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    11. Ubuntu sends http requests to Google cloud, here’s a fix

      Text 237 words
      Ubuntu has this package installed by default: network-manager-config-connectivity-ubuntu It's only purpose is to provide settings for NetworkManager to send requests to...

      Ubuntu has this package installed by default:
      network-manager-config-connectivity-ubuntu

      It's only purpose is to provide settings for NetworkManager to send requests to connectivity-check.ubuntu.com , and based on the result (AFAIK) detect redirection by captive portals and open an ISP's page (think public WiFi, or hotel rooms, where you need to authorize to access the net).

      Well, connectivity-check.ubuntu.com is hosted on Google cloud (you can check that by running:

      dig connectivity-check.ubuntu.com
whois [the IP from previous query]

      ), so by default Ubuntu sends requests to a Google cloud page.
      I don't say Google counts daily active Ubuntu users (because many of those have the same IP), or that Google actively logs and analyzes that data. But some of you guys may not like that behavior.

      So what's the fix?

      Purge the package

      sudo apt purge network-manager-config-connectivity-ubuntu

      If you do need a captive portal detection, create your own config file to query some HTTP (not HTTPS) page of your choice, in the example below I have a Debian page used for the same purpose. Use your favorite text editor to create and edit /etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/90-connectivity-custom.conf :

      [connectivity]
uri=http://network-test.debian.org/nm

      Restart NetworkManager

      sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

      If you run an Ubuntu derivative, please report if you have network-manager-config-connectivity-ubuntu installed in the comments.

      11 votes

    16. I have $15 burning a hole in my Google Play balance. Help me figure out what to spend it on.

      Ask (recommendations)
      Here's a list of Paid Games & Apps that I already have bought. Utils Tasker KLWP Sleep as Android Nova Prime One or two Icon packs for Nova Games Desert Golfing Death Road To Canada 2 Meteorfall...

      Here's a list of Paid Games & Apps that I already have bought.

      Utils

      • Tasker
      • KLWP
      • Sleep as Android
      • Nova Prime
      • One or two Icon packs for Nova

      Games

      • Desert Golfing
      • Death Road To Canada 2
      • Meteorfall
      • Mindustry
      • Mini Metro
      • Ordia
      • Prune
      • Reigns
      • Reigns: Her Majesty
      • RowRow
      • Teslagrad
      • UnCiv
      • .projekt
      • Sword and Sworcery

      I'm looking for something worthwhile to spend it on. Is there a lesser known utility app that you use all the time? What about an indie game not getting the praise it deserves? Tell me about it!

      17 votes