18 Comments
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Thomas Hiltner's avatar

I'm surprised you fell for this. Both Glen Meder and his son are total amateurs in computer security. Don't sign up for this class. I did, and it's a total waste of time. They represent it as learning linux to bypass Windows and Mac security, but don't even mention it in their class! They'll go over security threats and offer nothing but commonly accepted security practices - unless you buy a "subscription" to their security company service. BS on Glen and John Rubino for foisting this rubbish on his subscribers.

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No Personal Data For You's avatar

The solution is growing under our feet: Learn to access it using Tails USB drives.

Thieves Emporium talked about it long ago. Great novel, rated 4.6 on Amazon. Old, but still relevant, suggest you get a copy.

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Fast Eddy's avatar

Copilot can be re.oved....under settings....it stops popping up to harass you but I suspect it's still monitoring sexretly

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Charles Clift's avatar

I have really not wanted to learn a new operating system…. But this gives me some incentive.

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Fast Eddy's avatar

I doubt there is any software that's not monitored

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No Personal Data For You's avatar

The only way to be sure is to run using a TAILS live USB stick. A little awkward, but it can be done and it is worth it.

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JJ's avatar

Yup Linux is where it's at.

If you want to level up your privacy game: Michael Bazzell for the digital world. JJ Luna for the real world.

💪🏽

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SerdarB's avatar

Hey John,

No need for a new PC. Please download and use "Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021" on your son's existing PC. Read about it here: https://www.trishtech.com/2025/02/what-is-windows-10-ltsc-how-to-download-install-it/

You'll need to buy a new key for that version, from online resellers. Then do a fresh install and you can keep using W10 till 2031, with interim MS security updates.

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Eric Z's avatar

I started using Ubuntu Linux in 2007 but it went corporate in 2010.

I found linux Mint MATE which can be made to look and act like windows and I've been happy with it. A friend works at intel and commented that all the chips have a hardware backdoor now so intel can remotely access any intel pc for 'maintenance'.

I have a pc that is not connected to the internet (air gapped) where I do my important work.

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Deee's avatar
Jun 4Edited

I've been using Linux Mint Cinnamon full time since 2015. I started trying out Linux in 2001. I would never even consider using Windows or Apple. Everything I need to do, I can do in Linux. I have not once ever needed Windows or Apple. Linux is also open source, meaning the code can audited, so you know there are no hidden back-doors for spying on you.

This may sound harsh, but as a retired computer programmer, I tell all the people who are interested, that if you are not on Linux, then in reality, you don't care about security. Why do you think all servers that run the web are Linux?

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Jim Jackson's avatar

Doesn't uninstalling CoPilot prevent the surveillance?

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Tony Smyth's avatar

so whats the version of Linux that "actually felt like an upgrade to Windows and Apple"?? .

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Deee's avatar

I not sure what he uses, but as a person who has converted many people to Linux from Windows, my observations are that Linux Mint Cinnamon is the easiest to transition from Windows to Linux. See my other comment for more.

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Eric Z's avatar

Linux Mint MATE looks and feels like windows XP to me.

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Deee's avatar

Yes, I agree with you. To me, Linux Mint Cinnamon looks and feels like Windows 7, which was my personal favourite version of Windows, though I did like XP too.

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Tony Smyth's avatar

Thanks

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Francis Anscombe's avatar

Thanks very much for spreading awareness about this very important matter.

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