October 2nd, 2025 admin
THIS POST IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Skip to go to QUICKSTART
or read on to understand the concepts of serverless private messaging..
With this post I am trying to put a complex subject into understandable terms. I hope I am succeeding.
If you are here you already know you want to try this. I am not going to try to convince you to do so. That is up to you.
Although I am trying to give you relevant information, which can help you to find your best solution.
TOX messaging summary:
- No registration of any personal data whatsoever
- No owner of the TOX network or apps. All free and open source.
- Encrypted with keys nobody but yourself and your messaging partner have when you give it to them.
- No servers to store messages
- No intermediary servers. Direct point-to-point message transmission
- Text messages with attached pictures and videos and phone and video calls
TOX ID and encryption
The TOX ID is your encrytion key. This is used to obfuscate (to make unreadable) your messages. So nobody other than those people who have the key can read the message. Even if somebody intercepts the messages between you and the recipient. Without the keys having the messages is useless.
So it is very important to make sure nobody unauthorised gets your TOX ID key. So be careful when transmitting it over unsafe links (phone, SMS) even those links that use encryption (Whatsapp, Signal, Threema, Telegram etc) where you can not be sure they could not decrypt that transmission and get your TOX ID key. (more on this under the serverless heading below)
The safest way is to transmit your TOX key via TOX messenger to a trusted TOX connection person, who can then pass it on to the recipient (you want to directly connect with). Of course the trusted intermediary would have to have a TOX connection with the ultimate recipient you seek to connect with directly.
Another way to connect with a future message partner is in person. Also viable could be to split the key in some pieces and send each piece via a different mode even over unsafe connections to get to the final recipient. You decide what you are comfortable with.
The final recipient once they have the key can then send you a friend request (described below), which you have to confirm. Then you can communicate. Even with phone and video calls.
What means serverless?
All the common messenger services (Whatsapp, Signal, Telegram, Threema etc) provide encryption and employ encryption keys to do that. These keys are initially generated when you connect with another person and transmitted via their respective servers. While we want to believe that that is safe I believe there is little technical difficulty to intercept these encryption keys and therefore have the ability to read your messages without your knowledge. Yes there are laws as a hurdle. It’s up to you if you want to trust this. Threema is a Swiss company under the strict privacy laws of Switzerland. Some prefer that over the others. I like serverless… read on.
Further with those well known messenger services the encrypted messages you send are (sometimes) kept on their servers. So that the recipient can retrieve them when they come back online. Yes convenient, but ……
And here we come to the major difference. The TOX network has no servers, that transmit or keep your messages or your encryption keys.
And the actual messages you send never go via any TOX network server. Messages go from one TOX message app to the other TOX message app. Direct connection from one phone or computer to another phone or computer. No messages held anywhere inbetween.
Therefore when the recipient is not connected to the internet and have their TOX app open your message cannot be sent. It is only sent when both of your apps on your devices are online and connected to the internet.
You could possibly even further secure your communication with a private VPN or even via the TOR network, but this is too advanced for this post. And I might make another post about this.
I trust you can see, that this is a very good basis to preserve your privacy.
Quickstart:
There is no registration where you have to give your name of phone number or email address or any personal information. Just install app. Give the automatically generated TOX ID to your friend, connect and start communication in privacy.
There are a few different TOX capable apps for different OSs. These are the ones I favour.
WINDOWS:
- Download QTOX app – https://tox.chat/download.html
- Install on your computer.
- Open and follow the prompts.
- Get your own TOX ID (it is automatically generated at the time of setup of the app). Click on your name below “My Profile” at the top. Then your TOX ID will be displayed on the right.
- The Tox ID is unique to you. You will need to get this to the person you want to communicate with. For example face to face, on a piece of paper, on a phone call, via Whatsapp, Signal, Telegram, SMS. Whatever you feel safest with. So they can connect with you. Anyone having this key could intercept and decode your messages. So keep it safe.
- If you want to initiate to connect via TOX with another person you need to have their TOX ID
- Click the + at the bottom of your contact list and add their TOX ID.
