shadowyprincepainter

[shadowyprincepainter]

Part 2: Linux

So, I've installed Linux. I am now a Linux Mint user, for about 1 day. Why Linux mint? Well, I'm not 100% sure, I mainly just wanted to try it out again after so long since the last time I used it. It doesn't feel too different from what I remember.

Now, why did I decide to use Linux over Windows? I actually benefit from Linux in quite a few ways. It's a lot easier to program on than Windows for one, and also it's generally better for running servers from; that's not what this blog is about, though.

Linux is better for me because of it's open source nature and its lack of telemetry. It's also better for security because I won't be accidentally clicking a virus link to download my software.

I would prefer to be using something like FreeBSD, but that's a bit too inconvenient for me right now, requiring a ton of setup just to get Steam working. Still, Linux is a fine middle ground between privacy and convenience.

However, the operating system you run is only one part of privacy, you aren't getting much out of Linux if you're still using proprietary apps, are logged in to a bunch of accounts, etc. I am currently still using regular old Firefox with a Mozilla account, I still am logged in to Google for YouTube and the likes. I will make posts about my progress as things change.

[shadowyprincepainter]

Part 1: Privacy

I have historically not been the most privacy concerned person in the world. I use a Google account, I'm logged in for just about everything I do on the internet, I've even occasionally put my real name out there. I am here to fix that; this is part 1 of my journey to privacy.

First, let me cover what I expect to accomplish from this.

Less accounts for different services, ideally only accounts that are absolutely necessary

No linking myself back to my real person and vice versa, no linking my real person to online activity.

Limit my use of big tech sites like Google, Microsoft, etc.

Be more security conscious.

I generally use the term privacy, but I would say that there are three pillars overall: security, privacy, and anonymity.

But what are these pillars? Let's take a look at each of them to find out what I should take steps towards

Security

Security is fairly straight forward conceptually, yet is an ever increasing threat in the world. Security means avoiding letting people find your secrets essentially. You do not want hackers knowing your passwords. I will employ basic security tactics such as having unique, randomly generated passwords for each service, potentially using 2FA, etc. I want to make sure that if one account has its information leaked the rest of my accounts are still safe.

Privacy

Privacy in my own terms means limiting the information you give to other people. This means using services that collect as little information about you as possible, and where they do, make it harder to find the truth. For instance, I don't really trust Tumblr all that much, I'm writing this inside of Tor. This means not using Google, not using Windows, avoiding telemetry where possible.

Anonymity

To me, this word means that you cannot tie me to me. Basically, you aren't gonna figure out who I am in real life through my internet activity, and you aren't gonna figure out who I am on the internet through my real life activity. The two persons shall forever be disconnected.

So, let's go over where I am currently, and where I hope to improve.

The Good

I currently use Firefox, this isn't exactly the best web browser for privacy, but it is certainly better than Google Chrome.

I don't use my real name for much of anything online.

I already have good security practices.

I am already fairly tech knowledgeable.

The Bad

I currently use Microsoft Windows.

I could use a better web browser, either a more hardened version of Firefox or a different web browser all together.

I have occasionally put my real name out there.

I use Mozilla's password manager, I plan to move over to a client side one since I trust no servers with my passwords.

I have used Google to sign up for services in the past (thankfully, nothing I truly care about).

There are some things I will never truly be able to escape. I don't think I can ever stop using Discord or Steam, those are simply too important to me; where there is some lack in privacy you can make up for in anonymity and security, and same goes the other way. Additionally, I have this stupid Google router which requires a Google account to configure anything with. Suffice it to say, I will either need to hack the router itself, buy a different one, or maybe build one myself, if I ever want to truly delete my Google account once and for all.