Use a VIRTUAL Phone Number to Be Anonymous (and stop SPAM)

If you're still receiving robocalls and spam texts - or if you need a number for OTP codes - you need a virtual phone number. It's easier (and cheaper) than you might realize, and gives you a lot more control of your mobile phone. Get your own number for $25 here: www.allthingssecured.com/try/hushed-yt
▶ Try Hushed*: www.allthingssecured.com/try/hushed-yt (83% off)
▶ Try Google Voice: voice.google.com/
▶ Try Skype: www.skype.com/en/
*affiliate link
If you care about your personal security and privacy online, download my free security checklist here:
✅ Security Checklist: www.allthingssecured.com/security-checklist-pdf/
🔹🔹🔹What You Should Watch Next🔹🔹🔹
We've got a lot of great privacy- and security-related content here on the All Things Secured KZbin channel (although we admit we're a bit biased). If you're wanting to increase your online cybersecurity, here's what's next:
✅ How to hide your home address! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHK8aaSFe6qpZqc
✅ Change these 7 Facebook Privacy Settings NOW! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXPHd3lod9JooMk
✅ STOP Using VPNs! (here's why): kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqmUc315gNykpqs
🔹🔹🔹Help Support All Things Secured (Recommended Services)🔹🔹🔹
If you enjoy this kind of practical security and privacy content, one of the best ways you can help support this channel is by using these affiliate links to our favorite products and services. When purchasing through these links, you not only get the best available deal, the companies will also pay us a small commission. Thank you for your support!
✅ Recommended Password Manager: www.allthingssecured.com/yt/1password
✅ Recommended Identity Monitoring: www.allthingssecured.com/try/identityforce-yt
✅ Recommended 2FA Security Key: www.allthingssecured.com/yt/yubikey
✅ Recommended Secure Email: www.allthingssecured.com/try/protonmail-yt
✅ Recommended VPN: www.allthingssecured.com/try/expressvpn-yt
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Video Timestamps
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0:00 - Introduction
0:57 - Purchase a Second Private Phone Number
1:33 - Keep Your Phone Number
2:24 - Porting
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We all receive telemarketing calls from time to time, even after requesting that your phone number be added to their "do not call" list. In my video, I'll explain two secure strategies that will eliminate unwanted calls to your personal phone number so that your private information is kept private again.

[@jc-px8ox]

At this point, I'm not even sure if your name is actually Josh.

[@AllThingsSecured]

😂🤣🤷‍♂️

[@Teresa-et7qf]

It doesn't even matter I like this guy lol 😂 he is super smart 🤓

[@macbitz]

Great advice. I kept my old work phone and that's the number I give out, with my personal phone being reserved for family and trusted friends. One thing about spam calls (certainly in the UK, I don't know about the US/Canada) is that some companies use robo-dialers that work through ranges of numbers sequentially. This means that even with a phone number you've never given out, you can still get the odd spam call because the dialer simply starts with a number, tries it, increments the number by 1 and tries again. Useful to know that the Hushed service you recommended has a plan for UK mobile numbers.

[@buster.keaton]

I think this is a no-win situation. If you create a private number for friends and family, the first thing they'll do is put your number in their address book and now your "private" number is in the hands of Google, Apple, etc.

[@ClickClack_Bam]

Yes. Facebook & others surf your Contacts list. So while you don't have those apps your family does. The minute you give them your number Facebook etc will be sending a signal back to their servers with your updated info. Even if you don't have a Facebook account they have a "gray" account with your name in it & or other info matches up with their current into then your account is there.

[@mephisto--]

I personnaly prefer using my known phone number only to SMS/calls/cellular DATA, and then use a virtual phone (multiples services can do this) number in an app for accounts that needs it

[@monkeyseemonkeydo432]

So if we just put the everyday use number (online forms etc)as the friend family number too… Then have a separate number for more sensitive/secure things should be ok?

