I had decided after talking with some other anons, that this would be of great use. Why is it great? Because Zig Forumsacks need to know how to technologically defends and exercise their free speech, as well as protect themselves. This will be quite a long post, but very important. Every Zig Forums user needs to know how to defend themselves against the internet. Quick tip: If you're using an OS that you just don't feel like switching from, that's fine, changing Operating Systems can be a big thing to do. But, still, make sure you download absolutely no malware and make sure you run no programs, that you don't need.
1. VPNs
There's a lot of things to talk about when it comes to VPNs.
Namely, logging, 14 eyes, security it truly provides.
So let's start on logging. 99% of VPN services are going to be logging. There would be no real reason for them to not log their users. It makes their job easier and safer to provider a VPN service that logs the user data, so they don't have to pay for lawyers and so on.
Now, the 14 eyes. The 14 eyes are 14 different countries that spy on their citizens as well as spy on the other (eye)'s citizens. If you work in one of those countries, you need to tighten up OpSec. List of 14 eyes can be found at privacytools.io along with a few other things related to them. Now the last topic, what security does a VPN truly provide? Not much. Along with 99% of VPN providers logging, they also don't have any proof that the servers they use aren't backdoored / hacked by feds.
So what's the solution if VPN providers aren't useful? Buy a cheap VPS (under 10-15 dollars) at any VPS (virtual private server) outside of the 14 eyes. Then, you can setup openvpn (the software) using an automatic script which can be found at: github.com
2. What's next? Operating systems.
Linux is not as secure as people make it out to be. Use FreeBSD!
FreeBSD has no systemd, the kernel is built upon security, and has a long track record of being secure. Systemd is funded by the NSA, the code has never been audited, and is built by a proprietary group (Redhat), and very likely contains backdoors and 0day exploits. The major Linux distros (Fedora, Arch, Debian, Ubuntu) all use systemd, which makes them exploitable and insecure. FreeBSD tops all of that, and is very well documented so you can learn your way around while being what's considered a noob. Also, don't use Windows for anything serious, you already know why. FreeBSD protects your privacy and freedoms to the extent you want and need, so use it. Upcoming, links and docs.
FreeBSD Handbook Guide (very very detailed): freebsd.org
Installing a Desktop Environment (interface with icons and all): freebsd.org
Make sure to install a DE (Desktop Environment), and I'd go with xfce4 so install it once you get the OS set up with "pkg install xfce4" and go through the package process. The reason I choose xfce4 all the time is because it's the 'minimalist' DE and quite quick when compared to other bloated DE's.There are plenty of tutorials on installing a desktop environment, make sure to get one that suites you. You'll also learn here how a base unix/linux system functions when you have to set all of this up on your own. Very good learning experience.
