Searcher for truth.. - Introductions

I spent 95% of my life last year working at the hospital day and night dedicated to those in need with no time for my own family much less myself. While being held hostage by Covid my life and finances where being held hostage by someone exploiting developers and today's technology for their own twisted personal entertainment.
I'm here today seeking the truth and answers on the way to END the HELL my family and I have been through. I'm praying that someone here will have some compassion and consideration and GUIDE ME to a way out.

Longhorn22 said:
I spent 95% of my life last year working at the hospital day and night dedicated to those in need with no time for my own family much less myself. While being held hostage by Covid my life and finances where being held hostage by someone exploiting developers and today's technology for their own twisted personal entertainment.
I'm here today seeking the truth and answers on the way to END the HELL my family and I have been through. I'm praying that someone here will have some compassion and consideration and GUIDE ME to a way out.
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Welcome to XDA!
The best place on the internetz for moding your devices.

orb_selektor said:
Welcome to XDA!
The best place on the internetz for moding your devices.
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Im here to learn from a Master, ways to protect and defend the helpless from unwanted device invasions...

Longhorn22 said:
Im here to learn from a Master, ways to protect and defend the helpless from unwanted device invasions...
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The secret is in searching, sure youll find what u need

You're wanting to harden you and your families devices' security? Look into self-hosting your own cloud (nextCloud/own cloud/etc) and moving away from [email protected]@gle's services. IMO [and I am a self-announcing conspiracy truth speaker] the "baddies" who compromise our personal devices are part and parcel with the big GFA cartel.
Check out F-Droid as well, lotsa FOSSy goodness to be found there.
Chin up, you'll find answers and solutions. Just keep searching and asking.

Longhorn22 said:
I spent 95% of my life last year working at the hospital day and night dedicated to those in need with no time for my own family much less myself. While being held hostage by Covid my life and finances where being held hostage by someone exploiting developers and today's technology for their own twisted personal entertainment.
I'm here today seeking the truth and answers on the way to END the HELL my family and I have been through. I'm praying that someone here will have some compassion and consideration and GUIDE ME to a way out.
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Welcome!

Welcome to XDA
Truth? Recall what Obi-Wan Kenob had to say about that. Much of the truth is prospective and time sensitive.
Androids are generally very stable and secure devices unless you do something stupid.
Always keep email in the cloud ie Gmail.
Never download anything without vetting it, online Virustotal is useful for that. Never sideload apps without vetting. Keep an eye on the download folder for items you didn't download or strange behavior. If you suspect malware either find/delete it or do factory reset that day*.
Avoid trash/invasive apps like FB, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, instagram, shopping apps etc. They don't need to be running on your device.
*Always backup your critical data redundantly. If you have a SD card use that as a data drive. Back up your critical data to at least 2 hdds that are physically and electronically isolated from each as well as your PC. Store one hdd away from the other preferably in a earth grounded metal box so one near lightning strike (or fire) can't wipe out everything.
All the data you need for a full reload/restore should be saved on the backups aside from minor settings. A flash stick can be used for quick "dirty" backups but the primary backups should be hdds. Best to time stagger the hdd backups so that no matter what you have at least one good copy even if everything isn't on it.
Developer a comprehensive plan for reloading so everything is there when you need it. Do not encrypt backup hdd data.
Eventually you will need those backups or you will lose data.

Related

[Q] Best I.T. field?

