What is Malware?

Malware, or malicious software, is a program or file that may harm your computer. It is used by scammers and hackers to invade your device or its functions, as well as to steal your data.

Your device can be compromised by malware that searches for sensitive information (such as passwords or bank account data) and transmits it back to the attacker.

What is the Most Common Way for Malware to Get into Your System?

There are a variety of ways that harmful malware may get onto your device. Hackers have become clever in devising new methods to infect you. Because antivirus software and VPNs can’t entirely prevent malware attacks, many of these infection pathways rely on the user doing something, which is why they can’t be completely blocked.

Commonly, you get malware if you:

• Click on a malicious link in an email or text message.
• Visit a malicious website.
• Download a file from the internet (often disguised as something it’s not).
• Install a program that comes bundled with malware.

How to Avoid Being Infected with Malware

The greatest technique to combat malware is to avoid getting it in the first place. Here’s how you may defend yourself from malware:

Keep your devices and software up to date: Software programmers are in a continuous arms race with malware creators. As new malware is created, software updates hopefully will be released that recognize and remove the malicious code.

1- Use antivirus protection: This can help to block or remove malware before it gets on your device. It’s not foolproof, but it’s an extra layer of security.

2- Be cautious about what you click on and download: Only open email attachments from people you know, and be wary of links in messages, even if they appear to come from a trusted source. When downloading files, make sure they come from a reputable source.

3- Use a VPN: A VPN like Surfshark VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it much harder for hackers to see what you’re doing or steal your data. A VPN also provides a layer of anonymity, as your real IP address is hidden from the sites you visit.

Is a VPN Effective Against Malware?

It is debatable. A VPN may not prevent you from becoming infected with malware. A VPN cannot shield you from viruses or other similar dangers unless you secure your Wi-Fi connection against man-in-the-middle attacks.

What a VPN can accomplish is encrypt the data you transmit and receive. So, while a VPN will prevent others from seeing your download if you’re downloading an infected app, it won’t protect you against sending the file. The same precautions apply when it comes to opening phishing messages or interacting with infected sites.  That’s why firewalls, free malware removal tools, and antivirus software are there.

A VPN can help you defend yourself from malware. Because a VPN by default blocks ports, it makes it difficult for malware to establish a connection with its handler and transmit data or get instructions. Aside from that, many VPNs include extra ad-blocking features such as CleanWeb, which are intended to enhance your online privacy.

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If you’re concerned about the VPN benefits and how you can change your location with a VPN, then this article is for you.

What Is A VPN & How Does It Work?

A VPN creates a secure bridge between the user and a VPN server. It makes sure whatever activities you perform on the internet are anonymously carried out. With this, you eliminate the risks of your data being hacked or monitored.

To explain to you how VPNs work, it connects you to a remote server and assigns you an IP address to hide your original identity. It encrypts your outgoing traffic, giving you a secure and private channel from which all your internet activities are carried out.

You can use a third-party diebestenvpn service to change your actual location to a country that you prefer.

Changing Your Location with a VPN

The first you need to have is a reliable VPN service to change your location. Get subscribed to one of the debestevpn providers (like NordVPN or Surfshark). Simply go to their website and sign up for a VPN plan. You have to provide your email and account information to get started.

Get the VPN app on your device and log in with your credentials. You can just tap the ‘connect’ button and the VPN will automatically connect you to a nearby server. That’s all!

Changing Your Location with a VPN On Computer

You can easily use this method to change your location with a VPN on your Windows or Mac.

• Choose a VPN plan of a trusted VPN provider which best suits you, then go to their website.
• Click on Sign Up.
• Fill in the required fields like email address and bank account details.
• As soon as the amount is paid from your account, you’ll receive the login credentials in your email.
• Download the VPN on your computer and install it.
• Launch the VPN and enter your username and password.
• Click on the ‘connect’ button or choose a different location of your preference.

Changing Your Location with a VPN On Phone

This method is applicable for all hand-held devices (Android, iPhone, or Windows Phone).

