OPSEC. Operattional Security

I thought I would start this thread on the topic of OPSEC, or "Operational Security", to share tips, tricks and info.

Whether you're married, single, dating or otherwise entangled, I think a common thing we all share at some level is the need to keep this world from intruding on "real life". Whatever your reason, sharing info on this could be useful. I'll start with a few, and perhaps a few questions.

1. Burner phones. I've heard this many times over the years and it is true. Don't use your "real" number for many reasons. How to achieve this is a question though. Do you get an actual physical phone? Use a "secret" texting app like "TextMe"? (what I'm currently using) Both have pros and cons. Physical burner phone is obviously a lot easier to use and it's almost impossible for anything on the burner to leak over onto your "real" phone. However I personally don't want to have a physical lying around that I might have to explain.

Also by the way, since masks are still being used these days, you can still go into a store with full mask, hat and sunglasses, buy a burner phone and charge it up using cash, and walk out. True anonymity. Just sayin.

I use TextMe and it is ok but the ads suck. And I've noticed it is very easy for it to get lost in the noise of life since it is not my primary messaging app. Several times I've opened it to discover messages I missed days ago. Ooops. This is a drawback particularly WRT sugaring. Pros don't get bent out of shape if you miss their texts, but SBs get really bent out of shape or worse yet, just won't ever reply back. I'm thinking of going premium to avoid the ads.

Any other ideas or info?

I use Burner and it's <$50 a year. I tried TextMe and found it so fucking annoying I wouldn't pay for it even if it meant getting rid of the ads. Pretty sure Burner was cheaper for a year anyway.

You can leak info plenty of other ways, though, too. If you use electronic methods to pay someone, check your display names. Hell, check your Bluetooth settings; I found out one woman's real first name because it said "(Her name's) iPhone" on the available BT devices. That isn't even close to the stupidest screw-up I've seen someone make, though.

[QUOTE=Itfcd;5914283]I use Burner and it's <$50 a year. I tried TextMe and found it so fucking annoying I wouldn't pay for it even if it meant getting rid of the ads. Pretty sure Burner was cheaper for a year anyway.

You can leak info plenty of other ways, though, too. If you use electronic methods to pay someone, check your display names. Hell, check your Bluetooth settings; I found out one woman's real first name because it said "(Her name's) iPhone" on the available BT devices. That isn't even close to the stupidest screw-up I've seen someone make, though.[/QUOTE]Google voice has a lot of pluses. I can log into it on a browser, so I never have to have my burner at home, I can stash it in a gym locker, or turn it off and bury it deep in a golf bag, but still have access to texts. It runs on my burner just fine. I use a TracFone burner, purchased as you describe. There is no way to track the burner to my real life.

I have a ton of old phones lying around, but could never find something that cheap. All I need is a cheap sim, with texting and phone calls. Something I can use with prepaid cards.

Also, you can get a lifetime phone number for calling and text using Hushed, on Stack Social for about 30$. Pretty cheap, but the app is garbage and never works. Better off using google voice.

[QUOTE=Itfcd;5914283]I use Burner and it's <$50 a year. I tried TextMe and found it so fucking annoying I wouldn't pay for it even if it meant getting rid of the ads. Pretty sure Burner was cheaper for a year anyway.

You can leak info plenty of other ways, though, too. If you use electronic methods to pay someone, check your display names. Hell, check your Bluetooth settings; I found out one woman's real first name because it said "(Her name's) iPhone" on the available BT devices. That isn't even close to the stupidest screw-up I've seen someone make, though.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Itfcd;5914283]I use Burner and it's <$50 a year. I tried TextMe and found it so fucking annoying I wouldn't pay for it even if it meant getting rid of the ads. Pretty sure Burner was cheaper for a year anyway.

You can leak info plenty of other ways, though, too. If you use electronic methods to pay someone, check your display names. Hell, check your Bluetooth settings; I found out one woman's real first name because it said "(Her name's) iPhone" on the available BT devices. That isn't even close to the stupidest screw-up I've seen someone make, though.[/QUOTE]I've seen stupider, and the stupider was me. I posted some time back in the NoVA Sugarbabies thread. Got sloppy and lazy, let me real number get out, got scammed. Hard. I'll post a cautionary tale sometime when it doesn't cause flashbacks.