Hi, I'm coming to this forum to ask my question 1. Because I know there are a lot of tech-savvy people here and 2. Because I'm on these forums a lot.
I guess my general question is: what is the best IT field to get into now? I really like programming, but I read a couple or places that its projected to go down by 4% from now til 2018ish.
But I read elsewhere that computer engineering is growing rapidly.
I'm 19 years old now, about to start college soon and want to pick a good field in. Something that can defenitely pay good as well.
And I know there's a lot of cross knowledge about IT.
But what's the best IT field tp get into?
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App
Bump
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App
I am a Network Engineer. I think it is a pretty good field, if you don't mind the late nights, and other things. The Networks are the furthest behind right now, and we need competent Engineers to build and run them.
i agree with above..
I agree, however getting companies to spend money on talent and equipment is hard. Its like years ago before companies spent on backups. They wont spend till it bites them.
troubleshot said:
I agree, however getting companies to spend money on talent and equipment is hard. Its like years ago before companies spent on backups. They wont spend till it bites them.
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Correct. Working for a Vendor, I see this all the time. It is hard to tell a company that they need new switches every 5 years, especially in this economic time.
The big pusher will be IPv6. That is forcing a lot of companies to look at their infrastructure today. They have this feeling they will be left behind if they aren't IPv6 ready by the end of this year. At least on my view of things - that is the only reason Enterprise side businesses are buying new Routers/Switches.
Enraged21 said:
Hi, I'm coming to this forum to ask my question 1. Because I know there are a lot of tech-savvy people here and 2. Because I'm on these forums a lot.
I guess my general question is: what is the best IT field to get into now? I really like programming, but I read a couple or places that its projected to go down by 4% from now til 2018ish.
But I read elsewhere that computer engineering is growing rapidly.
I'm 19 years old now, about to start college soon and want to pick a good field in. Something that can defenitely pay good as well.
And I know there's a lot of cross knowledge about IT.
But what's the best IT field tp get into?
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App
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The problem with Network Engineering is there is no degree for it. It is a lot of self knowledge and self learning.
Take your Juniper Certifications or Cisco Certifications. Buy books on BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, IPv6, etc.....
Download software to run labs at your house....build a cheap Cisco lab as well.
GNS3 is a good Cisco network simulator.
I know this isn't the advice you're looking for - but I'm going to give you the advice I wish somebody gave me when I was 18.
Screw the market predictions, screw the salary ceilings, screw the skill demand. Find something you really dig and the rest is going to fall into place.
I spent 7 years as a software developer. I got paid far more than I was probably worth, had loads of perks, and life was good. Problem was I didn't get any satisfaction out of writing code anymore (not sure that I ever really did). It took me a long time to figure out, but in the end you're going to spend 40 hours (or often 60 in tech careers) a week doing something for the rest of your working life. Your quality of life is going to improved much, much more by genuinely enjoying those 40-60 hours each week than it will by bringing home 90K/yr. Believe me.
At 29 I took about a $25K/yr pay cut and "started over" as a web/ui designer in a new company. It's one of the best choices I'd ever made - I just wish I'd made it when I was much younger. My life would have been much easier.
Isn't a degree worth more than a certificate?
I'd rather spend more time in school getting a degree rather than doing it quick and getting a certificate.
MickMcGeough said:
I know this isn't the advice you're looking for - but I'm going to give you the advice I wish somebody gave me when I was 18.
Screw the market predictions, screw the salary ceilings, screw the skill demand. Find something you really dig and the rest is going to fall into place.
I spent 7 years as a software developer. I got paid far more than I was probably worth, had loads of perks, and life was good. Problem was I didn't get any satisfaction out of writing code anymore (not sure that I ever really did). It took me a long time to figure out, but in the end you're going to spend 40 hours (or often 60 in tech careers) a week doing something for the rest of your working life. Your quality of life is going to improved much, much more by genuinely enjoying those 40-60 hours each week than it will by bringing home 90K/yr. Believe me.
At 29 I took about a $25K/yr pay cut and "started over" as a web/ui designer in a new company. It's one of the best choices I'd ever made - I just wish I'd made it when I was much younger. My life would have been much easier.
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I know, people are always telling me that. And I'm always open to hearing peoples opinion. I actually would love to do a field in IT... Just don't know what exactly I want. Like I said, I like programming, computer science, etc., but there not gonna need alot of programmers in the near future. My friend is actually a network engineer and makes good money, but I know he'd rather be doing something else.
As for me, I've been doing jack **** for the last two years. I would actually love to spend 40 to 60 hours a week keeping my hands and brains busy.
So I might look into Engineering.. cause that's what it looks like its going into.
I know if it's something with tech involved, I probably won't love it, but I would like it. Better than doing anything else.
2 of the fields I'm looking into:
Computer Engineering Technology (Networking)
Computer Programming and Analysis.
your inputs?
Enraged21 said:
Isn't a degree worth more than a certificate?
I'd rather spend more time in school getting a degree rather than doing it quick and getting a certificate.
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Depends. The way I see it (being in the field) If you want to stay on the Engineering side of things and don't have an interest in being Managerial, then Certs + Time In the Field = More Money than Degree.
If you think Certs are the easy way - then you haven't taken any of the tests. If you want to get into Networking you have to have Certs. Then get a job working in a NOC, or for a smaller ISP. Then you work up.
I'm a field engineer so I go to clients' sites and support their IT/resolve their IT problems.
Being a jack of all trades really helps, and having the right mind is a godsend.
Being able to think on your feet to come up with solutions with very few resources, having high google skills also helps, and a resourceful memory for niggly little problems.
In my experience computer degrees are pointless, industry qualifications actually have value as they bring benefits to companies such as partnership programs.
Whats going to be more appealing to customers? "We have 5 engineers with degrees" or "We're a Microsoft Gold Partner" see what I mean?
The more qualifications you get the more you can ask for in salary.
Contracting is where the real money is, you can get paid stupid amounts of money for doing simple things.
I was getting £200 a day on one contract to just create new users and run reports.
so what you guys are saying is,
it's better to be certified in many fields and work my way up rather than getting a degree in a specific field?
Enraged21 said:
so what you guys are saying is,
it's better to be certified in many fields and work my way up rather than getting a degree in a specific field?
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Yes. And pick a field you enjoy too.
alright. I appreciate your advice.
When I try to pick my major in college, I'm listed 3 choices ( All Computer Engineering )
Cisco Specialization
Microsoft Specialization
Cyber Security and Digital Forensics Specialization
Out of all those three fields? which one would be the best to "specialize" in?
They also have two other fields available which are computer programming and analysis, and computer information technology. Too many people in CPA and they won't need them in the near future. CIT is too broad. And I don't really know about that.
Another approach which might be a bit different is if you can scrape up the money to go to a conference or two, that may give you some insight on the different areas of IT and may help guide you on what you may or may not like. Virtualization is huge now due to the whole "cloud computing" thing. Microsoft/Active Directory/Exchange-type environments are widely used, so any experience there should guarantee you a job and an employee in a company or a solutions architect if you can design that infrastructure... or support for that type of environment which would be a first step in that field. I always believed that if you're the type that's into programming, you'll know it early on. The hard part like others have said is choosing what sub-field you want to specialize in (or that you enjoy).
No matter where you go, things can get pretty deep. I know a few people who chose to be project managers and make a good living not knowing anything technical - just the logistics of it all.
If you are going to get into general IT - to start with stick to CSCO and MSFT.
You can't go wrong with acquiring certs from either. While it doesn't hurt to know both - at some point you will find you either like to design and support the network (CSCO). Or you like to do AD, LDAP, Server type of stuff (MSFT).
If you wanted mine on which to chose of the 3 you have, I would suggest trying to get internships at each one, to see which you like. College is expensive, and you don't want to have to go back multiple times, because the degree you got wasn't something you liked.
Take an Internship at a smaller ISP. This will give you a chance to check out both the Network (CSCO) side of things, and Systems (MSFT/Linux/BSD) side of things. Most larger companies (Fortune 500) will split it up like this anyways, as it is too much to wear both hats. So you will have your team of Network Engineer's and your team of Systems Engineers/Admins who generally all report up to a single director/vp.
Don't really have the money or the time to intern. That's why I came seeking advice.
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App
Two fields spring immediately to mind. Computer Forensics and Computer Security.
Both growth industries and interesting too i imagine.
I'll try to make this my last rant here.
I know you came here asking for advice - but I hope you understand that all advice is necessarily autobiographical.
A lot will disagree with me here, but degrees and certs are worth little. Good instruction is infinitely valuable, demonstrable skills are infinitely valuable, and you can get those in post-secondary schooling, but the piece of paper itself will only help you get your first job, when you have no experience, and the person hiring you is either too lazy to verify your skills, or is unable to do so.
Probably the best developer I ever hired was entirely self-taught. The worst was one of the most highly-educated individuals I'd ever interviewed.
I don't know where you got your information about the software development market drying up but I think you're making too big a deal out of it. I cannot fathom a future in which a good software developer's skills are obsolete. You'll have to switch languages/environments many times in your career, but if you dig coding, just go be the best coder you can.
I implore you, try out some different stuff in school and stick to whatever it is that gets your motor going. Don't worry about a 4% market downturn or what industries might grow. Nobody can predict more than 5-10 years away, and you're going to be doing whatever it is you choose for 30-40 years.