• Download and install the VPN app from your app store.
• If you don’t have an account, tap on Sign Up.
• Choose a VPN plan.
• Provide your email address and bank account details.
• When you’re done with the signing-up process, you’ll receive the login credentials.
• Launch the VPN app and tap on sign-in.
• Enter your credentials and log in.
• Tap on ‘connect’ or choose another region to change your location to that country.
• Open your favorite browser and access the geo-restricted content easily.

Benefits of Changing Your Location with a VPN

Although the main job of a VPN is to keep your identity and private data secure on the web, there is more to it.

Here are some more benefits of subscribing to a reliable VPN Check.

Safe Access On Public WiFi Networks

Restaurants and coffee shops offer free and open network public wifis to their customers which can be risky as WiFi hackers can snoop on your phone or laptop.

Firstly, you are not exactly sure whether the wifi network is the restaurant’s or is it just an evil twin network created by some exploiter to gain access to your personal information.

To avoid exposing yourself to cyberattacks, you must use a VPN to change your location which would make it difficult for hackers to exploit or track your sensitive information.

Access Different Netflix Regions

Netflix, HBO Max, BBC IPlayer are streaming services that offer content according to the regions. They have licensing agreements with the studios to restrict movies and TV shows to certain regions of the world. Your friend from Japan may have access to a movie that you don’t. That’s where a VPN comes in.

You just have to change your region and you can access the geo-restricted movies and TV shows on streaming platforms easily.

Avoid Website Tracking

Have you ever noticed a product popping up on your screen just after you’ve searched for it on Google or mentioned it to a friend on Facebook chat? That’s because cookies track your every move online and target you with ads. Companies use these techniques to raise the number of purchases on their products.

To make sure your online identity is safe, use a VPN to browse and surf the internet with complete anonymity.

Wrapping it up!

A VPN service is a requisite to maintain your online privacy on the internet. You just need a reliable and tested VPN to change your location and carry out your internet activities with complete anonymity.

There are several big names in the VPN market, but if you’re not sure which one to use, take advantage of their 30-day money-back guarantee offers and go camouflage on the web.

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How Does a VPN Work?

Connecting to a VPN is quite easy for most. You download and install the VPN software after signing up with a VPN provider. The VPN will make the connection for you once you select the desired server. After establishing a connection with your VPN you can freely use the internet without any interruption.

How to Select Your VPN

There are thousands of VPNs available on the internet today so we don’t know which VPN is best. A user must select a VPN according to his needs. Some companies are providing good VPNs but some are providing nothing but a scam. There are hundreds of fake VPNs which do not provide any security to the user and sell their information to other sources. So before selecting your desired VPN you must get all the information about that VPN.

Types of VPN

There are three main types of VPN. Those types are:

• Remote access VPN                 
• Intranet Based Site-To-Site                                                                                                 
• Extranet Based Site-To-Site

Remote Access VPN

Users working remotely can securely access and use data and applications within a corporate data center using a virtual private network (VPN) while encrypting all of the traffic they send and receive personvernpanettet.

Intranet and Extranet Based Site-To-Site VPN

Site to Site VPN connection is a connection that is created between two separate locations. The connection in this type of VPN is enabled through a VPN gateway device.

Intranet and Extranet are used to describe two different use cases. An Intranet Site To Site VPN describes a configuration where the sites connected by the VPN belong to the same organization, whereas an Extranet Site To Site VPN joins sites belonging to multiple organizations

Uses Of VPN

There are many uses of a BestVPN. Some of them are as follows.                                                                   

• We can access the Geo-Blocked website with the help of a VPN.                                                      
• A VPN is used to stream content or watch tv shows that are unavailable in our country.                     
• VPN protects your identity.                                                                                                   
• A VPN can be used to publish something anonymously on the internet.                              
• VPNs are used in homes as well as in schools and offices.

Conclusion:

To sum up VPNs are useful for our daily life. It makes our usual work as well as office work easy. With an active VPN, we can watch our favorite tv shows on Netflix that are unavailable due to Geo Blocking. Using a VPN, a businessman can easily make deals without worrying if someone else will see his messages.

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We saw socialization evolve. When the internet arrived, it solved many of our connectivity problems and allowed people from different parts of the globe to easily communicate with each other.