That's part of the impetus for me starting this thread, my increased focus on OPSEC.

[QUOTE=Barkeater;5914502]I have a ton of old phones lying around, but could never find something that cheap. All I need is a cheap sim, with texting and phone calls. Something I can use with prepaid cards.

Also, you can get a lifetime phone number for calling and text using Hushed, on Stack Social for about 30$. Pretty cheap, but the app is garbage and never works. Better off using google voice.[/QUOTE]Sometimes you'll read providers who won't answer a google voice number. Is there a way they can tell?

[QUOTE=Shier;5914582]Sometimes you'll read providers who won't answer a google voice number. Is there a way they can tell?[/QUOTE]There are websites that will tell you the cell carrier based on the number, you can google to find them. If they go to the trouble to check up on you, they can definitely find that out. Some of us don't use 'providers', and prefer real sugarbabies, if you have established contact w / one on the sugar site, she shouldn't have any trouble with a GV #. If so, well, too bad. There are many fish in the sea.

You can get a basic phone or use your old phone with their SIM card (which costs $1), then $25/ month gets you unlimited talk and text plus 3 GB of data.

[QUOTE=Barkeater;5914502]I have a ton of old phones lying around, but could never find something that cheap. All I need is a cheap sim, with texting and phone calls. Something I can use with prepaid cards.

Also, you can get a lifetime phone number for calling and text using Hushed, on Stack Social for about 30$. Pretty cheap, but the app is garbage and never works. Better off using google voice.[/QUOTE]I find it to be pretty reliable; sometimes there's a bit of delay compared to the basic messaging app installed on a phone, but not often. Of course, I don't have relationship stuff to hide from anyone (wouldn't be doing this if I did), so I don't need 2 phones to begin with.

My burner phone now requires a photo ID to refill. The company changed the policy and now wants to verify everyone's PII. Any suggestions for a decent anonymous phone provider?

I used to use an at&t go phone. I could add money from going to an at&t store, or any 7-11. I am sure there are still options at any 7-11 that you can pay cash for.

I have since switched to using text-now so that I don't need to carry an extra phone. And it is free.

[QUOTE=OpusDog;6052858]My burner phone now requires a photo ID to refill. The company changed the policy and now wants to verify everyone's PII. Any suggestions for a decent anonymous phone provider?[/QUOTE].

[QUOTE=SlyFrog;6054481]I used to use an at&t go phone. I could add money from going to an at&t store, or any 7-11. I am sure there are still options at any 7-11 that you can pay cash for.

I have since switched to using text-now so that I don't need to carry an extra phone. And it is free.

.[/QUOTE]Even if you use a burner, but have your regular mobile with you when you play, you can get questioned. How? If your SO has loaded some Spyware or you are in a family location group like the app "Life360", be mindful that you can produce less accurate results by turning wifi off and turning your battery save function on. Without battery save function on, your phone is sharing location data all the time and you can get tracked.

P.S., AT&T is requiring ID at their store, I will try at 7-11, thanks.

We all copy and post, but don't forget to clear these often, especially on a device that your SO or anyone else can use.

I use Firefox Focus on my mobile and flush the entire wrb browsing session after peek as well. This app keeps no trace of your web activity browsed in that app.

Still using Google Voice, but looking for something else that allows me to put a password before the app opens up. Any recommendations that can better secure your communication?

Thank you.

[QUOTE=Koolakulak;6156851]Still using Google Voice, but looking for something else that allows me to put a password before the app opens up. Any recommendations that can better secure your communication?

Thank you.[/QUOTE]I use Google Voice, but communicate through text exclusively. I open up a browser and access Google Voice from the web interface (incognito tab). Whenever I am done, I close out and am logged out. Never will get notifications that way, and access is only when I'm logged on.