Well Done Apple

###
reading the story, within the first paragraph, i can see that 90% of the problem was this guy's fault, not apples. he had an entire year, of his daughters life, not backed up? being a father of 3, 99.9% of what i take pictures of are my kids. i have my phone instant upload to my google account, i also copy all pics weekly from my phone to my media server, which makes redundant copies, these copies are then imaged to a 3 resource. not sure why this guy went a year without backing anything up.
this guy also has no real idea as to what he's talking about. apple forcing you to use icoud? google already a cloud based os? you only have to use the cloud if you choose to. apple and google know that if they try to force people into cloud based operating, they would lose most of their business oriented users, and those without unlimited data plans.
You're right about the GPS on the SGS1, it sucks!
I know! Why would they even do something like that?
svtfmook said:
reading the story, within the first paragraph, i can see that 90% of the problem was this guy's fault, not apples. he had an entire year, of his daughters life, not backed up? being a father of 3, 99.9% of what i take pictures of are my kids. i have my phone instant upload to my google account, i also copy all pics weekly from my phone to my media server, which makes redundant copies, these copies are then imaged to a 3 resource. not sure why this guy went a year without backing anything up.
this guy also has no real idea as to what he's talking about. apple forcing you to use icoud? google already a cloud based os? you only have to use the cloud if you choose to. apple and google know that if they try to force people into cloud based operating, they would lose most of their business oriented users, and those without unlimited data plans.
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I suppose you got a point.
Did you read the part about the internal policies? I suppose it's some of the employees fault, not entirely Apple. But still, not everyone has a media server, lol.
Screw you Clan vv3 and Phobia. Hope someone messes up your lives one day.
Sounds like massive failures all around. Certainly foolish not to create backups, but also horrible policies and actions on the part of Amazon and Apple.
I agree with you. That many photos, the should of been backed up. At least he admitted beforehand that on his part most things were wrong. But then come Apple and Amazon, who clearly have more power over security, but simply failed to to stop this hacking. Doesn't really count that much of a "hacking" if Apple/Amazon let them get that info nice and easy. But and the end of the day, it was the criminals fault. Same goes for the scrib who stole my phone.
Dude obviously has issues if he didn't care that he destroyed all that just to hack someone's Twitter. Odds are they'll brag about it to the wrong person and get dimed out.
MissionImprobable said:
Dude obviously has issues if he didn't care that he destroyed all that just to hack someone's Twitter. Odds are they'll brag about it to the wrong person and get dimed out.
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We totally understand where you're coming from, but the fact is, not EVERYONE has the knowledge of computers that some of us do, and not EVERYONE knows how to back-up their files. This could happen to the regular joe-schmo who just has a computer to communicate with their family relatives over facebook or twitter or whatever and also buy **** off amazon. BOOM and it just so happens that some person takes your information and takes everything you have and you really cant do anything.
this guy might've been a technology journalist but he was clearly dumb enough not to back up any of his stuff and to chain all your stuff together? come on...
Not sure what you're on about. I'm saying that the dbag who hacked him seems to have zero remorse that he helped wipe out all of that important info just so he and his friend could say they hacked a gizmodo twitter.
Heck, for all that effort they could be doing something in the real world worth getting notoriety for.
MissionImprobable said:
Not sure what you're on about. I'm saying that the dbag who hacked him seems to have zero remorse that he helped wipe out all of that important info just so he and his friend could say they hacked a gizmodo twitter.
Heck, for all that effort they could be doing something in the real world worth getting notoriety for.
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Yep, sorry.. realized I replied to the wrong person lol.. you're right. Hackers aren't supposed to be doing this to the general public. REAL HACKERS are supposed to be trying to hack into company security systems under the companies employment to find security flaws for that specific company. those guys just wanted to **** with mr. honan
MissionImprobable said:
Not sure what you're on about. I'm saying that the dbag who hacked him seems to have zero remorse that he helped wipe out all of that important info just so he and his friend could say they hacked a gizmodo twitter.
Heck, for all that effort they could be doing something in the real world worth getting notoriety for.
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Last page, he is sorry that his Mac was wiped
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
MissionImprobable said:
Not sure what you're on about. I'm saying that the dbag who hacked him seems to have zero remorse that he helped wipe out all of that important info just so he and his friend could say they hacked a gizmodo twitter.
Heck, for all that effort they could be doing something in the real world worth getting notoriety for.
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The thing about hackers is that they've got potential, but they just don't want to use it.

