Internet communications and being clandestine

[OdieWon]

Not to mention neighborhoods. There are plenty of open networks at peoples houses. The first year in this house we didn't pay for internet because the neighbors signal was strong enough and there was no password.

The thing is, that in a town of 20,000 or so, it wouldn't be too hard to track a person down if he were under serious investigation. I mean if they can narrow it down to the McDonald's IP address, and the Pizza Hut IP address etc..... eventually they'd find you.

I think it's obvious that without being a real computer guy that the internet is OUT for clandestine coms and research.

One more good reason to have a real computer guy in the tribe.

[Dorkface]

I think it's obvious that without being a real computer guy that the internet is OUT for clandestine coms and research.

There are still plenty of ways if one uses there head lol.

[Fulanito]

True but there are a staggering number of stores/shops, hotels, motels and so on that offer free wifi

I have even driven around a neighborhood until I caught a signal and sent reports from an iPhone. Suburban housing developments are great for that. Write three reports. Cut and paste them and save as drafts. Then drive around and just hit send while in from of three seperate homes or businesses. In LATAM it is not uncommon to see a guy renting his phone on the street corner at a dollar for five mins. I have saved reports to an SD chip, popped it in and sent via rented 3G. While Im sure these extremes are not needed for most, I offer them up as examples from which to choose.

[HamburgO]

It doesn't even seem to me these days that there are a whole lot of "Internet cafes." Not like there once was...

Not so much in the States anymore, or the more affluent parts of Europe, still very prevalent in Mexico, Latin Am. and Asia.

[Nick Randall]

I have even driven around a neighborhood until I caught a signal and sent reports from an iPhone. Suburban housing developments are great for that. Write three reports. Cut and paste them and save as drafts. Then drive around and just hit send while in from of three seperate homes or businesses. In LATAM it is not uncommon to see a guy renting his phone on the street corner at a dollar for five mins. I have saved reports to an SD chip, popped it in and sent via rented 3G. While Im sure these extremes are not needed for most, I offer them up as examples from which to choose.

I admit I am a little naive about high tech specifics, but if you sent a report wouldn't it mean it went by e-mail or text message or instant message? Which wouldn't it mean some account that had been opened was used?

[Gabe Suarez]

In no particular order -

Use burn phones. Pay cash. Scope out the store for cameras at point of purchase. If there is a camera, wear a disguise. Nothing fancy...a hat and gunglasses...a hoodie...etc. Ditch it when done. Say nothing in plain language...use cryptic codes that the speaker and listener understand.

Internet is fine. Use someone elses system. Here is an exercise. Go to a hotel and learn someone's room number. Go into the business room and use their computer....stop at the desk and say, "Can you give me the password...I forgot it...I'm in 308".

Or use a laptop and use business Wifi at various locations, but be ready to dump the unit at any moment. Be creative.

Say nothing and type nothing direct...say it like the asians do....go aroiund the subject...al hypothetical...all discreet...all in code. "I will be taking the laundry to Market street and meet you for a cookie", could mean that you will be taking the cash to Main Street and meet for Chinese as long as you are in agreement about the meanings.

It aint that big a deal kids. Think like a crook and not like Dudley Do Right and you will figure it out.

[barnetmill]

Gabe Suarez In no particular order - Use burn phones. Pay cash. Scope out the store for cameras at point of purchase. If there is a camera, wear a disguise. Nothing fancy...a hat and gunglasses...a hoodie...etc.................Or use a laptop and use business Wifi at various locations, but be ready to dump the unit at any moment. Be creative

I am thinking of this relative to purchase of the laptop and having an untraceable IP number. During the holiday day time pay cash and do not leave a correct name. If you buy at a big outfit like best buy it would be very hard to trace. Even if they go through the video camera recordings at the cash register(s) they would have to really do a lot of work and even with facial recognition soft ware. Use free internet services while in your car. And vary the location and at times do not be in the car. I doubt anyone would really be looking that hard. It becomes harder if you want to make an internet purchase and I sort of assume if you use your own credit card this activity can be traced.
I certainly need to look up the other suggestions that were given. Purchased software that hides your information I think can be traced so one should be careful about such software. Certainly do not register it under your own name.

[Nick Randall]

Even if they go through the video camera recordings at the cash register(s) they would have to really do a lot of work and even with facial recognition soft ware.

Do you think if you were a terrorism/guerrilla/insurgent suspect they would not do this?

Don't forget parking lot/other store cameras when/if you go back to a vehicle.

[Trenchs]

Probably a stupid question but I've always wondered how you call someone if everyone in your group is using burn phones. How do you exchange the new phone numbers?

[Housertl]

Probably a stupid question but I've always wondered how you call someone if everyone in your group is using burn phones. How do you exchange the new phone numbers?

I would think that if you were changing phones on a regular schedule, you would get your new phone prior to the change out, and tell your group the numbers over the phone about to be ditched. If you have the need to change out all the phones simultaneously due to suspected compromise, I think it would make sense to have a predetermined "lay low" period, during which one member obtains all the phones for the group, programs the numbers into them with code names, and then distributes them via dead drop. If done correctly, and at random intervals, it could also be used to ferrett out tails.