General Safe-Guarding YOURSELF ONLINE

[Gass]

Hello and Welcome to the Forums in your first post
I'll try them one by one to my logic in anything I can offer you.

@Gass Although I agree with your post at large, it's the solution that bothers me.
Consider an average user, a layman, I don't think you can expect them to know the intricacies of softwares like TOR and VPN.
How to setup the system and then configure it in a way, that it doesn't hamper your overall web browsing experience.

Oh I do and it's the driving force to posting topics for their knowledge and a medium for discussions, seeing news and alerts, to an basic understanding it's all tied together in a way - for their benefit to comprehend such issues exists with their own on-line use to their privacy.
Though if having Adguard installed their proficient in some degree to an application for privacy and of understanding the basics here, as well to their online privacy needs.

Your probably right about TOR (as I've not gone there), but I've read it's to best leave it as a default setup and/or not touching it's installed default settings after the install, being as generic as all the other users of it then - possibly the "TOR Browser" here as well, as I've said I've not gone there - only reading of it. So it's not exactly clear to me.

On the other hand a VPN (in modern today VPN's), most all have client side installations and don't require a system's network approach to changing any settings or using them in that way.
These VPN clients (software client installs on your system), require very little tweaking in settings and it's a set and forget other than changing where you want to appear your connecting from the servers it's to offer.
The better VPN providers will tell you what to consider/change to be set in them for better security of their use on your computer, or mobile device.
VPNs really don't slow your network connects down (I've a slow Mobile Data hotspot connection to PC)-(1 bar showing most all the time) and except for streaming this or that, it's about the same either way / using a VPN or not. I can and do live with it as it's the cheapest way to get online for me.
By the way, I use this VPN mostly for it's encryption of my whole PC's network and to hiding my IP, then again, I don't find a need to go to another continent 3,000 miles away either to connect to a node/server there for my internet usage.

The major block in adopting the technologies you mentioned is that they are slow. or involve process like not having javascript enabled at some places.
To a layman that's too much to work with. He would have to constantly work around problems, which IMO will only frustrate him to a point that he will most likely return to his earlier setup despite the privacy risk.

Only of TOR I'd expect it to mess with your speed because of the way it works, would do as well in this other area (javascript) and possibly any kind of Browser Extensions (Privacy Badger, DoNotTrackMe, NoScript, ScriptSafe, etc...) that have the ability to mess with a sites javascript delivery.
As for ones connection speed with a VPN, that was covered above, unless you've meant of the users own ability to technology adaption - being slow? Depends on howa hungry they are and where they want to be with their online privacy, as much as they can with any methods, to their understanding it and to muster in a viable benefit to themselves, laymen's or not.

Although not the simplest of method but an easy one would be to encrypt your dns using something like dnscrypt proxy. That does away with all the things I mentioned in the para above. What's more it's a one time setup and forget thing. For a layman, that would be the best of the lot. And it's free.

Right above in my post #32 [Of Note:
Please note that DNSCrypt is not a replacement for a VPN, as it only authenticates DNS traffic, and doesn't prevent third-party DNS resolvers from logging your activity.

By design, the TLS protocol, as used in HTTPS and HTTP/2, leaks websites host names in plain text, so DNSCrypt is not enough to hide this information.]
As this was quoted from their site https://dnscrypt.org/

Although they are fundamentally different, VPNs and proxies have a single thing in common - they both allow you to appear as if you are connecting to the internet from another location, then I'm sure if not for that single shared appearance of a connection from another location/masking your IP. It's like comparing apples to oranges otherwise for ones own network online privacy going through an encryption tunnel as only a VPN is to offer..

What I understand in the difference of proxy and a VPN - is a proxy is only working on a web browser based functions and a VPN is a system wide effect to your network of anything on your system connecting to the internet, every single application on your computer from your web browser to your online games to even Windows Update running in the background - everything.

