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  • Long term project: Creating a privacy-based disposable burner persona o

    From Marion@3:633/280.2 to All on Sun Aug 10 07:35:34 2025
    Subject: Long term project: Creating a privacy-based disposable burner persona on your desktop PC

    Given the golden rules of privacy are to remain as anonymous as possible,
    and, based on recent suggestions in the Firefox newsgroup by Mike Easter
    *Is there a de-mozzilla'd Firefox (similar to degoogled chromium)?*
    <https://al.howardknight.net/?STYPE=msgid&MSGI=%3CmfkmfiFjnh9U1%40mid.individual.net%3E>

    Which itself was based on a DIY tutorial on creating a privacy browser:
    *Tutorial: DIY build your own lightweight privacy web browser*
    <<https://al.howardknight.net/?STYPE=msgid&MSGI=%3C105ptvs%242ihi%241%40nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com%3E>>

    Where the DIY tutorial essentially added these extensions to an
    already stripped-down (de-Googled, de-Mozilla'd) web browser.
    1. User-Agent Switcher and Manager : version 0_6_4
    User-Agent Switcher and Manager, Spoofs browser identity
    2. uBlock Origin : version 1_65_0
    uBlock Origin, Blocks ads and trackers
    3. NoScript : version 13_0_8
    NoScript, Blocks JavaScript selectively
    4. Cookie AutoDelete : version 3_8_2
    Cookie AutoDelete, Deletes cookies after tab close
    5. Font Fingerprint Defender : version 0_1_6
    Font Fingerprint Defender, Obscures font-based fingerprinting
    6. WebRTC Control : version 0_3_3
    WebRTC Control, Prevents IP leaks via WebRTC
    7. Location Guard (V3) : version 3_0_0
    Location Guard, Spoofs geolocation
    8. Referer Control : version 1_35
    Referer Control, Controls HTTP referer headers
    9. Skip Redirect : version 2_3_6
    Skip Redirect, Bypasses redirect tracking
    10. StayInTab : version 1_0
    StayInTab, Prevents tab hijacking
    11. ClearURLs : version 1_26_0
    ClearURLs, Removes tracking parameters from URLs
    12. Decentraleyes : version 3_0_0
    Decentraleyes, Serves local versions of CDN resources
    13. LocalCDN : version 2_6_79
    LocalCDN, Similar to Decentraleyes, broader scope
    14. Trace - Online Tracking Protection : version 3_0_6
    Trace, Blocks various tracking techniques
    15. Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect : version 0_2_2
    Canvas Blocker, Obscures canvas fingerprinting
    16. Browsec VPN - Free no-registration VPN : version 3_92_2
    Browsec VPN, Encrypts traffic and masks IP
    17. Privacy Badger : version 2025_5_30
    Privacy Badger, Learns and blocks trackers dynamically
    18. CthulhuJs (Anti-Fingerprint) : version 8_0_6
    CthulhuJs, Anti-fingerprint script injection

    It would be nice to create a "burner persona" on a desktop PC if we can.
    How can we create a disposable persona on our home PC?

    I don't know how (without cross contamination).
    But it would certainly be useful to create a free burner persona on a PC.

    What steps would we need?
    Hell, I don't know.

    But I'm gonna guess below, with the hopes that others can help fill it in.

    1. We may need to strategize about data discipline while on the net
    2. Which means we likely need to create a free virtual machine on our PC
    3. And in that virtual machine, we likely need to run a free VPN
    4. And then a purpose-built privacy web browser to communicate
    5. Likely with a burner virtual phone number (if it's even possible)
    6. Which then enables a number of trusted burner emails (for validation)
    7. Which then culminate in the ability to buy crypto online
    8. Which, of course, means spending that crypto to get stuff
    9. And then, we have to get/use that stuff in a brand new VM session
    10. After which, we reset everything back to factory defaults to start anew

    Is it possible to create a simple free burner persona on your PC?
    Dunno.

    Is it disposable and hence easily repeatable with simple resets?
    I have no idea.

    What are the missing steps in the above "plan of action"?
    How would I know.

    What else do we need to do, tactically, to repeatedly create that burner persona on our PCs, and then wipe it out once used, to start fresh again?

    Thinking harder about the problem set Mike Easter initially proposed,
    maybe we can add some of these additions to my initial thoughts?
    11. Be able to swap components such as the VPN or the OS or the VM
    12. For example, maybe boot to a live OS (like Tails or Whonix)
    13. Choose to use any desired encrypted DNS or VPN server mechanisms
    14. Randomize browser fingerprinting traits (screen size, fonts, etc.)
    15. Never reuse burner credentials or behavioral patterns
    16. Consider using a password manager inside the VM to store burner logins
    17. Automatically scrub metadata from any files uploaded or downloaded
    18. Avoid installing any software that leaks personal information
    19. Use disposable email services or aliasing tools (like SimpleLogin)
    20. Keep a checklist process & test procedure to ensure a full reset

    --- Potential Open Questions ---
    How do we prevent behavioral profiling (typing style, navigation habits)?
    Can we automate VM creation and teardown to streamline the process?
    Are there trusted sources for burner phone numbers that don't require ID?
    How do we verify that the VPN isn't leaking DNS or IP info?
    Is it safer to use Tor instead of a VPN in some cases?

    The goal is to begin the process of writing a step-by-step tutorial so
    that anyone can create a disposable burner personal on their home PC.

    This is a work in progress. Contributions welcome.

    --- MBSE BBS v1.1.2 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: BWH Usenet Archive (https://usenet.blueworldho (3:633/280.2@fidonet)