Forum security...freedom of speech!
 

:ok:

Hi folks,

For those that don't know.....when posting on forums....especially in the light of recent 'legal' issues....one is best to use what is called a VPN or Proxy server.

I use a UK one called VPNUK. This is so that I can retain true 'freedom of speech' and not be traceable by Internet IP address.

Somewhat a sad fact that one has to use this method as a paid subscription for about UK£6 per month, however, one's online security...to me is paramount.

There are various providers out there...I am not linked with the company above. Rather, just sharing some basic and good security about posting on forums on the internet and 'anonymity'.

A good proxy/VPN website such as above should help explain the technicalities.

Will be interesting to see if the PPRune MODS/owner accept this post...perhaps not.

Very much sent in good faith and with one's security online and freedom of speech intended.

Bond'll do :ok:

I fail to see why you would demand "Freedom of Speech" here. This is a privately held and operated website. As such you and I are here at the invitation of the owner. Whether or not your content is allowed or not is at the discretion of the owners.

That is my pov. I consider myself a guest who can be asked to stay or leave at the whim of the ones who ay the freight. I enjoy it here, but try to remain polite and deferential. Guess what? I have never been asked to move along. Well, once, but not permanently, so I started right up and the "bouncer" had moved along.

:ok:

The legal facts are diverse in the UK.....
 

In reply, the legal facts are diverse in the UK currently regarding English/Welsh/N.I./Scotland.

The facts are that PPrune whether or not it is a 'private' site may be legally accountable under various legal regimens to provide the 'posters/contributors' information including the internet/I.P. address....FACT!

My post was to offer a solution to that anomaly by providing the above paid-for solution to make sure that one's I.P. address is 'anonymous'.

That effectively means that one can freely post what one wants on any forum worldwide without fear of a supposedly 'private' forum hoster or poster being legally 'sued'.

End of story and legal global current fact!

:ugh:

One further 'protectionist' Codicil in my post above.....
 

My Post above also helps protect 'PPRune.org' from liability in that they can gladly, if legally asked by any court to provide my internet details.....

They can do so...and even moment by moment my I.P. address changes from, e.g. Egypt to Sri Lanka to goodness knows where.

One is untraceable, and even the U.K. Government and all IT professionals that I know suggest this...this is about to be 2013....and one needs to keep ahead of the game for true 'freedom-of-speech'.

End of lecture.....just FACT....either accept it or dig one's head in the sand and possibly regret some sound and current legal/internet advise.

:ugh::ok:

Remember: You're not truly paranoid if they really ARE all out to get you!:eek:

Bond'll Do

You have not addressed my post. In the least. My point is that you cannot expect to post whatever you like, the website can block you with a keystroke.

I do not address anonymity, or insulation, or anything else. Only Freedom.

Do you, erm, see that?

In re: "codicil", suggest a visit to a dictionary.

Or to be specific the VPN negates one of the easy ways to simplify the task of identifying an individual anonymous poster by name. Other means of doing so are not eliminated by making the IP address unavailable. However since that's apparently the means by which one poster on this board was harassed by a certain well known corporate entity, using a VPN will require them work a little harder to harass you!

It's also worth pointing out that message boards like this one are still subject to whatever legal means may be employed by any entity with a grievance related to any content posted herein. Any decisions made regarding site policy or legal defense strategy will of course be made by the commercial entity which owns the site.

Like many visitors to this and other web message boards, I would like to see message contributors as being free to make any statement they wish as long as it is not unlawful, untruthful or otherwise malevolent in nature. Of course that's just my perspective and others may disagree.

Finally it's my observation that "freedom of speech" is one of the most often misunderstood and misused phrases in the English language. As a contributor to this or any web message board my "freedom of speech" is really nothing more than the privilege of being allowed by the owner to post messages on this site in accordance with their rules. If I feel unreasonably restrained from "speaking" I may take the matter up with them or take my ball and go home. Or even discuss it with other contributors as we are here. (for now!)