However, the same also happened with bad stuff like robberies and thefts. Previously, robberies involved people with guns storming into banks or offices and stealing anything they could get their hands on. Today, most robberies happen online in the form of cyberattacks. What’s worse, this kind of robbery has been increasing each year, and it is at its maximum in 2021.

Cyberattacks have been growing in 2021 in both severity and frequency. The biggest target of these attacks are small businesses. It is estimated that with the current growth in cyberattacks, it would cost businesses as much as $5 trillion in the next five years alone.

It is understood that a majority of small organizations are not prepared against online security breaches. This is why they are the most popular targets for cyberattacks because they are also the easiest.

As per estimates, a single cyberattack costs from around $34,000 to $200,000 according to Hiscox’s 2019 Cyber Readiness report. As you can imagine, this is a setback that most small businesses can’t recover from. What’s worse is that in the past year alone, 47% of all small businesses experienced a cyberattack protection internetbeskyttelse, and at least 44% of these suffered more than once.

Every organization is at risk of a breach

Almost all small businesses today are vulnerable to cyberattacks, regardless of the industry they’re in. As the IT infrastructure becomes more complex to support the ever-growing digital demands, loopholes start to appear within these structures. To combat these threats, security measures need to be strictly enforced in these organizations.

Cybercriminals are aware of the loopholes present inside every business’s IT infrastructure. The situation is so dire that it’s no longer a question of ‘if’ a cyber incident will happen, but rather ‘when will it happen.

Most small businesses today don’t just lack proper security infrastructure. These businesses don’t even have a plan in place that would help them mitigate or recover from a devastating cyberattack.

It’s hard for small businesses to recover from the damages

No small business can recover from a security breach that costs the company $200,000. Even medium and large enterprises have problems recovering from such a terrible financial blow. Worse, these companies can suffer from more than one breach in a year, and each can cost the company hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Many times, cyber threats infiltrate the systems and remain undetected for weeks – or even months! Cybercriminals keep taking advantage of these infiltrations without getting caught because there are no threat detection mechanisms in place within these companies.

Even after these breaches do get caught, companies have to suffer compliance penalties, legal fees, loss of reputation, and also loss of customers. Consequences such as these can easily bankrupt a business. In fact, it is estimated that almost half of all small businesses close within six months of a cyberattack.

To prevent these problems from happening, organizations need to adopt a comprehensive security strategy to avoid cyber threats and adopt risk management policies that would also help to mitigate damages once an incident occurs.

Steps you can take to combat cyberthreats

There are steps you can follow to stop cyber threats from happening. You’ll notice that many of these steps are very easy to perform. However, they still go a long way in protecting your business from unnecessary threats.

Here are the steps that you need to follow in order to make your business more secure:

1.     Subscribe to a secure VPN service in order to avoid unnecessary online threats and surveillance.
2.     Install and update your network firewalls, making use of encryption techniques to keep your data safe.
3.     Make sure to update your software and OS in a timely manner in order to cover up any loopholes that were present in them.
4.     Make sure to create backups of your system on a daily basis in order to recover any important data if the system gets compromised.
5.     Install tools that scan networks and apps on a daily basis in order to detect a breach as soon as possible.
6.     Use multi-factor authentication to reduce the chance of unauthorized entry.
7.     Spread awareness and start employee training programs so they can identify and respond to threats quickly and appropriately.

Final Words

Implementing the correct cybersecurity approach is difficult for a person who is not an IT professional. It’s always best to take the opinions of someone who is a cybersecurity expert. But even if that option is not available, following the steps mentioned above would still do a lot to keep your business safe from dangerous cybersecurity threats.

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Connecting to unsecured public wi-fi or the Internet is full of risk. It can result in data theft, hacking, virus or malware attack, and other cybercrimes. Moreover, using a public network means that you are putting your security at stake as your online activity, personal details, and essential information can be easily traced by anyone, including hackers, your Internet Service Provider, and governments. In such a case, the need for the safe transmission of data is inevitable. So, to securely transmit your data over the internet or any other public network and keep your online identity anonymous, a VPN comes in handy.

