevent them from searching folders, etc under other accounts. All of my computers have 3 accounts. 1 for me. 1 for everyone else (wife / kids) and a "guest" account I do all my "other" surfing under.

Also, tell your browser on your "other" account to "delete cache / cookies when closing" and set your "history" to 1 day (or 0 if your super paranoid). Don't ever let it remember passwords or usernames.

If you can't multi-account your computer, get an alternate browser and when you install it, don't let it default to the usual folders. Make a folder somewhere deep (3+ levels) inside another program folder set and have it install there. Put the shortcut somewhere no one will look for it (NOT THE DESKTOP). In the system32 folder is usually a good place. Due to the amount of icons / programs already in it. And then rename it something else such as "Shortcut to 3rd Quarter Fiscal Analysis" or a similar yawn-inducing title.

BROWSING / INTERNET.

Alternate proxy servers and DNS servers are great, so is TOR. But they can be a little complicated, especially running TOR on a shared computer without a user account that is just your own. Best bet is to allow your browsers "private browsing" settings to take care of it. Remember, visiting a website (unless it's kiddie porn *shudder*) isn't against the law. Neither is being interested in prostitution, as far as I know. I'm a graduate student and actually find the "user submitted stories" on this site extrememly helpful when researching human sexuality. The reviews are helpful too *wink. If someone got ahold of my computer and tried to take me to court over it, they would be hard pressed to "prove" beyond a shadow of a doubt that I did anything illegal. If you could be tried on your "fictitious accounts" then every rap star would currently be serving a jail sentence for being drug dealers / murderers and not paying child support.

HARD DRIVE / OVERALL.

If you have a computer that is just your own, that only you use (for the majority) with your own user account. Then encrypt your user folder. Lock and encrypt it using a 20 character password and AES 256-bit. If you are really paranoid, wipe your cache / cookies each time using a program that conforms to NSA (National Security Agency) data shredding (I think Window Washer does this). It basically wipes and overwrites everything 7 times, which completely removes redundant and particulate data. It works, and it works well. My field of expertise in the "real life" sector deals with this constantly, and it's what we use to ensure we leave no trace. If anyone ever got ahold of your computer for legal (or nefarious) purposes, the only thing they can tell is that you have hard drive sectors overwritten with garbage data, indicating you wiped it. It proves nothing, and is non incriminating.

If you have specific questions regarding your situation and how to secure your computer / web stuff, PM me and I'll do the best I can to help. It is the majority of what I do in real life, and I support this site and the people on it. So I'm willing to help the best I can. I even have some friends in the legal realm I can throw hypothetical's at if you want (but it will take some time).

Later.

E.

PS As an alternative to your windows based woes. You could run a mac.

Jackson,

What's the best browser to use for USASG? Seems for the past 2-3 months the site has slowed down. I click on a link and it takes forever to load with IE 9. Also have tried Firefox and Google Chrome. Chrome is slightly better but pages still take way too long to load. Any advice?