No Kingroot Sheep here!

Thankd to Kingroot I lost the chance at making around 400$ yesterday....i mean why have full legit trustable root from Sir [email protected] ...all my respect real talk...why have that when you could just have someone remote into your PC Today!!Not sold yet? They are more knowladgable then our entire brotherhood they will install a virus...i mean a harmless program thats steals your IMIE ..i mean completly brings your phone to its knees ...i mean will root your phone with one click.....please by all means gain a fake ...i mean kingsu binary...its so legit and only to be used by professional freelance phone modders....they will click....i mean one trick your phone....screw it these kids know what they are doing.. they had to put hundreds upon hundreds of hours behind a Linux Machine learning commands then the same plus sweat and tears into studying the Androids complete orgins and capabilities I mean i just dualboot Linux and run it as my main OS so how did i know that Android running off a Linux kernel actually uses kingsu....i forgot that command to enter my root folders on my Ubuntu OS after a fresh install was Sudo Kingsu.....hmmmm i dont blame nobody but these kids...they got no respect...i just Odind back to stock and deleted the custom recovery a fellow brother made and I tested becausr it literally must not get any better right.....gotta love that backup with the stock recovery....i cant wait to flash some scripts er KingRoms.....oh jusr roms ....oh not done in one click. ......no snapshot backup....i always hated inginuity behind TWRP . Made life to easy....now to just get rid of this 6 core Ryzen 1600x i have comming in the mail to build TWRPs ..port my own roms ....i just cant wait for Kingroot...ignorance and oblivion are going to be bliss!!!
I appreciate all you who do this for real and dont make money at it ....not my intentions either....only to bring other knowledge and the real deal..thats 100 ....withouth this community id probably of been one of those foolish customers and be smooth talked into lossing out on everything that is Droid and The Family and Community XDA is besides all the knowledge thats been struggled anf fought for so vigorously...So tonight I drink to you guys who fly true and i will be moving on to Computers and Website building with Php Sqlite Html5 and the rest...TO XDA FOREVER....NEVER SHEEP!!!!
Why you mad tho?
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
passport619 said:
Why you mad tho?
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Mainly all the Hours Everyone at this forum Pours in this forum and website and countless sleepless nights doing it right. Not to mention hours I have put in to Learning these tricks that I have tried to pass along to those who
A. Are misguided or informed
B.Will eventually uses this Forum
C. Somehow will owe this site a nod of thanks for everything both proprietary and intellectual that is tireless fought hard to be kept both growing and safe.
D. Are ignorant and could uses a helping hand.
E. The misinformed and misguided once again cant forget that we may or may not have been *That Guy or Gal*
F. Security Threatend
G. Cold need some privacy and or Freedom.
I digress tho its mainly to watch someone pay 5-20$ to a kid whom instead rather push one button of a mouse ...Lazily I might add ....to either persuade a unknowing user to unknowingly temp root (i dont call it that..not the point.) and advertise it as geniune root. Or to have the blind leading the blind....idk if thats the buyer or the young person who illadvisedly or knowingly (whichever is worse is a matter of opinion.
So in hindsight I would say the ppl need this community just as I do...I feeling that just as much I do so they. That money could be in a developer,freelancer, specialist whom could teach them the tricks of the trade so openly given with no obligation at this sight.
That is why ....You tell me after a couple years being up night after night or just free time such as off days or spare time after school flipping from this site to your pc and then to yoyr smart phone repeadetly for whatever reasons or AndroPractices you may use.
Just to clarify I dont say that ive earned the right to any monetary or financial gain for any knowledge I may or may not have ....just a finders was saught as a Advising Freelancer fee to said knowledge gained and or leadership that towards what I believe this community stands in.
One might argue is in the end either helpful and or lifesaving to the health of their personal lives lived on a mobile device. Or just misuse ...idk yet ive only had the best of intentions to inform the potential or current user that there is a path well beaten...
My end goal is and always will be to enlighten or show the path to enlightenment ....be that such informative information as how to port a rom ....build a working recovery...unlock your bootloader ..or stuff maybe not regarded so highly but needed and sometimes daychangers and money savers like flashing to stock or usb tethering....even the stupid stuff like can you make me a rom for device 123H that ends up like nah ur bootloaders locked. Ive seen it transform into a full on discussion that sometimes meets goals that are like said example or they bring about some light that benefits the end user and reader in the end.
I guess I just apprecaite the small things in my life that could be entire careers work ( length and depth matters not)
* personal opinion only and a way to keep my intentions from being miscontrued preventing any offense I may or may not cause(d)*
Problems at home?
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
I'm not sure who's selling what or where, but I'm going to end the ramblings here.
If someone is trying to sell a service on Xda, please report them with the report button on a relevant post or thread. Selling services is not allowed here.
If it's something that happened off of Xda, then please don't bring the drama here. :good:
And if I've mistaken the intend of this thread, my apologies. But it is definitely hard to follow.
Thread Closed.