[@ronb6182]

Maybe 73

[@Jesusismyonething]

I changed my grocery loyalty number to one of their corporate office numbers I found on a search engine 😂. I did this years ago. And I still giggle every time I enter it at checkout.

[@copierofvideos2]

Another great video Josh! Man it is so great to know stuff like this exists. I have been using the same number for Years because I want to keep it, but I deal with all this spam because of that. You've opened my mind to a solution to this problem. Thank you!

[@AllThingsSecured]

Awesome!!! 👏

[@freshdisk1840]

@@AllThingsSecured people can find us (find our adress or trace us) if we hide our phone number???

[@MysticMylesZ]

Everything I use now is *HEAVILY* tied to me and has data is who knows how many data bases... and I've been a part of 3 data breaches that I know of. I intend to start having a "new identity" I use online, before getting rid of all the info I can on my old accounts numbers, etc. I'm starting with my phone number. I'm getting a new one and looking for ways to give it out as little as possible. The ability to give some sort of virtual number to services like Facebook, that I can shut down and still have my real number would be lovely. Things like that. From there I'll use privacy focused emails like Protonmail, Tutanota etc.

[@saqibsocial-o8y]

ProtonMail is not private, they ask for phone number to verify that its you, and even when you try to purchase their paid version they provide payment methods that are linked to you like credit / debit card or bank or paypal, but they do not provide any crypto base payment methods or any other private payment method. No email is ever privacy focus.

[@roseforeuropa]

How about give us a update: Compare the various virtual phone number services and rate them.

[@catalindeluxus8545]

Yeah, I live in Canada. Our telecoms are a joke, our regulatory body is in the telecom industry's pockets, and none of these alternatives come easy here. 1 gb of data costs like $20, so talking over the Internet is a no-no. 😒

[@henryfredette6735]

If you are worried about privacy, why on Earth would you use Google (Voice) for anything?????

[@marioStortuga]

Godard has o e called smartline. I have that gv and hushed. I ported my cell number last year it was pita but got it done and I got assigned a new number. 😁 Only my family has my direct cell number that's it. Great video

[@Mar10001]

Great video! When text 2FA is the only option by a provider. Do you give out the private or real number?

[@AllThingsSecured]

It depends. I try to give out my virtual number and in most cases it works. There is a rare time, though, when the virtual number won’t be accepted for 2FA and I have to give my actual phone number.

[@watersbey25]

A RARE TIME? how about every financual and government institution? They won't operate without a real phone number.

[@SeeCSeesCC]

❤️ I truly appreciate your videos

[@AllThingsSecured]

🙏🙏

[@MysticMylesZ]

2:05 😅 and hope they don't put it in their Google calendar under your name 😅

[@johannesKeppler12345]

I bought a second number and now my wife thinks I have a mistress who I call with using the second number.

[@aperson1181]

not guaranteed to work with 3rd party verification services

[@CoffeeMonster98]

Do you still recommend Hushed?

[@Mr_Sus901]

POV: searches how to get virtual number, see indian recommending an app, remembers there is a goat "All things secure" My man got you covered on everything!!!

[@Edward-bn2vw]

No background music required...

[@phrobish]

Land Lines have a Physical Address associated with the number for Police to respond. Cell Numbers have to be GPS located and are not as accurate. This is for Emergency call to Police, Fire, or EMS.

[@AllThingsSecured]

Yes, which is why these virtual addresses are not recommended for emergency use. But just because they don't have a physical address or GPS data associated with them doesn't mean you can't use them!

