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Practical Freedom: Transitioning to Alternative Tech and Providers

This article provides a guide to disconnecting from big tech and big corps, gaining some privacy level while still enjoying things like the Internet.

Rationale

Strategy

Secure your existing Devices

Identity

  • Transition to private email accounts - it is a catch-22 because you still have to pay using a credit card usually.
  • Find look-alike pics to train social media


Banking

Obtain Digital Currency Anonymously

Bitcoin is no doubt the most used cryptocurrency today. However, acquiring it could prove quite a hustle, especially for someone without cash or an account of any cryptocurrency exchanges. Nonetheless, that does not mean you still can’t acquire Bitcoins. Because you can buy Bitcoins by exchanging your gift card for Bitcoins. There are currently many different gift card sellers, including Amazon, Booking.com, eBay, Airbnb, Uber, McDonald’s, Nike, PayPal, Skype, Steam, and Walmart, among many others. To get started purchasing Bitcoins using gift cards, you will need to find a proper platform where you can exchange the gift card for Bitcoin securely. And to sell your card, the platform will require an image of your gift card's back since it shows your card's code. The platform may also require a photo of the receipt given after purchasing your gift card. In case you purchased your gift card online, some platforms actually do accept voucher codes or the e-codes sent to your email. And several platforms offer these services. However, you will have to do due diligence to know which is the best one for you. But since today, there are so many different gift cards crypto exchanges; it could actually end up being a bit of a struggle to figure which platform to use. That being said, below, we’ve gathered a list of the best marketplaces where you can buy and sell Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies using many different Gift cards:


  • Paxful
  • Redeem
  • LocalCoinSwap
  • CoinCola

Paxful

Paxful is one of the world’s largest peer-to-peer platforms where sellers and buyers meet to exchange cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. The platform allows the use of over 300 payment options, including over 120 different gift cards.

If you have some unwanted gift cards, you can easily use them to purchase Bitcoins from another person selling Bitcoins and accepting Gift cards as payment methods. Trades involving the purchase of bitcoins with gift cards are settled instantly.

When you are buying Bitcoins on the platform, the site does not charge you anything, and the only fee that you pay is the mining fee for the blockchain network. However, when you are selling on the platform, you will need to pay a 1-3% fee on top of the blockchain network mining fee.

To get started with Paxful, you will create an account on the website using your email address. You can then find a reputable Bitcoin seller by browsing the available offers. Note that it depends on the sellers whether you can use cards purchased online and whether you must process ID verification for purchases made with Gift cards.

Get Started with Paxful!

Redeeem

Redeem is a Peer-to-Peer crypto exchange platform focused specifically on gift card trading. The platform allows users to buy and sell gift cards with over 32 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Monero, and many others.

And with over 30+ retail brands, which include Walmart, Amazon, Home Depot, eBay, and Best Buy, among others, it certainly has a lot of options.

For those wanting to buy gift cards with Bitcoin, the platform offers discounts of over 20%.

Interestingly, users can also buy Bitcoins by selling gift cards through telegram through the @RedeeemBot.

And unlike many other platforms that charge high conversion fees, Redeem users enjoy 0% commission fees on all gift card trading.

Redeem also does not require KYC documents for trading. Therefore it’s perfect for getting started for those looking for security through anonymous means.

Create an Account with Redeeem!

LocalCoinSwap

LocalCoinSwap is a Hong Kong-based peer-to-peer cryptocurrency exchange platform where users can sell and buy Bitcoin and a couple of other cryptocurrencies.

Currently, the platform allows the use of over 250 payment options, most of them being gift cards from different retailers.

LocalCoinSwap does charge a 1 % fee on offers that end up being completed trades. And on top of that, traders are required to pay the usual mining fee, which of course, depends on the Bitcoin blockchain network.

But because LocalCoinSwap is strongly against requiring any KYC documents, registering an account is a fairly simple and easy process, as you only need an email address to start selling and buying on the platform.

