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Managing Stealth PC Software Updates Safely
 

Hello All

I am using a PAYG MiFi Data Dongle SIM for my stealth pc.

To avoid using up the data dongle sims capped amount of download data by hungry updates, I have deactivated any auto updating of the software on the stealth pc laptop. However, from time to time, I will need to carry out routine updates to Win 11, Firefox, Antivirus, etc…

Below is my planned, step by step approach for doing software updates without using up the dongle data:

1. Logout of ebay and paypal
2. Close Firefox browser
3. Shut down pc laptop
4. Disconnect the USB MiFi data dongle
5. Connect RJ45 network cable from my home broadband
6. Start-up pc laptop
7. Download and install any available updates required e.g., Win 11, Antivirus…
8. Open Firefox browser and install browser updates (NOT logging into ebay or paypal!!)
9. Close Firefox browser
10. Shut down pc laptop
11. Disconnect RJ45 network cable
12. Reconnect USB MiFi data dongle
13. Start-up pc laptop
14. Open Firefox browser
15. Log back into ebay and paypal

Does this look safe?

Is there any type of residual information left behind on the PC Laptop or Firefox browser (cookies, fingerprints…) indicating that it was last connected to another network and another IP address using the RJ45 connection and another internet connection that ebay or paypal could see? Or does plugging the USB MiFi data dongle back in again after doing the software updating, bring everything back to normal, with no possible red flags?

Many thanks

Re: Managing Stealth PC Software Updates Safely
 

Looks quite safe and separate

Re: Managing Stealth PC Software Updates Safely
 

You don’t need any of this … I use windows 11 with just chrome profiles. Not even portable! You download proxy extension and plug in different proxy for each. That’s it!

Re: Managing Stealth PC Software Updates Safely
 

This is overkill. Logging out is not required, just ensure that all tabs are closed. You can avoid step 3 by force closing the browser in the task manager, if you really deem it necessary. Don't overthink it, go and download your updates (aside from Windows 11 because it's absolutely terrible - especially if you are looking to save data).

Re: Managing Stealth PC Software Updates Safely
 

That’s pretty much why I said in my last post. Absolutely agree with you, it’s overkill. eBay isn’t Amazon ….

Re: Managing Stealth PC Software Updates Safely
 

I was using windows user accounts, I wanted to try Firefox portables and profiles to test because they are more time efficient. They all work. Seems like if you keep cookies seperate and follow stealth principles then it works just fine

Re: Managing Stealth PC Software Updates Safely
 

Essentially, nice.

Re: Managing Stealth PC Software Updates Safely
 

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

The 15 steps I outlined may as you say be overkill, but for me it’s more ironclad and takes very little actual time to do if software updating is only carried out 4 times a year. It may also help avoid any new sneaky traps being set by ebay/paypal in the future.

It was also interesting to read the new post on the new privacy feature called ‘Total Cookie Protection’, in Firefox and whether this may prove to be a new development direction for the browser. Are people here switching this feature off on their ebay and paypal web home pages or just leaving it switched on?