OPSEC for Group Meetings

[JethroBodine]

Well i knew there was still a risk but didn't have all this info. I think the feds would still need a reason to target you, but if they did... So, i guess there is a bit of security but not totally secure.

Yes that is very disappointing!!

[tarheelsman71]

you could individually create an open PGP style email server using open source code. Then using your IP that you get from your ISP give that out to your group and they could put that into their email client like outlook etc. and then it would stay within the group. If anybody in the group came under investigation then the only person that had the access to get the email would be the owner of the computer. And since we all, hopefully, trust the people in our group with our lives then it wouldnt be a problem. If you wanted more security, you could host it on a laptop that you could hide anywhere. And formatting the drive would be easy should you decided to dispose of the emails. Aside from the internet connection and hardware to put the software on, most everything else would be free.

[Rmplstlskn]

Jethro, Hushmail has been on the take since 2007.

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/200...crypted-e-mai/

Yep, if you want something SECURE, you have to do it yourself... Sending a PGP-encrypted message is not hard, even easy once you understand the sequences... But the TRAFFIC from one email address to another will be visible. So someone would know Bob sent Bill many encrypted emails and Bill sent Bob encrypted emails as well... If anyone cared to look. But no one but Bill and Bob would know what was in those emails...

Now if you want to HIDE the digital papertrail, that gets more complex as you have to use REMAILERS. Remailers essential anonymously forward emails to muliple anonymous servers so that no one can tell who sent what to where... It is complex to explain, but it works... But it also is not INSTANT. Sometimes it may take several hours, even a day for the message to thread through the anon servers...

Private digital communications and data encryption is a interest of mine...

Rmpl

[JethroBodine]

Yep, if you want something SECURE, you have to do it yourself... Sending a PGP-encrypted message is not hard, even easy once you understand the sequences... But the TRAFFIC from one email address to another will be visible. So someone would know Bob sent Bill many encrypted emails and Bill sent Bob encrypted emails as well... If anyone cared to look. But no one but Bill and Bob would know what was in those emails...

Now if you want to HIDE the digital papertrail, that gets more complex as you have to use REMAILERS. Remailers essential anonymously forward emails to muliple anonymous servers so that no one can tell who sent what to where... It is complex to explain, but it works... But it also is not INSTANT. Sometimes it may take several hours, even a day for the message to thread through the anon servers...

Private digital communications and data encryption is a interest of mine...

Rmpl

Maybe this should be a separate thread, but it would be nice if someone, with knowledge of this, could post information or links on how to set up PGP. I think this can be set up to use with your current mail client like Outlook, correct? I'm just wanting to set it up with a few individuals.

[jimmycthemd]

Maybe this should be a separate thread, but it would be nice if someone, with knowledge of this, could post information or links on how to set up PGP. I think this can be set up to use with your current mail client like Outlook, correct? I'm just wanting to set it up with a few individuals.

PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) is simply an open source (free) software that encrypts files. You have a passphrase that acts as a key to encrypt/decrypt the file. There's LOTS of instruction on how to use it (google is your friend). You communicate the key (passphrase) to your partner(s) and simply encrypt and send your file. It's pretty easy and PGP is available for Window and all flavors of Linux. I use it daily both at work and at home. Here's an ok place to start for information on how to download, install and used PGP.

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/ss/pgp8fw/pgp8fw.htm

[Mannlicher]

if .gov does not know me well by now, they just not done their due diligence. :D

[Spock]

if .gov does not know me well by now, they just not done their due diligence. :D

yeah well if they are like my post office don't worry about it. they probably can't find their own behind.

[eeyore]

yeah well if they are like my post office don't worry about it. they probably can't find their own behind.

I would say most of the government is that way, but you do have the coolaid drinkers the ones that are convienced in the cause that might actually know what they are doing. Hopefully they are few and far between.

[slingshot]

If/when O gets the ban that he & Feinstein are straining for and Asset Seizure kicks in, then it's time to get paranoid. If certain weapons get classified as "contraband" and Asset Seizure comes into play, watch for unethical behavior (at the least) or plain old corruption (at the most) to kick off from all branches of LE. Not every officer, or every agency will be quilty, but there will be cases that stink.

Check out the history of asset seizure cases when dope was the contraband. The proceeds of the seized assets are divided between the agencies working the cases.

That's some motivation for the officers working contraband asset seizure cases to get really "creative" to make their cases. Then it's time to worry and get paranoid. If the ban materializes our leaders want, if you're not paranoid - then you're naive.

"OPSEC" should be an important consideration for individuals and groups. The synergism of a group is wonderful for all involved, but it should be balanced out as much as possible with OPSEC. An individual should be able to handle OPSEC much easier, but one person is limited. A group has distinct advantages over an individual, but OPSEC is difficult. It's a balancing act.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

If/when O gets the ban that he & Feinstein are straining for and Asset Seizure kicks in, then it's time to get paranoid. If certain weapons get classified as "contraband" and Asset Seizure comes into play, watch for unethical behavior (at the least) or plain old corruption (at the most) to kick off from all branches of LE. Not every officer, or every agency will be quilty, but there will be cases that stink.
Check out the history of asset seizure cases when dope was the contraband. The proceeds of the seized assets are divided between the agencies working the cases.
That's some motivation for the officers working contraband asset seizure cases to get really "creative" to make their cases. Then it's time to worry and get paranoid. If the ban materializes our leaders want, if you're not paranoid - then you're naive.

Pretty sure there will be more non leo snitches that will sell you out to leos than dirty leos for you to worry about but they are all realistic threats and measures should be started now not after the ban. Think of it this way if there were more Americans for guns or not for certain guns then we wouldnt be facing this issue right now. Leos didnt create this, people (including leos) did and your dope cases sighted make the point because the majority of dope cases begin with a talker

[recon_prepper]

I have used the internet to meet like minded people. I still use opsec though. Doesnt mean I have to give you my full name, location, home address, phone number, email, etcetcetc. We would call ourselves a prepper group. We dont prep for any one scenario, we prep for any and everything. We use common sense. Obviously we dont prep for the END OF THE WORLD since its the END it would not continue. Its a friendly family type group and you can participate and much or as little as you like. We try to have discussions or topics for classes each time so everyone can learn from someone else.

Some people may be good on security, canning, communications, medical, etcetc. We have construction workers, nurses, homemakers, farmers, etc who all show up. There are of course the few that KNOW IT ALL types but we dont allow them to take over the conversation. We dont talk about tin foil hat stuff of alex jones or rumors. We deal in facts and current events. No skin head neo nazis allowed, no overtaking the govt, no killing of govt officials, we just arent that type of group and if you come to our event talking that way you will quickly be told not to and that you arent welcome here. Maybe you need another group.
I think its good to meet others. Those we feel comfortable with after we have met several times and gotten to know them and hung out with them a small group of us ask them into a smaller group who has a bug out location. Again we do much the same thing but more so. We work hard at our bug out location and stock up supplies, have fun, build things, raise a garden and more. Again its about security, families, and prepping.
Just my two cents worth.

[seraphima]

Want a good group? Join your local volunteer fire dept. Great people, well trained, service-oriented, loyal to each other. Often friends from church can be the same, and they may have a depth of preparation in prayer, a very valuable resource. Local VFW post may be similar, or sportsman's clubs, hiking groups, etc. Why go to the internet where you don't know the people, don't know what they are fishing for in their posts? Local people, with a variety of hands-on, verifiable skills and a commitment to your own community are a natural and sensible resource.

[Freebirde]

I've probably had a file on me since the late sixties, older brothers in sensitive military jobs. I've offered to meet other preppers, just to meet not start a group, but they all seem too busy when I've traveled through their area. I don't know if they don't think I'm on the up-and-up or if I just have bad timing. I would like to meet other like minded people, but if I don't I'll just keep on being me. There are organised gathering through the year that I could go to but time and money have been tight around here for a while and I don't see that change in the foreseeable future. But to get back to the OP, you have to get to know people by their actions and attitudes because their words don't always mean much. Sometimes just watching them walk across a room will tell you if you can trust them or not.