- Write something relevant in the Message box
- Click “Send Friend Request”
- They will receive that request and they need to confirm it. Then you are connected and can communicate as with any other messenger. You can even do phone calls (and video calls), but I have not tried that. I can see no technical issue with that though.
Note: Only one of you needs to send friends request. When the other person accepts it you can communicate.
Another Windows TOX App is: utox – not as fancy and somewhat more technical.
Android:
- Get ATOX Messenger App from the Google Playstore
TIP: If you go to a place where it is unsure if you can use this. Make sure you open the App multiple time in the days before and go online. This may help with the ability to get it working in places with unfavourable conditions.
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on TOX messengers on Windows and Android – serverless private messaging
September 26th, 2025 admin
After creating a bootable USB stick, you can use it to run Linux or other software directly on your computer. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Insert the USB Stick
Plug the bootable USB stick into an available USB port on your computer.
Step 2: Access the Boot Menu or BIOS/UEFI
You need to tell your computer to boot from the USB instead of the hard drive.
- Restart your computer.
- Immediately press the key to enter the Boot Menu or BIOS/UEFI. Common keys include: F12, F10, F2, Esc, Del. Check your computer’s manual if unsure.
- Some computers show a short message like “Press F12 for Boot Options” when starting up.
Step 3: Select the USB Drive
- In the Boot Menu, look for your USB stick in the list of devices.
- Select the USB stick and confirm.
- If you’re in BIOS/UEFI, change the boot order so the USB drive is first, then save and exit.
Step 4: Boot from the USB
- Your computer should now start from the USB stick.
- If it’s a Linux Live USB, you can try the OS without installing it.
- Follow the on-screen instructions for installation or testing.
Tips
- On newer systems with UEFI, you may need to disable Secure Boot for some Linux distributions.
- If the computer still boots from the hard drive, recheck the boot order or use the Boot Menu key.
- Always double-check that you’re selecting the correct USB device to avoid accidental data loss.
Posted in Hardware, Linux, Windows | Comments Off on How to Boot Your Computer from a USB Stick
September 26th, 2025 admin
- Buy a USB stick — 8GB is usually enough.
- Download your preferred Linux OS (or another program).
- Download and install Balena Etcher
(available free for Windows, Mac, and Linux).
- Open Balena Etcher and follow the prompts, making sure you write to the correct USB stick.
- When done, you have a bootable USB stick and can boot your computer from it.
(How is that done?)
Posted in Hardware, Linux, Windows | Comments Off on How to Create a Bootable USB Stick
September 26th, 2025 admin
It has come to my attention that Microsoft is stopping support for Windows 10 in October 2025.
However, there are ways out of having to buy a new Windows 11 machine.
- Possibility: Flyby11.com will let you upgrade your Windows 10 computer to Windows 11 even if Microsoft’s own tool will not. This is not sinister or illegal. Microsoft allows it. Even though it is not encouraged (for obvious reasons).
- Risk: It may not work.
Option 2: Move Away From Microsoft Products
This is only viable if you are not dependent on specific Microsoft software. Most non-corporate and non-business people are not dependent, because for every Microsoft product, an equivalent exists under Linux:
- MS Office → LibreOffice (can create and edit MS Office files)
- OneDrive → Nextcloud, ownCloud, pCloud, MEGA, Dropbox
- Outlook (Mail + Calendar) → Evolution, Thunderbird (+ Lightning Calendar), KMail
🔗 See a longer comparison list here.
Many popular apps — Libre Office, Firefox, Thunderbird, Brave, Chromium browser and others — run on both Windows and Linux. So even if you upgrade to Windows 11 you can get a benefit from the many free, open source programs available today, that do exactly the same as the for fee programs.
Why Consider Linux?
If you’re fed up with being:
- coerced to upgrade to a new computer when yours still runs well (sustainability)
- constantly asked to pay more monthly or upgrade fees
- monitored so big tech can sell your behavioral data for profit
…then you can take charge of your computing by upgrading to a community-supported Linux system.
Generally, the programs are free of charge and open source (the code can be reviewed and is constantly updated and bugs are fixed by a wide community of volunteer programers. Thank you for your generousity).