This entire VPN process is all passed through a heavily encrypted tunnel between your computer and the remote network. This makes a VPN connection the most ideal solution for any sort of high-stakes network use where privacy or security is of your concerns.
Bottom line:
A VPN provides security by encrypting your network connections from your PC/device to the VPN Node/server.
Generally a Proxy doesn't provide encryption, therefore unauthorized 3rd parties can easily intercept your communication and access your private data, such as usernames/passwords, websites you visit and emails. I feel this is the case in using DNSCrypt as well, (as it has stated in it's own words), "DNSCrypt is not a replacement for a VPN, as it only authenticates DNS traffic, and doesn't prevent third-party DNS resolvers from logging your activity".

VPN can offer the feature to send DNS requests to it's own DNS server, then all DNS requests are sent through the encrypted VPN tunnel direct to your VPN provider’s DNS servers.
Though, most VPN providers run their own dedicated DNS servers in order to perform this DNS translation task themselves, but some make use of public DNS services such as Google DNS instead, and then don't offer their subscribers use of their own self run private DNS resolvers.
So choosing a VPN and understanding these differences would be advised...

[What do you think?

I like your reasoning and logic, to spell it out and that's what this THREAD IS FOR - Technical inexperienced, as well as advanced users in any degree to convey any helpful understanding and knowledge - that's factual based.
We were all here/there once - green as grass, and to digest ones reading into an understanding, and then in gaining the practical ability to it's execution - is at ones own pace. I'm personally not where I'd like to be, but I'm not at the bottom step of technologies growing ladder, and in my own knowledge to online privacy - so I hope you'll agree.
Thanks, and welcome aboard...

EDITED:

Gass

 

[The Commissioner]

Hello and Welcome to the Forums and especially my Thread in your first post

Thank you for the welcome

Oh I do, and if having Adguard installed their proficient to some degree in an application and of understanding the basics as well.

Ah, missing a point here, it's not about how many install Adguard, it's about how many move away(fiddle) with settings other than the default ones. I bet the lot that does configure Adguard to his/her personalized use is still a minority. So, it's not only about installing the software, per say, it's about the configuration that happens afterwards that's the deal.

On the other hand a VPN (modern today VPN's) mostly have client side installations and require very little tweaking and really don't slow your network connects down (I've a slow Mobile Data hotspot connection to PC)-(1 bar showing most all the time) and except for streaming this or that, it's about the same either way / using a VPN or not. I can and do live with it as it's the cheapest way to get online for me.

Going by your status update, I'm assuming you are in the U.S.
If that's true than you would agree with me that your country is very well equipped in terms of infrastructure/servers related to VPNs.
Sadly, that's not true for all of the world and if more and more of the people are using a particular server/location, than the server hogs and starts showing signs of lagging.
There are countries which do not have even 1 VPN server located near them. They are mostly being rounded off the U.S or Europe because that's where most of the servers are. So imagine the distance data has to travel to ping properly and be routed.
Another thing with VPNs is that if you are unknown to them, it might make your bank suspicious, your email, facebook and what not accounts to close down till you verify the account. Imagine, a layman, not knowing all this and having this annoyance in front of him every time, (s)he is trying to access one of the aforementioned accounts.

Right above in my post #32 [Of Note:
Please note that DNSCrypt is not a replacement for a VPN, as it only authenticates DNS traffic, and doesn't prevent third-party DNS resolvers from logging your activity.

By design, the TLS protocol, as used in HTTPS and HTTP/2, leaks websites host names in plain text, so DNSCrypt is not enough to hide this information.]
As this was quoted from their site https://dnscrypt.org/

Sorry, missed the above post completely, just happen to have a look at the last reply on the topic.
I agree that DNScrypt is not a perfect solution but is it an easy, Robin-hoodie type of software for a common man? I would say so.
Besides, it's not like every software is perfect but it has to evolve over time. No software is complete in itself.

I like your reasoning and logic to spell it out and that's what this THREAD IS FOR - Technical inexperience, as well as advanced users in any degree to convey any helpful understanding and knowledge.

I have largely been speaking of the former, i.e the technically inexperienced lot. Because that is where the problem arises. Advance user always know their way around and probably are using more advanced methods that the ones mentioned here.

