I don't want to restart the technical conversation about VPNs and whatnot, but if your computer has been used to access websites that would embarrass you or damage your reputation, can't you just destroy your hard drive, get a new computer, and never let your new computer be used for such purposes? Aren't you likely to be relatively safe from discovery of old website history after a few months or years have passed? How long could website servers, internet access providers, and search engines keep all that data, anyway?

I had an icky boyfriend who used my computer for all kinds of things. I got rid of him and the computer, too. My new computer is password protected and no one uses it but me. Should I be concerned about old website records that might still exist somewhere?

Basically, each site you go to, keep track of the domain or subdomain that is requesting ads (or a domain you want to otherwise block) and reference a single zone file that points to an internal IP address that doesn't exist or just use the loopback IP 127.0.0.1 for these domains. You configure all the domains you specify you are "authoritative" for and everything else you will pass on to the real DNS server.

For example, you probably don't want to block google.com, but you want to block clients1.google.com because this domain is referenced "as you type" each character into the search box for auto completeion suggestions. You also want to block everything from google-analytics.com.

When you log in to Windows XP, there is a DNS request to crl.microsoft.com or crl.verisign.com I've found which attempts to check your website root certificates. Because I don't trust either company with my privacy, I've disabled these subdomains in my DNS server so they effectively go nowehere, but this doesn't prevent me from visiting microsoft.com, verisign.com or other subdomains such as msdn.microsoft.com, etc. You can set up all these specifics from your own DNS server. When I surf, I see a bunch of "blank" panes, almost no ads and my DNS file has about 70 domains that are safe to block altogether. When I see an ad, I look at the HTML, the status bar or look at my DNS server spy window (I currently have this set up under Linux) to see what domain is being loaded and then update my DNS server on the fly. This works on Windows and Linux DNS servers and you need not need a separate machine.

If anyone wants details on setting this up even if you are not technically inclined, I'd be glad to post a link to a tutorial I could write.

For the average user who is trying to protect themselves from the average risks online and off, but especially at unsecured wireless hotspots, a basic VPN with at least 128 bit encryption should be fine. I do NOT advocate using unsecured wireless hotspot. However, even using a VPN, there are still a number of things to keep in mind and I can't post them all here. I have posted some of them, you've posted others. Everyone considering using a VPN should do some serious research about them, proxy servers, VPN software v. hardware, pros, cons, security issues that still remain using just a VPN, etc. and determine what level of security is best for them. They should then choose a highly reputable, trustworthy vendor or else their risks may be higher than without a VPN.

So, before allowing any "security" procedure designed to protect your computer, laptop or smartphone to lull you into a false sense of security (no pun intended), remember two things. First, determined people (from law enforcement to tech savvy PIs to hackers/stalkers/criminals) hack through VPNs all of the time. If they can hack government servers, they can hack even the most secure VPN setups. Second, NO solution is perfect in this technological environment and BE CAREFUL ONLINE, period.

JJL, I agree with you, too, but, like I said, most people use their computers for everything. Most can only afford one good one and others can't manage two. My solutions are for the average computer user. Again, I won't say where I lie in that spectrum because I've learned that no matter what I do to protect myself online, there are ALWAYS ways for those who really want to know what I'm doing online to find out.

Therefore, based on that realization and my substantial research, not only have I made some significant changes to my privacy protection strategy, I'll be keeping much more to myself than I'm telling on this site, which is why I only gave the basic overview of what VPNs are and can do. Anybody that reads my posts (or anyone else's here) needs to do their own due diligence on all of it and use the information they find here at their own risk.

Finally, to the extent you can, do whatever you can to create or procure other hiding places like JJL states in both great books. (I've read both and refer to them often!) Don't allow technology and "life" to distract you so thoroughly, you forget the good ol' fashioned basics. Nuff said!

I'm not sure if they're still dispensing bearer certificates, as it's been a while since my family has used them, and that was pre-PATRIOT Act. But, the certificates are treated aren't as cash-equivalents or bullion at national borders, which means they're non-reportable. (It's a contract for immediately redeemable bullion storage, not bullion itself.) So, if you wanted to take more than $10,000 out of the country, this is one way to get around it. Just be sure to redeem your certificates in something other than U.S. dollars, as they will result in a report as well.

But, I agree with J.J., this is impractical for the average person. They require at least $25,000 minimum in cash or metal. Still, I mentioned it because it's a lot smarter than some guy stuffing his cowboy boots! :) LOL

Submitted Link #1: http://www.pmcg.com.au/...

If you have any email address that can be linked to you, personally, even for an LLC that you don't use for true business purposes, like those you use to register your vehicle or title your home or other personal property (and so may be considered by the courts as your "alter ego" that you use to hide from creditors, especially if you've already got a judgment against you) or an email address linked to your business if your business is the subject of any investigation or defendant in a lawsuit, service of process may be coming to your state just as it already has in other. (And, if you're a US resident who appears to have moved to another country, to the country of purported residence, if their law permits that, has certain treaties with the US and/or has no laws preventing you from being served for something that's not a crime in the country of residence/email location. Keep in mind that many (if not most) EU countries WILL cooperate with US investigators and law enforcement to locate you, especially if subpoenaed.)