De-Google-ing my Note 9

Hi guys. I'm starting this thread in hopes of sparking a conversation and a concerted effort to rid ourselves as users from the clutches of Google and other big tech companies. I am sick and tired of Google tracking me and attempting to force feed me ads on a daily send constant basis. Then selling my info to other companies such as Facebook. So, I have started down the path of decluttering (De-Google-ing) my device(s). I am primarily interested in securing my device as much as possible and protecting my privacy.
So far, I have reformatted my entire device to factory default settings installed and using F-Droid (FOSS) for all my apps. I use Yandex as my search engine (I am often to suggestions and recommendations) in the "private browser" app. I use Aurora instead of Google Play store, New Pipe for YouTube-ing, Frost for Facebookingand SlimSocial for Twitter. I have stopped using Google keyboard and any other Google apps. I have abandoned gmail and replaced it with proton mail instead. So far, no ads and as far as I can tell, no tracking. I have also installed a VPN and am using it religiously—Cyber Ghost, a $99 for 3 years subscription with support up to 8 devices.
However, I am still very much connected to Samsung for I am not privy as to whether or not Samsung is as sinister as Google and Facebook.
Again, I am open to all suggestions, corrections and recommendations. Thank you and I hope to engage with you all.
leave it up to them yandex russians to protect your privacy.
but seriously. the most dangerous thing you can do is acctualy think that the steps you take are really making your life private.
vpns just channel the traffic to an other end point and does the queries for you then sends the data encrypted to you.
the queries are still made on the www. account info and all things you store or access online is still accessible by the www. vpn companies just fool you into thinking that the data being relayed to you is the only weak link. plus the free ones mine your data.
best thing you can do is not use social media. its made to invade your privacy. its designed to fool you into giving as much of your personal life info as possible and sell your habits to add companies so they can in turn send you quatered adds.
the minute you use the internet you void your privacy regardless of how you think the measures you take are working or effective. and what are you going to do about the 100 and 1000's of companies being hacked and their data mined and sold every month? you cant do anything about that. plus its much better for hackers to get their info from a big company because you get much more than just 1 dude that does his banking online and chat every now and then.there is no money to be made from 1 individual.
if you think people are specifically after you, you are gravely being fooled by the vpn ad campaigns that have been poping up everywhere about "privacy".( they must hide the fact that they also get hacked very well.its just that the media hasint picked up on it yet)
anyways who want to waste time on an end user/device?
when again you just need to hack equifax like a few years back and you get the motherload instead.
all in all I've abandoned the thought of real privacy. its futile.( even abstinents dosen't work because companies and governments don't secure customer data correctly. and unfortunately if you are born, you must be branded and labeled and filed away.)
live your life. just know that what ever you do you can't escape big brother and your data from being leaked by the big companies that say that it is secured with them.
the whole infrastructure relies on them companies and the habits we have been embraining ourselves and our children with is the problem.. we live our lives intertwined with the services and devices that we take for granted and have clicked next next next through polices and consent forms for over 25 years now whithout even giving it a second though. we're in over our heads now and it is a little late to back out. this was al dine by design and all voluntarily. its crazy how marketing is evil.
a cabin in the woods is the easiest and most secure thing one can do. anything shy of that is a waste of time and a false feeling of privacy.
anyways I'm going around in circles now.
one thing for sure is that the criminals we think that we need cover from are not who we think they are.
they are the FCC dealing with big telcos, they are the big media giants spewing false information and fabricates facts. they are in our governments in the highest ranks pushing hidden agendas and most of all they are the big social media platforms remodeling our society each day under our noses at our expense.
but hey this is not new. the internet police is just tring to make you think it is and spend 9.99$ a month for a vpn lol
good luck.
I just stopped using as many Google apps as I can and switched over to MS Office apps and use Samsung services where I can too...
bober10113 said:
leave it up to them yandex russians to protect your privacy.
but seriously. the most dangerous thing you can do is acctualy think that the steps you take are really making your life private.
vpns just channel the traffic to an other end point and does the queries for you then sends the data encrypted to you.
the queries are still made on the www. account info and all things you store or access online is still accessible by the www. vpn companies just fool you into thinking that the data being relayed to you is the only weak link. plus the free ones mine your data.
best thing you can do is not use social media. its made to invade your privacy. its designed to fool you into giving as much of your personal life info as possible and sell your habits to add companies so they can in turn send you quatered adds.
the minute you use the internet you void your privacy regardless of how you think the measures you take are working or effective. and what are you going to do about the 100 and 1000's of companies being hacked and their data mined and sold every month? you cant do anything about that. plus its much better for hackers to get their info from a big company because you get much more than just 1 dude that does his banking online and chat every now and then.there is no money to be made from 1 individual.
if you think people are specifically after you, you are gravely being fooled by the vpn ad campaigns that have been poping up everywhere about "privacy".( they must hide the fact that they also get hacked very well.its just that the media hasint picked up on it yet)
anyways who want to waste time on an end user/device?
when again you just need to hack equifax like a few years back and you get the motherload instead.
all in all I've abandoned the thought of real privacy. its futile.( even abstinents dosen't work because companies and governments don't secure customer data correctly. and unfortunately if you are born, you must be branded and labeled and filed away.)
live your life. just know that what ever you do you can't escape big brother and your data from being leaked by the big companies that say that it is secured with them.
