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Reposting this at the top level of the thread, because when I asked previously deeper in the comments, I was told it was posted in reply to an account that a lo

Reposting this at the top level of the thread, because when I asked previously deeper in the comments, I was told it was posted in reply to an account that a lot of people called out as a potential state actor spreading misleading information. And I genuinely need help with this, as this window of opportunity seems to be closing fast. Sidenote: i really appreciate people pointing out the potentially malicious account in the comments. With that in mind, below is the modified copy of my original comment. Is there anything that can be done now to ensure that the access remains after this block goes into the effect? Internet is my only way to contact my father living there, and today I was walking him through a VPN setup. But now that I’ve read these news, I am not even sure if this will help. The only reason i am asking here is because the time is ticking, and once the block goes into the effect, me and him will be completely cut off, with me having zero way to assist him or even make sure he is still alive. So it is pretty much either pre-emptively taking care of it or being stuck hoping that he will figure something out on his own. And I would rather leave as little as possible to a chance here, given what's at stake.

joeman1000 5y ago
Hello. I’m worried about my mother-in-law in Chernihiv (if she survives this disgusting attack) for the same reasons. If Russians take the city, the same block will obstruct her too. I gave her our emails and telephone numbers. I assume she will be able to call someone who can email us. Otherwise she can make an international call to us. It is very scary. My wife almost has a breakdown unless she can check on her mum through the day. This blockade will ruin peoples lives.
- filoleg 5y ago
  I am very sorry to hear about your situation, it sounds significantly more stressful and awful than mine. I hope your family gets through this successfully. I cannot even imagine how to deal with having someone close to you being directly in the action zone there. My dad is in mainland Russia, but given recent laws that Russia passed in regards to "fake news" and protestors, we seriously were concerned about our calls being tapped. And not in a "oh man, that's not cool for someone to tap our communications", but more like "15 years of russian prison and/or much worse consequences feel a bit too close right now" type of way. > she can make an international call to us. One question about this, if you don't mind. What's the best way to do place international calls there in terms of convenience/cost/quality and just as an overall package? My mind jumped first to Google Voice, because that's something I've used with success before. But I don't have much of an idea about alternatives, so I wouldn't know if there was something much better suited for the purpose.
  - iudqnolq 5y ago
    Many people use WhatsApp or Telegram. Both let you make free calls given internet access. The first is more secure, but the second is much more commonly used in Russia - it'll be more innocuous looking and less likely to be blocked. [Not an expert]
- iudqnolq 5y ago
  I'm not at all an expert, but I'd suggest setting up Telegram. Anecdotally the Russian govt seems pretty dependent on it for their own communication. They've backed down from banning it in the past, albeit in less serious situations. As long as you neither of you ever send anything political on telegram or join any political channels that might be your safest communication option.
iudqnolq 5y ago
I personally would have him leave if at all possible. A lot of people in Ukraine are regretting not abandoning everything right now. If that's too extreme, anecdotally the Russian govt seems pretty dependent on Telegram. They've backed down from banning it in the past, albeit in less serious situations. As long as you neither of you ever send anything political on telegram or join any political channels that might be your safest communication option. On this specific post: I don't speak Russian. Someone on Twitter who claimed to speak Russian said the top of the document makes it clear they're only requiring official government websites to switch to fully domestic hosts. (Don't think this helps much, because who knows what will change in a week) [I'm not at all an expert]
chockchocschoir 5y ago
> I was told it was posted in reply to an account that a lot of people called out as a potential state actor spreading misleading information. [...] Sidenote: i really appreciate people pointing out the potentially malicious account in the comments. With that in mind, below is the modified copy of my original comment. Hard to not take this personal since this is literally about me. However, I don't see the thread containing "a lot of people calling out a potential state actor", I only see one user making that accusation twice in the thread you speak of (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30582330 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30582330) For what it's worth, I left you a comment that can help you to keep in contact with your dad. I agree with the general idea that general skepticism should be applied everywhere on the internet, but you shouldn't also rush to conclusions and believe that because one user wrote something many times, that makes it more true.
- filoleg 5y ago
  Apologies, my statement about it wasn't meant to actively accuse you of being a state actor, because I have zero mental power and desire left trying to figure out who is a state actor and who isn't. I mostly mentioned it to justify as to why I made a copy of my comment from elsewhere in the thread. Because you being accused of that by multiple people pretty much guarantees that my child comment/question will not be seen by most people who could actually provide any help. No hard feelings, and I really appreciate your help.

