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The Best VPN Service Providers Of 2020

There are now over a hundred VPN providers located across the world. To create this list of the best VPN service providers, I test customer service, the reliability of their network, and commitment to privacy.

How To Install Free Ad-Blocking Using AdGuard DNS

AdGuard DNS is a free Domain Name System service provided the AdGuard company. You can use this DNS service to block advertising and trackers. It works like this: when a website sends a request to an ad network, the DNS sends back a “null” response. For example, when a web page looks up the domain name “ads.facebook.com” the DNS will …

pCloud: A Cloud Provider That Offers Encrypted And Non-Encrypted Folders

pCloud is a secure cloud provider. The name is a bit unfortunate, but I’ve found their service to be reliable and well designed. pCloud is the first cloud storage provider to offer both encrypted and non-encrypted folders in the same account. The company explains why this makes sense: Although at first thought it is the most natural approach to just …

Three Hardware Wallets For Storing Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies

Here are three hardware wallets that can be used for the long term storage of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. These devices are separated from your computer — and thus virtually hacker proof. I recommend storing these wallets in a fireproof safe. For daily use, you can keep a small amount of bitcoins in a smartphone app like Breadwallet. I do …

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A Guide To Avoiding Ransomware (Part 1)

Ransomware is malicious software that allows a hacker to access an individual or company computer, encrypt your data resident on it and then demand some form of payment to decrypt it. This lets hackers hold your data hostage – and hence the term “ransom”. Victims can regain access to their files only by paying the ransom, or by restoring from a backup that was hopefully not on a network that was accessible to the compromised computer.

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The Best Web Browsers for Privacy and Security

Which Web browser should you use if you are concerned about privacy? From Tor Browser to commercial offerings like Comodo Dragon to a DIY approach, there are lots of options to choose from. Keep reading for an overview and tips on finding the best browser for privacy and security. There is no one-size-fits all solution for private Web browsing. Instead, …

PayPal Shuts Down Payments to UnoTelly Proxy Service

PayPal has blocked payments for a VPN provider, UnoTelly, in a move that could set a problematic precedent for other VPN and proxy services. UnoTelly reported on Feb. 4 that PayPal had begun blocking payments to the company. As a result, it said, customers can no longer use PayPal to purchase VPN access or other services from UnoTelly. UnoTelly, which …

Windows 10 May Monitor the Apps You Use

It’s no secret that Windows 10 collects lots of data about users. But a recent blog post by the company suggests that it might be tracking more information than previously thought, including which apps you have open. There are a number of settings you can change in Windows 10 to make it more private (or you can use a privacy …

Pros and Cons of Tor, VPNs, Proxies and More

Tor, VPNs, Web proxies and other strategies for circumventing censorship all come with pros and cons. Here’s a list of the advantages and disadvantages of various methods for accessing blocked websites. Tor Pros: Free of cost. Difficult for censorship authorities to block. Relatively easy to install if using the Tor browser. Cons: Usually only works for Web browser, not other …

AT&T GigaPower Aggressively Tracks Users Online

How much is online privacy worth? $29 per month, according to AT&T, which is offering new ultra-fast Internet service called GigaPower that aggressively tracks users’ browsing activity unless they pay extra. GigaPower, which is currently available only in select United States cities, provides gigabit-speed bandwidth for residential customers. AT&T is offering the service to compete with Google Fiber, which delivers …

Australia’s New Internet Censorship Law Will Be Tested

A legal demand is testing Internet censorship policies for the first time in Australia, where an Internet service provider, or ISP, has been threatened with a lawsuit if it does not block online content. The case centers on a website owned by an Australian construction company. Another construction company says the site infringes its copyright. It hired a legal firm …

British Draft Law Threatens Data Encryption and Privacy

Britain — the country that made path-breaking advances in data encryption during World War II — could weaken modern Internet encryption within its own borders as part of a new Internet data regulation bill that is currently under consideration. The legislation, the Draft Communications Data Bill, doesn’t focus on data encryption exclusively. It is a general proposal that would provide …

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Mobile Companies Still Track Users with Location Services Disabled

Most people think that turning off location services on iOS or Android phones will prevent tracking of their location. It doesn’t. Here’s how companies and hackers can still track you. Virtually all modern mobile phones provide settings that let users turn off location services. On Android, you can disable the location reporting and location history features. iPhones offer a similar …

Forrester Report Says Online Privacy is Matters More than Ever

Online privacy will be a defining factor in businesses’ success and failure in 2016. That’s according to new findings from Forrester Research, which says Internet privacy has become more important than ever to consumers. “In 2016, privacy strategy can no longer merely focus on aligning with compliance requirements,” one Forrester representative wrote in summarizing the findings of a recent privacy …