Thank you

 

[Gass]

@The Commissioner
You've raised a fair amount of counter points - with good Intel of specific circumstances - again that's what I wished this thread is to be used for, then any knowledge to override-circumvent-workaround the obstacles and in a point blank - bottom line factual based method to help each other out to shared knowledge. All legal means - nothing dishonest.

Then Barring the need to have everyone moving to a good location (being our next door neighbors), as the web makes us all connected neighbors, even if thousands miles away from each other.

I do admit I'm an experimenter at heart, and have harped on Adguard Team to spell out what all the setting do and mean to the user (Windows version). Pointed out all the old scattered details-knowledge chains in links of being covered to any thing related in Adguard's features (at that time were lacking and old), as they didn't cover many new advancements in changes and new features coming on stag after an update to the programs - and they've (Adguard) since have brought out the new central core of a Knowledge Base Article combining all the OS platforms and of each one in their features set offing this up in one site now of a Adguard KB name.
https://kb.adguard.com/en

Herd from them as you "many will just accept the default install methods" and not fiddle-tinker with any settings. In possibly to harding it by the setting offered beyond any installed defaults to further protections in the users own privacy at large.

Can you imagine a world like that - if everybody had the same outlook / we wouldn't have a choice and everybody would be living as a clone in lifestyle to the other person as close as a touch or 50,000 miles away. Boring to say anything in a description of this protocol dependency.

Not a minority or majority to any understanding, but everyone being this way - all designed thoughts forgoing a personal point of view, as the class or structured sphere would bring, being nothing offered in distinctions by variations to know any difference of a fact to choice. Except for differences of people and their geolocations - then i.e. - we'd all be expected to eat hash for every meal. No chicken, fish or beef - hashed as one thought being offered, as we'd all be expected in a lumped together confused state of ourselves to act as one refined mix to excepting one value for all.

Why have any additional settings offered then in a dim scenario of enslavement. Because we're not enslaved and by choice - of products need features and additional settings beyond basic install, usage being offered, to attract and appeal to us in a choice of distinctions in one from the other. Not everyone will wear same shoes, drive same autos, and wear same hats or pants.
But for those thing that are offered (such as software) and even hardware we can make it distinct to ourselves by tweaking-fiddling-tinkering with internals or externals, by adjusting/adding features, or to the actual adjustment in setting in the supplied feature set past their defaults.

I see your points and think their very good - but - I hope you can see my generalized points too.

The internet and all it's parasites are not fair and the world for that matter neither. I only wish they were, but being their not, then lets shed light on how to make it better for us now - as we can understand to in helping, answer anyone's questions, pointing out important facts, as I hope you'll often offer answers here for others.
Pointing out internet privacy and security things to be aware of for the current recent past or as being new as they come to light.

I've been wrong before and I'm not without my own faults and/or limited in practicing of a technology's based principles concept, I'm picking up things every week to hum, study and learn about. Then when something is discussed and I hope we can have a wide based audience, and then to open debates in issues of a pro or con fact basis - then with that in mind there's always going to be a friendly good knowledge shared as well being gained/learned.
EDITED:

 

[The Commissioner]

First of all I feel that that Adguard kb articles don't cover whole of the points.

With regards to managing a software, I got reminded of a situation my friend told me:-
There are three kinds of people in software world- one who would just use the default,as is provided settings; two - who would configure the software according to their needs and after understanding the nuances of the each and every option; and then there is the third kind - the one who ticks all the options provided to him/her just because it looks nice. The last is the dangerous kind of them all - (s)he in the name of having all the features may just have made his computing life all the more miserable. He wouldn't even know what is causing what problem. And then he would blame the software for being the mischief. Even in Adguard, if you enable all the options in Stealth mode without knowing the consequences, sooner or later (s)he would be in trouble.

Ofcourse, I'm all for configuring but you'll see no developer mentioning each and every point, it's pros and cons on their site or forums. What they would do is to provide the simple best case scenario through the default settings.

Thanks.

 

[Gass]

@The Commissioner
I never said the AG Knowledge Base Article was complete or meant to infer it was (as it's a good works in progress still), but and it's a BIG one, it's covering more to what's in Adguard now and to being more consistent/current of the releases in any advancements from Win. version 5.9 onward. Some scattered information I'd found before was 3 years old by the time v 5.9 was released and then most had a defunct value or lacking contribution to the current knowledge of it's features or elements discontinued by then.

