Non-browser security

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PM-user
Moonbather
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Non-browser security

Unread post by PM-user » 2022-10-02, 17:55

I'm using PM with a vpn, for the basic purpose of not being tracked or pinpointed by location. However when you use an email client like Interlink, and communicate with a non-secure person such as on gmail, does any trackable / pinpointable info become visible to anyone?

leothetechguy
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Re: Non-browser security

Unread post by leothetechguy » 2022-10-02, 20:22

Depends on if you've installed the vpn as a browser extension or system wide, in the latter case, no. (VPNs only hide your ip address however)

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Moonchild
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Re: Non-browser security

Unread post by Moonchild » 2022-10-02, 21:26

Important note: "browser extension VPNs" are not actual VPNs. A VPN always operates at the system network level. If it's an extension then the "VPN" is no more than a glorified http proxy.

As for the security of e-mail clients, a VPN might actually not be necessary, depending on the outbound (SMTP) server or service you are using. Many mail services do not expose the initial sender's IP address (which can only be gleaned from the headers if you know what you are looking for). A VPN might help mask it if it is retained by the mail transport agent, but may also cause issues for deliverability of your mail if the mail service considers the resulting VPN IP to be at risk of being a spammer. of note, the risk is not any greated than when using webmail as there too the IP address of the browser will be recorded that is used to use the webmail interface and normally included in the header portion (or referenced as a trackable ID for the ISP providing the webmail). The level of exposure will be exactly the same; in fact, webmail might be more exposed in that case due to your web presence, and a much greater fingerprinting surface provided by web access compared to SMTP.
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