Discussion of OpSec, Threat Models, Protection, Assessment & Countermeasures.
Vendors: /d/vendor_handbook.
While the focus of this community's OpSec discussions may center around DarkNet (DN) activity, all members of this sub are encouraged to think about, discuss, and share ideas relating to OpSec.
by /u/Notchsmith · 1 votes · 6 months ago
I'm using a laptop that I installed Ubuntu on for I2P purposes only. I wanted to ask if I were to reinstall Ubuntu or even completely delete it, would it leave traces on the laptop, similarly to how Windows does? Could a person recover a deleted file?
Also I wanted to ask if it's okay if I can run 2 machines at the same time. Ubuntu for browsing Dread, while my PC that's running Windows for listening to music, watching videos, playing games, etc. Both use VPN of course.
/u/Shakybeats M · 1 votes · 6 months ago · Link
Are you using Ubuntu in a virtual machine? If windows is your host operating systems it's useless.
/u/Notchsmith
· 1 votes
· 6 months ago
· Link
No, I'm on a separate OSless laptop. I only installed Ubuntu on it. I'm only using Ubuntu for I2P purposes, so I could browse Dread since it's down on Tor, while everything else on Tor.
/u/fineline · 1 votes · 6 months ago · Link
Simply reinstalling won't securely remove all data. When data is deleted, it's not necessarily overwritten. Reinstalling the OS might not overwrite this data, meaning it could still be recoverable. Prior to installing Ubuntu, you should format the disk using a secure method. This essentially overwrites every bit on the drive.
If I recall correctly, there is a way to do this in the Ubuntu installer. It would be around the part where you setup the partitions and things (could be wrong, haven't looked at it in a long time).
/u/penis_market · 1 votes · 6 months ago · Link
For securely wiping your SSD, Secure Erase is recommended.
For deleting an individual file, the shred command works quite well.
Make sure you aren't running Ubuntu in Windows. Also, make sure you're not allowing Ubuntu to report system data to Canonical. If you can. use Tails or Qubes (disp-whonix VMs).
/u/Notchsmith
· 1 votes
· 6 months ago
· Link
I would love to use Qubes with Whonix, but I am not sure how to set it up properly. By any chance could you direct me to a good, detailed guide regarding Qubes? I need to set up the security properly.
/u/penis_market · 1 votes · 6 months ago · Link
I can't drop links here, but look around on you tube for tutorials they'll show you how to flash a usb and go through the installation manager.
/u/Notchsmith
· 1 votes
· 6 months ago
· Link
Isn't YouTube a no no for darknet stuff? It's owned by Google and I know that watching a guide for setting up an OS doesn't automatically mean it's gonna be for darknet content but at the same time wouldn't it raise suspicion?
/u/penis_market · 1 votes · 6 months ago · Link
If we're talking about getting vending advice or something like that, then yah. Hundreds of thousands of people use Qubes, so as long as you're just watching in a private window you'll be fine.
If you're still paranoid about it, check the Qubes Project's website. They also have a forum where you can ask questions. And yes, there is an onion service for it. I can't include the link because it will get flagged.
/u/fineline · 1 votes · 6 months ago · Link
dude just read the documentation. if you want to set up qubes, read the qubes docs. if you want to understand whonix, read the whonix docs. it's there for a reason.
/u/MrLivian · 1 votes · 6 months ago · Link
Problem with Windows is they have backdoors build in it...
You must use 2 WM Whonix gateway ... LIVE OS only ...
without Windonds machine as a host ...
if you run the OS from Live usb.... and use safe VPN + TOR on top...you are good to go...
Stay safe