Dentist & Orthodontist by profession, politically a PTI supporter | TED Senior Fellow | World Dental Federation | @AlviDental | @InspireDentalPk— اواب علوی
Aug 29, 2024 • 8 tweets • 5 min read
HOW PAKISTANI SPY AGENCY IS MONITORING YOUR INTERNET via THE TELECOM NETWORK
possibly intercepting your https encrypted traffic
TL;DR
Pakistani spy agency is finding it difficult to read end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp conversations - their next best strategy is to 'SSL-Spoof' your connection to install some software into your phone, as you surf the internet trying to give them full viewing access to everything on your phone (zero-click spyware)
- Strictly use VPN all the time - preventing the govt from reading anything
- Strictly use a secure DNS servers (eg Cloudflare 1.1.1.1)
- Ensure that you keep updating your phone & apps This discussion follows from my earlier tweets
🚨 Last week's cellular network disruptions in Pakistan might be linked to the PTA's acquisition of more advanced ad-on modules from Intellexa (an Israeli-based firm), potentially further enhancing the capabilities of PREDATOR spyware already being used in Pakistan
📷 THREAD 📷
Internet Throttling Across Pakistan?
A week ago, internet users in Pakistan experienced drastically reduced internet speeds, especially while connecting thru their telecom networks. There was a total silence from governmental sources, acting oblivious to any firewall or internet speed reduction.
But this disruption needed a deeper investigation.
Why Should You Worry?
🇵🇰 Peaceful, law-abiding Pakistanis generally have nothing to fear, but this escalation in surveillance capabilities allows the government to invade each persons personal privacy, unfettered access to private messages, photos and personal data to potentially use it for blackmail.
Aug 6, 2024 • 5 tweets • 10 min read
HOW TO BEST PROTECT YOURSELF FROM PAKISTAN INTERNET MONITORING & DEEP PACKET INSPECTION INSTALLED IN PAKISTAN BY THE HOUSE-OF-DRAGONS
We all now know that PTA has been quite actively installing & implementing an extensive firewall with the ability to be able to conduct Deep Packet Inspection of all internet traffic originating from Pakistan and help powers-that-be aka the House-of Dragons ability to monitor any & all communication by the law-abiding citizens of Pakistan. We're aware that various access nodes are now fully replicated & controlled by the House-of-Dragons.
To be honest the millions-of-$'s spent to install this dream DPI + Firewall project is definitely easier sold on paper but proving extremely difficult for PTA to implement. Abundant hints are there to show they are failing massively, also because most tech companies keep improving & tightening their own platform security to ensure such state espionage does not happen
A thread on how law-abiding citizens can do their best to protect themselves from the PTA & the House-of-Dragons snooping on their data
1. Regularly Update WhatsApp and Your OS (Android/iOS)
2. Use WhatsApp’s Built-In Security Features
- Enable Two-Step Verification of your account
- Enable End-to-End Encryption
- Personally verify End-to-End encryption codes with trusted contacts
- Enable Security Notifications for any contact changes
- Enable Disappearing messages on all/most chats
- Disable Automatic Pictures & Video download
- Session Monitoring: Regularly check & log out from all active sessions
3. Be aware of any unusual activity, messages you didn’t send or new devices linked to your account.
4. Be cautious when clicking links - carefully observe the URL making sure its from a trusted & reliable domain
5. Frequently scroll back & delete old chats & conversations
6. Avoid using Public (free) WiFi Networks, if moving around prefer to use your own mobile data
7. Purchase & use a Reputable VPN — Avoid free-to-use VPNs as they are easily tracked & monitored. With PTA now actively pursuing to block VPNs in Pakistan, they will most likely try to identify the IP addresses to each VPN providers & block that particular IP disabling most users from accessing from Pakistan
8. Use Encrypted DNS - like Cloudflares 1.1.1.1 to protect your DNS queries.
- Andoird ->
- iOS ->
9. Protect your device (Andoird/iOS) with better security: Pattern/Face ID/ Thumb
10. Antivirus and Anti-Malware: Install a reputable antivirus or anti-malware app to protect against spyware.
11. Consider installing Firewall Apps to control which apps can access the internet
- NetGuard (Android)
- Lockdown (iOS)
12. Use TOR/Orbot for heightened security via the Onion/TOR network - Orbot app
- Android ->
- iOS ->
People of Pakistan blatantly saw on the fateful Sunday & midnight Judicial coup by SHC & IHC exposing their PARTISANSHIP far from being defenders of the const
2/n
