spc50 wrote on February 24, 2021 at 6:04 PM

Reply to Linux devices have a unique identifier called machine-id. Here is how to change it. by Rambler

It's terrible that this data exists. Well intentioned pathway to hell these IDs are.

It's incomprehensible that anything has or can get access to such values. Such should be lock boxed and only root accessible. Definitely nothing a browser or other shi!tware should be able to retrieve. Yet they can and do. Speaks for the need of standardized JAILS for all programs in any computing environment.

This is a good reference to give distro hoppers a fair chance and reduce search and research fatigue for SystemD-less distros: https://www.slant.co/topics/18348/~linux-distros-that-don-t-use-systemd

Rambler OP wrote on February 24, 2021 at 5:16 PM

Reply to comment by RAMBLE1 in Linux devices have a unique identifier called machine-id. Here is how to change it. by Rambler

Awesome, I'll add that to the blog post. Thanks for sharing.

RAMBLE1 wrote on February 24, 2021 at 4:31 PM (edited on February 24, 2021 at 4:33 PM)

Reply to Linux devices have a unique identifier called machine-id. Here is how to change it. by Rambler

Thanks for sharing. Another good reason to not run systemd !

Im running mxlinux with sysv init.

->cat /etc/machine-id

cat: /etc/machine-id: No such file or directory

😊

Wahaha wrote on February 24, 2021 at 3:58 PM

Reply to comment by Rambler in Linux devices have a unique identifier called machine-id. Here is how to change it. by Rambler

That's true. I've set a cronjob to change it every 2hours. Even more reasons to finally move to Artix.

Rambler OP wrote on February 24, 2021 at 3:48 PM

Reply to comment by Wahaha in Linux devices have a unique identifier called machine-id. Here is how to change it. by Rambler

Furthermore, I just tested Tails and they DO change the machine-id after every reboot. I'm downloading Whonix right now as well to test, but I've got shit rural internet so that'll take some time.

I'll update the blog with my finding when I do.

The fact Tails randomizes it after each reboot should be enough to hint that it's likely a good idea to not have any identifying ID tied to your system...

Wahaha wrote on February 24, 2021 at 3:35 PM

Reply to comment by BlackWinnerYoshi in Linux devices have a unique identifier called machine-id. Here is how to change it. by Rambler

Good to know. I'm planning to switch over to Artix anyway. But for now I'm going to apply the suggested fix.

Wahaha wrote on February 24, 2021 at 3:34 PM

Reply to comment by Rambler in RIP Internet Privacy. In effort to combat "disinformation", your digital finger print may be tagged to every image you create or share in the near future. by Rambler

I think at the time MSN and ICQ were a thing that existed, Win98 was already obsolete. But I could remember wrong.

As far as I remember, Win98 wasn't even capable of connecting to the Internet out of the box.

burnerben wrote on February 24, 2021 at 3:34 PM

Reply to Don't change the name, change the mascot. by Rambler

as someone from dc i agree 100%

Rambler OP wrote on February 24, 2021 at 1:36 PM

Reply to comment by Wahaha in RIP Internet Privacy. In effort to combat "disinformation", your digital finger print may be tagged to every image you create or share in the near future. by Rambler

I was young and was probably running Win98 with the Yahoo! and Ask! toolbars, with a cool Comet Cursor so I could update my Angelfire site while downloading over Napster. Using Yahoo, MSN and ICQ messengers to connect with my friends from school.

But I could play Age Of Empires and Quake, so that's all I really cared about.

BlackWinnerYoshi wrote on February 24, 2021 at 1:12 PM

Reply to comment by Wahaha in Linux devices have a unique identifier called machine-id. Here is how to change it. by Rambler

I don't know why machine-id exists, but what I do know is that this only exists on Linux operating systems that use systemd, based on this command:

sudo systemd-machine-id-setup

So the way to avoid it entirely is by switching to a systemd-less Linux, such as Salix OS (clear net only). Actually, systemd has a lot of problems (clear net only), so you should avoid it anyway.