My Linux Recommendations
I have personally reviewed these systems:
⭐ Top Recommendation.
A complete and well-supported OS with access to all Linux software.
A sleek, slim OS ideal for older computers.
I tested it on a 10-year-old laptop — it worked great thanks to efficient configuration, providing nice graphics or great functionality. Everything you would expect from a modern computer.
Another strong, well-supported OS, on par with Linux Mint.
A hot contender if you want a look and feel close to Windows 11.
It can run some Windows programs — but don’t expect every game to run smoothly out of the box.
How to Try Linux Without Changing Windows
You can test Linux on your current computer without altering your Windows installation:
- Download the OS you want to try. Click the OS headings above
- Create a bootable USB stick with that Linux version. (How is that done?)
- Restart your computer and boot from the USB stick. (How is that done?)
- Explore Linux in “Live Mode” — no changes are made to your Windows system.
Once you are happy that Linux Mint (or one of the other OS) is good for you you can install it either side-by-side or in replacement of your Windows install.
ALWAYS BACKUP YOUR IMPORTANT FILES BEFORE DOING THIS.
Installation is described in the respective OS’s documentation. How is that done? or do your own search or I use ChatGPT for a lot of these projects to cut down on the amount of information I need to get through and let ChatGPT just give me the essence.
Posted in Linux, Windows | Comments Off on Microsoft Ending Windows 10 Support – What Are Your Options?
April 27th, 2025 admin
Beeper is a universal messaging app designed to consolidate multiple chat platforms into a single, streamlined interface. Developed by Beeper Inc. and acquired by Automattic in April 2024, Beeper aims to simplify digital communication by integrating various messaging services.
Key Features
Unified Messaging Hub
Beeper supports integration with numerous chat networks, including:
This extensive compatibility allows users to manage conversations from multiple platforms within a single application.
Cross-Platform Availability
Beeper is accessible on various operating systems, including:
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iOS
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Android
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macOS
-
Windows
-
Linux
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ChromeOS
This ensures seamless synchronization across devices, allowing users to switch between platforms without losing access to their messages.
Security and Privacy
Beeper emphasizes user privacy with features such as:
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End-to-end encryption for messages
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Zero-access encrypted chat backups
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Use of unique tokens instead of storing passwords
These measures aim to protect user data and ensure secure communication across integrated platforms.
Customization and Self-Hosting
For users seeking greater control, Beeper offers:
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Customizable chat organization tools (e.g., favoriting, pinning, archiving)
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A self-hosting option, allowing users to run Beeper on their own servers for enhanced privacy and customization
This flexibility caters to both casual users and those with advanced technical requirements.
✅ Pros
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Comprehensive Integration: Consolidates multiple messaging platforms into one interface, reducing the need to switch between apps.
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Cross-Platform Support: Available on major operating systems, ensuring accessibility across devices.
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Privacy-Focused: Implements robust security measures to protect user data.
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Customizable: Offers tools for organizing chats and the option for self-hosting.
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Active Development: Regular updates and improvements, with a roadmap for future features.
❌ Cons
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Limited Feature Parity: Some integrated platforms may lack full functionality (e.g., stickers, typing indicators).
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iMessage Integration Challenges: Attempts to integrate iMessage have faced obstacles due to Apple’s restrictions, leading to limited or no support.
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Occasional Sync Issues: Users have reported difficulties syncing accounts across devices, particularly during initial setup.
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Learning Curve: Managing multiple platforms within a single app may require an adjustment period for some users.
Final Verdict
Beeper presents a compelling solution for users seeking to unify their messaging experiences across various platforms. Its emphasis on privacy, cross-platform support, and customization makes it a strong contender in the messaging app landscape. However, potential users should be aware of its limitations, particularly regarding feature parity and iMessage integration. Overall, Beeper is well-suited for individuals looking to streamline their communication channels while maintaining control over their data.
