

The Lockdown - Practical Privacy & Security
Ray Heffer
Welcome to The Lockdown. Privacy doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. The inability to attain extreme levels of privacy shouldn’t deter one from taking any protective measures at all. The show is hosted by Ray Heffer, an expert in the field of privacy and cybersecurity, with each episode touching on a range of topics such as data privacy, password management, and secure browsing habits. Tin-foil hats are optional!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 3, 2025 • 43min
034 - Final Episode
In this final discussion, the host reflects on the journey of promoting practical privacy. Key topics include the all-or-nothing fallacy in security approaches, and the risks of facial recognition in airports. They explore threat modeling tailored to personal circumstances, emphasize that perfect security is unattainable, and introduce concepts like the 'Space Between' in cybersecurity. Listener questions reveal insights into privacy tools, self-hosting, and managing digital identities, culminating in practical advice for everyday privacy choices.

Sep 8, 2025 • 38min
033 - Black Mirror - Is the UK's Surveillance State Coming to America?
Traveling through the UK reveals a reality that feels straight out of a dystopian drama, with a TV licensing system viewed as legal extortion. The introduction of Brit cards signals a move toward behavior tracking, while California’s pricey smart license plates raise alarm over privacy invasion. Historical patterns suggest that the UK could be setting the stage for global surveillance practices. Discussions touch on the implications of digital currencies and predictions for an increasingly monitored future, reminiscent of Black Mirror's chilling themes.

Aug 11, 2025 • 22min
032 - No Salt Required: Listener Questions Before the Break
Listener feedback sparks a lively discussion on the controversial 'Tea' app and its privacy risks. Practical tips for using Privacy.com highlight community-driven solutions. The hosts share thoughts on minimalism, emphasizing practicality over trendiness, especially in tech and vehicles. A food recommendation for a Mexican restaurant in Vegas adds a tasty twist. Plus, personal anecdotes about travel plans and privacy strategies round out the conversation.

Aug 4, 2025 • 54min
031 - When Privacy Tools Betray You, Safety Apps That Dox and Revoked Anonymous Payments
Discover the troubling flaws in privacy-focused payment solutions, including KYC headaches and account freezes. Unpack the privacy crisis in Switzerland affecting encrypted email providers, leading to Proton's potential relocation. Learn about a disastrous breach at a women’s safety app that leaked thousands of sensitive images on 4chan. Explore the spying capabilities of modern vehicle tracking systems and the philosophical benefits of a minimalist lifestyle, aligning privacy with stoic principles.

Jul 18, 2025 • 53min
030 - Info Stealers, GrapheneOS Drama, and Why Video Games and Anti-Virus Are Spyware
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.

Jul 7, 2025 • 54min
029 - Minimize not Militarize and Avoiding Surveillance with GrapheneOS
Exploring the contrast between military and minimalist approaches in cybersecurity reveals intriguing strategies. Discover how winners mastered AES encryption using clever tactics. The risks of an 'assume breach' mentality are highlighted with examples from past infiltrations. Learn how to use public Wi-Fi safely with aliases and throwaway emails. Data curation techniques are discussed, emphasizing minimizing one's digital footprint. A deep dive into GrapheneOS covers user profiles, app sandboxing, and enhancing security measures against surveillance.

