/u/Zunero, I've noticed some areas in your discussion about OPSEC that could benefit from further clarification and additional technical details. Here's a reformatting of your points for better readability and emphasis: Starting with your assertion that: any laptop can handle security-focused operating systems like QubesOS, this needs correction. QubesOS actually requires VT-x or AMD-V for hardware-assisted virtualization⚠️, plus a minimum of 4 GB RAM, though 16 GB is recommended. Many older laptops or lower-performance devices simply cannot meet these demands, which may lead to failures or errors that could ultimately compromise your security. It's critical to acknowledge that OPSEC is not just a set-it-and-forget-it situation. OPSEC is a continuous, proactive process that demands regular updates and adjustments. Tools like OBSF4 and Tor are excellent for maintaining online anonymity and security but require consistent updates to remain effective against evolving surveillance methods and censorship tactics. You overlooked crucial aspects like situational awareness, secure disposal of sensitive information, maintaining a secure work environment (both physical and electronic), visitor control and monitoring, and device and data protection. According to your post, you suggested that OPSEC can be summed up in three sentences , which is not accurate. Discussing VPNs, while recommending KeePassXC and VPNs like IVPN or MullVad is valid, overlooking custom VPN solutions misses an opportunity for tighter security control. Commercial VPNs may have hidden vulnerabilities and might comply with governmental requests or be under surveillance. A custom VPN, if properly set up, provides more control over data handling and security practices, which is crucial for effective OPSEC. Your comment on the community being either hard on drugs or just newbie lurkers simplifies the range of skills and needs within the community. Effective OPSEC must consider different levels of risk exposure and technical capabilities, which you failed to address. Lastly, the example you provided about spending a lot of time on OPSEC only to fail due to a minor oversight highlights the importance of meticulous configuration and regular reviews. Every part of your security setup, from firewall rules to encryption settings, needs careful configuration and regular oversight to prevent leaks and breaches. For more insights into managing OPSEC complexities effectively, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)⚠️ offers detailed guidelines on best practices and methodologies. Definition of OPSEC Operational Security (OPSEC) is a process used to identify critical information and analyze threats from adversaries. It aims to prevent the leakage of sensitive information that could be exploited by opponents. OPSEC helps protect operations by managing and mitigating risks to your information. Simple Walkthrough of the OPSEC Process OPSEC involves several key steps to ensure information security. Here’s a breakdown of each step: Identify Critical Information: Determine what information, if obtained by adversaries, could significantly impact your operations. Analyze the Threat: Identify who poses a threat to your information, understanding their capabilities, intentions, and methods. Analyze Vulnerabilities: Look at how your critical information is protected and where the weaknesses are. Assess Risks: Evaluate the risks associated with potential vulnerabilities and the likelihood of adversaries exploiting them. Apply Countermeasures: Implement strategies and controls to reduce risks and protect critical information. These steps are iterative and should be continually revisited to adapt to new threats and changes in the environment. OPSEC is vital for anyone looking to secure their operations from potential threats and vulnerabilities.

openBDSM?? LMFAOOOO!!!!

You make a good point, many seem to aim blindly for the perfect opsec in isolation without any consideration whatsoever of the outside environment.

personally i don't use vpns just because of the content blocks that they can cause, i'd rather proxy chain because that solves a lot of content block issues but yea if u gonna use any vpn use mullvad paid with xmr.

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I know that with PGP you can use any email provider you want but just out of curiosity since you are a vendor, which email provider do you use or prefer?

This is not an OpSec, just some weird endpoint security hallucination mate ;)

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30 minutes...? That's your idea of an "opsec fanboy"? Please show some respect. Some of us live and breathe opsec 24fucking7. I've seen people in invent their own VPN?? Which is arguably worse because you're trusting a random server host.... You're trusting a random server host regardless. You think Mullvad is any better? They have a public presence = they can be forced to act against their will at any time = nothing they say can be trusted. Don't be naive. I mean, don't get me wrong, they're still top tier as far as VPNs go, but they're still a random company you have no real control over. True opsec fanboys have evolved beyond needing to make such choices. Hardly any of you OPSEC fanboys are prominent enough to have complicated OPSEC. Most of you are either hard on drugs or just newbie lurkers. Prominent? Pfft. I smoke cheap darknet weed and don't even share any of it. I'm a bottom of the barrel target. Granted I "got into" opsec because of drugs and I may never have otherwise ran into the term, but it has since evolved into my life passion. I have suppressed myself for decades in fear of ending up on some watchlist somewhere. The opsec community has given me the knowledge and tools required so that I don't have to suppress myself ever again. I'll say what the fuck I want to say without fear of physical repercussions. THE GOVERNMENTS ARE WRONG AND THE TERRORISTS ARE RIGHT!!!!! Just look at what happened to Alex Jones - hundreds of thousands in fines for something he said. Not something he did, something he said. Those who want free speech must bring their own protections, because society no longer offers any. I'm covered in so many layers of opsec that even God himself will be hard pressed to find me.