2019-01-03 22:00
VPN services are used to make your internet connection more secure. But this doesn’t mean VPN connections cannot be decrypted. If the people spying on you have all the right resources… Read More
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Privacy News Online Blog
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Online Privacy blog by Private Internet Access VPN. Learn how an anonymous VPN can help protect you and your family along with other top tech news and info.
2019-01-02 22:02
You just spoke to your family about how you need a new juicer. When you go online, you see ads for juicers everywhere. And you didn’t even search for a juicer online! Somehow, your con… Read More
2019-01-02 17:00
Complacency or a sense of immunity started to catch up with the NSA in the early 1960s when US Army Captain Christopher Pyle, assigned to intelligence duties, learns that the US Army intelli… Read More
2018-12-29 17:00
Almost $1 billion of cryptocurrency has been stolen by hackers and thieves in 2018 alone. It’s enough to make you think that bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies aren’t safe. But t… Read More
2018-12-29 17:00
Smart speakers and the Internet of Things are undoubtedly impressive considered purely as technology. That may explain why they are increasingly popular. But as this blog has pointed out a n… Read More
2018-12-28 22:00
The National Security Agency (NSA), hides in the shadows and sleeps with one eye open like the “Eye of Providence” on the US $1 dollar bill. Why? That is after-all, their jo… Read More
2018-12-28 18:00
It is important to always keep your operating system update in order to keep it running properly. Here is how you can update Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista installations. Open Window… Read More
2018-12-27 22:00
The use of cloud storage is growing at a very significant rate. Cloud storage is predicted to be the most widely used option by 2020 due to many factors including accessibility and affordabi… Read More
2018-12-27 20:00
It’s important to keep your Windows installation updated, even older systems. Here is how to update Windows XP, 2000, ME and 98: Open Windows Start menu. Open the Control Panel. Click… Read More
2018-12-26 20:00
How to manually check for Windows 10 Updates 1. Open Windows Start menu. 2. Click or tap the Settings icon. 3. Click or tap Update & Security. 4. Click or tap the Check for update… Read More
2018-12-26 17:00
What is Windows Update? Windows Update is a free service provided by Microsoft for Windows operating systems. It maintains updates for Windows operating systems like service packs and patche… Read More
2018-12-23 18:00
A VoIP VPN secures your video and voice calls by encrypting them, saves you money, and gives you the freedom to communicate from anywhere in the world. What is VoIP? Voice over Internet Prot… Read More
2018-12-22 18:00
When you use the Internet, your data can be collected by the websites you visit, ISPs, governments, advertisers, intruders, and more. One of the easiest and most affordable ways to prot… Read More
2018-12-22 17:00
Facial recognition is hardly new – Privacy News Online has been writing about the topic for years now. But it is becoming more and more the norm, as some recent news shows. For example… Read More
2018-12-22 00:36
On December 21st, 2018, India expanded its governmental spying powers to an unprecedented level – granting ten new agencies the government writ to “intercept, monitor, and decryp… Read More
2018-12-21 18:00
Google Chrome stores information from websites you visit in its cache and cookies and logs your web history. Clearing your cache, cookies and web history in Google Chrome can fix certain pro… Read More
2018-12-21 17:00
In a world where a constant flow of breaches are in the news, it’s important to stay on top of compromised accounts for cloud services and respond quickly. Even more so for an organiza… Read More
2018-12-20 22:00
Almost all of us are guilty of oversharing on the internet to some degree. Between geo-marked photos, statuses containing personal details about our lives, and Facebook’s “check… Read More
2018-12-20 20:00
Try buying cryptocurrency online in the United States, and you’ll be bombarded with requests for identification. The major crypto exchanges, like Coinbase and Gemini, adhere to strict… Read More
2018-12-19 20:00
One thing we all have in common is that we don’t like to memorize a multitude of different passwords for all of our online accounts. It’s not easy to remember multiple passwords… Read More
2018-12-19 17:00
The Internet is trending toward a highly isolated place that is under constant surveillance. Firstly, we should talk about why these are problems, and then potential solutions. Taken alone… Read More
2018-12-18 20:00
Research Local Laws It’s important to know the local laws regarding internet usage, and what content may be censored. For example, if you’re travelling to China, you should know… Read More
2018-12-18 19:00
There are a lot of browser extensions that can improve your privacy while you surf the web. This guide takes a look at some of the most popular browser extensions that can protect your priva… Read More
2018-12-17 22:00
You want to search for the movie show timings on the local movie website and as soon as you open the site, you see a popup that says it wants to know your location. And it’s not just t… Read More