[@cryptosig283]

I’d like to see a video about business phone numbers. I have my own video production business and when I receive a phone call I need to pick up because it could be a potential client on the other end. 90% of the time it ends up being a robo call. That’s the difficult thing tho about having a business is I need to put some exposure out there in order to get phone calls. Usually my calls are through referrals tho so maybe that solves half the problem

[@electropocalypse5877]

I'm late to the party! Great info. I'm little confused though. To use a cell number (with normal functionality/notifications) in a service like Hushed, I'm required to contact my cell provider and request to port it? Does this mean that they would remove the call services but allow me to keep the number to use through another service? It seems I can't start a tab without a cell number, perhaps making things a bit difficult for what I'm aiming for given my budget. In this case to start a tab (data plan with unlimited calling mandatory), my only option might be call forwarding. What are your thoughts? I broke my last phone regrettably. 😅 Thanks so much for the video! 🙂

[@Getlost55]

I've tried several different phone apps and had good luck with Hushed for a while. For some odd reason, one day I could not log in and there was no way to recover my credentials. I never did get it resolved so the contacts I had on the app were lost. Never had the issue with the Burner app but I liked Hushed better. Google is also ok. There are many out there to choose from but none are perfect. i was actually thinking about buying a burner phone at Walmart and using that instead.

[@AllThingsSecured]

Thanks for the feedback, Danny!

[@martinavaslovik3433]

Yeah, now the scammers and robocallers are using those too.

[@AllThingsSecured]

Comment below to share how many phone numbers you have. Me? I have 4. Also, feel free to share any other alternatives you're aware of that weren't mentioned in this video. Here's what I've used: ▶ Try Hushed: www.allthingssecured.com/try/hushed-yt (83% off!) ▶ Try Google Voice: voice.google.com/ ▶ Subscribe on KZbin! kzbin.info

[@Itsnewuser]

28 numbers

[@Humanana718]

thank you for the knowledge

[@AllThingsSecured]

My pleasure

[@martians414]

Hi Josh: Just want to confirm that by using your link, we pay a one-time fee with no additional monthly fees? Thanks.

[@AllThingsSecured]

Yes, that is correct.

[@owelz]

The problem with the apps you mentioned is that they collect to much personal data if you look in appstore privacy section. I was trying to find something more private but couldn’t and I just didn’t download anything.

[@AllThingsSecured]

You’re using it as a burner number…what privacy info are you worried about?

[@owelz]

@@AllThingsSecured Let’s say the Hushed app, in the privacy section(in Apple’s appstore): Data used to track you: Purchases(history), identifiers(user and device id) Data linked to you(used for developers’s advertising or marketing) Purchases, contact info, identifiers, usage data and other data types

[@hitmancorporation]

@@owelz Agreed, makes this pretty much useless. Google / Apple is the last organization I want to give my information to. Ever.

[@chickadddee]

One thing I heard is that Hush doesn't work with 2FA or MFA for those services where SMS is the only option. I'm looking in Canada for a great 2nd number to use extensively for nearly every public requirement. Can't use Google voip, and other services are getting shaky reviews, so I'm just about ready to buy an old lady phone. I'd love to avoid higher monthly fees though! Hushes deal at 25. is sweet, just not sure about 2FA MFA.....

[@DrMikeE100]

What's with all the background music? It does not really help, but it does interfere with hearing for those of us with hearing problems. Do better, please, dude!

[@disco.jellyfish]

Is this going to make me safer from SIM swapping or rather endager me?

[@RebMordecai]

😁Am 72 and I have NEVER, EVER given out the address where I and my people sleep at night. WHY does anyone need to know that?

[@davidtukiko2545]

It is only for USA and CANADA? what about other countries?

[@2cents564]

Hey buddy how are ya hope you doin good. Ok so I see you figured out a way to organize all of the calls coming in but who’s name will the phone numbers be under I’m guessing whoever has the phone set up if so is there anyway to make all but one of them private or the other way around cuz I’m sick of people knowing everything just from looking up your phone number ya know and sights have been forcing you to put a number in

[@henryfredette6735]

Let's be honest? Price is now $50 a year. Too much when there are free options available.

[@SpynCycle57]

Please cite your reference. Hushed is a one-time $25. Google Voice is free.

[@Erethros]

And is there an option for European countries?

[@Stoneysilence]

I just have my phone set to send all calls to voicemail unless they are in my contacts.

[@AllThingsSecured]

That works, although there are times that I need to take a phone call and that would make it a bit difficult.

[@mikekolczynski5665]

Setting up a pixel 7 with Graphene OS. What's the best way to go ?

