Just wanted to share my setup and see if anyone has suggestions or feedback. Also share yours. **Phone : GrapheneOS(pixel 7a)** 1. No google play service on my main profile. Rethink DNS (NextDNS DoH) blocks ads, trackers, and all Google & Facebook DNS (except WhatsApp). 2. Some FOSS apps like Aurora Store & NewPipe need Google servers, so I have excluded them in rethink dns. 3. Work Profile (with Island) with GrapheneOS’ sandboxed Play Services, but I use it maybe once or twice a month only for apps that absolutely need it. It stays turned off most of the time. If an app works on main profile without any issues, will use it. If not, will try to use it in firefox (as lack of play services doesn't matter). If only app is available (and not web version) and it doesn't work on main profile, will use it in work profile. 4. Hardened Firefox fork(Ironfox) for private browsing. Main Firefox for a few services where I have to stay logged in and don't have apps or want to use their apps. 5. Network & Sensor Restrictions: If an app works offline, I block its internet access. Also, disabled sensors for apps that don’t need them. 6. Mostly use foss apps from f-droid(droidify). 7. Email: moved from gmail to protonmail **PC/laptop: Arch linux kde on pc and fedora kde on laptop.** 1. Not much to say. Most used apps are firefox and Zed. I allow data collection on kde as I want them to improve it. **Home Server: Raspberry Pi 4B** 1. SSH hardening: Non standard ssh port(yes, I opened the port externally because I depend on my home server and need to access it remotely). SSH keys or password+totp, Fail2Ban, ufw. 2. Services running: Arr setup(jellyfin, prowlarr, radarr,sonarr, qbittorrent), pihole, Immich, Authelia(for now). All data sensitive services behind authelia with totp. 3. Nginx Geo-blocking: Only allows access from my country IPs 4. Weekly backups because data loss sucks. **Network & Router: OpenWRT (TP-Link)** 1. Not much to say: Running default firewall rules with network-wide ad/tracker blocking via pihole and some ports opened.

Genuine question as I'm having a dilemma. I've seen many of my friends using Chrome without any ad blockers. Most of them don't even know that there are things called extensions that can be installed. Whenever I use their laptops, I want to throw them away. I want to tell them about extensions and ad blockers. But as much as we hate ads, they fuel the internet. Without them, the internet wouldn't be what it is today. If ad blocker users increase, there would be a massive change in the web, and everything may be paywalled. So should we gatekeep ad blockers and enjoy an ad-free internet as a minority? It's not like they know what they're missing. I advocate for FOSS, though. I will tell my friends to try Linux and dual-boot it, and suggest alternatives.

Recently discovered this. Molly supports link with existing device just like on signal desktop. It even has benefit of getting entire chat history unlike signal desktop. Just restore the signal backup file during setup and then click link with existing device. Then scan with you primary phone. Beauty of open source. Molly: https://molly.im/

cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/3983399 > I use chatgpt with chat history & training setting turned off. After September 25 update, it has been difficult to use on that mode. It automatically refreshes the page 5 minutes after I visit another tab or app. I had to enter the commands again. I think this is intentional to force users to turn on data history setting. Has anyone experienced the same?