The Lockdown - Practical Privacy & Security 030 - Info Stealers, GrapheneOS Drama, and Why Video Games and Anti-Virus Are Spyware
Jul 18, 2025
This discussion delves into the importance of maintaining privacy while using public Wi-Fi, emphasizing MAC address randomization's benefits on GrapheneOS compared to Apple. The conversation highlights the lurking dangers of infostealers like Atomic Info Stealer and the unsettling connection between gaming cheats and malware. A significant controversy surrounding GrapheneOS unfolds, detailing the impact of developer conscription and Google’s actions endangering custom ROMs. It raises skepticism about traditional antivirus software, warning that it can, paradoxically, be a threat itself.
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Manage Multiple Aliases Wisely
- Use aliases for practical privacy and keep them familiar for easy recall.
- Create multiple aliases for different services to trace breaches and leaks effectively.
MAC Address Privacy Differences
- GrapheneOS randomizes MAC addresses each Wi-Fi connection, enhancing privacy.
- Apple's private Wi-Fi addresses are unique per network but rotate less frequently, offering less protection.
Real Threats of Public Wi-Fi
- Public Wi-Fi risks are overstated; modern HTTPS use makes Wireshark attacks ineffective.
- Rogue access points at big events pose higher threats than typical coffee shop Wi-Fi.