[@martinbecklen6486]

Video is disappointing to me since I'm not 'telephonically adept.' In addition to a cell phone, I have a land line -- ie, calls arrive through my cable service, but it's not set up to receive text messages; just voice and voicemail. This video gave me little understanding of how a 'virtual private number' works, or how my life improves by having a virtual private phone number. Josh, I appreciate your work and integrity, but this video doesn't help me at all.

[@joete3324]

will they be able to send me text? since when you go to restaurant while waiting for table they ask for your # to text when the table is ready?

[@Joe29587]

Am I supposed to fill forms using my actual number or my virtual number?

[@cori1302]

The virtual ones for forms

[@robertevans1343]

Josh 👍🏾

[@ApartTour]

bro you're talking about privacy stuff and you recommend using google voice? what's wrong with you?

[@sherrykent2948]

Exactly!

[@etano1701]

whats wrong with you????

[@etano1701]

@@sherrykent2948 ?

[@waiwaianela]

very good, music TOO LOUD

[@AllThingsSecured]

Thanks for the feedback

[@divinevirgo8341]

I respectfully disagree! I could hear him perfectly!

[@divinevirgo8341]

@@AllThingsSecured Great Info!! THanks

[@jiggybish]

What's the benefit of a $20 hushed number over a new free number from Google Voice?

[@AllThingsSecured]

Google requires you to connect a working phone number to forward the number. It’s not a standalone service. Hushed, on the other hand, is a standalone number and service. Plus, it’s not Google. There’s a reason Google can offer this for free…because it’s another source of data on you.

[@jiggybish]

@@AllThingsSecured thanks for the reply. Also, Google uses VoIP which a lot of companies don't accept when signing up for services. Does Hush have this problem?

[@ronanderson1013]

Why do you have music so loud playing over your voice on the video??! I can’t hear you!!!!!!!!!!

[@grahampalmer]

I can hear him but the 'so called' music is very, very annoying.

[@SECYBERSAFE]

I use two

[@AllThingsSecured]

One for private use and one to write down publicly?

[@SECYBERSAFE]

@@AllThingsSecured you got it

[@petejones9330]

Another app is burner which works pretty well.

[@AllThingsSecured]

Yea, I’ve used that as well but didn’t like it as much as Hushed.

[@pareshpaul001]

It's been almost 10 yrs now...???

[@normaedithsanchez]

Can these phone numbers used for cheating on your spouse..?

[@AllThingsSecured]

No

[@SpynCycle57]

You don't need a phone number for that.

[@akshatupadhyay2878]

Which way can I use as being a citizen of india???

[@AllThingsSecured]

I’m not aware of a service like this for India...perhaps a business idea for you?

[@frosti7]

How to use mobile data in annonymous way to the sim company?

[@AllThingsSecured]

Use a VPN.

[@texaslovelylady]

Most numbers are recycled

[@AllThingsSecured]

I'm sure they are. Is that a problem?

[@rajeevkaushek7370]

google voice?

[@AllThingsSecured]

Is that a question as in you’ve never heard of it? Or why I don’t recommend it more?

[@rajeevkaushek7370]

@@AllThingsSecured i thought you missed it. that should be the first consideration

[@bigmeany1184]

@@AllThingsSecured you don’t recommend Google Voice?? Oh man that’s what I use. Can you please explain why you don’t recommend Google Voice?

[@spaghettiupseti9990]

@@bigmeany1184 if your goal is privacy, going through google isn't I would say a bad choice depending on how you use it but hushed for example may cost money but right now they have a $25 lifetime deal. If you're fine with google then thats perfectly fine but if you don't like that as much hushed wouldn't be a bad choice right now

[@caydenplayz3097]

Textnow

[@AllThingsSecured]

Huh?

[@Koji-Alistair]

@@AllThingsSecured Do you know any great virtual phone number apps that non-US citizens can use?

[@Almaviajera07.]

@@AllThingsSecured text now is kind like hushed. I have both