100% don't have to be compromised if the entire global internet backbone is and if all software and hardware is backdoored.
You cannot accomplish anonymity with anything less than an old used computer purchased second hand with cash and no paperwork. Never connect it to any wifi or local network that you touch yourself. Only boot Tails on it, never windows. Physically remove the webcam and microphone on it. And quite frankly never store it anywhere on or in your property when not using. Also a long range wifi antenna so you can be far away when using public wifi to avoid the security cameras around such wifi points.
Anything less is just masturbation.
Typical "all or nothing" response. You sound like every programmer I've ever met except two. That's bullshit. There are gradients. It's fucking idiotic to think normal people are going to take those measures. It's like a heart surgeon telling people "just perform heart surgery on your uncle, he really needs it." They don't know how, and have no context/experience around the body of knowledge. It ain't gonna happen.
All you are doing is preventing people from taking common sense measures that would literally break the backs of tech companies for the sake of perfect security that all but 0.001% of the population can figure out how to do. You aren't doing anyone favors by posting this bullshit. If you can't post a step by step guide that takes under an hour to complete (ideally 15 minutes), no one is going to do it.
Yes, if you are actively being targeted by intelligence agencies, you would need extreme measures, but ISPs that want to sell your information because it's legal now, or tech companies like Google that want to spy on you, and package that information up for sale and to hand over to agencies, a VPN and basic browser security are just fine. You don't need a tank if a slingshot will do in 99% of cases. Sure, if you are buying metric tons of cocaine from the darkweb, but most people just need basic privacy.
I think people should learn to use bootable tails USB sticks though. They've done a pretty good job making a secure OS/browser that's relatively easy to use. The only real issue with usability is people might have to know how to change the boot order in their BIOS. That's again over 99% of peoples' heads, unfortunately.
Very true, if your targeted you're fucked. But taking some steps to put layers between you and information gathering services makes you less likely to be swept up in a search.
Look, I didn't design any of this. I don't make the rules or decide how any of this works. I don't care what anyone does or doesn't do. All I know is that despite all the evil shit done by our leaders is still not as bad as spreading false information. At the end of the day, bad/wrong advice always gets people killed or hurt. Now I can't force people to listen to me, one lonely voice, among dozens who contradict me. But I do my part, that's all I have control over. I can't fix everything, track down every online thread with bad advice.... But when it comes across my plate, I have a moral obligation to it.
It's not my problem if you don't understand how any of this works. I wish you did but you clearly don't, how is that my fault?
The core foundation of how we are tracked today was birthed by the advertisement industry. And even today the majority of data comes from sources that would be labeled for advertising purposes. You didn't know this because you don't know.
Lastly, there is almost ZERO specific targeting by intelligence agencies. Generally speaking 99.99% of the population is screened and monitored by the exact same mechanisms, processes and software tools. They stopped making distinctions long ago.
Safety is no longer in remaining invisible but rather in remaining a "non- threat" in the eyes of their all seeing eyes.
Take a deep breath, read something of value and humble yourself.
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