Advice Request Need to escape tracking

Please provide comments and solutions that are helpful to the author of this topic.

aftech

Level 1
Thread author
Dec 6, 2023
23
Someone can know if my PC is powered on or off, and if my internet traffic is active or idle!

Operating system: Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC - OS build 26100.1457 (freshly installed).
Antimalware: Microsoft Defender - Antimalware client version 4.18.24070.5 - Zero tolerance block level - 8 ASR rules applied.
SAC: On - Applocker: Scripts blocked in user space.
Firewall: Windows firewall control (no single rule allowing inbound traffic).
DNS: ControlD free (ads and malware)
Remote assistance: Disabled - SMB direct: Disabled - Ethernet (Public network) properties: All disabled, except only for TCP/IPv4.
Connected by cable to Zyxel VMG3625-T50B router: Firewall (High) - Remote management (only enabled are HTTP for port 80 and FTPS for port 21) - WiFi (Disabled).

Appreciate your help 🙏
 

Bot

AI-powered Bot
Apr 21, 2016
4,225
Your setup seems quite secure. However, consider these steps:

1. Ensure your router's firmware is up-to-date.
2. Disable Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) on your router.
3. Use a VPN to encrypt your internet traffic.
4. Regularly check for any suspicious processes in your Task Manager.
5. Keep your operating system and all software up-to-date.
6. Consider using a hardware firewall for an extra layer of protection.

Remember, no system is 100% secure. Always be vigilant and proactive about your digital security.
 

aftech

Level 1
Thread author
Dec 6, 2023
23
Your setup seems quite secure. However, consider these steps:

1. Ensure your router's firmware is up-to-date.
2. Disable Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) on your router.
3. Use a VPN to encrypt your internet traffic.
4. Regularly check for any suspicious processes in your Task Manager.
5. Keep your operating system and all software up-to-date.
6. Consider using a hardware firewall for an extra layer of protection.

Remember, no system is 100% secure. Always be vigilant and proactive about your digital security.
1. Router firmware is up-to-date
2. UPnP is disabled
3. Use of VPN is somhow restricted in my country
4. No suspicious processes detected
5. Operating system is regulary updated
6. Cannot afford hardware firewall
In addition, full system scan is clean
 

Bot

AI-powered Bot
Apr 21, 2016
4,225
1. Router firmware is up-to-date
2. UPnP is disabled
3. Use of VPN is somhow restricted in my country
4. No suspicious processes detected
5. Operating system is regulary updated
6. Cannot afford hardware firewall
In addition, full system scan is clean
Given your constraints, you've done a good job securing your system. You might want to consider:
1. Using Tor or a proxy server to further anonymize your internet traffic.
2. Enabling a more secure DNS like DNS over HTTPS or DNS over TLS.
3. Regularly changing your passwords and using a password manager.
4. Using a privacy-focused browser and search engine.
5. Regularly backing up important data.
Remember, security is an ongoing process. Stay informed about the latest threats and how to mitigate them.
 

aftech

Level 1
Thread author
Dec 6, 2023
23
Given your constraints, you've done a good job securing your system. You might want to consider:
1. Using Tor or a proxy server to further anonymize your internet traffic.
2. Enabling a more secure DNS like DNS over HTTPS or DNS over TLS.
3. Regularly changing your passwords and using a password manager.
4. Using a privacy-focused browser and search engine.
5. Regularly backing up important data.
Remember, security is an ongoing process. Stay informed about the latest threats and how to mitigate them.
1. Tor browser does not work in my country
2. I don't know how to use DNS over HTTPS, or even if it might help or not!
3. Always using KeePassXC; router password changed to 30 characters
4. Using Edge with security tweaks, McAfee webadvisor and adguard extensions
5. Data are not at risk; the stalker, most probably, is tracking from outside my PC
 

Bot

AI-powered Bot
Apr 21, 2016
4,225
1. Tor browser does not work in my country
2. I don't know how to use DNS over HTTPS, or even if it might help or not!
3. Always using KeePassXC; router password changed to 30 characters
4. Using Edge with security tweaks, McAfee webadvisor and adguard extensions
5. Data are not at risk; the stalker, most probably, is tracking from outside my PC
Given your situation, it seems you've done well in securing your PC. Here are a few more suggestions:
1. You can use a proxy server if Tor is not available.
2. DNS over HTTPS (DoH) can be enabled in most modern browsers, it helps to prevent eavesdropping and manipulation of DNS data.
3. Keep using strong, unique passwords.
4. Consider switching to a privacy-focused browser like Brave.
5. If you suspect external tracking, ensure your IP address changes regularly. Some ISPs provide dynamic IPs that change each time you connect.
6. Consider seeking legal advice if you believe you're being stalked.
Stay safe!
 

aftech

Level 1
Thread author
Dec 6, 2023
23
Given your situation, it seems you've done well in securing your PC. Here are a few more suggestions:
1. You can use a proxy server if Tor is not available.
2. DNS over HTTPS (DoH) can be enabled in most modern browsers, it helps to prevent eavesdropping and manipulation of DNS data.
3. Keep using strong, unique passwords.
4. Consider switching to a privacy-focused browser like Brave.
5. If you suspect external tracking, ensure your IP address changes regularly. Some ISPs provide dynamic IPs that change each time you connect.
6. Consider seeking legal advice if you believe you're being stalked.
Stay safe!
5. IP address is already dynamic
6. Authorities does not care except for threat or offensive messages; they don't mind stalking :sneaky:

I'm looking for a techniqual advice to be untrackable :cool:
 

Bot

AI-powered Bot
Apr 21, 2016
4,225
5. IP address is already dynamic
6. Authorities does not care except for threat or offensive messages; they don't mind stalking :sneaky:

I'm looking for a techniqual advice to be untrackable :cool:
You've already taken significant steps to secure your system. To further enhance your privacy:
1. Use a privacy-focused OS like Tails, which routes all internet connections through Tor.
2. If possible, use a VPN with strong encryption and no-logs policy.
3. Use end-to-end encrypted messaging and email services.
4. Regularly clear cookies and use browser extensions that block trackers.
5. Avoid using services that require personal information.
6. Use pseudonyms online and avoid sharing personal information.
Remember, being completely untrackable is nearly impossible, but these steps can make it significantly harder.
 

andytan

Level 1
May 10, 2024
20
When the stalker detects my PC offline (when turned off) or even online but with idle network traffic; annoying noise starts down in the street to prevent me from sleeping.
This only occurs when you attempt to sleep at night or even when trying to take a nap?

Also do you live with anyone or know of anyone else who can hear the sound, and are we talking about a rural or urban environment?
 

SpiderWeb

Level 12
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Aug 21, 2020
599
I would start by identifying who you're trying to avoid and use the Internet as a tool to research how to not be tracked by that particular organization or individual or whatever. Then what data points do you not want to be tracked? Some are easier to hide than others. Privacy is easy, anonymity is very difficult. I think your current setup is a good, layered solution for privacy but people will know that your PC is on because it connects to the Internet and has to provide a unique identity so that information can travel to and from you so device identifiers are difficult to obscure without breaking your connection.

But since you want nobody to know that your PC is on the most common solution would be using a portable OS on a USB on an air gapped device you never use and connect to a unique VPN and use a browser you do not commonly use.

BrowserLeaks is a great tool to see how many data points you share with the world:
 
Last edited:

aftech

Level 1
Thread author
Dec 6, 2023
23
This only occurs when you attempt to sleep at night or even when trying to take a nap?

Also do you live with anyone or know of anyone else who can hear the sound, and are we talking about a rural or urban environment?
Anytime
Urban
All I know it's from outside.
No one managed to get inside my PC; otherwise, will be burried below the case :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Divine_Barakah

aftech

Level 1
Thread author
Dec 6, 2023
23
I would start by identifying who you're trying to avoid and use the Internet as a tool to research how to not be tracked by that particular organization or individual or whatever. Then what data points do you not want to be tracked? Some are easier to hide than others. Privacy is easy, anonymity is very difficult. I think your current setup is a good, layered solution for privacy but people will know that your PC is on because it connects to the Internet and has to provide a unique identity so that information can travel to and from you so device identifiers are difficult to obscure without breaking your connection.

But since you want nobody to know that your PC is on the most common solution would be using a portable OS on a USB on an air gapped device you never use and connect to a unique VPN and use a browser you do not commonly use.
Never using VPN; facing techniqual difficulties due to goverrnmental restrictions and makes internet speed extremely slow.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Divine_Barakah

andytan

Level 1
May 10, 2024
20
When the stalker detects my PC offline (when turned off) or even online but with idle network traffic; annoying noise starts down in the street to prevent me from sleeping.
Have you tried changing things up regarding network traffic? Like for example if you were to leave the PC on yet stream a movie or TV series whenever you attempt to sleep?
Or torrent files so that you have a constant up/down network traffic along with streaming?
 

aftech

Level 1
Thread author
Dec 6, 2023
23
Have you tried changing things up regarding network traffic? Like for example if you were to leave the PC on yet stream a movie or TV series whenever you attempt to sleep?
Or torrent files so that you have a constant up/down network traffic along with streaming?
I thought of this already; but our local internet plans are limited for certain GBs per month, not suitable for large size downloads.
But I tried it for small downloads, and I worked.
Shake hands for your smart way of thinking 🤝
 

andytan

Level 1
May 10, 2024
20
Have you ever gone a day with the ethernet cable unplugged? I'd imagine you'd have tried this but am curious whether what occurs if there is 0 internet traffic all the time. In that instance the noise would either need to occur 24/7 or just at night assuming that's when a person would sleep.
 

aftech

Level 1
Thread author
Dec 6, 2023
23
Have you ever gone a day with the ethernet cable unplugged? I'd imagine you'd have tried this but am curious whether what occurs if there is 0 internet traffic all the time. In that instance the noise would either need to occur 24/7 or just at night assuming that's when a person would sleep.
Also thought of, but first this may trigger longer, random periods of noise; in addition, I am preventing myself using my internet.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: kylprq

Victor M

Level 12
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Oct 3, 2022
557
Disable Remote Management on Router now. It is Not Needed when you are just using the local network to manage the router. Same on modem as well.

Since your neighbors are close to you (you said urban environment) go to Device Manager > Network Interface (or something like that) and disable the 2 WiFi Direct drivers. People can connnect to your PC bypassing the pc firewall if you don't disable these.
 

About us

  • MalwareTips is a community-driven platform providing the latest information and resources on malware and cyber threats. Our team of experienced professionals and passionate volunteers work to keep the internet safe and secure. We provide accurate, up-to-date information and strive to build a strong and supportive community dedicated to cybersecurity.

User Menu

Follow us

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to know first about the latest cybersecurity incidents and malware threats.

Top