I can understand that - if your finding it lacking and to have a root cause, maybe you could start a Thread in off-topics and state - What you'd like to be offered in the KB and ask for other users and forum members to contribute to the thread for Adguard's KB to grow in specific covered knowledge's.

It's a good KB foundation of all the AG's platforms being in it's coverage and the first floor to each platform is mostly complete, in time there may be a 2nd and/or 3rd floor in specific detailed descriptions and possibly a Q's and A's section to each one before the roofs on. Still for some right now, the AG KB is a place to visit and some to just hang out, others may live there awhile going end to end.

I think it's much better to have a central hub with an Adguard tree in everything related to it's name in products (I applaud their decision in doing it this way), than as it was before by a user having experienced and seen - as in being a nomad in a lost land to finding anything out and then that old knowledge watering hole was dry. Besides the forums have always been here to ask questions of anything related to understanding AG. @avatar, @vasily_bagirov and @Boo Berry comes around to answer for most everything asked in under-the-hood Adguard related questions and troubles one has.

It's really nice (I Can't Stress This Enough), that we now have one central based tree to knowledge about Adguard - YEA ! ! ! You would of had to have been here before to know how fortunate we all are...
For instance: When 6.0 hit release we had no ideal of what Stealth Mode was except the blog post announcing it was added in 6.0 as a new feature, but only an outline to understanding some meanings of it's use. Look at some of my very early posts on this subject.


No, the pro's and con's are to come from the users that understands these software's by their own use and reviews, contributions to it - and not specifically of a developer of them, as that's the one to doubt in any generalized statements towards it, in non-factual conversations about their own baby. Adguard's a small team and listens - I mean really listen to their users in their own words and meanings expressed to improve their baby for the betterment and in any areas to advancements...
I was with ad muncher before and had years of promises to a new single update. Ha, I got a chance to ditch it and the web's wind of word about Adguard and haven't looked back since.
Only knowing of the bad can you somewhat understand the good when the light makes the path clear.


So which one are you #1 or #2 or #3 user type ???
A surface dweller or a waist wader, or the last - full break and throttle / peddle to the metal.

It's so much a trait in human nature to judge and speak mostly of ones dislikes, view with suspicion, act or talk negatively about others around us and in our lives / the web has made this more apparent, as we now don't have to be or live close, to know personally, anyone that we can now do this too.

It's was only (before the internet) and I hope it still is - that you get to a point of your life, where you've relived your yesterdays in memory, and that these are the most meaningful to you now, and then all those dislikes with all that negativity that were part of those in your past days history so much so, just seem to fade as your only recall is of pleasant ones you've lived. But do remember you've impressed on someone your bad traits, and if/in doing so it was on the web it can live on. Beside harming and scaring others by these actions then, you may now feel some remorse even contrite. Only at that point in age and disposition do you realize that life is short and seek out any of the pleasures left afforded to your footsteps... Helping others now is one of the most rewarding pleasures easily conferred to others and then in being bright beacon to the young others by your actions as a living example.

This is only my perception of things - I'm not telling anyone of a must do or a forget it - I'm not in a suasion of merit, I just try to listen of what's happening and try to help best I can, as I would need or want from someone else in my times of problems or trouble. To spread the word in cautions and to alert of things to consider and ways one might safeguard themselves.
I happen to own my self's misfortunes and misdeeds solely, it's not seen by me as anyone else's fault, besides this helps me to grow, learn and know that of my own personal timeline and where it's drawn
EDITED:
Gass

 

[The Commissioner]

Ah, my mistake. I should have mentioned that I was not speaking of Adguard in particular, it was just a mere example because we were on the AG forum. Please read my comment again in the larger context of softwares as a whole.

I mean really listen to their users to improve the their baby...

Just curious to know are you the one who prefer bug fixing over feature introduction? Or is it the other way round?

Only knowing the bad can you understand the good.

Totally agree with you on this point. But that also means that you have tried atleast a couple of alternatives, see the pros and cons as per your using and then figure out the best of the pack that fits your need. Again, for a layman that maybe too much I think. But that's just my opinion.

