OPSEC. Operattional Security

I just ran a credit report from TransUnion. A lot of historical stuff is listed there. Including phone #s. One of the #s listed is actually my current burner number. The real phone number. I rarely rarely use it, as Google Voice is my prime means of contacting. However, the real number that is on the credit report is the number that I must use when I am recharging my web GB on TracFone.

I have no idea how this connection was made. What if anything should I do about this? Should I ditch that number? Try to get TracFone to give me a new one?

[QUOTE=FarFarAway;7044755]I just ran a credit report from TransUnion. A lot of historical stuff is listed there. Including phone #s. One of the #s listed is actually my current burner number. The real phone number. I rarely rarely use it, as Google Voice is my prime means of contacting. However, the real number that is on the credit report is the number that I must use when I am recharging my web GB on TracFone.

I have no idea how this connection was made. What if anything should I do about this? Should I ditch that number? Try to get TracFone to give me a new one?[/QUOTE]I use TextNow and just have the app under a secure password protected folder. You don't need to link an e-mail or anything, so it should not link back to you.

[QUOTE=AnonDemon69;7045171]I use TextNow and just have the app under a secure password protected folder. You don't need to link an e-mail or anything, so it should not link back to you.[/QUOTE]Don't think you grasp all the ramifications. I am concerned about getting exposed from this, based on the past.

The future isn't what I am asking about.

Also, the way you write this, it seems like you have that app on your IRL phone. I would not do that for a variety of reasons.

I also wonder, does TextNow permit voice calls from your secret number? GV does, that is important to me. GV also permits logging into a Google account and texting from a browser. Also important to me. Does TextNow do that?

I do use a burner.

[QUOTE=FarFarAway;7045422]Don't think you grasp all the ramifications. I am concerned about getting exposed from this, based on the past.

The future isn't what I am asking about.

Also, the way you write this, it seems like you have that app on your IRL phone. I would not do that for a variety of reasons.

I also wonder, does TextNow permit voice calls from your secret number? GV does, that is important to me. GV also permits logging into a Google account and texting from a browser. Also important to me. Does TextNow do that?

I do use a burner.[/QUOTE]Yes, TextNow permits both outgoing and incoming phone calls, but I guess it won't work for you since it does not permit online logging in.

I would ditch the phone and buy one under someone else's name or a fake name. Someone told me that phone numbers can be linked because you recharged it with one of your credit cards or a gift card registered under your name.

[QUOTE=AnonDemon69;7045495]Yes, TextNow permits both outgoing and incoming phone calls, but I guess it won't work for you since it does not permit online logging in.

I would ditch the phone and buy one under someone else's name or a fake name. Someone told me that phone numbers can be linked because you recharged it with one of your credit cards or a gift card registered under your name.[/QUOTE]Yeah, well, that didn't happen. I would never ever do that.

I have laid out my burner strategy earlier. If you don't know about burners, the whole point is that you can buy them anonymously. With cash. I have only ever paid for service using prepaid debit cards, never a credit card that has my name on it. I have totally fake name and address associated w / the account. This is a TracFone, bought years ago in a Walmart, and then about 3 years ago, I got a new phone in a mom and pop shop and the dude transferred the sim card for me. No name associated w / any of that.

So again, I have no idea how that number got associate w / me IRL.

FFA, FWIW, I received my TransUnion credit report today as well. It too lists my historical, real numbers, but does not list any burner numbers I have used. I too have a GV number and run GV on my real phone. Not a burner.

[QUOTE=FarFarAway;7044755]I just ran a credit report from TransUnion. A lot of historical stuff is listed there. Including phone #s. One of the #s listed is actually my current burner number. The real phone number. I rarely rarely use it, as Google Voice is my prime means of contacting. However, the real number that is on the credit report is the number that I must use when I am recharging my web GB on TracFone.

I have no idea how this connection was made. What if anything should I do about this? Should I ditch that number? Try to get TracFone to give me a new one?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=CuriousVaMan;7045914]FFA, FWIW, I received my TransUnion credit report today as well. It too lists my historical, real numbers, but does not list any burner numbers I have used. I too have a GV number and run GV on my real phone. Not a burner.[/QUOTE]I have gone to TracFone, and it was a simple process to change my number. Completely automated at their 800#.

I may go to TransUnion and 'dispute' the old burner # on my credit report. However, I feel a little bit better already. If someone saw it and called it, tried to track me down, it would not find me.

Looking for suggestions for apps that can hide / secure photos and videos on the iPhone. Ideally, one that will allow me to record directly from the app and have password or passcode to access. I'm currently using PV but not very happy with it as the photos and videos taken aren't as good as the native camera. Anyone using anything that they recommend and like? Would be nice if there's an app that secretly records also while not showing on the screen.