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Beeper App – Universal Messenger
April 3rd, 2025 admin
apt update -y && apt upgrade -y && apt -y full-upgrade && apt -y autoremove && apt -y autoremove --purgeapt install -y net-tools mc fail2ban unbound ubuntu-release-upgrader-coredo-release-upgrade -dhostnamectl set-hostname [some FQ hostname you want your server to be]curl -sSL https://install.pi-hole.net | bash- see: https://support.blue.net.au/2021/01/08/setup-pihole-server-on-aws/
-
I have also an alternate unbound config file, which takes advantage of the bigger DNS caches (Google, Cloudflare etc. You can amend it for your own purposes)
server:
verbosity: 1 # Minimal logs: startup + errors
interface: 127.0.0.1
port: 6236
do-ip4: yes
do-udp: yes
do-tcp: yes
do-ip6: no
prefer-ip6: no
# Root hints (update regularly)
root-hints: /var/lib/unbound/root.hints
# Security & DNSSEC
harden-glue: yes
harden-dnssec-stripped: yes
harden-referral-path: yes
unwanted-reply-threshold: 10000
use-caps-for-id: no
minimal-responses: yes
qname-minimisation: yes
qname-minimisation-strict: no
hide-identity: yes
hide-version: yes
val-permissive-mode: yes # ← Avoid SERVFAIL on DNSSEC issues
# Performance & cache
num-threads: 2
so-rcvbuf: 8m
so-sndbuf: 4m
edns-buffer-size: 2048 # ← Reduce truncation/TCP fallback
outgoing-range: 512
msg-cache-size: 128m
rrset-cache-size: 256m
cache-min-ttl: 300
cache-max-ttl: 86400
prefetch: yes
prefetch-key: yes
infra-cache-numhosts: 10000
infra-cache-min-rtt: 50
infra-cache-max-rtt: 1200
harden-short-bufsize: yes
num-queries-per-thread: 1024
# Private networks
private-address: 192.168.0.0/16
private-address: 169.254.0.0/16
private-address: 172.16.0.0/12
private-address: 10.0.0.0/8
private-address: fd00::/8
private-address: fe80::/10
# Forwarding for speed (fallback to own recursive if upstream fails)
forward-zone:
name: “.”
forward-addr: 1.1.1.1 # Cloudflare
forward-addr: 8.8.8.8 # Google
forward-addr: 4.2.2.2 # Level3
forward-first: yes
DANGER – upgrading this to Ubuntu 25.10 broke the Gravity updating of Lists. So stay at 25.04 or maybe someone will fix this.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
November 15th, 2024 admin
Comparing Messaging Platforms: WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Threema, SMS, Google Chat, Briar, and Atox
In an increasingly connected world, messaging platforms have become essential for personal and professional communication. With numerous options available, it’s crucial to understand their features, privacy implications, and unique benefits. Here’s a detailed comparison of eight popular messaging services: WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Threema, SMS, Google Chat, Briar, and Atox.
1. WhatsApp
Overview:
Owned by Meta, WhatsApp is a global leader in messaging, offering features such as voice/video calls, file sharing, and group chats.
Pros:
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default for all chats.
Massive user base ensures wide accessibility.
Features like disappearing messages and business integration.
Cons:
Metadata is collected, raising privacy concerns.
Heavily linked to the Meta ecosystem.
Best For: Casual users looking for a feature-rich, widely used app.
2. Signal
Overview:
Signal is a non-profit, privacy-first messaging app. Its development is funded by grants and donations.
Pros:
E2EE by default.
Open-source, audited for security.
Minimal metadata collection.
Cons:
Limited customization and features compared to competitors.
Smaller user base.
Best For: Privacy-conscious individuals and advocates.
3. Telegram
Overview:
Telegram is a cloud-based app known for its speed, scalability, and feature-rich environment.
Pros:
Supports massive group chats and public channels.
Secret Chats offer E2EE.
Cross-platform synchronization and bots for automation.
Cons:
Default chats are not E2EE.
Metadata policies are less transparent.
Best For: Communities and groups needing advanced features.
4. Threema
Overview:
A premium app emphasizing privacy, Threema offers a robust messaging experience without requiring a phone number.
Pros:
E2EE for all chats.
No link to personal identifiers (email/phone optional).
Swiss jurisdiction with strong privacy laws.
Cons:
Paid app, limiting user base.