So which one are you #1 or #2 or #3 user type ???

I would leave it to your imagination. What do you think?

It's human nature to judge and speak mostly of ones dislikes - till you get to a point of your life were lived yesterdays are the most meaningful, and then those dislikes of those past days seem to fade as your only recall is of pleasant ones.
At that point you realize that life is short and seek out the pleasures left to your footsteps...
This is only my perception of things - I'm not telling anyone a must or forget it, I just listen and try to help best I can as I would need or want from someone else in my times of trouble.
I own my misfortunes and misdeeds, it helps me to know the line and where it's drawn

I am assuming here you're speaking of life in general and not related to any software in particular.
Here my viewpoint would be -why should I as a human being be satisfied?
Why should I not aim for more greater things?
If I am satisfied that zeal, enthusiasm is dead within me, which is the path to innovation.
If the world would to be satisfied with 14kbps internet speed, we would still be crawling and the IoTs would have never existed or even heard of.
It's only because we aimed for better things that we are what we are today(although at what expense is questionable).

I have been taught of two types of criticism:-
Positive and negative. People say that the first type is good and the second not so much. But for me both are important. The second one comes into play when the first one has failed. So, it's OK to dislike IMO. What isn't ok is to keep clinging on them.

Regards

 

[Gass]

Ah, my mistake. I should have mentioned that I was not speaking of Adguard in particular, it was just a mere example because we were on the AG forum. Please read my comment again in the larger context of softwares as a whole.

The Threads topic has to be observed somewhat as not drift to far, so coming back on topic from any thoughts in other directions in what you want to say is fair.
Small chat is best for PM's, but I can understand your statements and questions and your alright.

Just curious to know are you the one who prefer bug fixing over feature introduction? Or is it the other way round?

Mostly the latter as I want privacy and fingerprinting is the worst offender right now I know of, but big corportations have other means to tracking - linking online sale viewing to brick and motar store purchases. Anything off the computer I'm a hands on fixer, I've wrenched all my own stuff - built from scratch of ideals and troubleshooting to completion when 1st, 2nd, 3 times failed.

Totally agree with you on this point. But that also means that you have tried atleast a couple of alternatives, see the pros and cons as per your using and then figure out the best of the pack that fits your need. Again, for a layman that maybe too much I think. But that's just my opinion.

Everybody has to start somewhere, if you've decided not to decide - then you've still made a decision.
Research, reviews, trial and error for some folks, but to many people want something for nothing invested, the cost - exposure time - in decision making.
There would be no new innovation-inventions if all types were like this kind of layman / a layman's then problem would be to remain a cog in the gear of servitude.

I would leave it to your imagination. What do you think?

Probably as most youths started or some kindred haphazard tendency as 3, and then in total withdraw (restriction of sorts by authority or self imposed) to a 1 position time frame in life, and then found your equilibrium for a #2 position by experiencing the other two. Wait that was me...

I am assuming here you're speaking of life in general and not related to any software in particular.
Here my viewpoint would be -why should I as a human being be satisfied?
Why should I not aim for more greater things?
If I am satisfied that zeal, enthusiasm is dead within me, which is the path to innovation.
If the world would to be satisfied with 14kbps internet speed, we would still be crawling and the IoTs would have never existed or even heard of.
It's only because we aimed for better things that we are what we are today(although at what expense is questionable).

I have been taught of two types of criticism:-
Positive and negative. People say that the first type is good and the second not so much. But for me both are important. The second one comes into play when the first one has failed. So, it's OK to dislike IMO. What isn't ok is to keep clinging on them.

Regards

Your totally welcome to it in your views, as it makes you - you, some like no hair as bare and some like a full head and beard, some buy something on others review/advise alone - some make the hard choice decisions reading everything even all sides of the box.

Everything keeps the boredom at bay, but there are also the people having set needs, then the ones that make sport (derision) - when something is of a needs based and some in society makes sport of it just for their boredoms sake or from the entertainments from it, that is just wrong.
You didn't mention greed in your thought capsule, greed comes in all forms but most is considered in a monetary value, often being overlooked as simply desire.

