patrick.net

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/tech-news/.premium-how-nso-s-pegasus-is-used-to-spy-on-journalists-1.10010560

How NSO's Pegasus Is Used to Spy on Journalists
Israeli firm NSO's Pegasus software is used to infect journalists phones in what is called 'zero clicks'. Here's how they did it and what we found out

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/18/revealed-leak-uncovers-global-abuse-of-cyber-surveillance-weapon-nso-group-pegasus

Revealed: leak uncovers global abuse of cyber-surveillance weapon
Spyware sold to authoritarian regimes used to target activists, politicians and journalists, data suggests ...

Human rights activists, journalists and lawyers across the world have been targeted by authoritarian governments using hacking software sold by the Israeli surveillance company NSO Group, according to an investigation into a massive data leak.

The investigation by the Guardian and 16 other media organisations suggests widespread and continuing abuse of NSO’s hacking spyware, Pegasus, which the company insists is only intended for use against criminals and terrorists.

Pegasus is a malware that infects iPhones and Android devices to enable operators of the tool to extract messages, photos and emails, record calls and secretly activate microphones.

The leak contains a list of more than 50,000 phone numbers that, it is believed, have been identified as those of people of interest by clients of NSO since 2016.

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/jul/18/huge-data-leak-shatters-lie-innocent-need-not-fear-surveillance

Huge data leak shatters the lie that the innocent need not fear surveillance

Donald says

The Freedom Phone is made in Communist China and is nothing more than a $120 phone being sold for $500.

Yet another conservative con game

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-freedom-phone-made-china-cheap-rebrand-20210716-ye2coq5r5nfthgt4vc4cw2ugby-story.html

Better than stealing elections and censorship. You probably have to run/buy a pine phone or similar to get privacy and low margins, but it can be done just with Android, which by itself is not spyware.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/21/technology/phones-location-data.html

“Data privacy” is one of those terms that feels stripped of all emotion. It’s like a flat soda. At least until America’s failures to build even basic data privacy protections carry flesh-and-blood repercussions.

This week, a top official in the Roman Catholic Church’s American hierarchy resigned after a news site said that it had data from his cellphone that appeared to show the administrator using the L.G.B.T.Q. dating app Grindr and regularly going to gay bars. Journalists had access to data on the movements and digital trails of his mobile phone for parts of three years and were able to retrace where he went.

Another thing that political left and right should be able to agree on: We don't want our phones spying on us.

We can also be unified in our opposition to the Jeff Bezos' destruction of American retail and manufacturing.

Freedom Phone is SoakTheRubesPhone

Brave on the desktop? HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!

If your phone isn't running Symbian, you're being electronically skull fucked.

Get a pager and use disposable email accounts.

Learn to kill with your bare hands.

Teach your wives and kids to kill with their bare hands.

Biden is planning to control supplies of ammo.

Donald says

The Freedom Phone is made in Communist China and is nothing more than a $120 phone being sold for $500.

Yet another conservative con game

it is android, so probably you are right
google loaded with spyware and a few free speech apps to con people into buying it

I also suspect this is true.

https://edwardsnowden.substack.com/p/ns-oh-god-how-is-this-legal

In short, the phone in your hand exists in a state of perpetual insecurity, open to infection by anyone willing to put money in the hand of this new Insecurity Industry. The entirety of this Industry’s business involves cooking up new kinds of infections that will bypass the very latest digital vaccines—AKA security updates—and then selling them to countries that occupy the red-hot intersection of a Venn Diagram between “desperately craves the tools of oppression” and “sorely lacks the sophistication to produce them domestically.”

An Industry like this, whose sole purpose is the production of vulnerability, should be dismantled. ...

If you want to see change, you need to incentivize change. For example, if you want to see Microsoft have a heart attack, talk about the idea of defining legal liability for bad code in a commercial product. If you want to give Facebook nightmares, talk about the idea of making it legally liable for any and all leaks of our personal records that a jury can be persuaded were unnecessarily collected. Imagine how quickly Mark Zuckerberg would start smashing the delete key.

