• A lot of software uses systemd-journald to log errors,

  • The bash shell saves everything you type into the terminal,

  • wtmp, btmp, utmp all track exactly who is logged in and when,

  • The package manager logs all software you install and keeps the logs after uninstallation,

  • And the kernel writes part of the RAM which may contain sensitive information to the disk when your PC crashes.

While the OS isn’t sending these logs to Microsoft or Google, anyone who gets into your PC while you are logged in and your data is unencrypted can see much of what you have been doing.

If you want to be private, you must disable them.

  • CrypticCoffee@lemmy.ml
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    8 hours ago

    I got reports on this. I’m personally not of a mind to remove it, but it does feel irrelevant to open source. It’s more a Linux sysadmin type thing.

    I will say, cut down the spam. Any repeated similar musings within a week would be low value and I’d probably remove.

    I personally don’t agree with this and this wouldn’t be relevant to most peoples risk profile.

    Worth reflecting on what others have said here. I think you’re worrying too much about something that will never be expolitable in standard usage and this is from someone who worries a lot about privacy.

    Maybe if this is really important to you check out Tails OS which as far as I’m aware focusses on running in RAM and leaving minimal persistent state.

    • Scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.tech
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      2 hours ago

      They’ve been spamming this a few times now, fully respect your decision, but I know I commented on this exact post about 2 weeks ago the same as everyone else here, just FYI if you didn’t know they’ve been repeating it. (Maybe it was an alt acct, not sure, but I know I said the same thing before)

  • als@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    12 hours ago

    “If someone gains access to your computer, they could view the log files on it”

    My dude, they could view everything on it? The answer is full disk encryption, not turning off log files.

  • TheFogan@programming.dev
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    12 hours ago

    You posted this same silly thing about 3 days ago.

    anyway why isn’t the advice “encrypt your drives” instead of “disable all logging”.

    I mean your own examples are like the least serious problem.

    Who is logged in and when? So we’re talking a multi user system that’s clearly hosting a lot… that’s kind of important for an administrator to be able to track who is logging in when, to know if something goes wrong.

    Package manager logs what’s installed. well duh, what’s the scenerio that this is even a factor? I don’t want big government to know I had, qbittorrent or whatever? There’s no program that’s likely installed via apt that’s illegal to have.

    So yeah in short, stuff that’s vital if you ever need to troubleshoot, useful in general, almost unthinkable to imagine situations where this is a problem (at least in situations in which someone has your user account, or root access to your system for these to be the high priority.

    On the whole the idea there is like.

    “If someone steals your car… they could also steal the car users manual”.

  • Shimitar@downonthestreet.eu
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    2 hours ago

    My favourite is that kernel writes in ram. Kid, do you even know how computers work at all? Where should the kernel write? On paper?

    Anyway, worry about getting your pc compromised and prevent unwanted access both physical and remote, logs will help you detect unwanted access, so there is that: logs keep you safe.

    Do not turn off logging. Or do turn off logging, it’s your machine after all and you are free, as in Linux, to do so if you want.

    But your privacy will not be any safer.

  • Shimitar@downonthestreet.eu
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    2 hours ago

    I think you are just looking for fun or messing with people, what you say is indeed true, but irrelevant as privacy concern.

  • PiraHxCx@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    11 hours ago

    The other day I was writing in my notebook and then I opened it later to check, and everything that I wrote was there! If someone could get their hands on my notebook, they could read all my notes!

    • HubertManne@piefed.social
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      8 hours ago

      yeah “vulnerabilities” that require physical access to the machine while its logged in don’t exactly worry me.

    • Shimitar@downonthestreet.eu
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      2 hours ago

      Love this!

      Next time, write with Inkless pen, that would be safer!

      But what if somebody reads your mind? Walk around with tinfoil hat!

      (Lol)

  • Shimitar@downonthestreet.eu
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    2 hours ago

    Repost.

    FUD or at best idiocy at work here.

    Its your own machine. Like saying your car knows where you live and where you work. It does, you use it, get a grip on reality. Nobody sniffing your Linux and if somebody has your root oassword they have all your data already so point is mooth.

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    12 hours ago

    REALITY IS NOT PRIVATE OUT OF THE BOX.

    EVERY PHYSICAL INTERACTION IS BASED ON CAUSE AND CONSEQUENCE.

    IF A DEMON COULD KNOW THE MOMENTUM AND POSITION OF EVERY PARTICLE, THEY COULD LOG EVERY ACTION AND THOUGHT YOU’VE EVER HAD.

    WHILE NATURE ISN’T SENDING THESE LOGS TO A DIVINE CREATOR, ANY INTELLECT VAST ENOUGH TO SUBMIT THESE DATA TO ANALYSIS WOULD SEE THE FUTURE, AS THE PAST, PRESENT TO ITS EYES.

    IF YOU WANT TO BE PRIVATE, YOU MUST CEASE TO EXIST

  • LambdaRX@sh.itjust.works
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    12 hours ago

    In this case, the only way to be truly private is to use distro on bootable drive with disabled persistent storage.

  • commander@lemmy.world
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    12 hours ago

    There are levels of paranoia that gets to the point of excessive time spent managing your footprint that could be better used elsewhere as I would imagine especially if you’re not a high value target. I am not a high value target