The criticism point I did understand, (please forgive if I explore this further), but would seem to sway towards incongruous, as the aspect of positive and negative is at different pole ends of the same field mass.
Some would use the term of "constructive criticism", still I can't understand why - as any criticism is just that - of the act of passing judgment / a blanketed condemnation.

One who would live passively with a live and let live philosophy would accept any faults or weakness by overlooking them, considering the source with merits and conditions in any impressions thereof in respect to the circumstances.
Technology has good and bad (purpose-ideals) - just like the people using it - what's in your soul, and how do you look and react at/to life. People will get a reading on this from you, and you'll then draw in likewise 'karma" of what you've mostly reveal to others.
Please post some music you like in that thread - ok...
EDITED:

 

[The Commissioner]

Mostly the latter

I'm mostly the former type.

Probably as most started as 3 and then total withdraw (restriction of sorts) to 1 and then found you equilibrium for a #2 position.

Nah not my style.
I start every software as user no. 1 and eventually end up being the user #2.
Never seen light of user #3 here and probably never will.

Please post some music you like in that thread - ok...

I can post but you(probably others too) won't understand it.

 

[Gass]

@The Commissioner good then I hope to see Beta Tester under your user name here someday, Sir.
Where one starts with Adguard or any software - I guess depends on ones age and experiences, even age not the only thing to consider though. Sometimes I put something in hard review to see it's limit and know just for myself of it. But we both can agree a #3 type is not an enduring one to todays privacy issues and ones security.

It's helps to know your interests outside of AG, music is a safe way to express this and all is welcome to post any music there - do you only like one kind of music?
Even strange or cultural sounding music has a home there, Music is from the souls of the artists and that can touch another's soul, be a doctor in ill-bad times to others to enrich and happily a dark time. Introduce some to new forms of it (at least for themselves). I've said in a post, there are as many different kinds of music as there are people - we are the World /we are the People

 

[The Commissioner]

good then I hope to see Beta Tester under your user name here someday, Sir.

I don't think it's necessary to get that Beta User tag to Beta test here.
What are the advantages of beta testing here? Any rewards?
Why aren't you yourself one?

 

[Boo Berry]

What are the advantages of beta testing here? Any rewards?

Well, a free beta tester license for whatever you're testing?

But yeah, anyone can become a beta tester at any time without needing to apply; just enable beta updates within whatever app you're using (except the browser extensions).

 

[atif]

This site and this thread is so useful for me and for anyone to protect ourselves online.
Can someone summarize the key points of protecting ourselves online.

 

[Gass]

Hello and Welcome to the forums @atif
Thanks for your statement and question.

This can be a wide broad swath or in a pin point path to the results of what your asking and answers sought, even giving only a summary.
Everyone will have to decide what's best for themselves, and some may advise against certain things I'll suggest here.

Web Browsers a first line tier of defense.

I do consider this for my own online Privacy and Security in a pin point path, but in trying to answer your question - it's only of my personal preferences. There's always more to look at and understand, practice, implement and in different areas, as I've not covered in ensuring updates, harden settings in systems and secure OS - even virtual OS usage, firewall, browser extension, DNS, VPNs, etc, etc...
Again it's not for everyone - each one will have to decide for themselves, I see debates arising here of my protection methods mentioned, and would hope for anybody that would add a counter debate(s) to aid in their debate discussion by adding any factual information, that of their own personal preferences in browser(s) settings they are inclined to use, and importantly of why to their reasoning in it...
What's right for myself may not be right for anyone else.

1. Since the web browser(s) you'll use to actually get online - I'd consider them as a
first line tier of defense. So key points as requested
Use such settings then by usually going into their area - Settings > Privacy

A.) Ensure the unchecked or unticked status of the following sections - anything that looks to help you in the browsers online connections used.
-Use a webservice to help navigation errors.
-Use a prediction service to help complete searches and URL's typed in the address bar.
-Use a prediction service to load pages quickly.
-Use a service to help resolve spelling errors.
-Send anonymous usage statistics to help improve browser.
-Protect yourself and this device from dangerous sites.
-Send some system information and page content to your web browser to help detect dangerous app and sites.
@(Adguard offers this in fashion by ensuring that - Browsing Security>Enable Browsing Security.) @ (your anti-virus/malware most likely is offering this protect as well.)