Another possibility:

https://calyxos.org/

If people want a phone that doesn't spy on them, they have to have a stripped down OS that they can understand, that will trivially monitor inbound and outbound connections.

It has to be simple enough so that that a typical coder can understand the OS (i.e. an embedded OS) and move the complexity up into libraries.

The problem with OSes is they are monolithic. Understanding Linux is a tremendous task, understanding Windows is an impossible task. This was done for efficiency reasons back in the day, but building an OS on top of a kernel, like MACH, that's still doable. This is a software abstraction of the hardware itself. The OS runs on top of another OS, a very simple OS. This was once called a Board Support Package.

Kernels allow you to run multiple operating systems on a single device, often simultaneously. NO hardware is directly accessible, and you can always detect access to the hardware through the interface. I think this will have to be done at some point to guarantee security.

If you had, for example, a virus running on your phone, you'd be able to detect the outbound data packets on it, and the incoming data packets on it. What files were modified, which parts of the storage were written or sent out, and what devices were activated. This was impractical 20 years ago because we were running on 200 Mhz machines, but it's entirely practical now at the cost of a bit of battery life - and my phone runs fine for weeks without a charge when its unused. I have a junk phone I use only for wifi access, and screwing around on (it's got damaged screen), I can leave that thing sitting on the counter for 2 weeks, and it goes from 100% charge to 90% charge over that time.

We can even further secure the devices, by using the kernel to require certified binaries only be run, and to expand the storage, to not only record things like date and time, but the applications that created them. This has already been figured out, but it's purposely not implemented. It's trivial to eliminate viruses, and to guarantee secure communication - the reason it's not done, is the government doesn't want it done.

I worked on the XBox project. One of the main concerns on developing that system was PREVENTING unauthorized code from running on it. Why? Because MS sold the machine for BELOW COST to gain marketshare. They make up the cost differential because for each game sold, they receive a cut of the sale. So, they might sell the first revision of their machine for $300, but it cost $500 to make, but they expected 10 games to be bought by a user on average, so they would initially break even. Then they cost reduce and the box to $400 to make, then $300, then $250, then $200 and so on. As they do this, they also reduce the cost of the game machine to gain market share.

What they were terrified of, is a company could run arbitrary software on it, and cut out MS from their fee, or even worse, making a machine that kicked ass, that was a full replacement for a desktop, that could act as a server. Game machines, are no longer toys, they are as powerful as servers. They do not want you to be able to use them as full machines, just toys - but games have to have a digital signature, this could be done with any machine, that would obliterate viruses - but they don't. Why do you think that is?

Machines are PURPOSELY built with backdoors, and phones, they are the worst. Nobody cares about desktops today, they care about your personal communication.

richwicks says

I worked on the XBox project.

Fuck that device. Fuck it hard. Apple can take all my shit for all I care, new devices are set up in minutes not hours. I don't game but my kids do, it's the worst platform I've ever encountered. So convoluted and retarded to be honest. I'm no techie, but I've build mediocre websites that worked well for real estate. Xbox (currently) is not intuitive and is a shit show. Maybe it was better when you worked on it, as again I don't play video games.

We've spent hours doing something to get the kids a game or whatever. The feedback is the exact same from other parents. My one buddy just rebuilt the JP Morgan investment site for trading. Even he said Xbox is a shit show. I've seen the dude work, his keyboard is on fire.

https://puri.sm/posts/internet-of-snitches/

Imagine an Internet of Snitches, each scanning whatever data they have access to for evidence of crime. Beyond the OS itself, individual phone apps could start looking for contraband. Personal computers would follow their lead. Home network file servers could pore through photos, videos and file backups for CSAM and maybe even evidence of copyright infringement. Home routers could scan any unencrypted network traffic. Your voice assistant could use machine learning to decide when yelling in a household crosses the line into abuse. Your printer could analyze the documents and photos you send it.

I want a phone that kicks larry and serge in the nuts and take a massive shit on their faces every time I make a call and hundreds of times a second when I don't/

https://reclaimthenet.org/how-to-install-grapheneos-on-a-pixel-smartphone/

Patrick says

Your printer could analyze the documents and photos you send it.