 There are options of both free and paid VPNs that you can try to keep yourself safe. However, because of affordability, most people prefer using free VPN services. Nonetheless, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind before installing a free VPN. In this article, we will be discussing four key points that everyone should take into consideration before settling with a free VPN. Have a look at them if you plan to install a free VPN or think of switching to a free VPN version.

List Of 4 Things To Look At Before Installing A Free Vpn

1. Unlimited Bandwidth:

Most free VPNs come with limited bandwidth. Limited bandwidth can be a hassle if you want to download large files or stream your favorite shows. Therefore, VPNs always offer unlimited bandwidth to have the freedom to switch between various servers, stream popular shows, and download large files without any restrictions.

 Moreover, if you are a gamer, settling with a limited-bandwidth VPN can make you regret your decision. Hence, ensure that your debestevpn has unlimited bandwidth. You can try Urban VPN. It is one of the best VPNs that provide you with the facility of unlimited bandwidth. You can use the free Urban VPN extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, which offers you swift activation and unlimited bandwidth to download content with ease.

2. Numerous Locations:

Another thing to keep in mind while installing a free VPN is to make sure that it offers multiple server locations. One of the many reasons a VPN is used is bypassing geo-restrictions, gaining anonymity, and blocking IP. Also, a VPN helps in web scraping. All of this is possible only if your VPN offers you various server locations to switch between.

It’s always an excellent option to see how many server locations you are getting access to. In case you want entry to certain specific server locations, ensure that you get access to those locations with your free VPN. Some free VPNs like Urban VPN offer servers in 21 locations. They are a lot of locations considering that you are paying absolutely nothing for installing an urban VPN.

3. Fast Speed:

It’s crucial to have a fast VPN connection speed. Again, not many free VPNs offer fast connectivity and fast speed. Therefore, browsing the Internet, streaming your favorite shows, switching between servers, using your VPN for web scraping, anonymity, and bypassing geo-restrictions or IP blocking isn’t easy with all free VPNs.

In that case, you need to find a reliable free VPN. As far as the Urban VPN is concerned, it offers a super-fast speed that lets you make the most of your VPN service. You can install it free of cost to get benefited from its unique features. Moreover, you don’t need to download any additional software once you install Urban VPN. You just need to install its extension, and that’s it. It’s that simple to use. Remember, when you choose Urban VPN, you are choosing quality, safety, and security.

4. Ensure That the VPN Has Both Free and Paid Versions:

It is essential to select a VPN with both a free and premium paid version. Why? It works with simple logic. If a VPN has both paid and free versions, it will be working with a business model of making a profit. Therefore, it will ensure 100% security to its users. Otherwise, there will be no security guarantee. Hence, you must select a VPN service provider that comes in both free and paid versions.

Conclusion

Installing a free VPN isn’t a bad option. Most people go for a securicritic as they access many important features without paying a single penny. At the same time, you need to spend hundreds of dollars for a paid VPN. However, there are certain things that you must keep in mind before installing a free VPN. The main reasons for which a VPN is used are for online privacy, security and to bypass restrictions on streaming, online shopping, and many other activities that involve access to multiple geo-locations. Therefore, a free VPN must offer you all these benefits.

 Before installing a free VPN, you should keep in mind four crucial points. Firstly, make sure that you get unlimited bandwidth. Apart from that, ensure that it offers fast connectivity speed, multiple server locations, and offers 100% security. Since most free VPNs fail to provide 100% security, you should look for a VPN that comes in both free and paid versions. In this way, your free VPN will make sure that it offers reliable security to its users. So, keep these things in mind if you are planning to install a free VPN.

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If you have been gifted (or treated yourself) to a new holiday device, your first thought should be security. In our excitement of unwrapping a new toy, many of us neglect this critical aspect of device setup which can have serious and ongoing repercussions. 

Luckily, there are many different types of security software that you can use to protect your new device and private information. Continue reading to discover more about device security and the steps you should take to secure your gadgets.

What Is Device Security?

Device security refers to types of software as well as behaviors that should be practiced to safeguard your mobile, tablet, laptop, or console against security threats. Cybercriminals are constantly looking for ways to take advantage of unsuspecting users and steal private information. 

Device security starts the moment you open a new device and continues through the lifetime of the gadget.

