Question Need help with spyware and hardware bugging re confidential information on lap top!?

[UsernameRequiredEmail]

I need you to help me make it very secure.

Said lap top will never be connected to wifi or to the internet (not by my hands at least maybe the malware can force a connection to wifi or the hardware bug could be a mobile phone bug within the laptop and it connects to a mobile phone network, I dont know how they work)

Could it being infected with spyware malware or a hardware bug cause it to be hackable or leak information even when not connected to the internet could it connect to a phone network or connect to wifi all by itself?

Sorry if this sounds far out but please humor me the information stored on the lap top is VERY important and my expertise in laps tops is not adequate.

Am I basically as safe as houses if I never connect to the internet myself with the lap top?

 

[Ralston18]

Disable the laptop's network adapters: wired and wireless.

Use a very strong password(s) for physical access to the laptop. Do not give those passwords to anyone.

Set up Windows Security to be as protective as possible. However, that will likely become somewhat moot over time especially if Windows Security is not allowed to update when new threats are discovered.

And with the information stored on the laptop being very important then be very sure to make regular backups as necessary.

Backup to at least 2 other secure places away from the laptop.

Verify that the backups are recoverable and readable.

There may be other ideas and suggestions.

 

[USAFRet]

How will applications be installed on this system?
Where will they come from?

 

[UsernameRequiredEmail]

How will applications be installed on this system?
Where will they come from?

I will only ever transfer files to this lap top via a plug in USB drive.
I will install a fresh version of windows 10 to the lap top myself.
There will be no updates because it will never be connected to the internet.

 

[Ralston18]

And how do you know that the files transferred via USB drive are not infected?

 

[UsernameRequiredEmail]

And how do you know that the files transferred via USB drive are not infected?

Does it matter since the lap top im transferring them to isnt even connected to the net ?

 

[USAFRet]

I will only ever transfer files to this lap top via a plug in USB drive.
I will install a fresh version of windows 10 to the lap top myself.
There will be no updates because it will never be connected to the internet.

If its not to personal to ask...
What applications?
What will this actually be used for?

 

[UsernameRequiredEmail]

If its not to personal to ask...
What applications?
What will this actually be used for?

Passwords, financial information, personal information, data projects and their storage,, erotic personal video

 

[COLGeek]

Malware via USB drives is VERY possible and even likely if you are downloading from dubious sources.

Back in the day, my office had a scanning PC that had to be used to check storage devices that would be used to transfer info to an internal (not internet accessible) network. We also required for scanning of media for presentations, etc, from folks coming to show us something.

You should also, physically remove the wireless devices to ensure they are never used (wi-fi/BT/cellular).

By the way, how do you intend to backup this stand alone system (if it fails)?

 

[Ralston18]

It does matter because the files on the USB drive could be infected.

Infected file (any source) ---- > USB drive (now infected) ------> Laptop (now infected).

 

[USAFRet]

In general, an airgapped system is "safe".

But there are many many ways this can go badly wrong.

 

[USAFRet]

Passwords, personal information, data projects and their storage, financial information.

So, the same stuff everyone else has on their systems.

 

[UsernameRequiredEmail]

It does matter because the files on the USB drive could be infected.

Infected file (any source) ---- > USB drive (now infected) ------> Laptop (now infected).

I dont care if the laptop becomes infected because its not connected to the internet, I care about my personal-erotic videos going public

 

[Ralston18]

I am out now.

 

[UsernameRequiredEmail]

I am out now.

Please take it serious its funny for your entertainment but you can see my problem and its also legit, I really want to solve this, genuinely

 

[UsernameRequiredEmail]

So, the same stuff everyone else has on their systems.

No its very shameful information too , requires extra precaution

 

[USAFRet]

No its very shameful information too , requires extra precaution

Well...

As said, an airgapped system can be "safe". If done correctly.

But also, more hazardous because you consider it to be safe. And as such, take greater risks.
Right up until the time you screw things up.

Good luck.
I'm out as well.

 

[UsernameRequiredEmail]

Well...

As said, an airgapped system can be "safe". If done correctly.

But also, more hazardous because you consider it to be safe. And as such, take greater risks.
Right up until the time you screw things up.

Good luck.
I'm out as well.

Ok well thanks for your help anyway, both of you

 

[COLGeek]

I think we are done here and now closing this thread. Good luck.