Access to sms4sats.com through Nym’s mixnet
In today’s app, delve deeper into virtual SMS services and find out how to access sms4sats.com, a virtual SMS service using Lightning Network, through NymConnect.
Virtual SMS service
A virtual SMS service is an easily accessible platform that allows users to receive text messages (SMS) from a computer or Internet-connected device. These services offer a convenient solution for receiving SMS verification and registration messages for various web services.
Here are a few examples of free services for receiving temporary SMS messages:
These services are typically free and straightforward to use. You can easily create an account and select a temporary phone number. However, it’s crucial to remember that these services are temporary, which means that the phone numbers will be deleted after a certain period of time. So make sure you don’t use this type of service if you need the same number for the long term.
Why use this type of service?
Privacy is one of the most common reasons for using a temporary phone number. Threats of hacking, scams and harassment are unfortunately omnipresent on the Internet. That’s where a temporary number comes in handy, to keep your personal data out of circulation. Here are just a few examples :
- Protect your digital integrity: Your digital integrity is increasingly precious, but disclosing your personal phone number online can lead to unwanted exposure to ads, marketing companies or even malicious people. By using a temporary number, you maintain a bulwark between your privacy and online strangers, ensuring that your identity remains confidential.
- Registering for online services: When you register for various websites or applications, they may ask for a phone number to send you updates or alerts. Using a temporary number for these registrations allows you to sign up without compromising the security of your main number. So you avoid the risk of receiving unsolicited calls or messages on your home phone.
- Avoid spam: When you carry out online transactions and are required to provide a telephone number, a temporary number offers a protective barrier against unsolicited calls and messages that may result from these transactions.
- Temporary communication: Sometimes you need to communicate temporarily with a person without disclosing your main phone number. A temporary number is ideal for brief interactions. Be careful, however, to choose the right platform, as discussions may be visible to all. Please give preference to one-shot messages.
- Tests and experiments : When you’re conducting tests, surveys or experiments of any kind that require a telephone number, a temporary number gives you the flexibility to participate in these activities without your main number being engaged.
What are the privacy problems encountered on this type of platform?
Temporary number platforms aim to offer privacy, but they can also present potential problems, including:
- Data retention period: Platforms may retain temporary numbers and messages received for some time, even after the user has stopped using them. Depending on how the messaging is used, this prolonged data retention could pose privacy problems if this information falls into the wrong hands.
- Disclosure of personal information: In certain situations, platforms may disclose personal information, either to third-party service providers as required by law (e.g., to comply with law enforcement, court orders, or subpoenas) or when it deems such disclosure necessary to safeguard its their rights. Be sure to read their terms of use and privacy policies to understand how your data will be managed.
- Multiple number use: Some platforms assign temporary numbers to different users at the same time. This means that users can view content and receive messages intended for other users of the number, which can lead to a breach of privacy if sensitive information is involved. Be careful about the content you share !!
How can I protect my privacy?
Fortunately, there are a few precautions you can take to preserve your privacy when using this kind of service.
- Multiply platforms and tools: We recommend that you use several platforms and numbers simultaneously, depending on your specific use case. In addition, consider using this type of service in conjunction with other tools such as Pastenym (you can refer to this article dedicated to this subject).
- One-Shot / Single use: Give priority to single use of a number, not repeated use of the same number. The use of tools such as Pastenym with its “Burn after reading” function can prove useful.
- Using privacy-enhancing solutions : Consider using technologies such as VPN, TOR or NymConnect & NymVPN to enhance your online privacy and security when accessing these services. These tools can help anonymize your online presence and add an extra layer of protection when accessing such services.
But what is NymConnect?
NymConnect provides a seamless, one-click interface for connecting to the Nym mixnet, with the primary objective of enhancing the confidentiality of your interactions with applications and websites. It offers robust protection by safeguarding your traffic from potential observers, including the very application or site you are using.
When you connect through NymConnect, your communications undergo a multi-layered encryption process before being transmitted through a gateway and the Nym mixnet. The mixnet employs a clever technique of blending your traffic with cover traffic and introducing micro delays. This ingenious approach effectively thwarts any attempts by observers to trace or analyze your communications, ensuring the privacy and security of your data. Furthermore, it shields your IP address from being exposed.
