Best way to use XMPP/Voip UK

Graph789

What is the best way to stay secure when using VoIP only for an internet connection. I want to be able to use it anywhere. Would a 4g router/raspberry pi or russian sim or esim be best to have a secure connection? The goal is to be as privacy based as possible

N1b

Graph789 from my research and partly from experience this is my best idea:

Get a Mudi V2 portable router.
Install blue-merle for added privacy features like IMSI change (illegal in many countries though).
Find an anonymous SIM card provider and buy a prepaid card with cash or XMR. For physical SIM cards I only know simsup, but they're out of stock for a while now. For eSIMs I made good experiences with silent.link, but the router doesn't support eSIM yet to my knowledge. It seems they plan to add support this year according to this forum thread (but I only buy products based on their current features). The best privacy on mobile networks is achieved if it's a foreign SIM in roaming mode and not connected to your identity, but it's obviously still able to triangulate you and inherently based on a tracking network.
Set up an always online VPN for the router, I'd recommend either Mullvad or IVPN.

I'm contemplating about going with this approach for a while now but didn't have the time/priority for it yet. Would be interested to see other people's take on this and whether I'm missing something in my solution.

Graph789

N1b

Thanks very much for this in depth reply what’s your opinion on this sim? https://www.unlimitedsecuredevices.com/product-collection/russian-pgp-data-only-sim

[deleted]

N1b

In regards to using a router, for talking sake IF you didn't have cellular connection with mobile and the IMEI number etc was coming from the router.

If the router was hacked would these tools such as Pegasus etc work if it wasn't identifying the phone itself because the connection was coming from the cellular router?

N1b

As for the VOIP provider the most recommended service on this forum is jmp.chat with their cheogram app. Simpler to set up and more private than Twilio, Hushed or mysudo, but prices can be unfavorable if you use it for calls a lot. Just in case you were asking about this as well.

Graph789

N1b excuse me for being naive but what’s the purpose of cheogram? I was looking to use conversations via fdroid? It doesn’t require a number only a sign up for an xmpp email that runs off hidden servers on the 5222 ports it also supports omemo encryption

N1b

Graph789 Thanks very much for this in depth reply what’s your opinion on this sim? https://www.unlimitedsecuredevices.com/product-collection/russian-pgp-data-only-sim

Don't know them, but get instant scam vibes looking at their website. They sell Samsung and Google phones and have many bullshit claims such as

VLADIMIR OS as a Built-in VPN on both the SIM card and OS

VLADIMIR SIM is built with multiple IMSI numbers

As if that was possible. I'm sure any of the more tech savvy people on this forum could take this site apart and give you 100 red flags, so my advice: Stay away as far as you can.

Graph789 excuse me for being naive but what’s the purpose of cheogram? I was looking to use conversations via fdroid

I was under the impression that you might look for a VOIP service that gives you a VOIP number, sorry if I misunderstood. Conversations is a XMPP messenger, Cheogram is a fork of Conversations with more features and easy setup for jmp.chat VOIP numbers if I understand it correctly. Better wait for an experienced user to answer this, as I have not used either so far.

Graph789

N1b

Thanks very much for your informative replies is there any reputable vendors for a physical sim just now?

What is the benefit of having a voip number instead of downloading conversations and just registering an xmpp account?

My guess is people can actually ring you using that number? What if I texted or called someone back would it be calling via data or the telecommunication network as I want to try avoid that if I can.

As for Cheogram I done a little reading does Cheogram
act as I bridge to conversations giving you an extra security layer? So I would use cheogram to obtain a number then register with jmp to create my xmpp id then import it into conversations?

Thanks very much again for sharing your knowledge

N1b

[deleted] If the router was hacked would these tools such as Pegasus etc work if it wasn't identifying the phone itself

Graph789 What is the benefit of having a voip number instead of downloading conversations and just registering an xmpp account?

I can't really give advice here because I lack the knowledge and experience. All I can say regarding VOIP vs XMPP is that you can use the phone network for calls/sms and also receive short code SMS in some cases. Also people will be able to reach you without going out of their way, as most people don't even know XMPP but are familiar with phone numbers.

Graph789

N1b

N1b thanks again for your balanced and non biased input. I seen jmp only offers us and Canada numbers is there anywhere similar for uk voip numbers so when I receive calls the person isn’t charged

Also is there any security compromise using a voip number with for example jmp with cheogram where people can call your number instead of having just a JID with a provider on conversations

paul_le_roux

I won't provide full links because I can't find legitimate uses for the proper use of these cards.

@Graph789
on white/russian/stealth sim cards: from what I learned the main supplier of these cards is iff. Others either resell them or are scammers.

Assuming these cards works as they are advertised - sounds smart. Just one 'liiiiil' problem - it leaves a very unique signal. And we know how this affects privacy and anonymity.

On VOIP providers - narayana works in same manner.

Graph789

paul_le_roux interesting never really considered that. How do you yourself approach this. Just looking to get a better understanding of the flip side

PaulDavis

To obtain a UK VoIP landline number, try numberpeople.co.uk where you can get a number in a town of your choice for £1 per month for unlimited inbound. Outbound calls will start racking up the bill, but plans are available.
Perhaps carry a 2nd phone to act as your WiFi hotspot. You can currently get a Lebara Sim with unlimited mins and texts, and 15gb of data for 90p per month. As the offer runs out, become a "new" customer and start again. Thus your VoIP number is fixed but your Sim is changeable.

paul_le_roux

Oh, I forgot the most important part - what is the right way IMHO :-)

These advices are good for Europeans living in countries that require SIM registration. I cannot say whether they are worth anything to the inhabitants of other continents.

2 options:

If you live in EU - buy a SIM card from a country that does not require card registration and offers data roaming. Off the top of my head - Czech Rep., Latvia, NL, Spain, UK, Ukraine. Downsize - this is still a red flag that brings more uniqueness. Depending on the specific case it may do more evil than good;
I don't know the deal in other countries, but in mine it's kind of gray area to sell/buy preregistered cards. There are people publicly advertising registering of sim cards. I wouldn't risk having SIM cards registered to same person as some ISIS folks who can easily use this service. Getting your own strawperson is the right approach if registering SIM cards in your name could break your OPSEC. I have no problem registering cards in my name.

Oh, and there's the RMS approach - you get a dozen mobile phones, with a dozen cards - you leave one with a friend, the second is lying somewhere, sometimes you lend the third to a neighbor... do you fell me?

Hathaway_Noa

paul_le_roux

You can also use eSIM, it doesnt need kyc.

paul_le_roux

Hathaway_Noa I know. I know about deblobbing eSIM cards by gOS. Somehow I don't trust 'em. Just a hunch, I don't have any "secret knowledge".

I wanted to add something, but I don't want to be accused of conspiracy theories or (especially!) FUD.

Hathaway_Noa

paul_le_roux you can also put an esim on a physical sim ;)