Tips To Secure Your New Device

There are many strategies you can employ to immediately secure a new device, from the moment you have opened the box (or even before that!).

Adjust Factory Default Settings

Often the factory default settings on mobiles and tablets are not configured with user privacy in mind. Go through these settings, one by one, and select the option that grants you the highest level of security possible.

This includes:

• Disabling location services on all apps that do not require a GPS to function.
• Restricting all unnecessary apps from accessing your photos.
• Checking which apps can access your microphone and camera.
• Blocking external companies from accessing your analytics data.

Change Default Passwords

Some devices and networks may come pre-set with default passwords. Always change these (which may be as simple as “abc123”) to reduce the risk of cybercriminals hacking into your networks.

Set secure passwords that use a combination of both uppercase and lowercase levels, numbers, and characters and never use the same login information for two devices or accounts.

Use Two-factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (or 2FA) is another excellent tool that you can utilize to improve your security. 2FA requires multiple pieces of evidence (such as a password and your fingerprint) to log into a device.

The latest phones, tablets, and laptops often come equipped with face-scanning technology and will not unlock for anyone but the designated owner. 

Set Up A VPN

A VPN — or virtual private network — is a must-have security tool. Connecting to a VPN encrypts your personal data and safeguards your location from prying eyes.

A VPN can be set up over a router, which will protect all connected devices, or — in the case of phones and tablets — you can download VPN apps. It is recommended that you conduct research before signing up to a VPN service and stay away from free VPN providers, who may sell your information to third parties and slow your connection speed.

Install A Network Firewall

A firewall is a security device that can help protect your network by filtering in-going and out-going traffic, blocking malicious software from infecting your computer. A firewall can be software, hardware, or cloud-based and the type of firewall you might choose to implement will depend on the size of your network and the level of security that you need.

Install Reputable Security Software

Security software is a must for all devices — phones, laptops, tablets, and routers (to protect gaming consoles and all other connected gadgets). The software will alert you should viruses or malware be found on your device and many security companies also offer additional functions for broader internet security purposes including VPN connectivity, dark web monitoring, access to a password manager, and parental control functions.

A new device promises hours of entertainment and fun but in the excitement of holiday gift-giving, don’t forget to consider security software and the many ways you can safeguard your device and privacy.

Author Bio: 

Bridget is a writer and editor, currently living in Melbourne. She is a copywriter for Newpath Web and loves working with words of all shapes and sizes. When not playing around with punctuation and grammar, she enjoys traveling and curating her Spotify playlists.

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When it comes to streaming in Canada, multiple tips can enhance your entertainment. For instance, streaming in Canada is often specific to Netflix because most users don’t know that other streaming services such as HBO Max, Disney Plus, and Hulu can be accessed outside the USA.

Intending to educate fellow Canadians, we came up with five simple tips to make your streaming experience more enjoyable. Let’s dive into the world of entertainment and get ready to discover streaming hacks like never before.

Personalize your profiles

Managing your profiles is one of the best ways to access your desired shows instantly. Though different profiles for multiple users seem like a wise choice, a separate profile based on the genre provides you with the most well-managed streaming account.

For instance, you can manage a profile for the local Canadian show and a different one for the shows streaming in other countries. Your downloads will also be managed based on the content of the profile and watched history.

You can also manage the profiles based on the genres such as comedy, adventure, thriller, horror, mystery, drama, romance, and documentaries. The future suggestions will be based on your watched history, and you have to select the profile to enjoy what you are in the mood to watch.

Set the video quality

Even though most streaming services offer videos in HD and Ultra HD quality in Canada, most Canadians enjoy their favorite shows in SD after paying for the HD package. Most of us don’t know that we have the option to change the video quality.

If you are paying for high-resolution video quality, make the most of your money by enjoying the content in the best streaming quality. You can change the video quality from the profile setting or while streaming the show.

Know the compatible devices

Streaming services are opting for providing apps compatible with multiple devices. Let’s take the example of Netflix; you can stream Netflix shows on gaming consoles, Amazon Firestick, Roku, Smart TVs, PC, laptops, and smartphones.

As you can stream your favorite shows on multiple devices, avail this opportunity to stream on a large screen when at home or portable devices while traveling.