Don't look for this or any other "for profit" site whose income is derived by online advertising income to cost themselves money in the name of the elusive right to "freedom of speech" either. Get a VPN if you feel it protects you or just take your chances. My own cost/benefit analysis reveals a rather low risk and so relatively little benefit would accrue. But that's just MY opinion.

Bond'll Do
May I suggest you Google "Norwich Pharmacal orders". You may find it useful.

Just because you are paranoid does not mean they are not after you.

Lyman...suggest you look at the legal definition of 'codicil' and perhaps not Wiki...
 

Perhaps seek the legal definition and original meaning of 'codicil', Sir...rather than something posted on a Wiki.....LOL :zzz:

4468
 

Note no reply to my 'concessions' argument.....mhmhmhmhm

Just here for a 'mickey take' on this forum perhaps, are you? LOL:sad:

Hello Nick....
 

I don't need to look at Norwich Pharmacal Orders, I have a very good legal system where I live which is not covered by internet supposed statements or Wikis on these matters to which you purport.

Thank you, nevertheless, for your suggestion....it may be helpful to some....

Keep thinking that Ding Dong.....a fellow name Bin Laden thought that too!

If you piss someone off bad enough....you can be found.

Ever read up on what the NSA can do.....if they decide to get on your case?

I think pprune should buy one of these £6 month proxys.

Either it does that, or we all bugger orff.

After all what is Pprune without its posters?

NOTHING

Anonymity is somewhat important, but at the same time each poster should be responsible.
Don't say anything you wouldn't say in public, don't say anything you wouldn't assume personaly, proxy or not.
Sometimes people uses JB as a gym: to show they anger they have against somebody/some country/some culture/race (even gypsies!) or other instead of discussing like civilized people.
Some of my friends/or simply people I know (aviation world is small for an expat who has travelled) from different countries are on pprune (but they only read JB, they don't really post here, JB) and they know who I am.
Always think you are in a public area, it is okay to defend what you believe in, but always be civilized.
Total anonymity doesn't exist, even on internet. An IP address is not the only way to identify you. The possibility to identify you shouldn't be an issue, otherwise it would mean what you write here is not something you can assume in front of the world.

In some countries VPN itself can be an issue.

In Thailand, the Computer Crimes Act B.E. 2550 (2007) does not ban its use as such but under certain parts of the Act it is indirectly referred to and if it is used to get around government restricted sites (and any site can be blocked for undisclosed reasons) or for “illegal activities” which is typically porn or anti monarchy, then VPN is illegal in that the activity that it is being used for is illegal although the use of the technology is not.
Better not to use it here other than for Corporate work related WANs etc..

I am not an internet expert, but looking at this simplistically I fail to see how using a VPN on subscription can protect the user from being identified. Clearly it adds an extra layer of obfuscation but the very fact that you are subscribing means they have your details, and when you use them they have your IP address, so presumably against a court order they could see who was going through them to a particular site at a given time.

Correct me if I'm wrong. I'm not paranoid and have nothing to hide but I work on the basis that nothing on the WWW is totally anonymous if someone is prepared to invest the resources to track you.

Edit :
Coincidentally, I just came across this article :
WTF: The internet's secretive hangouts | News | Sci-tech | Mail & Guardian

I don't think I did anything wrong yet my PPRuNe account and all my posts from 15 years ago were deleted :sad:.

Suggest you read the announcement at the top of the page....but I'll put it here again for you.

Notice regarding post responsibility and anonymity
NOTICE: You are responsible for the content you post. This is a public forum. Treat it as if you are speaking in a crowded room. Recent high-profile defamation events illustrate that there are ways in which third parties can force personal data, including contents of personal messages, to be released by bulletin board owners. Be careful - libelous/defamatory posts can and have landed members in legal hot water. PPRuNe will not guarantee your anonymity in such situations.

If you want "free speech" you are of course welcome to start your own forum and set your own rules!

as for free... whatever, a link to funny (if one's not affected, that is) bans:

2012: The Year in Bans | Photo Gallery - Yahoo! Shine