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4 Ways To NSA-Proof Your Smartphone
TruthisScary
NSA spying no longer makes headlines like it did last summer, when whistleblower Edward Snowden released thousands of documents chronicling the agency’s domestic spying tactics. This complacency by the American public is exactly what the federal government is depending on to keep the programs going without much scrutiny or backlash.
China recently brought the NSA back into the news when its state-run media announced the release of a new computer operating system it says will rival Microsoft. The Chinese government has already reverted many of its systems back to Windows XP to prevent some of the NSA’s spying capabilities associated with Windows 8, according to the Daily Telegraph. China has also moved to outlaw most Apple products, since it was revealed the NSA has a backdoor way to access all information from Apple devices.
Most Americans do not have the means or the know-how to create their own NSA-proof operating system. But you can throw off the NSA just enough to retain some semblance of privacy. Those who still desire total privacy can also do so with a few extra steps.
Use a Pre-Paid Service
It’s second nature to many people to willingly surrender their names, addresses, Social Security Numbers, dates of birth, etc., to cell phone companies when they sign contracts for service. Using a pre-paid service not only keeps you out of a long commitment to a company, but it also provides anonymous accounts.
All of the big-name companies and regional providers like Cricket offer these types of services. Most of them simply require refill cards, which are sold at numerous locations. Your name and other information is never associated with the account, while the phone and cards can be paid for in cash. An unlimited talk, text and data plan can be had for less than $50 per month. Some pre-paid plans are not 4G-compatible, but that’s a small price to pay for privacy.
Turn off Your GPS
When trying to find a place you’ve never been before, the GPS on your smartphone is a handy tool. But there’s no reason for it to be active at any other time. Your GPS gives the federal government a nice, neat accounting of everywhere you’ve been on a daily basis, when it’s active.
Granted, turning off the GPS is not foolproof when it comes to hiding your physical location. But it’s a simple step that at least makes it that much harder for government spies to track you. To turn off the GPS on a Samsung Galaxy S4, one of the most popular smartphone models in use today, simply drag down the notification bar and press “off.”
Go App-Less
A vast majority of smartphone apps today did not exist only five years ago. Therefore, you can probably live without most of them. Every time you download an app, you are making your smartphone more susceptible to attacks. Some apps actually tell you they’re going to access your GPS location before installation. Avoid these types of apps you want to avoid.
For maximize smartphone security, limit its use to phone calls, text messages and emergency Web surfing only.
Encryption of Voice Calls
The Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects Americans from self-incrimination in a court of law. Police tell you when you’re being arrested, “Anything you say can and will be used against you.” That is why encryption of voice calls is more vital than ever.
Snowden documents revealed in March a complex system in which the NSA can record virtually every single phone call made on any network in the world (7). Voice call encryption services act as a middle man network that hides the source and destination of phone calls. TrustCall, for instance, uses what it calls a TrustChip that users each install on their phones to privately communicate. CellCrypt is a similar option.
The NSA will ultimately find you, if it really wants to. But the harder you make it on them, the more likely they’ll eventually give up and leave you alone.
Source: http://truthisscary.com/2014/09/4-ways-to-nsa-proof-your-smartphone/