Bypass geo-restriction barrier

Streaming services use geo-blocking to control what a user can watch. This is mainly done to follow the licensing agreements and copyright laws and result in different streaming libraries based on the user’s location. For instance, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, and Pulp Fiction is only streaming on Canadian Netflix, while Twin Peaks, Gimme Shelter, and Arrested Development are available only on US Netflix.

If Americans want to enjoy the Canadian show, they have to connect to the Canadian VPN server. Subsequently, if Canadians want to access the American streaming library, they have to connect to the US server of a premium VPN service.

Investing in a VPN server is a smart decision as you will not have to subscribe to a new streaming service whenever you want to enjoy a new show. When it comes to the VPN that works with multiple streaming services, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark are the top choices.

Download shows to enjoy them later

Most streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max allow the subscribers to download the shows or movies to enjoy them later, even without the internet. This offer comes in handy when traveling to a different country as you can save data charges.

Though you cannot download all the shows, keep the list of downloads ready whenever you are traveling or save some bucks.

Closing 

Streaming should be an enjoyable experience, and the tips mentioned earlier will make sure that you can enjoy streaming to its fullest. Manage the profiles, set the video quality to high, and use a VPN to add an oomph factor to streaming.

As you are all set for relaxation, all you need is a bucket of popcorn, company, a couch, and unlimited drinks. Happy streaming!

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Physical Security

Physical security is perhaps the easiest area for businesses to adapt in order to accommodate changing working policies. Under the 9-5 model, all employees clock in and clock out at around the same time; with flexi-working patterns and partially remote work, employees need to access the building at different times. Equipping employees with keys to allow for this is problematic as it increases the chances of keys being lost or stolen, which puts business security at risk. This is easily navigated through the use of a door access control system,, however, allowing employers to manage who has entry to the building and when. Enhanced surveillance can be used to complement this approach, allowing security to monitor who is entering the building. Indeed, modern access control and surveillance means there is very little increase in the threat to business security when workers choose to work outside of the traditional working model.

Digital Security

Data breaches, however, pose more of a challenge. Remote work increases the likelihood of devices being lost, passwords being misplaced and log-in details being compromised. A business’ best course of action to protect against data breaches caused by a remote workforce is to add extra layers of security. Multi-factor authentication and encryption are the most effective ways to reduce risk.

Additionally, security training should regularly be provided for staff in order for them to manage their own risk. Employees should be trained in using a password manager and reminded to avoid using public Wi-Fi and delete old accounts where possible. VPN use should be encouraged, and employers can help by covering the costs of this service. Regular training is perhaps the most effective defense against data breaches: the more staff are aware of the risks, the better they are equipped to prevent them.

The traditional working model is fast becoming obsolete. This comes with huge benefits to employers and employees alike, but it does mean that security measures need to adapt to accommodate the changes. Updating physical security systems and educating the workforce on the importance of cybersecurity will go a long way in reducing the threat to a business’s security.

Distributed Teams

And this transition is redefining the structure of the family and society. Parents can choose to stay at home co-participating in household and child care duties. A modern wave of millennials’ purchasing patterns reflects an emphasis on productivity and experience fulfillment.

“We ‘re so relaxed promoting interactive collaboration that we can just function everywhere we go,” Shira Beder shared at FormAssembly. “We embrace collaborative technology and love it. We are results-oriented, more confident, and adaptable and if we want to stand a chance in the intensely competitive work market and quickly shifting conditions we have no other alternative.

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In the present-day threat, landscape enterprise security shifts to a more remote setting. The traditional approach that IT teams previously used to secure the enterprise has become irrelevant. Typically, by opting for a traditional approach, organizations focus on perimeter security, which explains VPNs’ massive popularity (Virtual Private Networks), since they were specifically designed to provide onsite security.

In the past, where most company works were done within a physical boundary, using VPNs could effectively enable remote access and provide security to employees, granted that they were operating from within company walls. With the emergence of the ‘virtual worker,’ however, relying on VPNs for remote work has become quite a risky endeavor. Although corporate VPNs do enable remote workers to access company data, it comes with the risk of making all of the other network data vulnerable to exploitation.

