this post was submitted on 18 Jul 2024
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Privacy

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Cheap US cloud computer (VPN minus fingerprinting?): I need a social media account for a contract job, and want to register/login without the account tying back to me. Provider & spec recs? (lemmings.world)
submitted 4 months ago by parody@lemmings.world to c/privacy@lemmy.ml
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Hey friends,

I'd like to:

  • Register for a social media account under a client's company name
  • Research the presence companies in the client's industry have on the site
  • Have a reasonable assurance the account will not be linked to my real name nor my network
  • Use a VM for 10-30? hr/mo, short term

I am:

  • US West Coast based
  • Tech savvy but don't code (unless copypasta)
  • Price conscious
  • Privacy conscious in terms of social media companies linking my account and my identity

Assumptions and UnderstandingsGiven the complexity of fingerprinting techniques, I am under the impression logging in to a remote computer and doing all this work from a browser there has one of the highest likelihoods of success. I'd measure success by not getting spammed with work-related ads, whenever I have to disable Ublock Origin at least. It seems likely a social network will know I'm using a remote desktop (based on IP and loading time/delays), but seems difficult for them to understand who exactly is using the cloud machine if I only use it for a singular purpose. I would hope data brokers aren't efficiently tying VM usage back to VM leasers.

I understand a VPS isn't typically suited for GUI usage, and VPNs can leave me more vulnerable to fingerprinting.

Finally, it looks like most of the low-end cloud PC options would support web browsing at a reasonable speed.

Questions:

  • Have I betrayed any misconceptions?
  • Is a cloud PC one of my best options, and if so:
  • Can you recommend a provider and specs?
  • Is there anything I'm missing?

Providers in consideration w/screenshots

Caution: aggressive anti-privacy corporate behemoths below

Azure Virtual Desktop

Too cheap to be true? Requires some agreement...

Amazon WorkSpaces Personal

Yay Amazon. Inexpensive.

Windows 365 Business Cloud PC

Priciest option.

Vagon Remote Windows Desktop Cloud Computer

A little guy!

Thank you!

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[–] AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space 9 points 4 months ago (1 children)

What do you mean by VPNs leaving you open to fingerprinting?

[–] cyberpunk007@lemmy.ca 9 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I assume he means with hardware fingerprinting. Basically websites can collect enough info on your computer to identify you and track you across sites.

[–] AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space 9 points 4 months ago

Running a VM on your own machine (using VMWare or VirtualBox) with a clean install of the OS and a browser in that should suffice to prevent that. Fingerprinting would be mostly on things like installed apps/fonts, screen resolution, free disk space and such.

[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world 7 points 4 months ago (1 children)

VM and a VPN is the same as a cloud instance. You certainly will be tied back to any account hosting a cloud instance if it came to that. You might be thinking a little too paranoid about this, when there is a simple solution.

[–] parody@lemmings.world 1 points 4 months ago

Thank you - this led to lots of interesting reading!

[–] RatoGBM@lemmy.world 5 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

From my knowledge VPNs hide your IP from the destination, and the destination from your ISP.

Fingerprinting is mostly about the browser you use.

For VPN any VPN should do (eg. Mullvad VPN $5/month) and for Browser just have a non-big tech browser with ad-blockers and tracking protection (eg. Mullvad Browser or other Firefox/fork with good config).

Or Tor

Also, how serious is the "not getting tracked" need? It sounds like you are getting hunted by the social media site? Wouldn't that need full OPSEC mode with Tails and Whonix like the real darknet hackers?

For the VM, I can't help you much. There should be tones of cloud hosting providers out there, just a Linux VM on another guy's computer after all.

PS: I am a newbie just repeating stuff I heard before like a parrot.

[–] MigratingtoLemmy@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

AWS Windows box

[–] parody@lemmings.world 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Ayyyyy

Amazon Lightsail, free for three months!

What a fabulous suggestion to meet every need listed.

Like you, @just_another_person@lemmy.world & @AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space also get lots of credit for a solution that will meet my need in spite of my focus on the cloud-based solution. The free Lightsail option is a little slower than would be ideal.... it's also freeeee! So glad to be exposed to it regardless of whether I end up going local VM or cloud.

Thanks!

[–] solrize@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago

Burner phone maybe?

[–] parody@lemmings.world 1 points 4 months ago

Thanks for your input everybody!