Hi all, first of all hello!
I need to replace my laptop at some point and since I became more privacy conscious over time and at the same time read more and more about governments wanting to have spyware preinstalled on devices (looking at you UK) I was wondering whether you have any recommendations about (somewhat) trustworthy manufacturers.
Of course I use hardware wallets and even dedicated computers just for coordinating but still, even with hardware wallets I don’t want anyone spying or remote controlling my computer.
Thanks a lot for your recommendations!
https://earth.starlabs.systems/
https://minifree.org/
https://configurelaptop.eu/
https://www.nitrokey.com/
Find a laptop that is qubes certified that is also coreboot supported, that can bring you the closest in hardware stack. Then remove any wireless connectivity (lte module, wifi) and you are on the right track
Framework maybe? But, I mean, all the hardware comes always from few big manufacturers.
I don't think anyone is bugging hardware on purpose... it would be very inefficient, hard to target and potentially dangerous. It is more likely for backdoors to be always delivered, to targeted individuals, by software that can be updated, patched and destroyed.
So I guess my recommendation is to install Linux 🗿and use full disk encryption
Clevo and Tongfang laptops are what some people around me use because those have both full Linux compatibility and are easy to repair.
However, if I were MI6, those would be the ones I'd bug. Lol
I believe the equipment is the least of your problems regarding privacy; the practice is much more important, and any equipment can be adapted and receive an OS that meets your demand, even a Mac (which I don't recommend).
My beginner attempt at setting up a laptop with a privacy focus
#1394320
Software is easy, wipe drive and just run Linux... isolate slop like zoom and chrome/brave from your user space
Nothing can be done about hardware, any Intel, AMD, or ARM chip is compromised at the motherboard level by the NSA (GCHQ partner)
Hardware wallets all use closed chips too, theater, and targeted customer lists.
All you can do is not be a state level adversary that warrants their attention, or run Chinese RISC hardware and trade the NSA for the 3PLA
#1008583
why would you say brave is slop and what would you recommend?
Brave falls in the camp of privacy LARP, and is still adware with a dubious sustainability model... and a shitcoin
There are really no great browser options, but ungoogled chromium is the closest in terms of active maintenance and compatibility https://github.com/ungoogled-software/ungoogled-chromium
Floorp has potential, but firefox derivatives seem to be losing the compatibility battle https://github.com/Floorp-Projects/Floorp
Zen is another https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop
GNU IceCat was a nice option, but the maintainer seems to be dropping off
GNOME has Epiphany, which is based on WebKit (Safari)
Thank you!
It's also good to remember that every single interaction can and will be exploited if you're a target, physically or virtually. Devices are a valid concern, but what about your day-to-day interactions with the world around you? Depending on who is interested, they know how to be patient. I was reminded of a recent case of a group of criminals who would surveil and interact with the target as if they were neighbors or random people on the street. The goal was to kill. They knew the entire routine—they didn't need to hack any devices.
System 76.
Was listening to FP talk on Ungovernable Misfits (recommend it)!
You can't go wrong with a Qubes Certified Device
https://doc.qubes-os.org/en/latest/user/hardware/certified-hardware/certified-hardware.html
Thank you so much for all your responses! Extremely helpful!