Already does to some extent.

WookieMan says

richwicks says

I worked on the XBox project.

Fuck that device. Fuck it hard. Apple can take all my shit for all I care, new devices are set up in minutes not hours. I don't game but my kids do, it's the worst platform I've ever encountered. So convoluted and retarded to be honest. I'm no techie, but I've build mediocre websites that worked well for real estate. Xbox (currently) is not intuitive and is a shit show. Maybe it was better when you worked on it, as again I don't play video games.

I am unoffended. I'm a contractor. Some people would call me a mercenary for hire, but I know what I really am. I'm a prostitute. I'm a whore.

If your kids like video games, look into the retroarcade. Maybe your kids need the "latest and greatest", but if they just want to play video games, I have a library of over 10,000 of them, not to play (my life isn't that long), but to preserve.

For < $100, you can have a raspberry pi, running retroarcade with more video games on it, than any one person can play in a lifetime. Also, it burns less than 10 watts.

https://retropie.org.uk/

The last time I tried to play a modern arcade game was 10 years ago. When I was a kid, a video game was a 10 minute distraction, that at worst could be a 2 hour struggle to win. Today, video games are just ordeals, that take WEEKS to get through. Want a blast from the past?

http://impossible-mission.krissz.hu/

That's one of the toughest video games I conquered as a kid. I can still beat it, and I recently have, but there's no enjoyment in it.

Stay awhile, Stay Forever!!!

richwicks says

I worked on the XBox project.

That's interesting.

One fun thing about tech is that your work is often used by millions of people.

I worked on a phone (the Nextel phone) that was used by millions. And many well-known websites. Not that I did a huge part of any of them.

Patrick says

richwicks says

I worked on the XBox project.

That's interesting.

One fun thing about tech is that your work is often used by millions of people.

I worked on a phone (the Nextel phone) that was used by millions. And many well-known websites. Not that I did a huge part of any of them.

It's a feather in your cap to work on something that nearly everybody knows about.

I just did DV - Design Verification. I wrote tests to confirm the hardware worked properly, in simulation and emulation - the emulator is the size of 2 refrigerators, that ran at 100 Khz that could accept PORTIONS of the design and arrangements needed to be made to power it, and ventilation had to be constructed to keep the lab cool. That machine was as expensive as a 20 room mansion is.

I honestly find technology boring today. Why get an XBox or PS5 or whatever? The only advancement in these systems is better graphics, but shit - they're good enough now. The difference in graphics from XBox1 and the 360 - it's minimal. Sure, it's better, but not the difference between a PS1 and a PS2.

I wrote the AT command set parser on the Nextel phone. Not that anyone uses a modem with a phone anymore.

I also rewrote the credit card form on Craigslist which all their revenue goes through.

Patrick says

I wrote the AT command set parser on the Nextel phone. Not that anyone uses a modem with a phone anymore.

I also rewrote the credit card form on Craigslist which all their revenue goes through.

This is why I hated DV. It needs to be done, but none of my work is used by the public.

If you ever use a DC fast charger from ChargePoint - I wrote the communication stack for that. I'm probably North America's expert on that communication protocol, and it's a TERRIBLE protocol. So terrible that I quit in disgust that there was no pushback on it. My superiors simply didn't understand there was an intent to make a monopoly on several fronts. The whole "green energy revolution" is rife with corruption, and I know corruption having volunteered for a few charities, which are mostly just ways to take donations for a problem, when there is no intention of fixing the problem.

Electric cars, in my opinion, are a total scam - but my code is everywhere now. Have to find something more worthwhile to do with my limited time on earth than to work for the mafia.

https://nitter.pussthecat.org/SlowNewsDayShow/status/1440806818133929987#m

https://reclaimthenet.org/data-broker-handed-over-smartphone-gps-data-to-dc-government-for-covid-research/

The EFF, a digital rights group, says it has seen public records (obtained here) that show location data broker Veraset and the District of Columbia (DC) government had struck a deal early in the Covid pandemic last year, allowing the latter full access to highly sensitive, individually identifiable GPS data, harvested from people’s mobile devices in the DC area.

