Skype: Why we should not be using it.

[deuem]

Hey Pim,

The very second you can give me a link to something that can relpace Skype and do what it does I will try it. Just like I did with cam frog. In the meantime we are willing to take the chance. We all say hi to the NSA every call. They know Robo well. We just don't mind it. We have nothing to hide from them. We even invite them to join the chat. Every thing we do gets posted on the site. I am sure the NSA, CIA and others are already members. Hello to you all.  Maybe they can find some good stuff for us to look into, after all they do have the edge.

Other than that we miss you and Ron.....

I still can't get over how clear the calls can be. Like your sitting right in front of me. Crystal clear. Only a microsecond time delay. We can count together. Real time. My phone to the US has a lag. Skype has a millisecong or so.

[Pimander]

The very second you can give me a link to something that can relpace Skype and do what it does I will try it.

Empathy is better but it is a Linux app.

I think you should use Skype.  It is more convenient for your purposes.  I don't use it on principle because I hate spyware.  If you are OK with that then use it.

MY alternative would be to migrate this forum to a new format like oxwall (or similar) where we can host video chats and stuff more easily.  If were all working on a proper project and needed a high level of collaboration and needed secrecy (or high levels of security), I would suggest we all use Linux and then Empathy does everything that Skype does  and more without spying on you but it is a Linux program.

The problem with PRC Forum is that the software not very good if we want to add functionality to the site or make it more user friendly.

Oxwall would allow people to log in with Facebook accounts and many other advantages to expand membership but the lack of interest from you guys gives me no motivation to move in that direction. It is possible to add video and text chat and conferencing, log in with Facebook or Twitter pas word, add a forum, have groups and more.

I added a test one and linked to it in admin if you want to look at it.  I'm not posting that info here though.

[Sgt.Rocknroll]

I used Skype when Bill and I did our radio interview on Inception Radio..Just re-activated my account...'sgt.rocknroll'.. If your interested...

[deuem]

Facebook or Twitter

I don't quite understand why these 2. They are reported to be worse than any of the others. Add momma Google and you got the Alpabet crew.  Besides for me all 3 are banned so hard that even if the forum page links an ad to them, I get bounced off line. That's why I got white wall banned from Photobucket last week. The new Firefox opened that door for PB.

I think we would have a very hard time getting all members to move to Linux. Many members don't even post, let alone needing them to change their operating system. I know I would have a problem with a lot of programs. I would also think that the ABC Crews are so good at what they do they can breach anything we can come up with.

Without knowing exactly what skype is sending out of your machine it is hard to judge. If it is just saying to mom,  Hi I'm on line, I don't have a problem. If it is looking within my machine for details and scanning my hard drive then I do.

Many programs do this tickle. Just shut it off when not using it and that ping turns off. It does not make sence to just leave it on if your away. That's like leaving your phone at home. Just turn it on when you want to use it.

Deuem

[Sgt.Rocknroll]

Tptb already know who I am. Know where I live and what sites I visit. When not using it, I turn it off & disconnect my internet. What else you gonna do? We're just digital slaves.

[Pimander]

I don't quite understand why these 2

Sorry Deuem, I think I have not explained it very well.  I don't mean use Facebook or Twitter LOL.

If we had a site run using oxwall software anyone can log in using their Facebook of twitter account to the public part of the site.  If we like them then we could increase their membership level and make them full members.  It is designed to make it easy for folks to visit your site and have an identity (in this case their facebook or twitter name.  These people can then post (in the public areas) or chat in public chat.

The idea is to encourage more members as most average internet folks are alread Facebook or Twitter members).  If someone is already logged into FB then it is easy to log in and find out about our site.  You don't have to use facebook though, you could just me a member by registering same way as here.  It is simply a way to make a site potentially more popular which is especially important if you want to make money as PWM and Robo are hoping to do.

I have not explained it much to you guys as there seems to be little desire to develop the site on the part of the rest of the staff and I am too busy to waste my time.  If you go to where I added a link to a test site I set up you will see immmediately that even a simple test site that took me ten minutes to set up looks a lot more professional than this one.  It is also easier to add functionality than this.  You can even make the site post automatically stuff on Twittr and facebook that will attract interest like links to articles we publish and things.