And as to what is it good for besides compromising privacy... I also have no idea. I guess ~~Lennart Poettering~~ Red Hat wanted to do something with it, but they didn't know what to do with it, so they left it as a privacy compromising thing of however many Linux users are being used by systemd.

Rambler OP wrote on February 24, 2021 at 1:08 PM

Reply to comment by Wahaha in Linux devices have a unique identifier called machine-id. Here is how to change it. by Rambler

Honesty, I'm not certain, but it appears in every mainstream distro that uses systemd.

Most people are aware of MAC addresses, but if you search the web for machine-ID being seen as a privacy concern, you'll find nothing.

No need to have a constant, unchanging value that exists from the moment a system is installed.

I'll research it more and update the blog post if I find anything noteworthy.

Wahaha wrote on February 24, 2021 at 10:55 AM

Reply to RIP Internet Privacy. In effort to combat "disinformation", your digital finger print may be tagged to every image you create or share in the near future. by Rambler

If you use Adobe anything you have only yourself to blame. It's a contender for worst software creator in all of human history.

Wahaha wrote on February 24, 2021 at 10:53 AM

Reply to comment by Rambler in RIP Internet Privacy. In effort to combat "disinformation", your digital finger print may be tagged to every image you create or share in the near future. by Rambler

Did you skip Win98 or how did that abomination not manage to push you away to Linux?

Wahaha OP wrote on February 24, 2021 at 10:42 AM

Reply to comment by Mrwarmind in Cute Girls Doing Cute Things by Wahaha

Maybe people that couldn't figure out how to access pomf.cat?

Wahaha OP wrote on February 24, 2021 at 10:41 AM

Reply to comment by Mrwarmind in Can you point out what is wrong with this picture? by Wahaha

Only one way to find out.

Mrwarmind wrote on February 24, 2021 at 10:12 AM

Reply to Japan: "Let's make math sexy" by Wahaha

Everybody would score high this way

Mrwarmind wrote on February 24, 2021 at 10:11 AM

Reply to Can you point out what is wrong with this picture? by Wahaha

Is this a girl?

Mrwarmind wrote on February 24, 2021 at 10:09 AM

Reply to Cute Girls Doing Cute Things by Wahaha

Who's the fag the downvoted?

Wahaha wrote on February 24, 2021 at 9:53 AM

Reply to Linux devices have a unique identifier called machine-id. Here is how to change it. by Rambler

Why does this machine-id exist in the first place? What is it good for other than compromising privacy?

spc50 OP wrote on February 24, 2021 at 7:18 AM

Reply to comment by Rambler in Walmart unfun gift card by spc50

I don't Wally World allows you to buy cards with cards.

dontvisitmyintentions wrote on February 24, 2021 at 7:14 AM

Reply to I Made A Table With A Galaxy Inside || A Mere Creator by Rambler

Impressive interpretation of a coin funnel. His channel has some other useful projects, too.

Rambler wrote on February 24, 2021 at 6:09 AM

Reply to Walmart unfun gift card by spc50

Can always use the giftcard to purchase a pre-paid Visa/Mastercard giftcard, then buy your booze and smokes.

spc50 wrote on February 24, 2021 at 4:40 AM

Reply to Joe Biden Tells Letterman About Getting Arrested at 21 For Breaking Into The United States Capitol by dontvisitmyintentions

Arrested... Development.

This guy has a very long record of being a serial liar.

spc50 wrote on February 24, 2021 at 4:39 AM

Reply to Simple off grid Cabin that anyone can build & afford by Rambler

I watched this a few weeks ago :)

Cool couple busting ass on this.

Build is alright. Small as can be. That's not a real useful build. You'd have to go outside to change your mind.

spc50 wrote on February 24, 2021 at 4:22 AM (edited on February 24, 2021 at 4:22 AM)

Reply to Idaho modern oldtimer builds underground & solar $50 houses by Rambler

Good book still. I have it in my library.

No way you can build the stuff he did today for anywhere near $50 or $500. Inflation and monetary theft is the cause. Nonetheless, can build it cheap by mall mentality cul de sucks standards.

Off grid and away from the muckity mucks is looking more like sane path each passing day.

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