TOTM - November 2015 OPSEC

Discussion in 'General Survival and Preparedness' started by ghrit, Nov 1, 2015.


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  1. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    In case there is anyone here that doesn't know what OPSEC is, it is a shorthand "word" for "operational security." It's something that people who don't wish to be in the limelight, or want to keep their heads down and not attract unwanted attention from ANY sort of predators just naturally employ in all facets of life. Predators can be classed as acceptable or unacceptable, to a degree depending on a point of view. Acceptable, maybe, are relatives and friends that might turn on you in the event of a real personal or societal catastrophe. Unacceptable would include any governmental agency acting on directions from "above" or unilaterally and locally.

    So here is a spot where we can enumerate things to watch out for, places where heightened consciousness is needed, and where care should be taken when exposing what you might be doing for your own, family, and friends personal or group security. Watch your own backtrail, but tell what steps you "recommend" as good OPSEC practice for the average monkey.

    The impetus for this thread is from recent observations of new members posts containing information that could be used improperly. Unofficially, we discourage posting of emails, for example, in new posts and sig lines. Officially, SM doesn't care how low someone drops their drawers, but how can we morally ignore ignorance? We have to help newbs, that's one reason we are here.

    First item is mine. Put lighting on timers so that passersby can't tell if you are home in the evenings or not.
     
  2. techsar

    techsar Monkey+++

    NOT placing NRA, One Big A$$ed Mistake America, or other stickers tending to be associated with more conservative values on vehicles.
     
  3. Aeason

    Aeason Monkey

    I do thank all of you for your insight and sharing of knowledge, this is a good and important topic. There are plenty of predators around I found that it isn't always good to try to get others to prepare as some just plan to take. I was really surprised to find this out through conversation. I am a newby to you but welcome your criticism or praise. Thank you.
     
  4. VisuTrac

    VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

    and those stupid family stickers. This one says to potential criminal, No protection at home*
    [​IMG]

    *Assumption valid in Gun-Free zones. Null and void in Texas, many sparsely populated states and drug land.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 9, 2015
  5. Dont

    Dont Just another old gray Jarhead Monkey

    Folk's around here, generally notice when someone is not seen for a couple days.. Someone will come to check on you! If one is to absent from home for a wile they will put a sapling or a long stick across their driveway.. "Keep out. No one home".. I park a truck across the driveway if I am to be absent from home more than a couple days.. Or just cut a tree or two down across the drive for multiple weeks absence..

    Was gone for over six months once and placed paper over all the windows and moved furniture against the doors, climbed out a second floor window and chained the ladder to a tree out in the woods.. Oh and cut three trees down across the road.. I still got phone calls from neighbours asking if I was ok..
     
  6. pearlselby

    pearlselby Monkey++

    I know you are right, but, what a shame.
     
    Tully Mars likes this.
  7. 3M-TA3

    3M-TA3 Cold Wet Monkey

    OPSEC is ticklish in my AO - a suburban cul-de-sac on the edge of an urban area. I take great care not to let my neighbors see what I bring in for preps and smuggle firearms in and out when I go shooting (guns? me?). A couple of two story homes have views into most of my property as well.

    My next challenge is the 6 IBC totes I'm getting ready to purchase. Initially, they are going to a nearby undeveloped piece of land I own for cleaning before moving them here. Before I do that I'm going to build a shed or other structure to conceal them, but that requires approval from my HOA. As far as they are concerned it's for tools, etc. Then It's a matter of sneaking them in at O dark thirty.

    When I do finally leave here for parts better suited for self reliance it will be fun to see the look on my neighbors faces as they see some of what goes along with me.

    Also, I have acquired some Motorola i355 and i560 phones for their encrypted communications capability. I plan on having some i355's pre-positioned with a few trusted like minded individuals and 10 ready to go sitting in an old microwave (AKA free Faraday cage). See here for details: iDen/ISm Secure Comms.... UpDate... | Survival Forums

    For now, though, it's all about flying under the radar. I'm friendly with my neighbors (while discreetly evaluating them for SHTF potential) without letting any real information about me get back to them.
     