[Pimander]

I think we would have a very hard time getting all members to move to Linux.

Every time I type something people respond to what I don't say.....  sorry it isn't you deuem, I'm having a bad week.

I don't mean all members.  I meant if some of the staff were doing a project where you really wanted high security, those staff could have a dual boot system or something and do the work on Linux on software that doesn't spy on you.  If you aren't working on anything sensitive or are a regular member then there would be no need for that in the first place.

[starwarp2000]

Sounds like we need a Pegasus VPN.
Secure tunneling is 'impossible' to eavesdrop on.

As a side note: I ran a packet analyzer (Wireshark) while using Skype. Every 10th packet is a 'return to home' message that syncs your conversation back to the main server at Langley. 
Even if you aren't on Skype, you still have it on your hard drive, and it contacts home every minute (When you go online). It is the 'ultimate' Spy Ware, because it was designed by spooks, and is run by spooks.
Fine if you aren't planning a terrorist attack, but remember, it 'exposes' the complete contents of your hard disk to whomever want's to look. Now if you have some research on there that you want to keep private and it turns up manufactured in Korea next week, you only have yourself to blame.

[ArMaP]

Fine if you aren't planning a terrorist attack, but remember, it 'exposes' the complete contents of your hard disk to whomever want's to look.

Could you show us proof of what you're saying?

[deuem]

Pim, understod, thanks
Star, Not understood well yet.  As ArmaP Asked.
I have always stated that if anyone was working on a top level secrete project and that computer was connected to any net, Then they should take a close look at what they are doing. If uncle sam wants to look at my Deuem photos, I'll send them to him. I really don't think I have anything to hide.

[starwarp2000]

A lengthy new Guardian report claims Microsoft worked directly with the NSA by giving complete back door access to Outlook (and Hotmail), Skype and SkyDrive. The report basically says each service was easily circumvented in order to make the NSA's job of sleuthing data incredibly easy, as if your private info was selling at a weekend garage sale. One NSA document even described the collaboration with Microsoft as a "team sport."

http://www.technobuffalo.com/2013/07/11/microsoft-gave-the-nsa-direct-backdoor-access-to-outlook-skype/

Skype's file-transfer function does not integrate with any antivirus products, although Skype claims to have tested its product against antivirus "Shield" products.

Skype does not document all communication activities. This lack of clarity as to content means that systems administrators cannot be sure what it is doing.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/032140940X/

Skype creates a file called 1.com in the temp directory which is capable of reading all BIOS data from a PC.

http://www.pagetable.com/?p=27

The URI handler that checks URLs for verification of certain file extensions and file formats uses case sensitive comparison techniques and doesn't check all potential file formats.

http://www.gnucitizen.org/blog/vulnerabilities-in-skype/

The privacy of Skype traffic may have limits. Although Skype encrypts communication between users, a Skype spokesman did not deny the company's ability to intercept the communication. On the question of whether Skype could listen in on their users' communication, Kurt Sauer, head of the security division of Skype, replied evasively: "We provide a secure means of communication. I will not say if we are listening in or not."

http://www.zdnet.de/39151472/telefonieren-uebers-internet-wie-sicher-ist-skype-wirklich/

From these links it should be easy to figure out how to access your hard drive from Skype.
I won't be posting how to do it, as that would be illegal, and would bring down fire upon this forum. 

[zorgon]

Joe Resnick has a simple solution

He bought a cheap computer just for skype

[starwarp2000]

Joe Resnick has a simple solution

He bought a cheap computer just for skype

Good solution there Zorgs!

You could do what i do as well.
Run Windows 7 as a VM (Virtual Machine) inside a Unix Zone. Zones act as if they are a unique computer but deny access to the Host System.
They can hack the crap out of the VM because I will just reload the image with the click of a button 

[deuem]

I did a search for 1.com before and after I opened Skype and did not find it. I run Tom Skype from China. Good Chinese at their best. Must be another hook.

I mentioned getting a cheap computer for skype many replies ago.

[ArMaP]

I did a search for 1.com before and after I opened Skype and did not find it.

That 1.com article is almost 7 years old.