I run a computer security company now. I used to work crypto for the military. I’ve done computer security for numerous federal govt agencies over the last decade.
Its my belief that most of the govt is too disorganized and incompetent to do any effective monitoring. The groups which do this kind of stuff are the exception.
IMHO they can (if they want) monitor every person they want 24 hours a day. They don’t for most people because its too expensive and most don’t represent a risk.
Having a computer connected to the internet makes it easy for them to monitor through automated tools. They can track your internet traffic or install software on your computer.
Again IMHO the only secure method of communicating does not include the use of a computer. Encryption of any type doesn’t help when they have the master key. Sounds paranoid but then I’ve been been around stuff you normally read about in a Tom Clancy novel.
Agree / Disagree. I also work directly with Feds, and have a strong level of involvement with website security (which is admittedly different than crypto). While I agree the gov't as a whole, if deciding to be all Stasi on us, would likely be stuttering fusterclucks of a miserable failures, like you said: a) there are groups that would not; b) automation tools would make the task manageable, and c) these tools can and probably are presently being used to give the Democrats a strong election advantage. Nothing else truly explains 2012 and the shock we all got (including the left, btw).
“Again IMHO the only secure method of communicating does not include the use of a computer. Encryption of any type doesn’t help when they have the master key. Sounds paranoid but then I’ve been been around stuff you normally read about in a Tom Clancy novel.”
Thanks for posting your information. I recall you and I had useful conversation about electricity/solar panels/batteries on one of our prepper threads. When driftdiver posts, I listen.