joeman1000 5y ago

Hello. I’m worried about my mother-in-law in Chernihiv (if she survives this disgusting attack) for the same reasons. If Russians take the city, the same block will obstruct her too. I gave her our emails and telephone numbers. I assume she will be able to call someone who can email us. Otherwise she can make an international call to us. It is very scary. My wife almost has a breakdown unless she can check on her mum through the day. This blockade will ruin peoples lives.

filoleg 5y ago
I am very sorry to hear about your situation, it sounds significantly more stressful and awful than mine. I hope your family gets through this successfully. I cannot even imagine how to deal with having someone close to you being directly in the action zone there. My dad is in mainland Russia, but given recent laws that Russia passed in regards to "fake news" and protestors, we seriously were concerned about our calls being tapped. And not in a "oh man, that's not cool for someone to tap our communications", but more like "15 years of russian prison and/or much worse consequences feel a bit too close right now" type of way. > she can make an international call to us. One question about this, if you don't mind. What's the best way to do place international calls there in terms of convenience/cost/quality and just as an overall package? My mind jumped first to Google Voice, because that's something I've used with success before. But I don't have much of an idea about alternatives, so I wouldn't know if there was something much better suited for the purpose.
- iudqnolq 5y ago
  Many people use WhatsApp or Telegram. Both let you make free calls given internet access. The first is more secure, but the second is much more commonly used in Russia - it'll be more innocuous looking and less likely to be blocked. [Not an expert]
iudqnolq 5y ago
I'm not at all an expert, but I'd suggest setting up Telegram. Anecdotally the Russian govt seems pretty dependent on it for their own communication. They've backed down from banning it in the past, albeit in less serious situations. As long as you neither of you ever send anything political on telegram or join any political channels that might be your safest communication option.

iudqnolq 5y ago

I personally would have him leave if at all possible. A lot of people in Ukraine are regretting not abandoning everything right now. If that's too extreme, anecdotally the Russian govt seems pretty dependent on Telegram. They've backed down from banning it in the past, albeit in less serious situations. As long as you neither of you ever send anything political on telegram or join any political channels that might be your safest communication option. On this specific post: I don't speak Russian. Someone on Twitter who claimed to speak Russian said the top of the document makes it clear they're only requiring official government websites to switch to fully domestic hosts. (Don't think this helps much, because who knows what will change in a week) [I'm not at all an expert]

chockchocschoir 5y ago

> I was told it was posted in reply to an account that a lot of people called out as a potential state actor spreading misleading information. [...] Sidenote: i really appreciate people pointing out the potentially malicious account in the comments. With that in mind, below is the modified copy of my original comment. Hard to not take this personal since this is literally about me. However, I don't see the thread containing "a lot of people calling out a potential state actor", I only see one user making that accusation twice in the thread you speak of (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30582330 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30582330) For what it's worth, I left you a comment that can help you to keep in contact with your dad. I agree with the general idea that general skepticism should be applied everywhere on the internet, but you shouldn't also rush to conclusions and believe that because one user wrote something many times, that makes it more true.

filoleg 5y ago
Apologies, my statement about it wasn't meant to actively accuse you of being a state actor, because I have zero mental power and desire left trying to figure out who is a state actor and who isn't. I mostly mentioned it to justify as to why I made a copy of my comment from elsewhere in the thread. Because you being accused of that by multiple people pretty much guarantees that my child comment/question will not be seen by most people who could actually provide any help. No hard feelings, and I really appreciate your help.