https://magnetz.eu/

That’s absolutely right. Haven’t used wireless debugging in a long time.

100% worth it even without a custom OS.

I have been using my rooted S23 since it came out. Rooting it made it possible to edit the hosts file (to block malicious ads and domains), run a firewall (to block internet connectivity for certain system apps that I will not remove in order to retain certain functions) and use a VPN, all at the same time.

More specifically, I rooted my S23 following this guide: https://topjohnwu.github.io/Magisk/install.html

I created a custom hosts file using AdAway: https://github.com/AdAway/AdAway

I block internet connectivity for certain apps whose removal would break certain functionality with AFWall+ https://github.com/ukanth/afwall

These are the apps that I block: https://pastebin.com/SViEKXXd

I only unblock Google Play once every month to update system apps. The rest of my apps I install with Obtainium: https://github.com/ImranR98/Obtainium and I manage them with App Manager, with which I also disable internal trackers, dangerous operations and permissions: https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/AppManager

The above App Manager also has integrated UAD: https://github.com/Universal-Debloater-Alliance/universal-android-debloater-next-generation/

Sorry for all the unsolicited advice. Finally, rooting your device/unlocking the boatloader introduces the technical risk of anybody with the skills being able to manipulate your device if they physically get their hands on it. Which is just fear mongering and doesn’t say much, since you hopefully wouldn’t trust your device even if the bootloader is locked if it has been in an unauthorized person’s hands.

EDIT: unlocking the bootloader on recent Samsung devices pops a physical fuse inside the device. Even though this doesn’t affect any functionality and you can relock the bootloader if you ever wanted to go back to stock Samsung One Ui, this makes it impossible to hide the fact that the device’s bootloader once was unlocked. What repercussions this entails - if any - you will have to decide for yourself.

EDIT2: am I remembering correctly that some Knox functions stop working after popping the fuse? Like secure folder, payments or whatever? This doesn’t affect me, but for OP’s sake.

Good luck! 🫡

Would it be possible for an average user like me to host the whole AUR and the whole Arch Wiki to make it available at times like this? I’m already seeding a couple of Arch isos (not pirate lingo).

I just want to help out.

I finally understand your point. That’s true though with or without the use of a firewall. Not becoming infected by malware through ports that are otherwise used for common connections can preemptively only be achieved with good cyber hygiene. Once infected, I guess I’d need access control lists and/or software that blocks code execution based on signatures, but I’m not aware of such software for Linux.

The purpose is to block any connections that I haven’t explicitly allowed, since I don’t have the skills to vet all my binaries. Linux packages are as we know not immune.

It’s a pretty static system and I imagine I could write a script that notifies me if and when iptables blockes something outgoing (or when the kernel complains thereof).

You first👏

Thanks! Yeah, I just came to the realization that this was more about my lack of understanding of the file command than anything else.

Great summary! Thanks for this! If I were to make the switch to GOS - which I am considering, Samsung user ATM, I’d never travel abroad - especially to and from the US - with my daily GOS driver. I’d travel with a backup phone that contains nothing. A new SIM card and some random chat app for communication with my loved ones. This is for plausible deniability (if I indeed were involved in anti government activism etc) and to avoid all the fuss. Not unlocking my phone gets me into trouble. Wiping my phone gets me into trouble. In that case, I just leave my daily driver at home.

It would also be nice to see the Commission reach out to and making good use of all the talented software engineers that reside in the member states, perhaps even trying to evenly distribute outreach, not just focusing on states that produce economic wealth. It would be even nicer to see the Commission realize the benefits of and invest in open source software and hardware in creating the EuroStack.

https://uwuntuos.site/ obvi?

But seriously though, Arch all the way, because it teaches me about Linux and computers, because I can customize all the packages at OS install (without the need for lengthy compiling like Gentoo) and because my Steam games work flawlessly on it.

Checking it out now. Thanks!

Thanks! I really appreciate the more advanced steps too! Now I have something to do next weekend! :D

Signing off now, but I did have the strength left to do this:

else if (choice == 4) {
                        if (num2 == 0) printf("\nhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_by_zero\n\n");
                        else {
                        memory = num1 / num2;
                        printf("\nThe quotient of %d and %d is %d\n\n", num1, num2, memory);
                        }
                }

Cheers!

Thank you! I really appreciate your guidance! It almost feels like you could have experience from teaching or the likes, since you are so good at explaining! Or maybe that just comes with being a senior SE? Either way, thanks again!