Hey Glenn, it's Moni and mom. If instead of using mom's real name for her online accounts, can she change it to something anonymous? She doesn't want any business she does tied to her name anymore, nothing identifying about her if possible. Can she do this without websites causing hassles and stuff?
Hi Moni and Faith! It's getting harder and harder to do this. Big tech, the banks and government don't want you to be able to hide, so they are making everything tighter. Some sites, like government sites and banks, you need to use your real info if you are going to use their sites. Other sites you can be anonymous on, but it won't be convenient and you are going to have to get properly set up. Use Privacy.com when purchasing and don't use your real name. Have packages sent to mailbox services if possible. Use AnonAddy to generate burner emails, and of course, use a password manager and always use two factor authentication. This can seem like a hassle, but I suggest a change in attitude to make it a fun challenge. Hope this helps.
Hi again, I am kind of surprised that I haven't gotten an answer to my last questions. I know you are really busy, and we do appreciate your patience with us. This is very important to both of us, as we have no one else to turn to to guide us in this whole process.
The questions were and also include:
1. Is there a site or app you recommend that generates fake names?
2. Can we attach these anonymous names to our billing and shipping address?
3. When we go into our online accounts (for just shopping) to change our names, would this have to match the name(s) we choose for our shipping and billing address (or vice versa)?
4. Should our random names be different for each site?
5. YouTube--is it safe to use it even when not signed in? Mom and I have been watching a lot of opera videos here but we haven't signed in. Are we safe that way?
1. I don't have one that I recommend or have used, but a search came up with a few different sites. Here's one: https://www.fakenamegenerator.com/ But note that I have done zero research into this site. If they sell anything, I certainly don't recommend it. But if you simply want to generate fake names, it looks like a good source.
2. If you use Privacy.com, you can use any name that you want. And you can also use any billing address that you want. But, if you want to have something shipped to you, you will have to use your address or an address that you can receive something at. You should not use fake names with banks or the government, and recognize that there are risks when using fake names. For example, if you pay money and you don't receive what you paid for, you may have to prove who you are, and if you used a fake name you won't be able to do that.
3. I don't understand this question.
4. It depends what type of site. If you are just signing up to receive a newsletter, don't give them anything. If you are signing up for a bank account, you have to use a real name and address. If you want to buy from random stores, yes, you can use different names, but you should save this info in Bitwarden for each site so you can remember it.
5. It is definitely safer when you are not logged in. In my lesson about changing browsers at the bottom of the page, I have an advanced user video about browsers. Watch that.
Thanks for those tips Glenn! Is there a site or app that generates "burner names"? Can we attach anonymous names to our billing or shipping address? Would the name we choose for an account to update it have to match the name we put for the shipping/billing address sites keep on file?
Just to be clear, I don't recommend anything related to money for legal reasons. I tell people my thoughts, and then they are free to make up their own minds. I think overseas storage for a portion of gold/silver is important because you never know what is going to happen in the US, or any country. History has taught us that the biggest thief of all is government. They can change laws, seize gold or property or do anything they want to do. There are a lot of online gold storage places, but I would stick to Goldsilver.com or goldmoney.com. Both offer completely segregated storage outside of the banking system and it is protected by Brinks security. I think the two most preferably places would be Singapore and Switzerland.
I did not phrase my question clearly. I was not asking if you recommend buying gold or silver, but why you recommend the company Goldsilver.com, e.g., having experienced their services and were satisfied.
Ok, I get it. I have not used GoldSilver.com myself, but it will be the site I use next time I purchase gold or silver for overseas. They are a very respected business and I trust them.
I just got off the phone with GoldSilver.com and was told procedure for picking up if ever wanted. I agree with you that storing within USA not prudent; however, since living near where their site located in USA, I can now store some here and take physical possession if needed. The bulk will go overseas. Thanks.
Hey Glenn, it's Moni and mom. If instead of using mom's real name for her online accounts, can she change it to something anonymous? She doesn't want any business she does tied to her name anymore, nothing identifying about her if possible. Can she do this without websites causing hassles and stuff?
