Chromebook Can't Be Hacked---Right?

Everything has risks. Even Fort Knox isn't 100% secure. I would say for all intents and purposes, a Chromebook is as good as you are going to get for security, especially if developer mode is never turned on, so everything is signed and stays signed. Power washing it that often is a bit much, but if it makes one feel good, go for it.

What I do for Web browsing is to browse in a virtual machine, using Hyper-V under Windows 10. Then, when done, I roll it back to a snapshot before I started browsing. This will catch all known malware, as malware that escapes a hypervisor is very, very rare... and only saved for uses for high value targets... and not some common user.

I'm OP. Froze my credit on all three agencies, Experien, Trans Union, and Equifax. Figure if Equifax let out info on half of America, I might be included. Have very strong pswds. May start using POWERWASH after each session. Hesitant to use credit monitoring services; have to give them personal info; who can say they are safe themselves?

ferretgrandpa wrote:
Dutch_12078 has it right.

Only thing that might make it better, is to use TAILS, as the Linux OS.

TAILS is a good privacy OS but it has its security issues as well. It also uses the TOR network which may land you on some watch-lists(i.e. NSA). No, I am not paranoid but I teach security courses for IT and this was presented by a speaker at one of our forums.

Dutch_12078 has it right.

Only thing that might make it better, is to use TAILS, as the Linux OS.

As a Chromebook user I just wanted to point out that the powerwash function only impacts the device. Not your files stored in the cloud. Any file stored locally on the Chrombook will be deleted.

There is a file system built into the Chromebook that will allow you to store files. In 2 year I have never came close to hitting the 16 gb internal storage limit. Everything I do on that computer is based in the cloud.

Speaking of cloud storage, a multi cloud storage platform approach seems to be favored by some. I tend to use Drop box, Google Drive, and even iCloud drive from time to time. I write my sermons (I'm a Pastor) in Google Docs and then download them to my Docs app on my iPad. The Docs app is superior for speaking from a manuscript than anything I have found. I still have the ability to make some last minute changes to the manuscript if needed but I can't accidentally go into editing mode while presenting. Super easy to use.

I have laptops that run OS X Sierra, Windows 7 (Can't convince me that Win 10 is an actual improvement), and Chrome OS.

As an unfortunate person whose information was stolen from the credit bureau hack a few weeks ago... My Computers platform security is the least of my worries.

Seriously, a Data breech is something that we all are more in danger of than a single targeted hack on an individual.

Social Engineering is the most common now, people send emails that sounds like they were written by a 4 year old saying they are with Bank of America and need to verify your account information... Thats how people get ripped off.

Anyway, I digress.

OP... Run the ChromeBook . Its a great OS for what it is. Be smart with your info. Try to use sites that are secure (https vs http), use strong passwords. And put a sticker over your web cam ;)

Thanks!

Jeremiah

fj12ryder wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:
Chrombook's "Power Wash" is not unique by any means. All of my PC's for instance, have a similar "Restore to original" function available in the boot menu, as do my Android phones and tablets in the "Settings" menu. As for what happens to your files, if they're stored "in the cloud" as Chromebook normally does, then you have little control over them. If you've downloaded and stored them elsewhere, such as on memory sticks or cards, then they'll still be there. On restored to factory HD based PC's running Windows OS's, the non-original files are functionally deleted, but unless they're physically overwritten, they're fairly easily recovered given sufficient motivation and the correct tools.

Not necessarily with all Windows OS. Some will store old files in a folder called "Old Windows", so restoring files may not be that difficult. I've done it a couple times.

A good catch, and a point I had forgotten about...

Yeah, there's a big difference between White House dot gov and White House dot com. At least there used to be many years ago.

ljr wrote:
No matter how unlikely it seems, it is ALWAYS a mistake to believe you are unhackable.

On this LJR.. We are in 100% agreement.

One thing you can do.. There are many links on the internet that many folks visit often and have in their bookmark files..

Now I won't EVEN Say what they are other than some of them are among the most popular sites on the web. Other links belong to selected originations which are currently politically active but often work hard to conceal their identity.

Again I will not even consider mentioning them by name

DO NOT VISIT THOSE SITES.

THe government gets your browser history,,, or book mark files,, and suddenly you are wearing handcuffs and frankly.. I'd be more than happy to put them on you (WHy I won't even mention the sites).

Many of them do not have names,, ,Just numeric addresses (And for the record I do not know what those addresses are as I never visit those sites at least not on purpose)

As for names Well mistype a URL and see where it gets you. Many are just one or two letters off of where you want to go (Common mispell).

Dutch_12078 wrote:
Chrombook's "Power Wash" is not unique by any means. All of my PC's for instance, have a similar "Restore to original" function available in the boot menu, as do my Android phones and tablets in the "Settings" menu. As for what happens to your files, if they're stored "in the cloud" as Chromebook normally does, then you have little control over them. If you've downloaded and stored them elsewhere, such as on memory sticks or cards, then they'll still be there. On restored to factory HD based PC's running Windows OS's, the non-original files are functionally deleted, but unless they're physically overwritten, they're fairly easily recovered given sufficient motivation and the correct tools.

Not necessarily with all Windows OS. Some will store old files in a folder called "Old Windows", so restoring files may not be that difficult. I've done it a couple times.

If I wanted what is likely the most secure connection option available to the general public, I would boot to a Linux OS on a non-writable CD and use it to connect to an anonymous VPN connected to my ultimate destination. Any data that needed to be stored would go on a memory stick or card where it could be appropriately scanned in read only mode before being used elsewhere. If the data was particularly sensitive, it would also be encrypted of course.