Jun 20, 2025 • 45min
028 - Silence & Stealth - Mailbox, Email & Anti-KYC Phone Strategies
In this episode, I discuss three key strategies for maintaining privacy and security across your physical mailbox, email, and phone. I discuss the growing Matrix community, explore alternative mailing solutions using co-working spaces, detail a four-tier email strategy, and examine the concerning spread of Flock ALPR cameras. I also share insights on anonymous eSIM options and answer listener questions about dealing with Know-Your-Customer requirements.In this week’s episode:Joining the Matrix community with ElementPhysical mailbox strategies: UPS stores, virtual CMRA addresses, and co-working spacesFour-tiered email approach using ProtonMail, Fastmail, SimpleLogin, and Gmail sock puppetMobile phone privacy with Mint Mobile and anonymous eSIM optionsThe Flock ALPR camera threat and how to protect yourselfListener questions: Australian SIM card strategies with KYC requirementsCapture the Flag challenge details for June 21stMatrix Community RoomsIt seems on Element X, it doesn’t list the rooms associated with the Matrix space, so you can click on each of these links to join the rooms:https://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-general:matrix.orghttps://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-podcast:matrix.orghttps://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-intro:matrix.orgShow Links:Matrix Clients - https://matrix.org/clientsMatrix Community - https://matrix.to/#/#psysecure:matrix.orgSmarty Address Lookup - https://www.smarty.com/products/single-addressExpired Domains - https://www.expireddomains.net/Stealths.net (Anonymous eSIMs) - https://stealths.net/DeFlock.me (ALPR Camera Map) - https://deflock.me/Flock Safety Privacy Policy - https://www.flocksafety.com/privacy-policyEFF Article on DeFlock - https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/02/anti-surveillance-mapmaker-refuses-flock-safetys-cease-and-desist-demandCTF Challenge Rules - https://psysecure.com/ctf“Imagine this situation where we have the huge electronic intercommunication so that everybody is in touch with everybody else in such a way that it reveals their inmost thoughts, and there is no longer any individuality. No privacy. Everything you are, everything you think, is revealed to everyone.”- “Future of Communications” Alan WattsOfficial Website: https://psysecure.comPodcast music: The R3cluse
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Jun 13, 2025 • 44min
027 - Stop Playing the Game, Join The New Matrix Privacy Community
In this episode, I discuss breaking free from the Apple ecosystem, the dangers of social media oversharing, and introduce our new Matrix community. I also cover the upcoming capture the flag challenge, share thoughts on the OSINT Defense & Security Framework progress, and rant about security theater at airports and online services that block VPNs.In this week’s episode:Apple’s $95 million lawsuit and the ecosystem lock-in problemWhy people overshare on social media and how OSINT can exploit itIntroduction to the Matrix communityCapture the Flag challenge launching June 21st!Progress update on the OSINT Defense & Security Framework (ODSF)Security theater: VPN blocking and other pointless security measuresAlternative YouTube clients for privacy (GrayJay and NewPipe)Show Links:Matrix Community - https://matrix.to/#/#psysecure:matrix.orgCTF Challenge - https://psysecure.com/ctfGrayJay (by Futo) - https://grayjay.appNewPipe - https://newpipe.netWiFi Pineapple - https://shop.hak5.org/products/wifi-pineappleSystem76 Laptops - https://system76.com/laptopsLittle Snitch (macOS Firewall) - https://www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/“I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.”- Nikos KazantzakisOfficial Website: https://psysecure.comPodcast music: The R3cluse
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May 31, 2025 • 8min
026 - Ghost in the Source (Announcement)
In this brief episode between travels, I announce the “Ghost in the Source” capture the flag challenge, a cryptographic hunt on my website starting June 21st, 2025. At the end of June I will pick 3 lucky winners which will receive a 6-month TryHackMe subscription voucher. I also provide an update on our new Matrix community.In this week’s episode:Announcing the “Ghost in the Source” CTF challengeChallenge details and rulesPrize information: 3 x 6-month TryHackMe vouchers!Matrix community update for listener interactionFuture plans for OSINT CTF challengesShow Links:CTF Challenge Page - https://psysecure.com/ctf/“When I float weightless back to the surface, I’m imagining I’m becoming someone else.”- Motoko KusanagiOfficial Website: https://psysecure.comPodcast music: The R3cluse
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May 26, 2025 • 39min
025 - AI Privacy Concerns with ChatGPT and Claude
In this episode, I explore the privacy implications of using AI apps like ChatGPT and Claude on mobile devices. I discuss why ChatGPT’s requirement for Google Play Store login and audio recording storage led me to Claude on my GrapheneOS device. I also cover my daily app setup, Windows telemetry blocking with SimpleWall, macOS privacy with Little Snitch, and the potential of System76 Linux laptops.In this week’s episode:Privacy comparison between ChatGPT and Claude AI appsChatGPT’s audio recording storage and data export concernsGrapheneOS setup without Google Play Store loginUsing FUTO Keyboard and FUTO Voice for local transcriptionEssential privacy tools: SimpleWall for Windows and Little Snitch for macOSWindows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) for developersSystem76 Linux laptops as a privacy-focused alternativeShow Links:Anthropic Claude.ai Encryption - https://privacy.anthropic.com/en/articles/10458704...Duck.ai - https://duck.aiFuto Keyboard & Voice - https://futo.org/Aurora Store - https://auroraoss.com/aurora-storeSimpleWall (Windows Firewall) - https://github.com/henrypp/simplewallLittle Snitch (macOS) - https://www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/GeoSpy (OSINT Tool) - https://geospy.netSystem76 Linux Laptops - https://system76.com/Mental Outlaw YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@MentalOutlawDaVinci Resolve - https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolveOSINT Defense & Security Framework - https://psysecure.com/services/odsf/“██████REDACTED███”- █████████Official Website: https://psysecure.comPodcast music: The R3cluse
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