2018-12-17 21:00
Clicking on an unknown link is something that can happen to anyone, despite their best intentions. While we all known not to click on suspicious links, it’s still something even the be… Read More
2018-12-17 20:00
You may have heard of TCP and UDP when setting up a router, configuring firewall software, or looking through VPN features. But what is the difference between TCP and UDP? In order to unders… Read More
2018-12-17 00:58
Open a browser to https://www.mirror.co.uk. If you haven’t clicked on it already, you’ll see a cookie notice that says, We use cookies to help our site work, to understand h… Read More
2018-12-16 22:00
Some people like to travel for leisure and others need to travel for work. And while traveling gives you new experiences, there is something it takes away – being in touch with the loc… Read More
2018-12-16 20:00
You might have heard of port forwarding and its use in networking and VPN services. What exactly is port forwarding and why is it done? Let’s take a look. What is port forwarding? Port… Read More
2018-12-16 17:00
If you want to stay safe online, you need multiple layers of security. Your antivirus is just one layer – it protects your Windows PC against viruses. However, when you connect to the… Read More
2018-12-15 22:00
Privacy News Online has published a number of stories about privacy problems with Facebook. But what the company’s top management really thinks about the personal information it holds… Read More
2018-12-15 22:00
Tor and VPN – Two tools that will protect your online privacy. While they are used for the same purpose, they function in entirely different ways. Neither of them is “simply bett… Read More
2018-12-15 20:00
Your phone knows a lot of your secrets. From your business secrets to your current crush – all the little tidbits you don’t want anyone else to know. So when the time comes to se… Read More
2018-12-15 17:00
If you are not a big shot hacker but want to hack into people’s accounts, the easiest way to do it is through phishing. But phishing doesn’t work on someone who won’t open… Read More
2018-12-14 22:00
Working on a Mac is super easy. There are no drivers and no fussy installation processes. There are several reasons why people buy Apple devices. They may cost more initially, but their valu… Read More
2018-12-14 21:00
Most browsers will save your passwords to make things easier for you. Checking your Facebook feed? No need to enter the credentials every time you log in. Your username and password will aut… Read More
2018-12-14 20:08
CenturyLink, the United States’s fifth largest ISP is forcing their users to view ads using a combination of DNS Hijacking and blocking of internet access. For months now, Utah Reddito… Read More
2018-12-14 20:00
What is an IP address? I’m sure you’ve heard of IP (Internet Protocol) Address. It’s the little sequence of numbers that is essentially your computers “address”… Read More
2018-12-14 20:00
Even as someone who works in blockchain every single day, I admit it’s tricky to communicate. So if the subject of bitcoin or blockchain comes up this holiday season, here’s an e… Read More
2018-12-13 22:00
Everyone loves free stuff, but when it comes to a virtual private network (VPN), can you trust that a free VPN will keep your data safe and secure? On this page, we compare free VPNs vs. pai… Read More
2018-12-13 20:00
You’re getting a decent speed on the internet but as soon as you start torrenting, the speeds drop down to almost nothing. Has it ever happened to you? It’s called throttling and… Read More
2018-12-13 17:00
Linux – the technically superior operating system. It is open source, powerful, and gives you a lot of space to tinker around. Linux is preferred for many reasons and security is one o… Read More
2018-12-12 20:00
Many experts agree that Windows is the most vulnerable operating system on the market. While Windows might not be the best when it comes to security, it still dominates the desktop market wi… Read More
2018-12-12 17:00
While every operating system manufacturer spends a lot of time and money in adding security features to their product, there are still some vulnerabilities and loopholes that are left behind… Read More
2018-12-12 17:00
Bruce Schneier famously popularized the concept of “security theater” in his 2003 book Beyond Fear. The concept of security theater explains how various nations will engage in &l&hell…Read More
2018-12-11 22:00
If you have an iPhone or an iPad, you’re lucky because iOS devices are considered pretty safe. While there are fewer chances of malware entering your device, your data is still at risk… Read More
2018-12-11 20:00
Virtual machines let you install another operating system within your own operating system. If you want to play around with your computer and enjoy two operating systems in one device, a vir… Read More
2018-12-11 17:00
You probably use your Android phone for many purposes. Whether it’s checking email, browsing the internet, or shopping online, you use your phone for almost everything and it has becom… Read More
2018-12-10 22:00
Most hackers don’t exactly leave a calling card. For obvious reasons, it is in their best interest if you have no idea that anything is wrong with your system. Malware is designed to b… Read More
2018-12-10 20:00
