030 - Info Stealers, GrapheneOS Drama, and Why Video Games and Anti-Virus Are Spyware

The Lockdown - Practical Privacy & Security

In this episode, I address listener feedback and corrections regarding use of public Wi-Fi, MAC addresses, and aliases. I dive deep into the nuances of MAC address randomization on GrapheneOS versus Apple’s private Wi-Fi addresses, explaining why GrapheneOS offers superior privacy protection. I discuss the real threats of public Wi-Fi in 2025 (hint: it’s not hackers with Wireshark), and share my approach with aliases.

I also cover the rising threat of infostealers like Atomic Info Stealer for macOS, the dangerous intersection of gaming cheats and malware, and why I avoid third-party antivirus software. Most importantly, I address the GrapheneOS controversy: the loss of a senior developer to military conscription, Google’s strategic pivot that threatens custom ROMs, and why claims of GrapheneOS “dying” are misinformation spread by those with competing agendas.

In this week’s episode:

1. Clarifications and Corrections: Public Wi-Fi, MAC addresses, and alias management
2. MAC address randomization: GrapheneOS vs Apple’s implementation
3. The real threats of public Wi-Fi in 2025
4. Info stealers and video games can be a privacy nightmare
5. GrapheneOS controversy: Developer conscription, Google’s lockdown, and the future of custom ROMs
6. Why antivirus software might be the malware you’re trying to avoid

Matrix Community Rooms

• Matrix Community Space - https://matrix.to/#/#psysecure:matrix.org

Individual Room Links:

• https://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-general:matrix.org
• https://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-podcast:matrix.org
• https://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-intro:matrix.org

Show Links:

• MAC Address Lookup - https://maclookup.app/
• OUI Lookup - https://oui.is/
• 33mail - https://www.33mail.com/
• OpenSnitch - https://github.com/evilsocket/opensnitch
• Privacy.com - https://privacy.com
• Lithic - https://lithic.com
• Kaspersky and Russian Government - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaspersky_and_the_Russian_government
• Google Not Killing AOSP - https://www.androidauthority.com/google-not-killing-aosp-3566882/
• GrapheneOS on Developer Conscription - https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/114359660453627718
• GrapheneOS on OEM Partnerships (June 19) - https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/114671100848024807
• GrapheneOS Response to Misinformation - https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/114825492698412916
• GrapheneOS on iPhone Security - https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/114824816120139544

“Social engineering bypasses all technologies, including firewalls.”

- Kevin Mitnick

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