  8. 3M-TA3

    3M-TA3 Cold Wet Monkey

    That doesn't mean you can't stick them on your neighbor's Prius or Leaf...
     
  9. Mindgrinder

    Mindgrinder Karma Pirate Ninja|RIP 12-25-2017

    Digital OPSEC

    No Facebook
    No twitter
    No google (startpage.com instead)
    Https whenever you can and vpn/proxy if you are savy
    Set browsers to clear history on close
    No windows 10
    No free email (g-mail/hotmail etc no no no)
    A good start.
     
  10. 3M-TA3

    3M-TA3 Cold Wet Monkey

    What in your opinion is a good choice for email?
     
    Seepalaces and Mindgrinder like this.
  11. Mindgrinder

    Mindgrinder Karma Pirate Ninja|RIP 12-25-2017

    Your ISP provided email or hushmail.
    Hushmail – Private Email
     
  12. Ganado

    Ganado Monkey+++

    unseen.is

    is in iceland but you have to access it weekly or your free account goes away
     
    Seepalaces and Mindgrinder like this.
  13. Mindgrinder

    Mindgrinder Karma Pirate Ninja|RIP 12-25-2017

    hushmail i think is once per month for the free account goes inactive.
    the "free" version is also quite small in terms of mailbox size...25mb.
    the paid accounts are quite robust though and it's very easy for "less tech savy" users to encrypt and put passwords on sensitive emails to friends/family/business. (must enter pw before crypted email will open on receivers end).
    "Most" ISP provided email is protected by their Privacy Policy and cannot be accessed by law enforcement without a warrant but this is not the case with ALL ISPs. In Canada for example, it is discretionary with some of the Easter ISPs but most of the big players are wise enough to value their customers over .gov snooping. (for now).
     
    Seepalaces and Ganado like this.
  14. Altoidfishfins

    Altoidfishfins Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Cash for ammunition purchases.
    If purchasing ammo at a "big box" store, you don't have a loyalty card (even if you do).
     
  15. 3M-TA3

    3M-TA3 Cold Wet Monkey

    Adding to that, cash for ANY prep related purchase that you can make, or a burner pre-paid card in the name of Haywood Jablomee - I'm certain that other key items are being tracked.
     
  16. Pineknot

    Pineknot Concrete Monkey

    STOP USING DEBIT CARDS FOR EVERYTHING, sorry didn't mean to holler caps was on. The debit card is a direct connection to your bank account. Use it sparingly. Buy a prepaid card and hide it in your vehicle for emergencies. otherwise use cash or prepaid cards.
     
  17. chimo

    chimo the few, the proud, the jarhead monkey crowd

    OPSEC dictates that some things not be communicated via email at all. I don't care what provider you use...don't communicate anything via email that you wouldn't communicate in public.
     
    Altoidfishfins, UncleMorgan and Tobit like this.
  18. chimo

    chimo the few, the proud, the jarhead monkey crowd

    I prefer Harvey Wallbanger ;)

    Even with pre-paid cards, if you are ordering online/mail order you have to provide a shipping address...so you need to have some physical address that can be used for Haywood or Harvey, but cannot be tracked to you.
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2015
  19. ditch witch

    ditch witch I do stupid crap, so you don't have to

    Don't put those football signs that say "My Son Is #42" or the megaphone sign with your daughter's name on it in the yard. Here in Texas, that tells anyone who sees your house that your home will be completely abandoned Friday night for several hours. Add one for JV and we now know no one is home Thursday night either.
     
  20. Sonofason

    Sonofason Monkey

    I've recently thought about getting a prepaid to replace my bank accounts. Is there a prepaid card that you would recommend or are they all about the same?
     
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