The Lockdown - Practical Privacy & Security Ray Heffer

In this week's show, I discuss CLEAR's intrusive privacy policy and highlight alternatives to Authy using KeePass, with a privacy friendly solution for scanning QR codes. I also address the common mistakes people make when backing up their MFA codes. Additionally, I share some of the highlights from attending the SANS OSINT Summit in Washington, D.C., and explore various uses for custom domain names. Finally, I touch on the Starbucks app and the benefits of using Tello for pre-paid SIM cards.

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Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/TheLockdown

This episode was recorded on March 14, 2024
In this week's episode:CLEAR Privacy and Selling SoulsAuthy discontinues the desktop app from March 19th, 2024Alternative MFA solutions using KeepassXC and KeepassDXStoring backup MFA codes in a Veracrypt containerMake sure you keep scanned copies of your credit cards and ID!Update on the SANS OSINT SummitAlternative to Mint Mobile with TelloUsing the Starbucks app privatelyCustom domain namesShow Links:CLEAR Security Breach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0I0BTtnMC4OSINT Combine Free Tools:  osintcombine.com/freetoolsWhatsmyname: https://whatsmyname.app/Tello:  https://tello.com/QR Scanner (PFA) by Secuso Research Group: https://secuso.aifb.kit.edu/english/QR_Scanner.phpSkull Games: https://skullgames.io/Trace Labs: https://www.tracelabs.org/Expired Domains: https://www.expireddomains.net/deleted-domains/"The right to be left alone is indeed the beginning of all freedom."- Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas

In today's show, I have a conversation with Lawrence Gentellio, the CEO and Founder of Optery, a personal data removal service. Lawrence shares his own experiences with identity theft and what motivated him to start Optery. We also discuss the future of privacy in the United States, Utah's new privacy law, the Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA), and the bare minimum you should be doing to protect and secure your private data.

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Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/TheLockdown

This episode was recorded on March 6, 2024
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In this week's episode:Lawrence's experience with identity theft highlights the importance of a credit freezeThe need for disinformationA reminder on hunting appsThe future of data privacy and the need for services like OpteryData privacy in the UK and the existence of search sites like 192.comUpdate on next weeks showShow Links:Optery website: https://www.optery.com/PC Magazine Editors Choice Award for Optery: https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/opteryPC Magazine's list of the best personal data removal services: https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-personal-data-removal-servicesUtah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA): https://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/utah-consumer-protection-act-a-new-law-to-protect-online-privacy/"If privacy is outlawed, only outlaws will have privacy."- Philip R. Zimmermann, creator of PGP encryption

In this weeks show I discuss some of the concerns of using TOR over a VPN, and take another look at data removal from people search sites, including a look at Mozilla Monitor, a new service for data removal from the makers of Firefox. I'll also discuss the importance of freezing your credit and putting the title of your home into a revocable living trust, prior to removing your records from people search sites.
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Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/TheLockdown

This episode was recorded on February 16, 2024
In this week's episode:I'm still on the road!Anonymity with TOR and VPNGet that Credit Freeze and Revocable Living TrustData Removals from people search sitesMozilla Monitor, a new data removal serviceQuick update on the Complete pfSense Setup GuideShow Links:Mozilla Monitor: https://monitor.mozilla.orgTor Browser: https://www.torproject.org/downloadDeepCorr: https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/3243734.3243824Foundations of Digital Privacy, Part One: https://lockdown.media/the-foundations-of-digital-privacy“If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself.”-George Orwell

In this Friday Field Notes episode of The Lockdown, I share my experience with imposter syndrome, and compare practical privacy approaches with extreme measures, inspired by my move to the USA.
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Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/TheLockdown

This episode was recorded on January 31, 2024
In this week's episode:Using alias names with food appsMore on practical privacy vs the extremeMy motivations for privacy after my move to the USASimplewall for Windows 10Using Virtual MachinesDual boot Windows for gaming vs productivityMicro-segmentation strategiesWindows 10 LTSC for privacy? I'm the Imposter! Show Links: qView Image Viewer: https://interversehq.com/qviewGPG4Win: https://www.gpg4win.org/download.htmlWindows 10 LTSC: https://www.cdw.com/search/?key=Windows%20LTSCSimplewall: https://github.com/henrypp/simplewall"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken."-Oscar Wilde

Music: The Lockdown 

This week, I introduce Defensive OSINT, address privacy concerns while on the road, and examine the intricacies of alias usage and AI-based face morphing for photo alteration. Sharing insights from my recent travels, I highlight the need for vigilance and innovative strategies for maintaining privacy on the go. The episode explores the pros and cons of using alias names for hotel bookings, including the challenges of identity verification during check-in, while I discuss smart, alternative solutions for these scenarios. Join me as we navigate the complexities of preserving privacy in an era rife with survlleiance and data breaches, providing practical tips and advice for privacy-conscious travelers and digital citizens.

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Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/TheLockdown

This episode was recorded on January 27, 2024
In This Week's Show:Privacy on the road with hotels, VRBO rentals, and UberWhy we do this, and the reasons behind our privacy lifestyleA look at Defensive OSINT strategiesFace morphing our real photos for privacyLocation tracking on your phoneMySudo and pre-paid burner numbersA surprise guest?Show Links:Black Portable Hotel Door Lock: https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Security-Additional-Traveling-Apartment/dp/B0CFVS6NRNPython Script for ThisPersonDoesNotExist: https://github.com/locksec/tpdne_pyFacemorph.me: https://facemorph.meUpscayl: https://www.upscayl.orgFile Optimizer: https://nikkhokkho.sourceforge.io/static.php?page=FileOptimizerIntro voice-over: IRLRosie - Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
Music: The Lockdown 
“Give me six lines written by the most honest man, and I will find something in them to hang him.” - Cardinal Richelieu

In this week's episode, it's time to wrap up 2023 with another look at Privacy.com, and my strategies for avoiding bank account lockout. I delve into the CIA Triad, breaking down its relevance to everyday privacy concerns. The episode also takes a practical turn with a guide on using FindMyDevice on GrapheneOS, and the FindMyDevice feature on the Garmin Instinct 2 watch for tracking lost phones.

I also tackle the debate between biometric authentication and passcodes, taking our threat model into consideration. For those interested in storage synchronization solutions, I discuss using Nextcloud for a variety of purposes, including photo backups, syncing Keepass, and markdown notes, highlighting its versatility for privacy.

Join me for an episode packed with valuable insights and tips for enhancing your digital privacy and security as we welcome in 2024!

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Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/TheLockdown

This episode was recorded on January 03, 2024

In this week's episode:
1. Closing 2023 with Privacy.com
2. How the CIA Triad Relates to privacy
3. Tracking Lost Phones with FindMyDevice on GrapheneOS and a Garmin watch
4. Biometric authentication vs Passcodes
5. Using Nextcloud for photo backups, Keepass Sync, and taking notes in Markdown
6. Backups with Backblaze B2 and Restic

Show Links:
https://www.privacy.com
https://strongboxsafe.com
https://www.keepassdx.com
https://grapheneos.org
https://gitlab.com/Nulide/findmydevice
https://obsidian.md
https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-storage
https://restic.net
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/775697

Ray Ban Meta News: https://san.com/cc/investigation-into-new-meta-smart-glasses-brings-privacy-concerns

Music: The Lockdown

"We suffer more often in imagination than in reality." - Seneca