Using NymConnect encrypts your traffic, making it more difficult to track your activity when your access to this type of platform, thus protecting your digital presence.
For a comparative understanding between the Nym network and other privacy tools, you can refer to this link.
The Nym project will soon be releasing NymVPN, the first truly private consumer product that encrypts data and protects metadata traffic analysis.
NymVPN is fully decentralized, powered by the Nym network, with no central point of control or failure. It will be accessible with fully private payments in the form of zk-nym credentials, based on zero-knowledge technology, removing any financial trail between the user and their network access.
For more information about NymVPN, please consult this link.
The tutorial
In today’s tutorial, we’ll show you how to access sms4sats.com, a virtual SMS service using Lightning Network, while preserving your privacy, via NymConnect. Do require a desktop application and is thus not yet supported on mobile.
This tutorial also works for : ReceiveSMS.co; FreeTempSMS; ReceiveSMSOnline; TempSMS
In the future, we’d like to provide access to other similar platforms. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the No Trust Verify team.
But what is sms4sats ?
Sms4sats lets you receive SMS activation codes for services such as Twitter, Telegram, Discord and OpenAI and many more in less than a minute.
Payment is accepted exclusively in Bitcoin via the Lightning Network, guaranteeing instant transactions. When you pay, you’ll receive a single-use disposable phone number and the corresponding activation code.
No registration is required; all you need is a Lightning wallet. If you’re not sure which wallet to choose, check out this article: https://localcoinatm.com/blog/best-bitcoin-lightning-wallets/
Payment is only required when you receive a code by SMS. If no code is received, the payment is automatically canceled and the funds are returned to your wallet. This means you can try the service risk-free as many times as you like.
What’s more, it’s possible to use the service through the Tor network for added privacy and security.
1st step :
You need to download NymConnect via the following link :
2nd step :
Open NymConnect, and click on the drop-down menu at the top left of the screen. Select Settings, then turn ON.
Copy & Paste the following Service Provider:
This service provider is provided by No Trust Verify, on which the connection to these services has been authorized.
AQRRAs9oc8QWXAFBs44YhCKUny7AyLsfLy91pwmGgxuf.CWUKoKA1afSKyw5BnFJJg19UDgnaVATupsFhQpyTEBHJ@EBT8jTD8o4tKng2NXrrcrzVhJiBnKpT1bJy5CMeArt2w
3rd step :
You must now configure your browser to use the proxy:
Configuration Brave/ Chrome
In order to be able to “divert” your connection on sms4sats.com to the mixnet you need to install an extension called Proxy SwitchOmega to configure a proxy (socks5).
First of all, install the SwitchOmega Proxy extension and go to the bar and open the installed extensions.
Click in the SwitchyOmega extension icon, then select Options.
Then click on “proxy” and add this one:
Protocol : SOCKS5 / Server : 127.0.0.1/ Port : 1080
Then click on Apply changes.
After applying changes, on Brave toolbar select the proxy your created :
Configuration Firefox
The configuration of this browser is quite simple since the proxies are native.
Go to Settings :
Then, in the general settings, scroll down to Network Settings and click on Settings.
Then you just have to fill in the fields as follows:
This will allow traffic to be redirected to the mixnet. All other traffic will still go through your own connection.
4th step :
All you have to do is launch NymConnect and connect to https://sms4sats.com/
About No Trust Verify
We are deeply engaged in experimentation, with a dedicated emphasis on the values of privacy, self-sovereignty, and trustless organizational structures. Our proactive dedication extends across various projects. Notably, we are contributors of Nym, where we shoulder responsibilities in infrastructure management, application development, and the dissemination of essential knowledge regarding privacy concerns. Moreover, we actively contribute to the Alephium community, taking charge of pivotal elements like bridge, full nodes, backend systems, and various exploratory functions, as well as participating in the development of dApps.
Developer of pastenym.ch & isnymup.com and walph.
Do not hesitate to contact us:
