I'm going to be picking up a pre-paid phone shortly, so I'll have that covered.  But a couple other questions?

1.  On emails, do you generally just use one of your available addresses on your main email, or do you set up something seperate through "hushmail" or something like that?  I mean really, does hushmail work?  I see some guys just use one of their available email addys on their main account.  Is that less safe?  I mean, once they've got your IP address, what's the difference?

I sent my original email to the provider from an old MSN account that still allows me to send and use emails.  I included my full name in the email so I could be verified since I had nobody to give me a referral.  No incriminating language was used in the email, so I'm not concerned there, but would like future emails to not be tied to that email with my name in it.

I'd like to switch up email addys.  Good idea, or unecessary precaution?

2.  Once you've been verified by the provider, do most then switch up to an alias with them from then on out in emails and on the phone? Does something like "Bob in SC" work?

Thanks.  Tried to find out by reading through the boards, but I'm about read out, and am not the most tech savy guy out there.

I use a separate account set up for hobbying.  When I registered I didn't put in my full name & of course a different P/W.  ISPs will usuasally reset if you unplug the box though always in the same block, I'm told.

It's definately not safe to use an e-mail linked to your main address...  family members could get access.  

If you are indiscrete any account can be broken.  Don't discuss illegal activities.  

Use a computer washer program to clean your PC so it can not be recovered forensically.

Who are you trying to protect yourself from? That isn't a snide question, but a relevant one to what precautions you take.

If you are trying to keep a SO from finding out, then the hobby phone, totally separate e-mail account and a tracks eraser may be sufficient on the technological front. Don't use a sub-account from anything anyone you know has access to. Use a web-only free provider, like Yahoo, Gmail, HotMail, etc. No money, no bills for anyone in the house to see.

Those same precautions should be fine as far as law enforcement if you are smart, low profile and they have no motivation to go after you specifically. If they have enough desire and resources to nail you for some reason, they will. None of the other safeguards will mean a damned thing they have it out for you. You simply cannot hide from a trained computer detective with resources, except by not using a computer.

Good luck.

Broadband users have fixed IPs. You have to use a proxy server to protect yourself if your really that worried about it. A lot of trouble for LE to go through for a misdemaenor bust though IMO. For braodband users its a real pain in the ass becuase they are usually very slow and oftentimes located in another country.

Ther are so many free email services out there I change my "play account" regularly. Once I have established some trust with a provider our communications are indistinguishable from a normal email to a friend or girlfriend. Also I rarely use email because of the "evidence factor". If I do they are deleted immediately.

I wont clue you in here to the prefferred method of communication due to the fact you are posting regularly under an alias and asking some pretty detailed questions that common sense would readily provide answers for. And you ignored my earlier query.

BTW a prepaid phone? Jeez how do you explain that one if your wife or SO finds it. The less physical evidence the better as Im sure you know.

Typically you will get a new IP Address from your provider.   It will be in the same network as the old one, but will be different.

Just coded differently so its a little faster. DSL= Dedicated Second Line. Broadband would cover Cable and Fiber optics, T-1 lines, that sort of thing.

Supposedly, it wouldnt really matter anyway. Once your IP address and the time you used it is known is known it can be tracked to its point of origin regardless. Expensive but plausible.

Proxy servers are your only sure bet for maintaining privacy and offshore ones are best cuz big bro has to ask to use them.

This article is from the UK but you better belive we have it too.

best bet is to save your old laptop (or pick one up cheap off craigs list for cash so there is nothing tracing it to you name)(I assume built in wireless is so standard that you can get an old pc for a couple hundred bucks at most) and don't use anything but the internet browser and wireless that you find off the air. (I keep my old laptop at my office and pull it out when i need it, then just piggyback someone's open conection or go to a coffee shop/hotel lobby, anyplace that has open wireless - they are everywhere these days) - that way I'm anonymous in all ways - most anyone could do is trace to a general location.  Considering that you spend hundred for each appointment, its a cheap investment to make.  Old PC's can be slow, but if you just use for browsing and don't add other software, they work fine

prepaid cell in my desk drawer at work.

Since I have no live-in family members in my house, I am a little looser with my security, not recommended for everyone.  Like has been already stated, it is doubtful if LEO is going to make the effort to go after any one particular hobbyist, unless you happen to be a high profile person like that dumbass Spitzer.  If they really want you, they will get what they need, one way or another.

Take what precautions you deem necessary and relax and enjoy the hobby.  Lots of guys use a hobby phone, but it never sees the inside of their house where the SO can stumble on it.  And keep the puter squeeky clean or do it on a clean machine away from home.

Swim

Wow,

Thanks for the wake up call.

I've got no worries at home, or any reason to suspect LE would be kicking down my door and seizing my computer.  My concern is where the concentration of a lot of useful information is at, at the provider's computer.

Posting under an alias?  Aren't we all?  I guess I'm not understanding this.  I thought the entire idea was to be discreet?

I'm not ignoring anything.  Only reason my responses have been delayed, is because I just got home.  No way am I even pulling this site up from my work computer, LOL.  I'd like to keep my job!

Many companies routinely moniter computer use on their system.  It's legal, it's their equipment, their network and often on their time.  Every so often you hear of someone getting fired for "looking at porn".  I expect this to only increase with all the belt tightening going on.  

An old laptop or devise could be a really good investment.
skb

1.  Your Sig Other getting into your computer/phone records/credit card records.

2.  Your employer auditing where you go online

3. - 9.  i can't even imagine

10.  LE getting into your private life.  They just don't do that over misdemeanors.  They are only going to bust you for what you do in the presence of an undercover police officer. They want to generate as many arrests as possible for as little effort as possible. They do not have the time, resources or inclination to find out what web sites you visited or what emails SOMEONE sent from your account to a provider.  The concept of them doing some kind of forensic investigation of your phone/computer/credit cards to make a misdemeanor soliciting arrest is ludicrous when, by definition, to make a misdemeanor arrest (all states that I know of!) the officer must personally witness the act.  If the officer witnesses the act (the soicitation) then they don't NEED the rest of the documentation.  

The only question I have never had a clear answer to is whether or not LE has a good case on you if you simply show up for a 'date' with a provider that you arrainged by email/phone and NEVER discussed sexual details. Unethical LE can always bust you and let you try to prove you are innocent and I'm sure that happens sometimes - there are no absolute guarantees here.

Unless you are someone like Spitzer and in the public eye AND laundering money (a felony) and/or violating the Mann Act (a felony) or doing Kiddie Porn (a felony) LE could not care less.  
MVR

Nevermind. Self-deleted.

-- Modified on 10/22/2008 12:32:07 PM