Corruption of LOL

When using public or other unsecured wifi, it becomes much easier for hackers and sniffers to root out your private information, compromising your privacy, and maybe even your identity.

And just for your information (not that I would ever condone this , this technique can also bypass internet blocks enforced by companies, schools, etc.

I’ll provide the Mac instructions, but the same is possible on a PC using an SSH client, such as OpenSSH.

Manual Instructions

1. Get (or use your existing) web hosting that supports SSH. Unlimited bandwidth is preferred. My recommendation: Bluehost.
2. Set up your SSH, remembering your passwords and usernames.
3. Open Terminal
4. Type in the following code: ssh -ND 9999 yourusername@yourwebsiteaddress.com (You will be prompted for your password. Enter it. The terminal window will appear to freeze up; this is what you want, and means that you have successfully connected. This opens port 9999, connects through SSH to your server, and stays open until you terminate it; it’s basically a secure tunnel that you’re going to route your internet traffic through.)
5. Open Firefox, then Preferences, then the Advanced tab, and click Settings (how Firefox connects to the internet).
6. Choose Manual Proxy Configuration.
7. Under SOCKS Host, type localhost and under Port, 9999. Under No Proxy for, type localhost, 127.0.0.1. Select SOCKS v5.
8. Click OK.

If you’ve done everything correctly, Firefox will appear to work as usual, but perhaps slightly slower.

Congrats! You are using secure internet!

When you are done using your secure connection, change Firefox preferences back to No Proxy, and terminate your Terminal. DO NOT just close Terminal–you are likely to remain connected. Select Terminal and press Apple-Period (Cmd-.), then quit.

Using AppleScript (Creating a Secure Internet Application) – Apple only

I’ve made the instructions pretty straight-forward, but you might need to be a little tech-savvy to figure this one out. This will combine all the steps above into an application that will give you secure internet access.

1. Download and install NPS AskPass (for Tiger–it works with 10.4 and above, including Leopard)
2. Open Terminal and type /Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/MacOS/firefox -ProfileManager
3. Create a Firefox profile called “secureaccess”
4. Open your new Firefox profile, and follow steps 5-8 above. Close Firefox when you’re done.
5. Open Script Editor and create a blank script.
6. Save it as “proxysetup.app” (application bundle) to your desktop.
7. Open Finder, go to Firefox, right click and hit “Explore Package Contents.” Open the Contents folder, then create a folder called “securessh.”
8. Drag your proxysetup.app from your desktop into your newly created folder within Firefox.
9. Back in Script Editor, enter the following into your proxysetup file:
   do shell script “ssh -ND 9999 yourusename@yourwebsiteaddress.com &> /dev/null &”
10. Save proxysetup.app and close it.
11. DOWNLOAD MY PRE-COMPILED APPLICATION HERE. You must have followed all previous instructions EXACTLY or it will not function. Open the application with Script Editor if you need to make any changes to tailor it to suit you.

When you run the application, it should do three things, in no particular order:

1. Open a dialog box indicating to click OK to close the connection. Put this off to the side, and only click OK when you are done. (After you click this, a dialog will appear saying something like “Can’t get end.” Don’t worry, that just means that your connection is closed. That is what you want.
2. Open your “secureaccess” Firefox profile with the proxy settings all ready to go!
3. Open a password dialog box. Enter your server’s password to connect to the proxy. Firefox will then be able to connect to the internet in a secure fashion!

Congratulations! You now have a secure internet application!

BONUS: If you want it to have my custom and cool-looking golden Firefox symbol (as seen above) just save the image file, make an icon out of it with Pic2Icon, and then place it over the existing icon (hit Cmd-I on both files, and drag the icon over).

Enjoy!

Seems like it’s time for another article. Don’t worry though, this one is short and sweet.

As you’re reading, keep in mind, some parts of this technique should be used by everyone, while others may not be applicable to you in particular (e.g. guys named Bruce who live at Gold’s Gym). Adopt what you think will help you stay safe. Of course, take your gender, strength, and overall physical competence into account when deciding which of these techniques to adopt.

Background

Many people do the same thing over and over again on a daily, weekly, or other repetitive basis. This kind of behavior is what humans naturally resort to, and the bad guys know this. The best criminals (and even some dimwits for that matter) know that surveillance is key if they want to pull something off. They want to know what to expect and when to expect it.

What they are trying to do is eliminate any intentional or unintentional element of surprise that their prey might have over them.

If you incorporate easy and appropriate counter-surveillance techniques into your daily schedule, you are likely to either stay off the bad guys’ radar completely, or at least give yourself a leg up if something does happen.

One particular time when people are very vulnerable is when they are walking to or from their vehicles.

Approaching/departing your vehicle (mostly applicable at night time)

• Try not to use the same route to and from your vehicle – walk up one row when you are leaving your car; walk back down another row and cut over on your way back.
• When parking at your residence, use a private, locked garage if at all possible. If you do not have a garage, make sure you have motion-sensing flood lights that activate upon your arrival.
• If you live and park in an apartment complex, try not to always park in the same spot. Switch it up randomly, even if you have to walk further. (Use your judgement here.)
• If you have an assigned parking space, do not always drive straight to it, especially at night. Circle the complex and come back from the other direction, or pull into someone else’s spot, then back up and pull into yours.
• Always maintain a high level of situational awareness when entering or departing your vehicle.
• Do not display your keys for very long before or after you enter the vehicle. If at all possible, lock and unlock your vehicle with your keys still in your pocket.
• If you ever return to your car and find that you forgot to lock it, make sure it is unoccupied. If it is daylight, simply look inside. If it is night time, press your “panic” button (or activate approach lights if your car has them) prior to approaching the car. This will frighten and confuse anyone in the car, as well as draw attention from others nearby.

Driving your vehicle

• Become very familiar with your vehicle – know how it acts and handles at various speeds. Consider taking classes on advanced driving techniques. BE CAREFUL. Knowing your limitations and the limitations of your vehicle prior to practicing is very important. You are NOT a stunt driver. Don’t act like one.
• In city driving, keep your doors locked. This prevents entry into your vehicle while it is still.
• In highway driving, keep your doors unlocked. No one will enter your car while you are going 75. This will make it easier for rescuers to reach you should you be involved in an accident.
• Women only: at night and/or in isolated areas, do NOT stop if you are being pursued by a police car. Call 911 on your cell phone and ask the dispatcher if the car behind you is really a police officer. If you do not have a cell phone, drive (obeying all traffic laws, of course) to the nearest police station or well-lit public area and pull over. If on the highway, pull to the side of the road and continue at a slow (but not dangerously slow) rate of speed until you have confirmed that you are being pursued by a real police officer.
• Men, apply the technique above only in very special circumstances.
• Remember cars in your immediate area while driving.
• If you have reason to believe you are being followed, circle a block, drive to a police station, or call 911. Under no circumstances do you drive to your home or any other place that you frequent.
• If you are involved in a minor car accident, call the police immediately and drive to a public, well-lit area to pull over.
• If you are involved in a major accident (meaning that your car will no longer operate), make sure you are in a well-lit, public area before exiting your vehicle. If you are not in such an area, remain in your car with the doors locked until authorities arrive.

Thanks for reading! Questions or comments, post them here or email or call me.

Until next time, Semper Fi, folks.