If you have ever used a VPN, you’d know that sometimes the connection can drop unexpectedly. No matter how reliable a service is, there are always chances for the speeds to go low or t… Read More
2018-12-10 15:55
If your VPN isn’t running at the maximum speed, don’t worry. It just might be a minor issue that can be resolved at your end. There are some small tweaks that you can make to get… Read More
2018-12-09 22:00
Most people are happy to use a credit card or their PayPal account to pay for their VPN. However, there are some users who require maximum anonymity. Paying for these types of services with… Read More
2018-12-09 20:00
If the Backup and Sync settings on your Android phone are turned on, your photos will automatically be uploaded to Google Photos. What is Google Photos? It’s a cloud system that… Read More
2018-12-09 20:00
On Thursday, the Australian government passed a controversial new law that would allow law enforcement and government agencies to demand access to encrypted communications. Under the n… Read More
2018-12-09 17:00
You might have heard of terms like static, dynamic, dedicated and shared IP addresses. Let’s discuss what these terms mean. First of all, what is an IP address? IP (Internet Pro… Read More
2018-12-08 22:00
I looked for a nice wallet for my husband’s birthday but then decided to buy it later. An hour later, I’m showing him something on a blog and that same wallet is in the adverts… Read More
2018-12-08 20:00
What is Email Security? Email security is a term which describes collective techniques used to secure access to an email account and information contained in email messages. Email security i… Read More
2018-12-08 20:00
A couple of months ago, this blog noted how modern vehicles are constantly producing large quantities of data, which has important implications for privacy. An Associated Press article publi… Read More
2018-12-08 17:00
If you are anything like millions of other mobile device users, you probably spend most of your time using apps. Recent studies have shown that, on average, we spend a little over three hour… Read More
2018-12-07 20:00
Since 2017, Australian lawmakers have sought to read your encrypted messages on services such as WhatsApp – and now their wish has been granted. As of Thursday the 6th of December… Read More
2018-12-07 18:00
For the first time ever, the US government has added two bitcoin addresses to an official list of sanctions. The addresses are now publicly linked to their owners and it is illegal for any U… Read More
2018-12-07 17:00
If you’re seeing popup ads on your computer, it might be infected by adware. While adware makes computer painfully slow with annoying ads, it can also contain spyware to track down you… Read More
2018-12-07 17:00
Did you know that your 4G LTE phone has a vulnerability that can let hackers intercept your texts, calls, and get to know your location? A pretty scary situation, right? This can happen with… Read More
2018-12-06 22:00
Windows 10 is the latest operating system offering from Microsoft. It has cloud backup capabilities and many people have privacy concerns over this. While Microsoft allows cloud syncing acro… Read More
2018-12-06 20:00
A firewall is software or hardware that uses predetermined rules to monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic. A firewall acts like a barrier of security between networks, such as an int… Read More
2018-12-06 17:00
Modern day laptops come with integrated webcams. And they’re amazing, aren’t they? They make videos calling so much easier. There’s no need to attach a separate webcam to t… Read More
2018-12-06 02:02
The first comment in response to Privacy is Personal was this tweet by @raouf777: It is also a fundamental right, not a privilege to be bestowed on anyone. The individual shou… Read More
2018-12-05 22:00
What is HTTPS? Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is the secure version of the standard Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) originally created in 1994 for the Netscape Navigator web b… Read More
2018-12-05 20:00
If you’re a traveler by heart, I’m sure you have already heard of VPNs. These nifty little software tools can offer you several advantages when it comes to travel. Let’s se… Read More
2018-12-05 17:00
Governments in the 5 eyes surveillance alliance have been relentlessly lobbying for the power to force companies to back door their encrypted data. Every year, a new proposal comes through w… Read More
2018-12-05 17:00
Without a strong passcode, everything on your mobile device is accessible by anyone. That includes thieves, random co-workers, and local law enforcement officers and the FBI. Even if you onl… Read More
2018-12-04 22:00
When something goes up on the internet, it’s almost permanent. Your data lies with so many people –your clients, partners, and other parties. Even when you stop taking services f… Read More
2018-12-04 20:00
A good VPN will allow you to connect to multiple devices (generally 3-5) on a single license. But any typical family will have at least 6-10 devices that use the internet. To secure all your… Read More
2018-12-04 17:00
Facebook – a world where everyone is happy and successful and the pressure to show off your personal successes is just too overwhelming. But that’s not the only reason to leave i… Read More
2018-12-04 15:00
On December 3rd, 2018, the infamous Question and Answer site, Quora announced that the private messages and account information from around 100 million users was exposed by a “maliciou… Read More
