Change Log for DefensiveComputingChecklist.com

WEBSITE CHANGE LOG

OCTOBER 2025

Oct 27: Updated the Privacy topic with more on burner phones
Oct 22: A few updates to the Rules of the Road topic. Added articles to the Privacy and Emergency topics.
Oct 19: Add the Wirecutter division of the New York Times to the list of bad companies
Oct 18: Updated the VPN topic with who owns Privado and marketing honesty. Added more defenses on the Airbnb page.
Oct 17: A couple updates to the Traveling topic
Oct 12: Still more bad stuff about Tesla and Airbnb
Oct 10: In the Satellite topic added a story about a SpaceX power play
Oct 9: In the Satellite topic, added a story about Verizon and AST
Oct 8: Added TeamViewer to the list of Bad Companies
Oct 7: Updated the intro bullet points on the Rules of the Road page
Oct 6: Updated the Browser Fingerprinting topic to add two browsers that defend against fingerprinting.
Oct 5: Add an iPhone 17 tip for longer battery life. Added Safari fingerprinting defense to the Browser Fingerprinting topic.
Oct 4: In the topic of Secure File Storage added a new section for local files. In the Satellite topic, added an article about a great experience using Starlink satellites on a T-Mobile phone.
Oct 3: In the Tesla topic, still more on the door handles that don't open after a crash. In the VPN topic, updated the examination of Android apps for 9 different VPN providers. Tunnelbear was the worst, with 4 trackers in its app.
Oct 2: Added pair.com to the list of companies to avoid. New topic on blocking spam phone calls in both iOS and Android. Added an article about domain name tricks that bad guys use to the topic on Domain Name Rules.
Oct 1: Added Tile to the list of companies to avoid, as per an article in Wired. Also, updated the Passkeys topic.

SEPTEMBER 2025

Sept 30: More countries are ditching US software. In the AI topic, added ChatGPT parental controls.
Sept 29: Added an index and a new article to the Chromebook topic
Sept 28: Added some articles to the Batteries topic
Sept 22: In the Signal topic added an article about the new backup feature
Sept 20: Added an article to the VPN topic about assorted VPNs that phone home to either Russia or China.
Sept 19: More reasons to avoid Tesla
Sept 18: Lots of updates to the AI topic, all focused on privacy. Updates to the version 26 section of the iOS topic.
Sept 16: In the Companies to Avoid topic, added a vote for Mullvad as the best VPN. Yes, good companies should be its own topic. Minor update to the VPN topic.
Sept 15: Updated the battery topic with links to more articles from hardware vendors
Sept 12: Just as breathing is good, Meta is bad. Added an article bad things Meta has done to the Facebook and WhatsApp topics. Updated the topic of my VPN experiences with a bad experience installing Proton VPN on Windows 10.
Sept 11: In the Privacy topic added software recommendations from Glitch Armour. In the Secure File Storage topic, added Internxt. In the Email topic added an excellent article that compares secure email from Proton and Tuta.
Sept 10: In the Facebook topic added an article about stopping Facebook from seeing all your pictures. Also, finally added an index to the Facebook page which is pretty long.
Sept 9: Added an article about buying used iPhones to the Apple topic. In the Companies to Avoid page, started a section on Companies to Use. The only recommended one so far is Seagate for mechanical hard drives.
Sept 6: Updated the topic of my VPN experiences with a good experience with tech support at IVPN. Minor updates to the Android topic. Updated the FYI section in the Android topic.

AUGUST 2025

Aug 29: Updated the Satellite topic with a claim that voice by satellite on normal cellphones is coming in 2026. Updated the Web Browser topic with a new Strategy section.
Aug 27: In the Battery topic, updated info on Pixel 10 phones. Added an article about a free VPN browser extension that broke bad to the VPN topic and the Web Browser Extensions topic.
Aug 26: In the Traveling topic, added a section on cellphones
Aug 20: Added an article about passkeys to the Passkeys topic. More bad news.
Aug 9: Added a free service to detect scam emails, Snitcher Space, to the email and scam school topics
Aug 8: In the Search Engine topic, added another vote for Kagi
Aug 7: Expanded the description of Psylo in the Web Browser topic and added it to the VPN topic as yet another way to employ a double VPN
Aug 6: Added the new Psylo iOS web browser to the Web Browser topic
Aug 3: Added Proton Authenticator to the 2FA topic. Sounds like a great option. Added some Samsung Galaxy articles to the Batteries topic.
Aug 2: Small update to the Web Browser Extension topic
Aug 1: In the Public Wi-Fi topic, added cheat sheet for retrieving a saved Wi-Fi password from your device. In the Web Browser Extensions topic added information on CRXaminer which evaluates extensions.