Veraset made the offer and DC authorities accepted it, which was followed by half a year of updates coming from the company – that operates a proprietary database for this data, meaning that Veraset’s tools cannot be audited or scrutinized by the public – tracking hundreds of thousands of people going about their day.

At 3AM in the morning, I often wonder if going after Craigslist and others for "Pushing Prostitution" was an excuse to clear the path for for-profit companies, like Facebook Marketplace (which I refuse to use) and even Zillow.

I used to work at Craigslist and I believe that was indeed the case.

It was purely an anti-competitive move by bigger companies like Facebook.

https://reclaimthenet.org/israel-is-using-counter-terrorism-phone-surveillance-to-track-omicron-carriers/

November 30, 2021
Israel is using counter-terrorism phone surveillance to track Omicron carriers
The implementation could be illegal.

I'm fucking sick of smartphones. My work seems to have endless reasons why they want me to use my personal phone. So far I've told them I don't have a data plan, but there's wifi, so sure that won't hold up forever. As soon as I have time, going to look into prepaid shit phones that don't have app capability. The internet and cellphones have become so locked down it's ridiculous.

Time to De-Google.. See Rob Braxman on Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVL1Xr7IEsY&source=patrick.net
Best Privacy phone. Rob seems very intelligent

NuttBoxer says

As soon as I have time, going to look into prepaid shit phones that don't have app capability.

L8star Small Mini flip Cell Phone Magic Voice Changer Bluetooth Dialer Cellphone BM60 ca. 35 $
your employer's brain would freeze - they would have no idea what to do with this!

NuttBoxer says

I'm fucking sick of smartphones. My work seems to have endless reasons why they want me to use my personal phone. So far I've told them I don't have a data plan, but there's wifi, so sure that won't hold up forever. As soon as I have time, going to look into prepaid shit phones that don't have app capability. The internet and cellphones have become so locked down it's ridiculous.

Motorola F3: no GPS, no contacts, no nothing. =))

Finding a non-smartphone that is supported by carriers is tricky. Was looking at nokia 3310, but not sure there's any carriers who support it, and will allow me to remain anonymous.

NuttBoxer says

Finding a non-smartphone that is supported by carriers is tricky. Was looking at nokia 3310, but not sure there's any carriers who support it, and will allow me to remain anonymous.

If a phone is capable of using US GSM frequencies it will be supported by the carriers.

Anyone found a good privacy friendly phone yet?

My moto g5 plus is flaking out and I don't want another phone that constantly spies on me.

I was looking at Ubuntu touch which can run on my Pixel.

Is there any truth to a new Tesla phone coming out? It is supposed to be 100% private.

joshuatrio says

Anyone found a good privacy friendly phone yet?

My moto g5 plus is flaking out and I don't want another phone that constantly spies on me.

Motorola F3.

NuttBoxer says

I'm fucking sick of smartphones. My work seems to have endless reasons why they want me to use my personal phone. So far I've told them I don't have a data plan, but there's wifi, so sure that won't hold up forever. As soon as I have time, going to look into prepaid shit phones that don't have app capability. The internet and cellphones have become so locked down it's ridiculous.

I started accumulating cheap smartphones and tablets for this reason (can often buy them for $30-50). Sometimes its tough to avoid installing an app to use some handy device, but I refuse to allow some chinese app to invade my phone. So I just keep a dummy device that uses a throwaway email address and no contacts / personal info etc... and install the apps on that, keeping my real phone clean. I don't even bother with a sim, just wifi.

2FA is becoming popular, especially for those who work in tech companies, and they seem to want their employees to use their personal phones to either install the 2FA app, or to receive text messages. A 2nd dummy device can work well for this use case too.

Hircus says

I started accumulating cheap smartphones and tablets for this reason

I like this idea.

Hircus says

2FA is becoming popular, especially for those who work in tech companies, and they seem to want their employees to use their personal phones to either install the 2FA app, or to receive text messages. A 2nd dummy device can work well for this use case too.

At one previous company, I just ran a phone emulator on my laptop to run the 2FA app.