2018-12-03 22:00
About the only two instances I heard of users wanting to close their skype accounts were (a) when one person’s mother died (b) when the person’s account was hacked. Otherwise, si… Read More
2018-12-03 20:00
If you’re annoyed by Instagram stalkers, imagine when someone takes stalking to another level. They can see your usernames and passwords, what you chat with others, the emails you send… Read More
2018-12-03 17:00
Every day, we do so many activities on our browsers – online shopping, social media, streaming music and movies, and so much more. And every step you take gives advertisers another clu… Read More
2018-12-03 06:03
Sky Brasil, one of Brazil’s largest internet service providers (ISP) has exposed private information on all 32 million of its users. This leak was discovered by Brazilian independent r… Read More
2018-12-02 22:00
You might have heard about WebRTC in the VPN space, and not in the good sense. Privacy experts often talk about disabling WebRTC. What is WebRTC and what does it do? WebRTC or Web Rea… Read More
2018-12-02 20:00
Whether you want your daily dose of cute cat videos or a step-by-step video guide for a software installation, YouTube is your go-to place. With almost 5 billion videos being watched every d… Read More
2018-12-02 17:00
Adware is software that displays advertisements, directs your browser to advertising websites, and collects information about your browsing habits so that advertisements can be shown to you… Read More
2018-12-01 22:00
You’re looking for privacy services. And privacy services, whether online or in real life, are all about trust. If you think someone’s shady, you wouldn’t want them to guar… Read More
2018-12-01 20:00
Spyware or spying software is something that keeps a track of your activities and informs someone about what you’ve been doing. While it may sound very James Bond like, it’s not… Read More
2018-12-01 18:00
Eighteen months ago, Privacy News Online wrote about how pervasive corporate surveillance is threatening the privacy of everyone who uses the Internet. Nearly every move people make online i… Read More
2018-12-01 17:00
In my last post, I explained how bitcoin isn’t as anonymous as you might think. Every bitcoin transaction is completely transparent and visible on the blockchain. If I know your public… Read More
2018-11-30 22:00
If you visit the Private Internet Access website, you’ll notice there are VPN apps for platforms such as Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and others. And then there are also some browser pl… Read More
2018-11-30 22:00
You can’t get more private than I am right now: in a locked room, alone, unconnected to anything. Privacy is personal. It’s not a service provided by somebody else. It’s no… Read More
2018-11-30 20:00
You might enjoy watching your smart TV, but what if your smart TV is watching you back? And it’s not just about tracking what you watch. Your TV might actually be listening to your con… Read More
2018-11-28 22:00
Being a parent isn’t easy. You need to make sure your kids are always safe and don’t land into any trouble. It’s hard enough in the real world and becomes even more difficu… Read More
2018-11-28 20:00
Ever got an email from a Nigerian prince who’s got billions in inheritance but he needs your help to get his money back? Yep, that’s a phishing scam. Phishing is a cybercrime tha… Read More
2018-11-28 17:00
The German Federal Cyberintelligence Agency BSI has released a report (PDF warning) (sections 1.2 and later are in English) that details the myriad ways that Windows 10 tracks users, and sho… Read More
2018-11-27 22:00
Ever got the creepy feeling that you’re being followed? You might not be entirely wrong. When you surf the internet, there are several entities that keep a track of your details, inclu… Read More
2018-11-27 20:00
If you’ve been on the internet for some time, you must have heard of the terms public and private keys. More specifically, if you’ve talked about or used cryptocurrencies, you al… Read More
2018-11-27 17:00
When you don’t want your wife to know about the, er… objectionable websites you view, incognito browsing mode is the right tool for you. Don’t want your browser to remembe… Read More
2018-11-27 17:00
Encryption is a pretty simple concept to understand, however, since it’s thrown around a lot in the online privacy space, some people might think it’s something that can only be… Read More
2018-11-26 22:00
Whether you’re a journalist trying to send private information, a businessperson sharing some confidential corporate details, or having an affair behind your spouse’s back, OTR (… Read More
2018-11-26 18:00
Many people report strange targeted adverts showing up after a specific conversation with someone. The general consensus is that our mobile devices and smart tech is monitoring us, which is… Read More
2018-11-26 17:00
Keyloggers – those pesky pieces of malware that track whatever you do on your device. They log all keystrokes you make and can record everything – from the websites you visit to… Read More
2018-11-25 22:00
Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) is a pretty good way to encrypt your files and emails. It works on the public key-private key method. Let’s say you have a mailbox in your home. Anybody… Read More
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