B.) Ensure the checked or ticked status of the following selections.
+Clean the following selected items at exit (this needs to be checked for the rest to work).
+Browser history.
+Cached files.
+Cookies, site data, plugin data.
+Start up in Incognito mode

C.) Tracking Prevention Ensure the checked or ticked status of the following selections.
@(Adguard offers tracking preventions as well - Stealth Mode / here I'd ensure all are of a checked status are [enabled], except for Self-destructing first-party cookies, unless set to a rather high number for minutes {15+ depending the time your wanting to remain logged in at a site}).
@With that said, I've personally haven't seen a conflict, in these setting of the browser protections here as well.
+Send a Do Not Track" request with your browsing traffic.
+Block cross-domain HTTP referrer.
+Block social network javascript on third-part websites.
+Block Google ads on third-party websites.
+Replace indirect link in search engine results with direct link to original site.

D.) Passwords and Forms Data.
-All listings given here should be unchecked for your privacy.
@I'd advise, and You should be using a separate Password Manager program installed on your system or as that in a browser extension at least, both working in your browser for your login passwords, user name, form data - only having one Master Password to remember then for all of your other accounts login passwords, being kept encrypted on your system by your master password only you'll know. Still even using one of these methods, do Change your password regularly which can be achieved easily by your Password Manager of choice, in generating a new password and then changing this vital info. on your accounts sites, in rotation to a set time frame of use i.e. every 6 months or shorter lengths. Don't use the same password for any two account sites you are using, set passwords of 12 characters for 6 month purpose, even longer passwords of 20+ for up to a year purpose . . .

(unchecked status equals a - symbol, and checked status equals a + symbol, being used in the above settings).
Again Disabled equals a - symbol and Enabled equals a + symbol.

Your browser(s) may offer privacy settings of more or less features of these options I've covered, and then their actual wordage used may be different than I've listed in my suggestions.
If your not real sure that any options will harm your browsing experience, I'd start in Adguard setting first and adjust it's Stealth Mode settings and browse the web - seeing of their effects on your own browsing habits.
Then go into your browser settings and screen capture (image) or taking note of their defaults, and in working only one area of settings at a time making notes of the changes you've made or a screen capture (image) of changes, and testing your own browsing experience again.
Both Adguard and your web browser offer a Reset in Settings - back to their original defaults of installation.

Other areas outside of a web browser which complements privacy + , or can endanger your privacy - .

+Use a VPN - virtual private network, is designed to protect you not only from hackers, but from internet service providers.
+When possible, use two-factor authentication - Having the strongest usernames and passwords isn’t a failsafe method. If they are compromised, a hacker can easily access your online accounts.
+To prevent this, always enable two-factor authentication and ensure that another form of identity is required to access your online account.
+Check for HTTPS security padlock on any website you enter / Examine privacy policies and seals of websites you join, shop at, or comment/post on.
+Remember that only YOU decide what information about yourself to reveal in, when, why, and to whom - practicing that of only in a need to know bases certainly aids your privacy.
+Use bogus info. in security questions answers - if ever hacked it's vital info. easily picked up, like mother maiden name, enter these bogus answers in a Password Manager (mentioned above) for that site login listing in the notes or comment to have access and/or remembering it.
-Don't reveal personal details to strangers, in forum responses/posts or just-met "friends".
-Beware of sites that offer some sort of reward or prize in exchange for your contact information or other personal details, never give last 4 of SSN, surname, city of birth, birthday, zip code.
-Don't reply to Spam... Verify email validity before clicking on it... If you get spammed or unwanted email advertisements, certainly don't take the sender up on whatever kind of offer they are making, but also don't bother replying with "REMOVE" in the subject line, or their whatever (probably bogus- unsubscribe instructions you've been given). This simply confirms that your email address is being read by a real person, and you'll find yourself on dozens more spammers lists in no time.
-Simply by opening an unknown email from an unknown addressee can cause you harm, by acknowledging at the least to the sender - in knowing it's a working email address, and then any images contained in it being loading and shown also confirming this once again - to both the sender and the advertising firm supplying the images - Word to the wise, "Don't open it for a curiosity sake", not even if - a bill, statement, attachment, conformation package has shipped, etc... mark them all as spam or move it to the trash folder and delete from either one - if it's unexpected or the sender is unknown.
-Be cautious of public Wi-Fi.