the whole infrascturuce relies on them companies and the habits we have been embraining ourselves and our children with is the problem.. we live our lives intertwined with the services and devices that we take for granted and have clicked next next next through polices and consent forms for over 25 years now whithout even giving it a second though. we're in over our heads now and it is a little late to back out. this was al dine by design and all voluntarily. its crazy how marketing is evil.
a cabin in the woods is the easiest and most secure thing one can do. anything shy of that is a waste of time and a false feeling of privacy.
anyways I'm going around in circles now.
one thing for sure is that the criminals we think that we need cover from are not who we think they are.
they are the FCC dealing with big telcos, they are the big media giants spewing false information and fabricates facts. they are in our governments in the highest ranks pushing hidden agendas and most of all they are the big social media platforms remodeling our society each day under our noses at our expense.
but hey this is not new. the internet police is just tring to make you think it is and spend 9.99$ a month for a vpn lol
good luck.
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Click to collapse
Oy vey! Thank you very much for yor contribution. It is very much appreciated and I see what you are saying.
AndroidUser00110001 said:
I just stopped using as many Google apps as I can and switched over to MS Office apps and use Samsung services where I can too...
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Click to collapse
How has this been working out for you? What are your thoughts on Samsung's and Microsoft privacy policies etc?
Nonetheless, what are some good and viable alternatives to Google and optimally "securing" one's device (taking everything bober10113 has said).
michel5891 said:
How has this been working out for you? What are your thoughts on Samsung's and Microsoft privacy policies etc?
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Click to collapse
Like the other poster said, I gave up on worrying about privacy. I made the switch for other reasons and privacy was down on the list...
I just do not like what Goolge has been doing lately, especially blocking ad blockers soon in Chrome so I switched to MS Edge on Android and the Chromium version of Edge for desktop and the rest of the apps just followed through. I am seeing how the switch works for myself and if all goes well I will switch back to MS for the small company I work for.
I gave up on Gmail, Google Drive and all their office apps so far and I stopped using Nexus/Pixel phones for the first time in 10 years. I started with the S9+ which I enjoyed for a couple of months and then got a Note9 during a holiday special and now I cannot wait for the Note10.
Privacy is what it is nowadays... We should all own our data and if we choose to let be used as companies are doing now then we should get a slice of all the money being made but I doubt it will ever get to be something like that.
michel5891 said:
How has this been working out for you? What are your thoughts on Samsung's and Microsoft privacy policies etc?
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Click to collapse
I wouldn't think that they are any better than Google's. Majority of the companies out there that are international had to adhere to the EU rules of privacy, so a lot of them have adopted those standards. NOT ALL OF THEM. That's why all of a sudden you are getting new agreements from all the major companies that touch each section of land on the world.
I still don't trust any of them even to that point.
This is morbid. I have been thinking a lot more about death, debt, privacy and such, and I have come to the conclusion that I honestly don't care about my own anymore because it has been stolen, including my wife's. Future children though, I worry about them because you don't even have to mention their name on the internet and somehow every major company knows about them.
Ever had a conversation with someone without actually looking something up on the web, and then a day or two later Google and other ads start showing things concerning what you were talking about to someone in person? Yeah, it has happened to me numerous times now I can't even count anymore.
Jammol said:
Ever had a conversation with someone without actually looking something up on the web, and then a day or two later Google and other ads start showing things concerning what you were talking about to someone in person? Yeah, it has happened to me numerous times now I can't even count anymore.
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Click to collapse
YES!!! I noticed this a few months ago. My wife and I were talking about some random subject and BAM there it was in my Google discovery feed.
I mentioned that to her and she thought I was crazy until it happened again.
My friend was over last week, he mentioned something about a car he is fixing up and once again in my Google feed...
*EDIT*
I am not going to go as far as saying they are listening because my wife did say she looked up what we were talking about later on that day on her phone so I am guessing it is more GPS based then Google listening to give them the benefit of doubt for now. I need to ask my friend if he searched anything while here...
You want to De-Google your phone? Sell it and don't get an Android phone. Don't get an iPhone, either. In fact, get one of those huge car phones from the 80s. I can't add really anything that hasn't been said, other than some slight humor, but again, if you want privacy, stay off the internet.
AndroidUser00110001 said:
YES!!! I noticed this a few months ago. My wife and I were talking about some random subject and BAM there it was in my Google discovery feed.
I mentioned that to her and she thought I was crazy until it happened again.
My friend was over last week, he mentioned something about a car he is fixing up and once again in my Google feed...
*EDIT*
I am not going to go as far as saying they are listening because my wife did say she looked up what we were talking about later on that day on her phone so I am guessing it is more GPS based then Google listening to give them the benefit of doubt for now. I need to ask my friend if he searched anything while here...
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Click to collapse
This is what I'm trying to prevent. Exactly the same thing had happened to me. We were simply discussing an AC unit; never looked it up or mentioned the name of it and the exact make and model in the room we were in showed up.
michel5891 said:
This is what I'm trying to prevent. Exactly the same thing had happened to me. We were simply discussing an AC unit; never looked it up or mentioned the name of it and the exact make and model in the room we were in showed up.
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Click to collapse
Yeah it's super duper creepy. Funny thing is since I refreshed my Note 9 up to PIE, I haven't given assistant or google search any permission to use my microphone and I don't even have them setup!
this might help:
https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/6030020?co=GENIE.Platform=Android&hl=en
turn voice activity off. also check your history to see if it has any recording...