This is especially true if you use free email like Gmail, Hotmail or others and/or the email can be trace back to an IP address known to be registered to you or your business, particularly if that IP address is on a computer at a physical where you'd be served, anyway. That's because free email services have no incentive to protect you over their own business interests and, frankly, neither do most private companies so check the terms of service for their policy on serving subpoenas through their servers to clients of the service. Some make it easy and say that; others make it costly, charging by the hours to validate a subpoena and making it clear they will contact their client to see if they want the opportunity to quash the subpoena before it's served. You want the latter kind of service provider.

Those who live in states where service of process must be in person for money judgment to be awarded in civil cases (or to a person over a certain age that is located at your known residential or business address) have less to worry about but who knows when those laws will change? (If you have a CMRA, though, make sure you tell them they can NOT accept certified or registered mail on your behalf because that's another way to effect process.) Thus, it's best not to use email addresses in your true name, at your known residential location (whether on your driver's license or not) or place of business and to use services that strip your IP address from your email like Gmail, to its credit, claims to do to send email. (Though Gmail WILL give you up if subpoenaed themselves or the right PI gets the right Google employee on the phone and uses social engineering to get info on you.

So, potential service by email is yet another reason to get that VPN service since anonymity online is limited primarily to those whose IP and email addresses can't be determined or can't be served via social media. Also, use a service that allows you to block senders BEFORE reading their email because it will be returned to them as undeliverable, ESPECIALLY if you're on any social media sites Try to find one that both allows you to block and return as unread any emails you don't recognize and makes it hard for process to be served upon you through them.

Finally, keep in mind that email is like telephone numbers. If you send email to known associates and their ISP records and/or email service provider records show that, that may be another way to find an email address to serve you. BUT, keep in mind that if your subpoenaed to appear before a court and/or criminal service of process is being attempted on you, whether process is effectively served or not, if it can be shown that you're in a known area and are avoiding being served, the laws are different and avoiding that service may lead to a failure to appear (in court) bench warrant being issued or law enforcement obtaining a warrant for your arrest. So, be careful about what kind of service you're trying to avoid.

Submitted Link #1: http://ctsummationblog.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/se...

The idea is NEVER to use the cell phone, prepaid or not, to call or text anyone, especially relatives and known associates because it can be tracked and pinged as well as leaves records of calls/texts everywhere you call or text. You can't slack or give in and let some people call or text you or your cell phone because it's easier for them, either. And, frankly, I wouldn't let anyone know what cell phone provider I use, either, no matter what it is.

Disappearing is WORK, can be expensive and your technique must be honed as conditions change (like surveillance technology and techniques in a surveillance society like the US or UK). It's worth it once the hard part is over, though.

Tor/Privoxy can be used with VPNs to clean up your tracks on the internet and preventing certain things from ending up on your hard drive, like permanent cookies and incriminating files. Privoxy also hides the applications you're using through your browsers. (Go to network-tool dot com and use the "Privacy dot net Browser Test" to see what I mean by "revealing applications you're using through your browsers".) They're more commonly used with SSH tunnels. (You can look that up on Wikipedia.) SSH tunnels protect more but can be complicated to set up, according to my research. As complicated as it all seems, it's not that hard to learn so do your research and experiment with VPN services until you find one that works for you.

However, Tor is a controversial investigator magnet and gets blacklisted from a number of sites because of the way it's been used so it's better to use other tools, like Firefox add-ons, to achieve those things Tor/Privoxy are supposed to achieve. You can use tools that disable javascript (which can reveal your IP address and other information) and prevent "clickjacking", something hackers and PIs use to trick you into revealing your IP address.

A GOOD, encrypted (SSL-128 bit or better) VPN like the one below should work for you, if you want basic protection. They are especially important when you're using wireless and some are even available for use on PC and iPhones.

HOWEVER, if you're running from the law or intending to do anything illegal, it won't matter what you use, you'll probably be caught. Keep in mind that services in the US and EU are subject to the USA Patriot Act and all that implies. Like US-based email, warrantless searches are permissible no matter what law enforcement officials say publicly.

If you not flouting the law in any way, you need to determine if it's just about privacy for you and you want to use an offshore VPN provider that offers offshore and US server services (but makes it hard for an individual who thinks you have money and wants to sue you, a stalker or investigator to find your or subpoena the VPN provider's records because it's expensive too do overseas as HTBI says about the Canary Island address) to further protect your privacy and location. Again, however, if you're the subject of three-letter agency investigation, a VPN won't protect you, at least for long.

Finally, a VPN isn't the be all and end all of internet privacy protection. You STILL need to have good firewall, antivirus and anti-spyware software installed on your computer. If you're using Windows, keep it updated. Use other protection software (check out CNET's download.com "security/privacy" software for more information) and use FIREFOX, NOT IE to access the internet. And DON'T do anything illegal or "gray area". You still have the same obligation to use common sense online, VPN or not.

Submitted Link #1: http://www.witopia.net/...