Lacks some advanced features like large groups or bots.
Best For: Professionals and users prioritizing security and anonymity.
5. SMS
Overview:
SMS (Short Message Service) is the oldest digital messaging format, dependent on cellular networks.
Pros:
Universally supported on all mobile phones.
No internet required.
Cons:
Lacks encryption, making it insecure.
Limited to text, no advanced multimedia or group features.
Best For: Basic communication where internet access is unavailable.
6. Google Chat
Overview:
Google Chat integrates tightly with Google Workspace, catering to businesses and collaborative teams.
Pros:
Seamless integration with Google services.
E2EE available for some chats.
Advanced collaborative tools.
Cons:
Privacy concerns tied to Google’s data ecosystem.
Requires Google account for usage.
Best For: Teams using Google Workspace for productivity.
7. Briar
Overview:
Briar focuses on decentralization and security, operating over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Tor for true offline messaging.
Pros:
Fully decentralized and peer-to-peer.
Operates without internet in proximity.
Extremely resilient to censorship and surveillance.
Cons:
Limited to text-based communication.
Niche user base.
Best For: Activists, journalists, and users in high-surveillance areas.
8. Atox or Qtox
Overview:
Built on the decentralized Tox protocol, Atox offers P2P encrypted messaging and VoIP without relying on centralized servers.
Pros:
E2EE by default.
Decentralized network, resilient to server outages.
Supports multimedia and voice communication.
Cons:
Requires manual updates and troubleshooting.
Limited user base and documentation.
Best For: Tech-savvy users favouring decentralized, secure communication. Excellent for unmatched security for company internal communication even across borders and continents.
Conclusion
Choosing the right messenger depends on your priorities:
For privacy: Signal, Threema, or Briar are excellent choices.
For features and group dynamics: Telegram or WhatsApp shine.
For decentralized or offline communication: Briar and Atox stand out.
For universal reach: SMS remains unmatched.
Understanding these differences ensures you can pick the platform that aligns with your communication needs.
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Messaging App Comparison
September 6th, 2023 admin
Instant Messengers, Encryption and Privacy
In this article I will try to explain in reference to privacy the differences between various instant messengers (SMS, Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, Signal, Telegram, Threema, Tox, Briar etc) and how their application of encryption (or non-encryption) can affect your privacy.
Why is encryption important?
Generally we don’t like others to read our messages. You might say that is not important to you, because you have nothing to hide. And while this is a valid opinion it disregards, that corporations and other third parties could be interested in what you have to say, how often you say it, how much you say etc. basically analysing your behaviour. That knowledge they can use to derive a profit or influence you (and others, if they have a significant number of people’s behaviour on file). I personally also don’t do anything illegal, but I think my personal business is nobody’s business but my own. So I choose to keep my private things private as much as possible and use encryption whereever viable.
Many people don’t know, that when we send messages without encryption (like Facebook Messenger. Telegram when not using secure messages and SMS) anyone (network operators, service providers and in turn their managements and governments), through whose infratructure your message is transported, could read it. If it is encrypted they cannot read it unless they have the encryption keys.
So the encryption keys are important. In order to assess who might possibly have access to the keys and thus could read your messages we need to look at how those keys are handled, where the messages are transported and who is in charge of the messenger platform in use.
Not all messenger services are equal
SMS – your phone network provider supplies you with the ability to send and receive SMS. They may apply a weak encryption along the way, but too weak to consider this secure. So this is unsecure, which doesn’t mean it is unusable, but certainly an awareness of this suggest you shouldn’t send credit card details or any other sensitive personal data via SMS.
Facebook Messenger – Not encrypted and Facebook’s T&C even say they will read and have the right to assess and use your messages for their purposes.
Whatsapp – While one of the largest services and widely used with an excellent set of functions and is End-to-End encrypted, I have some concerns about the security. Whatsapp is not open source. So the coding cannot be independly assessed. So we have to believe, that they are not doing anything untowards with our messages.