Other sources of Info to consider-
The Ultimate Online Privacy Guide
https://www.bestvpn.com/privacy-news/the-ultimate-privacy-guide/
How to protect your online privacy
http://blog.ed.ted.com/2017/01/24/how-to-protect-your-online-privacy/
10 Ways to Protect Yourself Online
http://www.rd.com/advice/saving-money/10-ways-to-protect-yourself-online/
20 Best Tips to Stay Anonymous and Protect Your Online Privacy
https://www.extremetech.com/internet/180485-the-ultimate-guide-to-staying-anonymous-and-protecting-your-privacy-online

Download or printing off Info resource-
Protecting Yourself Online
https://www.ag.gov.au/RightsAndProtections/CyberSecurity/Documents/PDF - Protecting Yourself Online - Second Edition - Booklet.pdf

Gass

 

[user3]

What You Should Want to Know About WannaCry Infecting Linux

Several days have passed since WannaCry has wreaked havoc on the world with its clever use of an SMB exploit found within Windows, yet the malware continues making the news with new information and speculation surrounding its origins, its trajectory, and the potential for more massive attacks.

Some local press organizations around the world have even made wild claims about the virus, sometimes going as far as to say that a hostile foreign government is responsible. Wild assertions like these aside, there is one troubling piece of information that caught the attention suggesting that Linux is not immune to the WannaCry infection, and that’s just not completely true.

Should Linux Users Worry?
As long as you are not running applications like WINE as root and opening WannaCry through it, you shouldn’t worry about being infected. If you run applications as they are meant to run on Linux, they will do so under an enclosed system with certain restrictions. It is generally harder for an application to overstep the boundaries set for it by the Linux operating system than it would be under Windows. You’d have to practically try to infect yourself with the WannaCry worm in order to encounter any effect from it.

Just Remember to Be Cautious
When something running on Linux tries to get the operating system to do something with root privileges, it will ask you for your password. If you’ve used Linux for a long time, you’re probably already used to the password prompt appearing every time you update an application or install a new one. It’s just part of the daily grind. And if you get a password prompt out of nowhere, that should arouse your suspicion.

Just remember that although Linux is an armored tank, you are the driver. An operating system is a tool (this also applies to Windows, by the way - a hammer can be good, but it can hit your thumb as well!), and how you use it largely determines how safe you will be. Yes, Linux does a great job of protecting you from most threats, but it’s only doing seventy percent of the work. The rest of it has to come from your own vigilance.

Use the tool the way it is meant to be used and don’t get complacent. Most importantly, do not rely on convenience to complete a job. Don’t change folder permissions to a higher level than they should be. Do not run applications as root when they don’t need it. Follow these simple rules and you should be fine.

Edited slightly from the original Source: https://www.maketecheasier.com/wannacry-did-not-infect-linux/
Some good points in the comments there. . .

So, to sum up, don't try running M$ $oftware on Linux. *It doesn't work. WINE is & always has been a joke*. Or, even more simply put, *Micro$oft infects Linux. Linux doesn't infect Linux. ... *But* I'll go as far as to say that computers on which a Linux Distro is installed may get infected - *may* - but if the person running that system is that stupid - dumb, if you prefer - to give that fraction of a percent (literally) of a chance necessary for all the needed parameters to converge, thereby allowing something through, then that's one less person out there who can degrade the name of the Linux kernel. It sounds exactly as I mean it to.

 

[SumitJain]

DNS keeps track of all the domain names and maintains a directory accordingly and translates them to internet protocol addresses.

https://technofizi.net/best-free-and-public-dns-servers/

 

[Boo Berry]

1 word to repond to that: DNSCrypt.