[dba-Tech] VPN

Jim Lawrence accessd at shaw.ca
Thu May 31 13:47:53 CDT 2018 

"The data collection by the government is no where near as utilized as the data collection by big business." 

You are right. Private businesses are the companies that are acquiring and sharing the data with government agencies and these same private businesses are the entities that are supplying government with the expertise to utilize this data. Of course, none of this is altruistic as governments pay these companies fortunes for the feeds and analyst tools. The controversy around Cambridge Analytica, high-lights just how vulnerable the general populations is any agency who can gain unfettered access to everyones personal information... Direct mind control may be a fantasy but in the age of persuasion, mind re-direction is not.  

IMHO, personal information is just that, personal...it belongs to no one else. I initially brought up my concerns with our local Credit Union and now all banking transactions are made through a VPN and/or SSH/SSL connection. :-) A good start as far as I am concerned.

Governments don't like knowing that the general population can easily circumnavigate their surveillance. Cases like the FBI demanding a backdoor for all iPhones and all encryption for that matter and Russia's boneheaded attempt to stop the use of Telegram (one of my favourite message apps) and for a few days much of their internet was down and there were thousands of people in the streets before restrictions were rolled back... If governments don't want unrestricted access to everything why do they demand it? What is their ultimate goal? 

With unlimited power (and control) comes unlimited corruption and there goes the dream of being a Democracy.  

Jim
 
----- Original Message -----
From: "John R Bartow" <jbartow at winhaven.net>
To: "Discussion of Hardware and Software issues" databaseadvisors.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2018 10:54:54 AM
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] VPN

The data collection by the government is no where near as utilized as the data collection by big business. Even if the normal person were to use a vpn "service" as they're selling on TV these days, they wouldn't know  how to keep quiet about themselves. They'd go to social media and online shopping sites, etc. where they'd give out enough information that the tracking could continue. 

Other than secure business vpns, the other reason I can see to use a vpn service is to get around national blocks of information access. That is not something we in the USA have to worry about our government doing but we do have businesses doing this - such as streaming media sites, etc.

-----Original Message-----
From: dba-Tech databaseadvisors.com> On Behalf Of Jim Lawrence
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2018 12:37 PM
To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues databaseadvisors.com>
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] VPN

I could not let this post go by without a comment or two. ;-)

I think media, security companies and even our governments are all driving this paranoia. Media likes click-bait, security companies look for every avenue (scam) to effectively, steal a little more money and governments love to direct the citizenry to the latest enemy. Most of it is a big game.

OTOH, government is consuming all our data. That is a fact and not an opinion. The safety feature is that there is so much data that there is neither the applications or super computers capable of managing it. One day there will be but it is hoped that there will also be protections; constitutional amendments, rigid laws and honourable people protecting everyone's privacy when this all becomes a reality.

Aside: IMHO, as for Linux/Unix, at the risk of sounding arrogant, I have heard of hacks to systems but I have never personally witnessed a single desktop security breach, in over twenty years. Most of our problems are from basic ignorance and laziness of the simplest protections and weak structural design and implementation of our networks.
 
Jim  

----- Original Message -----
From: "John R Bartow" <jbartow at winhaven.net>
To: "Discussion of Hardware and Software issues" databaseadvisors.com>
Sent: Monday, May 28, 2018 1:34:22 PM
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] VPN

Gustav,
As I understand it, you use your vpn for business purpose, to create a secure network connection through the internet between offices. That's the traditional use. We do the same.

Recently there has been an onslaught of advertising in the USA which tells people that they should use a VPN service for privacy sake. They are riding on the idea of "Big Brother" paranoia syndrome many Americans seem to have. The typical person has no idea what its all about.

Its a con job similar to the "Fix Me Stick" which tells people they cant avoid being infected they can only clean it up with this Linux based security cleaner for $19.95. (In the fine print is that a one year subscription is $69.95.)

Sent from my Windows Phone
________________________________
From: Gustav Brock<mailto:gustav at cactus.dk>
Sent: ‎5/‎28/‎2018 3:22 PM
To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues<mailto:dba-tech at databaseadvisors.com>
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] VPN

Hi John

We use a VPN connection (set up on the router level), not a VPN service.
Secure DNS is not about VPN but … well, you have guessed it by now.