Register on LocalCoinSwap!

CoinCola

CoinCola is a cryptocurrency exchange based in Hong Kong that supports peer-to-peer trading. It has a separate gift card trading section where traders can sell and buy Bitcoins for gift cards.

The platform has over 30+ gift cards to choose from. Besides gift card trading, the platform also supports spot and margin trading, with various cryptos, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.

Like other platforms, it depends on the buyers and sellers, whether the use of cards purchased online is allowed. Coincola also charges an additional 0.7% fee for sellers.

To get started with Coincola, you must process with KYC documents, but other than that, it is still a perfect place to buy Bitcoins using gift cards.

Sign Up on CoinCola!


Virtual Currency Options

  • Bitcoin
  • Dinero


Travel

  • Register vehicle in Montana to a company
  • Register Toll Tag

Pay for Travel with Bitcoin


Network

Ways to hide your IP Address

Use a VPN

A VPN is like a middle-man server that encrypts your connection. It also substitutes your IP address with a "virtual" IP address provided by the VPN. This means that when you connect to the Internet on a VPN, whether using a browser or app, no one will be able to see your public IP address.

Well, no one sees your IP address except your VPN provider. This means you must use a trusted VPN provider that does not log your activities. Just know that high-quality VPN servers are usually paid services. Consider this guidance: [1]. Content: Some VPN providers were caught with logs, despite their claims. Some VPN providers can spy on your activities, depending on the technology used. Some may be less scrupulous than larger ISPs. If US-based, the provider could be subject to court-ordered listening and gag-orders.

Virtual Private Network Pitfalls

Consider: What's Wrong with Signal, Whatsapp, Telegram, Protonmail, Tutanota [2]?

Content:

  • Relationship maps can be used to determine who you are.
  • Your device provides information by its signature of who you are.
  • Many services collect address book and contact info.
  • Many services require identity for sign-up.


Virtual Private Network Services

  • ProtonVPN
  • Mullvad - accepts cash payment, no identity or email address - see: mullvad.net
  • Surf Shark
  • Windscribe
  • AirVPN

Use TOR

The Onion Router (TOR) is a free-to-use network that hides your identity online through three encryption layers. When you use the Tor Browser, your encrypted connection is through a process where it goes through three relay nodes. Each note decrypts the previous node to learn its identity and then sends it to the next node. Once it gets to its final destination, it is fully decrypted and provides you full anonymity. Even if a hacker intercepts your traffic at any point, it would be nearly impossible to parse your original IP address.

However, with Tor, you compromise speed for privacy. Tor's multiple layers of encryption cause connection delays. This may be worth it for some that absolutely need privacy (imagine a political dissident in China). But if you're just a normal Internet user, shopping on Amazon, or streaming Netflix, a VPN will suit your needs well.

Use a Proxy

A proxy is like a VPN in that it is a server that works in between you and the server you're trying to reach on the Internet. They hide your IP address by substituting it with a "fake" IP address before your traffic reaches its final destination.

But unlike VPNs, proxies do NOT encrypt your traffic. They also do not hide your IP address while it's en route to the proxy server. Additionally, most proxies (outside of high anonymity proxies) do not hide the fact that you're using a proxy.

Because proxies are a step below VPNs, they're best suited for situations where you can't use a VPN and need a quick added layer of privacy.

Email

Email Providers

  • ProtonMail

Email Clients

Computing

Mobile Phone

  • Don't install Apps for Facebook, etc. Just use your browser.

For browsers that don't give up information, see above.

Instead of Apple, Google:

Trading

Instead of Amazon:

  • eBay
  • Craig's List

Online Shopping

Amazon->Ebay

Browser

  • Brave
  • Dissenter

Video

  • bitchute.com
  • odysee.com
  • Gabtv.com

Discussion

Hosting

  • Dreamhost
  • Digital Ocean
  • Vultr
  • Linnode

Supplier Contract Setup and Diversity

Cross Platform Development

Housing

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