[QUOTE=Koolakulak;7047712]Looking for suggestions for apps that can hide / secure photos and videos on the iPhone. Ideally, one that will allow me to record directly from the app and have password or passcode to access. I'm currently using PV but not very happy with it as the photos and videos taken aren't as good as the native camera. Anyone using anything that they recommend and like? Would be nice if there's an app that secretly records also while not showing on the screen.[/QUOTE]Look at iOS18.

Heard that people are complaining that new features enable 'cheating' LOL.

Reposting from General Stuff as this should be here for you all reading this.

Finding Hidden iMessages on Mac.

I had an issue where I had to delete messages and such. I even started a new iCloud account. Couple of things for Mac and I'm not an expert.

1. Turn off Time Machine and delete any backups if any.

2. Delete any iCloud backups.

3. In the "Finder" search for "Library / Messages /" This is where the messages are stored.

That last one I found all my text messages that I thought were deleted, they were NOT! I had to delete stuff in batches as you could not "select all" and delete. Took a while, but I got it done. MIND YOU, this covers tracks a lot, but if your SO gets a hold of your devices, they can take them for forensic analysis, which would uncover a lot.

Be sure to shut off any synchronizing (sharing) settings to avoid any issues. Lastly, if you started a new iCloud and deleted everything on the old iCloud account, I believe the old account hang around for one year if inactive and 30 to 90 days if deleted.

Here's a link to Toms Guide for recovering messages, which can be used to find and delete too. [URL]https://recoverit.wondershare.com/ma...es-on-mac.html.[/URL].

You should also follow up with, or perhaps start with for the local files -- not sure how this might relate to any cloud based storage -- the following link: [URL]https://www.amacsite.com/securely-delete-files-on-mac/[/URL].

Deleteing files is generally not really deleting them as noted in the link.

[QUOTE=DarkRai2;7051243]Reposting from General Stuff as this should be here for you all reading this.

Finding Hidden iMessages on Mac.

I had an issue where I had to delete messages and such. I even started a new iCloud account. Couple of things for Mac and I'm not an expert.

1. Turn off Time Machine and delete any backups if any.

2. Delete any iCloud backups.

3. In the "Finder" search for "Library / Messages /" This is where the messages are stored.

That last one I found all my text messages that I thought were deleted, they were NOT! I had to delete stuff in batches as you could not "select all" and delete. Took a while, but I got it done. MIND YOU, this covers tracks a lot, but if your SO gets a hold of your devices, they can take them for forensic analysis, which would uncover a lot.

Be sure to shut off any synchronizing (sharing) settings to avoid any issues. Lastly, if you started a new iCloud and deleted everything on the old iCloud account, I believe the old account hang around for one year if inactive and 30 to 90 days if deleted.

Here's a link to Toms Guide for recovering messages, which can be used to find and delete too. [URL]https://recoverit.wondershare.com/ma...es-on-mac.html.[/URL].[/QUOTE]

This is a reason I never ever use any of the internal apps on my devices. I go exclusively w / cloud-based sites that don't have any ties to my IRL identity. I do all my texting through Google Voice. On my laptop at home, through a VPN, and on my burner phone. Yeah, IK, Google can find out a lot of things about me if it wants to, but the key is, my SO can't.

[QUOTE=AnonDemon69;7045171]I use TextNow and just have the app under a secure password protected folder. You don't need to link an e-mail or anything, so it should not link back to you.[/QUOTE]TextNow won't allow picking a number with a VPN. Why? They clearly are tracking the IP the number is associated with.

When you delete messages, they are only not visible to you. If you have another text conversation the deleted texts reappear, even if they happen under your old number and you've not selected a new number.

Their logs have it all.

[QUOTE=AnonDemon69;7045171]I use TextNow and just have the app under a secure password protected folder. You don't need to link an e-mail or anything, so it should not link back to you.[/QUOTE]If it's linked to a device that's linked to you, it can be linked back to you. The app store is the link between you and app, and it has your billing info. It just depends on how deep the person doing the searching is looking, and what tools they have at their disposal to look. The only way to keep something completely separate from you is to have a completely separate device. One that you paid cash for and never connected to any of your real accounts.

[QUOTE=Gourmand56;7051909]If it's linked to a device that's linked to you, it can be linked back to you. The app store is the link between you and app, and it has your billing info. It just depends on how deep the person doing the searching is looking, and what tools they have at their disposal to look. The only way to keep something completely separate from you is to have a completely separate device. One that you paid cash for and never connected to any of your real accounts.[/QUOTE]And never used on your Wi-Fi.

Never powered on in your residence, work, etc.

Never on where your regular phone has been, especially at the same time.

It probably gets a lot worse, but the point is everything is logged and if to things can be associated the dots can be connected if the will is there.