The staggering number of data breaches that affect organizations in the first six months of 2019 shows that  4.1 billion records were exposed. It alone provides remote employees access to company data by giving them the run off the network that allows for a monumental attack surface available for exploitation by hackers and other cybercriminals alike. Moreover, solely relying on VPNs can prove fatal to an organization, since several vulnerabilities associated with virtual private networks are often brought into the limelight.

Bearing witness to a VPN’s limitations is that in 2019, the CERT Coordination Center, and the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) brought forth information on a particular vulnerability targeting VPNs. A cybercriminal could target this vulnerability and exploit an already affected system. Still, there have also been certain instances where VPNs have allowed malicious agents entry into the networks by mishandling cookies and tokens. Considering how easy it is for a cybercriminal to exploit a website and gain control over an end user’s system in order to remain diadiktiokaiasfalia (internet and safe), it is high time for both individuals and enterprises to realize VPNs’ limitations.

Instead of considering the VPN technology to be this messianic invention that helps users bypass even the most rigid restrictions, such as the notoriously blocked website, The Pirate Bay, it is highly significant that we see the situation for what it is.

Here are some of the most prevalent security threats that VPNs are no longer well-equipped to combat.

Threat #1: DNS Hijacking 

When it comes to operating remotely, most employees typically rely on public Wi-Fi networks to get their work done- which poses an arsenal of threats to the company’s network, since a public Wi-Fi connection is highly susceptible to cyberattacks and breaches.

Furthermore, even if an individual uses a VPN while connected on an open network, the risk posed to their online activities remains the same. Perhaps the greatest danger to an organization’s security originates from DNS or Domain Name Server hijacking.

As the name quite aptly suggests, DNS hijacking is a type of attack in which malicious agents infiltrate the domain name servers, and reroute any potential victims to a corrupted website, instead of the site that they wanted to visit initially. If that damage wasn’t enough, the cybercriminals could wreak significant havoc on an enterprise by exploiting the DNS to launch highly sophisticated ransomware and malware attacks.

Threat #2: Man-in-the-middle Attacks

Man-in-the-middle attacks abbreviated as MITM attacks occur when a cybercriminal somehow gains access to the communication channel present between an application and the end-user.

Typically, while carrying out MITM attacks, privacyinthenetwork will pretend to be the other party or will take up the identity of a trusted agent, so that they may be able to intercept the communication better. Furthermore, adding to the danger associated with MITM attacks is that the user, who is the intended victim, usually does not have the faintest clue that they’re being exploited in such a way since the attack mimics a regular information exchange.

Although a Virtual Private Network might provide some protection from a man-in-the-middle attack via encryption, VPN providers often attempt to reduce costs and send out traffic through a split encrypted tunnel, which renders the endpoints unencrypted and unprotected.

Threat #3: Legacy applications

Another threat that VPNs can’t protect against is the development of the security measures involved with legacy applications. When these apps were designed, internet accessibility was never prioritized, which has now rendered the applications completely useless amidst the present-day digital landscape.

Fortunately, however, the security risk posed by these legacy applications can be mitigated by adopting modern SDP solutions (software-defined perimeters), which enables an organization’s security team to segregate the application from the network. At the same time, they add adaptive controls and measures to reduce risk.

Alternatively, security teams may also adopt a zero-trust security framework and then build their networks around it, which allows for a higher level of control and enables access to be monitored and controlled.

Threat #4: Multiple login attempts

Similar to how a Distributed Denial of Service attack (DDoS) functions, which is by bombarding the targeted application with requests, repeated login attempts can have the same effect on a VPN’s provider’s servers.

In this type of attack, where a VPN’s server is flooded with login requests, which is also sometimes referred to as a ” brute force ” attack, the malicious agent may gain access to a company’s private network, through their repeated attempts to determine the password and log in. Fortunately, an SDP solution can also be leveraged here, since it helps detect failed login attempts and denies access accordingly.

Threat #5: Worms

Contrary to what the name of this threat might suggest, we aren’t referring to real-life worms exploiting your company’s network. Instead, the worms we’re talking about, propagate computers and replicate themselves in a worm-like way.

