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Episode 030: Info Stealers, GrapheneOS Drama, and Why Video Games and Anti-Virus Are Spyware

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In this episode, I address listener feedback and corrections regarding use of public Wi-Fi, MAC addresses, and aliases. I dive deep into the nuances of MAC address randomization on GrapheneOS versus Apple’s private Wi-Fi addresses, explaining why GrapheneOS offers superior privacy protection. I discuss the real threats of public Wi-Fi in 2025 (hint: it’s not hackers with Wireshark), and share my approach with aliases.

I also cover the rising threat of infostealers like Atomic Info Stealer for macOS, the dangerous intersection of gaming cheats and malware, and why I avoid third-party antivirus software. Most importantly, I address the GrapheneOS controversy: the loss of a senior developer to military conscription, Google’s strategic pivot that threatens custom ROMs, and why claims of GrapheneOS “dying” are misinformation spread by those with competing agendas.

In this week’s episode:

  1. Clarifications and Corrections: Public Wi-Fi, MAC addresses, and alias management
  2. MAC address randomization: GrapheneOS vs Apple’s implementation
  3. The real threats of public Wi-Fi in 2025
  4. Info stealers and video games can be a privacy nightmare
  5. GrapheneOS controversy: Developer conscription, Google’s lockdown, and the future of custom ROMs
  6. Why antivirus software might be the malware you’re trying to avoid

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“Social engineering bypasses all technologies, including firewalls.”

- Kevin Mitnick