Hi Moni and Faith! It's getting harder and harder to do this. Big tech, the banks and government don't want you to be able to hide, so they are making everything tighter. Some sites, like government sites and banks, you need to use your real info if you are going to use their sites. Other sites you can be anonymous on, but it won't be convenient and you are going to have to get properly set up. Use Privacy.com when purchasing and don't use your real name. Have packages sent to mailbox services if possible. Use AnonAddy to generate burner emails, and of course, use a password manager and always use two factor authentication. This can seem like a hassle, but I suggest a change in attitude to make it a fun challenge. Hope this helps.
Hi again, I am kind of surprised that I haven't gotten an answer to my last questions. I know you are really busy, and we do appreciate your patience with us. This is very important to both of us, as we have no one else to turn to to guide us in this whole process.
The questions were and also include:
1. Is there a site or app you recommend that generates fake names?
2. Can we attach these anonymous names to our billing and shipping address?
3. When we go into our online accounts (for just shopping) to change our names, would this have to match the name(s) we choose for our shipping and billing address (or vice versa)?
4. Should our random names be different for each site?
5. YouTube--is it safe to use it even when not signed in? Mom and I have been watching a lot of opera videos here but we haven't signed in. Are we safe that way?
Thank you, Glenn.
Hi Monica. These are not simple answers.
1. I don't have one that I recommend or have used, but a search came up with a few different sites. Here's one: https://www.fakenamegenerator.com/ But note that I have done zero research into this site. If they sell anything, I certainly don't recommend it. But if you simply want to generate fake names, it looks like a good source.
2. If you use Privacy.com, you can use any name that you want. And you can also use any billing address that you want. But, if you want to have something shipped to you, you will have to use your address or an address that you can receive something at. You should not use fake names with banks or the government, and recognize that there are risks when using fake names. For example, if you pay money and you don't receive what you paid for, you may have to prove who you are, and if you used a fake name you won't be able to do that.
3. I don't understand this question.
4. It depends what type of site. If you are just signing up to receive a newsletter, don't give them anything. If you are signing up for a bank account, you have to use a real name and address. If you want to buy from random stores, yes, you can use different names, but you should save this info in Bitwarden for each site so you can remember it.
5. It is definitely safer when you are not logged in. In my lesson about changing browsers at the bottom of the page, I have an advanced user video about browsers. Watch that.
3.
Thanks for those tips Glenn! Is there a site or app that generates "burner names"? Can we attach anonymous names to our billing or shipping address? Would the name we choose for an account to update it have to match the name we put for the shipping/billing address sites keep on file?
In prior newsletter, you recommended Gold/Silver.com? Why? And would it be preferable to store in Singapore than here in USA?
Just to be clear, I don't recommend anything related to money for legal reasons. I tell people my thoughts, and then they are free to make up their own minds. I think overseas storage for a portion of gold/silver is important because you never know what is going to happen in the US, or any country. History has taught us that the biggest thief of all is government. They can change laws, seize gold or property or do anything they want to do. There are a lot of online gold storage places, but I would stick to Goldsilver.com or goldmoney.com. Both offer completely segregated storage outside of the banking system and it is protected by Brinks security. I think the two most preferably places would be Singapore and Switzerland.
I did not phrase my question clearly. I was not asking if you recommend buying gold or silver, but why you recommend the company Goldsilver.com, e.g., having experienced their services and were satisfied.
Ok, I get it. I have not used GoldSilver.com myself, but it will be the site I use next time I purchase gold or silver for overseas. They are a very respected business and I trust them.
I just got off the phone with GoldSilver.com and was told procedure for picking up if ever wanted. I agree with you that storing within USA not prudent; however, since living near where their site located in USA, I can now store some here and take physical possession if needed. The bulk will go overseas. Thanks.
The eye story is another reason why I am interested in alternatives to ZOOM.
Good point. There are a couple options, depending upon what you are trying to do. Wire is one option. For group calls you can also use Signal.