If one computer somehow gets infected with this pesky security risk, all it takes is a device joining the network for the entire network to become then infected. Moreover, since this vulnerability specifically targets a network, a VPN provides little to no protection.

Conclusion

At the end of the article, we can only hope that we’ve brought our readers up to speed regarding some of the most common security threats against which VPNs offer little to no protection. Fortunately, we’ve got SDP to bridge the gap and offer better security measures to enterprises globally!

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People at home can work online, use the Internet for education, homeschool their kids, communicate through videoconferencing, entertainment, and more.

More than ever, the Internet has been vital for many people to go through this pandemic. But at the same time, people are also beginning to wonder about the privacycritic, freedom of speech concerns, data security, censorship, etc.…  

COVID-19 Surveillance and Internet privacy.

The ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic has brought new surveillance and privacy concerns to the table from mobile users complaining that the Government is tracking mobiles to monitor movement to some cases of hijacked video conferencing session rooms.

Although personal data collection (such as movement and location) from third-parties or Government could help reduce the spread of the COVID-19, the mere invasion of privacy makes a lot of people upset. 

Aside from a noticeable lower Internet performance, the COVID-19 global pandemic has led to a series of impactful and suspicious maneuvers.

For example, NetBlocks, the digital rights and Internet governance agency, reported weird Internet outages in Wuhan during certain nights at the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Strange right? But that wasn’t all…

The Surf Shark VPN also reported that their infrastructure deployed in Iran faced a big connection dropoff of 50% after the pandemic was officially declared. And the Farsi version of Wikipedia was “blocked” in Iran for an entire day.

But Big Brother is not the only one to blame. Hackers, also at quarantine, also pose a big risk to data privacy. 

Now, Hackers Have a Wider Playground.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there are more people online than ever before. Also, more companies are shifting their entire business models to e-commerce to survive the epidemic.

This hyper-connected multitude of users is also attracting opportunistic, exploitative, and deceivers. 

For example, the usage of videoconferencing applications has exploded in the last couple of months. Work colleagues, friends, and family are using applications that allow large group calls. Although Zoom, the most popular video conferencing tool, guaranteed that their app uses end-to-end encryption you can more ideas through weneedprivacy, countries such as Taiwan have banned their government agencies from using the application for sensitive security matters.

More than ever, hackers are present everywhere, and they are smarter and more sophisticated.

For example, there have also been tons of accusations of government-backed hackers racing to spy and breach the Coronavirus vaccine research centers.

So, what can we do amid these uncertain times?

What To Do?

There are three things you can do to protect from internet privacy.

1. Update your systems. Your unpatched computer or smartphone is a gateway for hackers. There are tons of websites online where hackers meet to share vulnerabilities of systems. If you have been skipping that annoying update message, it is time to update all your Internet-connected equipment.
2. Use a VPS to connect remotely. Virtual Private Servers (VPSs) provide a higher level of privacy as compared with VPNs, which sometimes keep browsing logs. VPSs operate independently from your local internet provider, have the bandwidth, and work under a different location with flexible jurisdiction. VPSs also serve as online platforms to set up your VPN, create streaming media libraries, or download content.
3. Build up your suspicious skills. The web is filled up with misinformation, fake news, and phishing scams. Beware of what you click and check the source of information. Even Google collects data. If you are not comfortable by Google tracking your location information and history of searches, change the privacy settings on your Google account.
4. Check for SSL:
   During the Covid-19 situation, hackers are keeping an eye on internet users to make the victims of phishing scams. It is advisable to look for a secured padlock and https before visiting any website. It assures that the site is safe to browse as well they can do online transactions. Moreover, website owners should update their SSL certificate during such a situation to avoid any unwanted hacking situation for their customers. You can find many types of SSL certificates out here in the market like multi-domain, single domain, EV SSL, wildcard SSL certificate. If you are a newbie and you do not know which SSL certificate will be fit then, you can contact customer care of the cheapest SSL provider like Cheapsslshop. For example, if you have a website with unlimited subdomains, then a cheap wildcard SSL certificate would be fine security for a website.

The post The Internet Privacy Issues and How to Stay Safe During the COVID-19 appeared first on Techdee.