/gustav

________________________________________
Fra: dba-Tech databaseadvisors.com> på vegne af John Bartow <jbartow at winhaven.net>
Sendt: 28. maj 2018 20:03:26
Til: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues
Emne: Re: [dba-Tech] VPN

Those types of VPN services are for the very paranoid. I doubt you it the bill. On Windows 10: Edge, Bing, Adblockplus, Defender and a DNS filtering service. You may want to consider OpenDNS or CSIS. Most DNS based filtering services are similar. If you're using Avast uninstall that adware and use Defender.

On windows 8 & earlier defender isn't so robust so use a better malware scanner like VIPRE or Bitdefender and Firefox, Bing, Adblockplus and OpenDNS.

Sent from my Windows Phone
________________________________
From: Gustav Brock<mailto:gustav at cactus.dk>
Sent: ‎5/‎28/‎2018 11:35 AM
To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues<mailto:dba-tech at databaseadvisors.com>
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] VPN

Hi Rocky

If you wish to get rid of Google, use Edge. That's what we do. And don't listen to the Edge bashing; Edge is a superior browser.

We do run VPN but only between our two sites.
As for DNS, we use Secure DNS of CSIS:

https://csisgroup.com/prevent-secure-dns/

This is an outstanding and quite cheap service, blocking all kinds of malware sites. We use only this service, a standard firewall, the default Windows 10 Defender, and Edge with AdBlocker Plus - and host mail at Microsoft's Exhange Online with its effective spam filtering.
With this setup, and only the small fee to CSIS, we haven't seen malware for five or more years.

CSIS is, by the way, the Danish player in the international network of expert corporations fighting all sorts of malware and criminal network activities.

/gustav

-----Oprindelig meddelelse-----
Fra: dba-Tech [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] På vegne af Rocky Smolin
Sendt: 28. maj 2018 18:02
Til: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues' databaseadvisors.com>
Emne: Re: [dba-Tech] VPN

Hi Gustav:

I get default server dns-cac-1b-02.rr.com which makes sense - rr.com is a legacy from when Spectrum used to be Road Runner here.
Address starts 209. and ends .62

Am I safe from Google? Still, all those other people know about me.

I'm in a conflict about whether I care. So far I really haven't.  But now a lot of people are telling me I should (same people that are trying to sell me something, of course. But still...)

Do you run a VPN?

R


-----Original Message-----
From: dba-Tech [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Gustav Brock
Sent: Monday, May 28, 2018 12:44 AM
To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] VPN

Hi Rocky

Normally, that is defined in the DHCP server, and this typically is running in your router.
In a Command window, type NsLookup, and it will list your default DNS server.

/gustav

-----Oprindelig meddelelse-----
Fra: dba-Tech [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] På vegne af Rocky Smolin
Sendt: 28. maj 2018 00:36
Til: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues'
databaseadvisors.com>
Emne: Re: [dba-Tech] VPN

Gustav:

How do I know of I'm using Google's DNS and how do I change it?

Even at that point, doesn't Firefox know stuff about me?  And my ISP, GoDaddy?  And sites I visit?

Thanks

R

-----Original Message-----
From: dba-Tech [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Gustav Brock
Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2018 11:19 AM
To: List; 'Off Topic'
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] VPN

Hi Rocky

If you use the Google DNS servers (8.8.8.8) - which many do for reasons I yet have to understand - Google knows all (as in all) about your browsing.

So, use the DNS of your ISP and use Edge with an In Private session for a start.

Save your money until you know a reason for spending them.

/gustav

________________________________________
Fra: dba-Tech databaseadvisors.com> på vegne af Rocky Smolin <rockysmolin at bchacc.com>
Sendt: 27. maj 2018 20:03:11
Til: List; 'Off Topic'
Emne: [dba-Tech] VPN

I'm getting nagged by Avast to use their VPN.  I'm seeing more ads and buzz about VPNs.  I'm not sure I have anything to hide, but the intrusiveness of Google and Microsoft make me want to anonymize myself.

But IIUC, my VPN provider still knows everything I do, yes?  So aren't I just switching several repositories of my on-line activity to one specific vendor whom I will have to trust?

r

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