In addtion they say the encryption keys are only on your own phone and that of the person you communicate with, the keys and all messages are still going via their servers. Also Facebook (now Meta, owner of Whatsapp) are based in the USA and could be obligated to give access to your messages to their legal system. So they must be able to do this. The easiest way is to keep your keys somewhere on their systems. We like to believe them, but they certainly have the technical ability to do otherwise. And they require your phone number. Thus making you identifyable.
Signal – A competing messenger service to Whatsapp, but it is open source and indeed an non-profit organisation. So somewhat that might instill more trust, that they will do the right thing, but they are also based in the USA. Thus the same obligation to their legal system is present. And also all keys and messages are going via their servers. They also require your phone number. Thus making you identifyable.
Telegram – Another open source messenger service. They are based in Dubai, a kingdom where the non-elected king takes an active role in governing the country. Telegram offers encrytion, but you need to select to send secure messages. The default is to send NOT secure (like SMS and Facebook Messenger). All keys and messages are also sent via their servers and a phone number is also required to sign up.
Threema – A messenger service based in Switzerland. So you would be covered by Switzerland’s stringent privacy laws. It is not free, but the once off cost of US3.00 is small. It is open source and no phone number is required for sign up. They say they are not keeping your messages, but all keys and messages are going via their servers until they are delivered to your device.
Briar – A messenger service using the Tox protocol harnessing the TOR network and not relying on a central server or needing a phone number. It can also utilise Wifi without internet connection and Bluetooth to transmit messages. “…designed for activists, journalists, and anyone else who needs a safe, easy and robust way to communicate…..”. This is possibly a more convenient solution, but usually with more convenience may come less security.
Tox – A messenger service, that is open source and free, no phone number is required for sign up. So it can be totally anoymous. Since keys are truely only kept locally on your phone or computer and indeed if you want to connect with someone else on this service you would have to find your own way to give them your key so they can communicate with you. So the keys are not going through their servers. The messages are also not going via their servers, but directly from your device to the device of the person you commuicate with. Therefore they and you would have to be online at the same time in order for messages to be delivered between you. You could have the messenger software running in the background (much like all the other messenger services) and messages will be delivered and received (if your communication partner also has it runnning in the background). In addtion you can use the TOR network with the messenger, which is another layer of protection to keep your location anonymous.
I will now describe how to set up a Tox client on Android and on Windows and how to add the TOR network function to the Windows installation. There are clients for Apple MacOS, but unfortunately not for iPhone. The reason for this is possibly, that iPhone’s systems are too restrictive to add the secure Tox client.
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Instant Messengers, Encryption and Privacy
December 30th, 2022 admin
I am not going to discuss here why you should use Mastodon over anything else. There are plenty of discussions everywhere. You are here because you already know you want an account and need a quick start:
- Go here: https://mastodon.au/ You will get a username like @something@mastodon.au
- Click on “Create Account”
- Agree to the terms
- Fill in 3 fields
- Confirm your email address
Done. Start posting.
If you want more details read on:
There is a lot of talk about the apparent (but not real) difficulty of choosing the “right” server for yourself. Before you launch into that consider these points:
An account with ANY of the many Mastodon servers will:
- make your posts visible to ANY users on all Mastodon servers in the “Multiverse”
- enable you to see posts from all accounts on all Mastodon servers
- allow you to change easily to another server at any time. Including your followers
Notwithstanding this you may want to consider, that the choice of your server somewhat fits with your interests. For example if you are not Australian, in Australia or have an interest with Australia perhaps another server would be wise. Simply so your values and interests fit with those of the other users on your server.
The following sites will make the choice of another server easier:
https://joinmastodon.org/servers
https://mastodonservers.net/servers/top
But really. Don’t put too much of an emphasis on which one is right for you. Just sign up with one. Start having fun. Things will work themselves out.
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Get a Mastodon Account in Australia – 2 Minutes and EASY
March 31st, 2022 admin
Most of the time when a website appears slow it is not the website hosting server, but the internet connection you are using.
We recommend to check your site on this web site:
https://tools.pingdom.com/
You can check the speed of your website from various places around the world.
A good result here means, if there is no problem with your internet connection you should get a good speed perception.
Another tool to use is to check if a site just seems down for you or for everyone:
https://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on My website is slow