Patriotic, and seeking help from XDA developers to recapture some of my freedoms -- through diminishing personal information collection on my devices.

Completely computer code illiterate. Have some rudimentary knowledge of computer use ......but, .....that's about it.
Bought an LG V40 ThinQ, SKU: LMV405QA7 .AUSABK, in 2019 directly from the manufacturer. I never activated it, never used it. It's been sitting, brand new in the box, ever since. I didn't want to go the same route I did prior -- allowing all the outside control of my device -- facilitating all the snooping upon me, i.e. data collection of my private personal information ......and life.
I have spent the duration of time, since purchase of this phone, attempting to educate myself; as to, how to free myself of the surveilance on me by corporate America.
Unfortunately, I have since learned: the LG V40 was much more complicated to take control of, than other phones. Atleast, more than the general skill set of the layman would allow.
I am here seeking the knowledge and power of XDA's developers, to free myself, like so many others -- and protect what remain of my civil liberties, from the surveillance state.
Respectfully,
Alex
Welcome to XDA.
If you're concerned about privacy I would unlock the bootloader and install a custom ROM without Google services. It won't be perfect but a little less data will be transferred. Maybe something like a PinePhone would be better for privacy, or better yet an old time "dumbphone"...
You should be able to find most of the info you need in the LG V40 section of the forums. Check it out...
And just a heads-up: keep the politics off the forum. To quote the forum rules:
2.4 Personal attacks, racial, political and / or religious discussions: XDA is a discussion forum about certain mobile phones. Mobile phones are not racial, political, religious or personally offensive and therefore, none of these types of discussions are permitted on XDA.
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Click to collapse
Again, welcome and I hope you have a good experience here on XDA.
Step 1 - abandon or delete FB, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp etc accounts.
Extreme - Get burner phone with prepaid minutes paid with cash. Power down when not using. Don't use at home or familiar/same locations. Toss as needed, repeat
They use voice recognition algorithms so they can likely ID you by voice probably in real time.
NASA surveillance has been online for a while now... and is far more capable than they like you to know. It effectively has unlimited storage capacity for all voice calls, text, internet activity and more.
Didgeridoohan said:
Welcome to XDA.
If you're concerned about privacy I would unlock the bootloader and install a custom ROM without Google services. It won't be perfect but a little less data will be transferred. Maybe something like a PinePhone would be better for privacy, or better yet an old time "dumbphone"...
You should be able to find most of the info you need in the LG V40 section of the forums. Check it out...
And just a heads-up: keep the politics off the forum. To quote the forum rules:
Again, welcome and I hope you have a good experience here on XDA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you much for your reply, guidance, and help, Didgeridoohan.
I was happy to see, layman or not, I was, atleast, on the right track with some things. I have been utilizing the "dumb phones". Mostly, flip phones from yester-year; mostly a decade old or more. The problem I am running into with those: the 2G and 3G bands they operate on are being discontinued by more and more cellular providers. By some time in 2022, most of my dumb phones will nolonger be operational.
Regarding the Pine phone, is was nice to see, I was on the right track there. I will indeed continue to investigate that phone, and see what is possible there.
I'd love to unlock the bootloader of my LG V40, and install that Googleless ROM, as suggested. It looks pretty complicated to accomplish though, on a LG V40 (unlocked, US version); and, I am a likely brick candidate, if there ever was one. Hoping to figure out what is possible for me by talking to you guys; then, move on from there, to what I can safely accomplish myself.
I'd love to get Microsoft and Google off my machines and devices; and, still have decent avenues to keep doing the stuff I have been doing. Speaking of which, any recommendations for the computer programming ignorant and novice still wanting near Microsoft OS capability and functionality, without all the snooping, in a replacement OS for their desktop and laptop??
Thanks Didgeridoohan,
ALEX
Take the PC offline. Use Android for interfacing with the internet. It's far less likely to be compromised or infected by malware.
Use Karma Firewall to see what's connecting and where to, block if needed. Fully functional on Pie and below, freeware that uses almost no battery.
&
Try this:
blackhawk said:
Step 1 - abandon or delete FB, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp etc accounts.
Extreme - Get burner phone with prepaid minutes paid with cash. Power down when not using. Don't use at home or familiar/same locations. Toss as needed, repeat
They use voice recognition algorithms so they can likely ID you by voice probably in real time.
NASA surveillance has been online for a while now... and is far more capable than they like you to know. It effectively has unlimited storage capacity for all voice calls, text, internet activity and more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the empowerment Black Hawk.
Definitely understand why you are calling my attention to the social media apps ......what aren't they collecting about your communications with others?!
I as well understand: why you are steering me towards prepaid phone accounts, funded in cash only. I additionally understand why you are suggesting keeping my phone powered off, and using it only in unfrequented places. Lastly, getting rid of the device, and starting over with a fresh device periodically, understand as well. All powerful recommendations, if higher levels of privacy are valued. Thank you much!
NASA surveillance, and their capabilities .......effectly, databasing any and all forms of communication between human beings .......is scary stuff. I only wonder: who has access, for what purposes; and, does this access include private corporations .......and what might those corporations be using this database for?
I am continuing to review and think about your latest suggestions, and will comment later. How may I private message you, if possible, and you allow it?
Your input has been greatly appreciated, my friend.
ALEX
ThankGod 4 XDA developers said:
Thank you for the empowerment Black Hawk.
Definitely understand why you are calling my attention to the social media apps ......what aren't they collecting about your communications with others?!
I as well understand: why you are steering me towards prepaid phone accounts, funded in cash only. I additionally understand why you are suggesting keeping my phone powered off, and using it only in unfrequented places. Lastly, getting rid of the device, and starting over with a fresh device periodically, understand as well. All powerful recommendations, if higher levels of privacy are valued. Thank you much!
NASA surveillance, and their capabilities .......effectly, databasing any and all forms of communication between human beings .......is scary stuff. I only wonder: who has access, for what purposes; and, does this access include private corporations .......and what might those corporations be using this database for?
I am continuing to review and think about your latest suggestions, and will comment later. How may I private message you, if possible, and you allow it?
Your input has been greatly appreciated, my friend.
ALEX
