Was browsing on the GrapheneOS website and came across a new thing called WebUSB, which is essentially a JS API through which GrapheneOS web installer worked.

This got me wondering, if website could read what’s plugged into my computer like my phone or disks, isn’t that a huge risk to privacy? I don’t know how this works (haven’t used it) so I would like to know about its privacy.

AFAIK Firefox doesn’t allow this API, so that’s a relief (I use librefox), but what about other browsers? I am getting a bit paranoid.

[Also, are there other APIs like these; which are a privacy nightmare that websites could use?]

If they can, I’m going to buy a whole bunch of vibrators that charge via USB

Even computer get STD

The Doctor
link
fedilink
53M

Practice safe hex - always wear a write protect chip!

When you use it the browser pops up a window to select a device to connect, I’m not sure if the website can see anything until you actually pick a device and allow.

Yes there is a risk of bugs being exploited just like any other feature in a browser. Another example is WebRTC being used to de-cloak VPN users. I think WebGPU and/or WebGL also had exploits that allowed remote code execution or escaping the browser sandbox.

WebRTC being used to de-cloak VPN users

The clock of my device always match with the location of the server of my VPN provider

with chicken
link
fedilink
23M

How van you do that? Im using fedora and Android om phone.

I manually set the ntp server of my device to match with the location of my VPN server and use an pp to see the time of my real location.

with chicken
link
fedilink
13M

Im a noob, where to find NTP server and what is pp? I’m using fedora🙂

You don’t need to change your ntp server exactly you can just set the time zone settings of your device (android)to match the same region of your VPN server. if you want to go a step further you have the option (not mandatorily) to change the NTP server of your device.

with chicken
link
fedilink
13M

Okay. Thank you. I’m learning everyday 😄

For those who actually think I said clock instead of cloak :)

https://voidsec.com/vpn-leak/

Create a post

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.

Some Rules

  • Posting a link to a website containing tracking isn’t great, if contents of the website are behind a paywall maybe copy them into the post
  • Don’t promote proprietary software
  • Try to keep things on topic
  • If you have a question, please try searching for previous discussions, maybe it has already been answered
  • Reposts are fine, but should have at least a couple of weeks in between so that the post can reach a new audience
  • Be nice :)

Related communities

much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)

  • 0 users online
  • 57 users / day
  • 383 users / week
  • 1.5K users / month
  • 5.7K users / 6 months
  • 1 subscriber
  • 3.13K Posts
  • 78.3K Comments
  • Modlog