JULY 2025

July 31: Added Webnic as a company to avoid. Added realornotquiz.com to the topic of Fake Images.
July 29: Updated the AI topic
July 27: In the AI topic, added a link for Google searches without any AI
July 26: Added a link to the Duck Duck Go search engine with no AI in the results in the AI topic
July 25: In the topic of Companies to Avoid, updated the section on cell service providers with new info from Consumer Reports. In the Printers topic, updated the section on ink tank printers. Added mailbox.org as a secure file storage provider.
July 24: Minor update to Batteries topic. Updated the intro to the USB flash drive topic to add the Windows 11 Sandbox as a safe environment. In the Passkeys topic added another article that argues the user experience is not ready for prime time.
July 23: I (sadly) added RealVNC to the list of companies to avoid.
July 13: Added articles to the Batteries topic about extending the lifespan of a Pixel phone battery
July 8: More articles about malicious web browser extensions
July 7: New page on AI with just one article. Many updates to the SIM Swap page.
July 6: Updated the SIM Swap topic with more articles of assorted defenses from the US carriers
July 2: Updated the Passkey topic with a new section on upcoming changes
July 1: Updated the TV Watches You topic

JUNE 2025

June 30: In the Privacy topic, added link to the Ludlow Institute. Updated the Signal, macOS, TV Watches You and Web Browser Extension topics.
June 29: Articles/Links added to these topics: Privacy, Death, Printers, Other Sources for Defensive Computing
June 27: In the topic about Avoiding America and American Software, added Lyon France to the list
June 26: Assorted updates in the Battery topic
June 25: Multiple updates to the Death topic
June 18: Added some notes about Brave on iOS to the Web Browser topic. Broke out Web Browser Extensions into its own page.
June 16: In the Chromebook topic, added an article about off-line use. In the Signal topic, added an article about using Signal groups for activism and protests.
June 15: Small update to CoverDrop in the Secure Messaging topic
June 13: The Rules of the Road page advises to use a website, when possible, rather than an app. Added a new article that proves this point. Added an article about Juice Jacking attacks which were still a thing even though no one knew it. Made Juice Jacking its own page.
June 11: Added CoverDrop as a new Secure Messaging app. In the Domain Name Rules topic, updated the Limits of Defense section. Added a story about Denmark moving away from Microsoft Office in the topic of the world avoiding IT from America.
June 10: Update the topic of Web Browser extension. Updated the Signal topic, apparently it has handles.

MAY 2025

May 25: In the iOS topic added an article about steps to take in preparation for an iPhone being stolen
May 22: Added a very damning article on how Meta does next to nothing to remove scams from their world to both the Facebook and Instagram topics. Added a couple articles about finding your personal information online to the Privacy topic. Added info on Google's Results About You feature to the Privacy and Google topics.
May 20: In the topic of my VPN user experiences, updated the section on IVPN on Windows
May 16: In the Android topic added some info on Advanced Protection Mode
May 15: Updated the Windows and macOS topics with an article about getting rid of a computer
May 10: In the Battery topic, updated Android information for battery life span
May 8: In the WhatsApp topic added an article about the security of group chats. Also added an article about the new Advanced Chat Privacy feature.
May 7: In the Web Browser topic, added a note about the website PrivacyTests.org. Also about scanning Chrome extensions at the crxaminer.tech site.
May 6: The topic of Cryptocurrency was expanded and moved to its own page
May 5: In the topic of USB Flash drives added an article about data rot
May 2: Made a number of additions to the Death topic..

APRIL 2025

April 28: In the topic of Satellite communication added an article about dedicated satellite messenger devices. Added a warning about BackBlaze to the Secure File Storage topic.
April 26: Added two articles to the Privacy topic
April 21: Added a new page for Zoom
April 20: In the topic of Avoiding America and American Software added another article with many alternatives
April 19: Added Liquid Web to the Companies to Avoid. New topic on Children (not much there yet).
April 18: In the Email topic, added a suggestion to keep recovery info up to date with free accounts, to avoiding being locked out. In the Android Alternatives topic, updated info on the Light Phone which is really a smart phone alternative.
April 17: Assorted updates to the Satellite Communication topic
April 13: Updated topic on Imposter Voice Scams
April 12: In the Signal topic added a warning to never have duplicate Nicknames
April 11: In the Web Browser topic added yet another article about bad extensions.
April 9: In the VPN topic, added Chinese owned VPNs to avoid in the iOS app store. In the Facebook and Instagram topics added info on teenager accounts.
April 2: In the Email topic, added an article about Gmail starting to move to E2EE
April 1: Updated the VPN topic to note four VPN providers that failed a leak test done by RTINGS (in the Is the VPN Working) section.