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm being somewhat sarcastic about the paid phone apps. Really if you are under their suspicion and a high value target... they can be quit adaptable with a lot of resources at their disposal.
I wasn't being sarcastic about FB etc, pure poison. Don't dime yourself out... social malware.
blackhawk said:
Step 1 - abandon or delete FB, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp etc accounts.
Extreme - Get burner phone with prepaid minutes paid with cash. Power down when not using. Don't use at home or familiar/same locations. Toss as needed, repeat
They use voice recognition algorithms so they can likely ID you by voice probably in real time.
NASA surveillance has been online for a while now... and is far more capable than they like you to know. It effectively has unlimited storage capacity for all voice calls, text, internet activity and more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The usage of voice recognition technology, by the telecommunication companies, and others, is a real scary thing; and, I believe: most of the public is not aware of this fact. This technology, and its wide spread usage, across our telecommunication networks, represents a direct assault on our freedom of speech, and right to privacy, as we attempt to communicate privately with our fellow citizens, in a supposedly, free society. The fact, the government, and corporations operating in the private sector, have access to, and are scrutinizing, communications between private citizens, who have not been convicted in a court of law as being involved in criminal or terroristic activity; or, even had been benefit of the judicial process, as they are unknowingly being spied upon......is.....
...diabolical ..........and certainly, ............anti-American.
Well again this is a technical forum.
blackhawk said:
Take the PC offline. Use Android for interfacing with the internet. It's far less likely to be compromised or infected by malware.
Use Karma Firewall to see what's connecting and where to, block if needed. Fully functional on Pie and below, freeware that uses almost no battery.
&
Try this:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
blackhawk said:
I'm being somewhat sarcastic about the paid phone apps. Really if you are under their suspicion and a high value target... they can be quit adaptable with a lot of resources at their disposal.
I wasn't being sarcastic about FB etc, pure poison. Don't dime yourself out... social malware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand, now, you were being a little "tongue and cheeck" with me; but, I think: your recommendations still apply, for anyone trying to understand: what it would take, not to be tracked easily. I as well understand: later, what you were alluding to, and your overall point -- about the magnitude of surveillance resources that could be brought to bare against you; if, you were quite important, to substantial figures.
blackhawk said:
Take the PC offline. Use Android for interfacing with the internet. It's far less likely to be compromised or infected by malware.
Use Karma Firewall to see what's connecting and where to, block if needed. Fully functional on Pie and below, freeware that uses almost no battery.
&
Try this:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the gold nugget of info on this protection mechanism. I will certainly be checking this out!
Happy Halloween Black Hawk.
ALEX
ThankGod 4 XDA developers said:
I understand, now, you were being a little "tongue and cheeck" with me; but, I think: your recommendations still apply, for anyone trying to understand: what it would take, not to be tracked easily. I as well understand: later, what you were alluding to, and your overall point -- about the magnitude of surveillance resources that could be brought to bare against you; if, you were quite important, to substantial figures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly. My PC is always offline, but that's simply because it's mission doesn't require internet connection so it's a needless liability.
All else applies in that statement.
It's blackhawk...
Didgeridoohan said:
Welcome to XDA.
If you're concerned about privacy I would unlock the bootloader and install a custom ROM without Google services. It won't be perfect but a little less data will be transferred. Maybe something like a PinePhone would be better for privacy, or better yet an old time "dumbphone"...
You should be able to find most of the info you need in the LG V40 section of the forums. Check it out...
And just a heads-up: keep the politics off the forum. To quote the forum rules:
Again, welcome and I hope you have a good experience here on XDA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With all due respect, we live in a pervasive, corrupt corporate and political technocracy that has weaponized our phones, and all technology, to surveil and track our every move, views, opinions, activities, locations. The Borg is exempt from this illegal invasion of privacy and operates in secrecy with impunity for their tyrannical crimes against humanity. Ignoring this tragic reality is why our privacy, rights, and freedoms are all being stripped away. Those who bury their head in the sand and refuse to wake up to this travesty and resist on all relative platforms. Are useful idiot slaves who are playing right into their hands and are assimilated by the Borg! Just keeping it real because this harsh reality must be spread far and wide since capitulation is assimilation and assimilation is extermination. Comply and you Die!
Anti-Trans-Humanist said:
With all due respect, we live in a pervasive, corrupt corporate and political technocracy that has weaponized our phones, and all technology, to surveil and track our every move, views, opinions, activities, locations. The Borg is exempt from this illegal invasion of privacy and operates in secrecy with impunity for their tyrannical crimes against humanity. Ignoring this tragic reality is why our privacy, rights, and freedoms are all being stripped away. Those who bury their head in the sand and refuse to wake up to this travesty and resist on all relative platforms. Are useful idiot slaves who are playing right into their hands and are assimilated by the Borg! Just keeping it real because this harsh reality must be spread far and wide since capitulation is assimilation and assimilation is eradication!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good thing that the Borg are fictitious then...
Still, my original statement stands: leave the politics out of any discussions/posts on XDA. It's perfectly possible to discuss privacy concerns without bringing up politics...
Didgeridoohan said:
Good thing that the Borg are fictitious then...
Still, my original statement stands: leave the politics out of any discussions/posts on XDA. It's perfectly possible to discuss privacy concerns without bringing up politics...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Obviously the Borg taken from Star Trek is fictitious but it's a single word representation of a conglomeration of secret societies. That includes the Freemasons, Jesuits, Illuminati and other psychopathic death cults with an anti human, genocidal agenda.
Your name implies you reside or are from Australia which is being overtaken and decimated by them. In part because the good people of Australia have fallen right into their trap. Which includes spinning and twisting words to subvert the truth and distort reality. Such as inferring the use of this fictitious title to describe a conglomeration of very real, nefarious, evil, elements. Ridiculously suggests I'm some psychotic conspiracy theorist that blurs the lines between truth and fiction.
The distinction's very clear to me because I'm awake to reality unlike the masses that are like lemmings running straight off a cliff to their death. I'll leave it at that.

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