MARCH 2025

March 30: Still more info added to the Signal topic. The Signal topic got so big, I moved it to its own page.
March 29: In the VPN topic, added that the desktop versions of Vivaldi now include ProtonVPN out-of-the-box. Added another Matt Blaze quote about Signalgate, one that gives the scandal some perspective (Secure Messaging topic). Still more info added to the Signal topic.
March 28: Added yet another article about Facebook spying to the Facebook topic
March 27: More new Signal info added in the Secure Messaging topic
March 26: Lots and lots of updates to the Secure Messaging topic with more about Signal after the big US Government screw-up
March 24: Added a link to file storage companies in the EU to the Secure File Storage topic. Updated the topic on avoiding American computing. In the Web Browser topic, added some more recommendations for privacy oriented browsers. In the topic of other sources of Defensive Computing information, added AvoidTheHack.com.
March 22: In the Web Browser topic, added LibreWolf as a suggested browser for desktop operating systems. In the Traveling topic added a new website with great airplane seat maps.
March 21: In the topic on avoiding software from the US, added another article with many European app recommendations. Added Jami to the Secure Messaging topic.
March 20: In the Satellite topic added an article about a new Verizon rollout. New topic: Avoiding Software from the USA. Added Briar to the Secure Messaging topic.
March 19: The Voice Assistants topic was moved to its own page and updated for the most recent Alexa changes
March 15: Added an article to the Secure Messaging topic that RCS texting between Apple and Android will be secure in the future
March 11: Updated the Phone Number topic
March 10: New section on Tax Refund Fraud and defending yourself added to the Tax Filing topic
March 7: On the Traveling page, added a section on Travel eSIMS. On the iOS page added the automated Check In feature that was added in iOS 17.
March 6: Updated the Printers topic to add two articles about Brother and put all the Brother articles together in a new section. Also added another HP bad article.
March 4: In the VPN topic, added an article pointing out that North Korea uses Astrill VPN.

FEBRUARY 2025

Feb 24: In the topic on the Signal Messaging app, added a warning about Russian hacks of Signal accounts using QR codes. In the Secure File storage topic, added an article on iOS alternative apps for UK users now that Apple is removing the best encryption from many types of data in iCloud.
Feb 22: In the Secure Messaging topic added an article that evaluated 10 alternatives to WhatsApp. Also added a new section on the fight over encrypted iCloud files betwee Apple and the UK government. Updated the Printers topic with a great article by Cory Doctorow that recaps the shitty things HP does and has done. Also added a warning about ink tank printers.
Feb 21: Moved the topic of Browser Fingerprinting to its own page. Also updated the topic content
Feb 15: Updated the Battery topic with new information on extending the life span of Windows laptop battery. Updated the topic of Secure Cloud File Storage to note a 4th term, yes FOUR, that Backblaze now uses for E2EE.
Feb 14: Another update to the Backup topic
Feb 13: Another update to the Backup topic
Feb 12: Updated the topic of Backups
Feb 11: On the VPN page, added a new option for a double VPN from Mullvad and Obscura. Also added iCloud Private Relay to the same section.
Feb 10: Added a good story about shopping for a Brother printer. That was not a typo, an actual good printer experience
Feb 8: On the Android page, a few updates to the Android 15 topic including the new AndroidSystemSafetyCore app. Added more information about the DuckDuckGo email forwarding service in the topic of Multiple Email Addresses.

JANUARY 2025

Jan 28: Updated the intro to the Domain Name Rules topic
Jan 25: Added info on resetting the Instagram algorithm
Jan 23: For Instagram, added some click-here type-this info for app settings on iOS
Jan 22: Updated the section on Extensions in the Web Browser topic
Jan 21: Updated the Passkeys topic with an excellent article from the British National Cyber Security Centre
Jan 20: Added GoDaddy to the list of Companies To Avoid. In the Secure Messaging topic, updated the Limitations section.
Jan 19: What if all your electronics are lost while traveling? Updated the Traveling topic with this. Added a new Rule of the Road, not to install banking apps on a phone. In the Facebook topic added an excellent article from the EFF about configuration changes to increase your privacy on both Facebook and Instagram.
Jan 18: In the VPN topic, added an article that recommended VPN providers
Jan 16: In the Chromebook topic, updated the topic of printers
Jan 15: Added a tip to put contact info on macOS lock screen in case you lose your Mac laptop
Jan 13: Updated the topic of Web Browser Extensions with more proof that its the Wild West out there
Jan 12: Added the Watch Duty fire app to the Emergency Alerts section. Updated the Rules of the Road topic to note that Apple, Google, Gmail and Microsoft will never call you. Also linked to an Apple article on what to expect when dealing with their tech support. In the Power Outage topic, added a recommendation for the Anker SOLIX C300 Portable Power Station.
Jan 7: In the iOS topic, updated the section on Protected Apps for iOS 18
Jan 6: Updated the Batteries topic with new information for Android users
Jan 5: In the Email topic, added info for people who own their own domain. Added the inevitable story of many browser extensions that went bad when they self-updated in the Web Browser topic. In the iOS topic, added a battery saving trick for iOS 18.2.
Jan 4: Added Google Advanced Protection to the Android topic. Added details on a Google account takeover scam to the Gmail topic and Google topic. In the Secure Messaging topic, updated the section on Google Messages.
Jan 2: Added more articles to the Passkeys topic. They all expect Passkeys to be a failure. Added another Voice Scam defensive article about having a family password. Updated Satellite communication topic.

See the full history of changes back to 2019