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Explore how to use a VPN for enhanced online security and privacy using step-by-step instructions.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a technology that establishes a secure and encrypted connection between your device and the internet. It creates a private network over a public network, such as the internet, allowing you to browse the web securely and privately.
A VPN’s increased online security is one of its main benefits. Your internet traffic is rendered unreadable to potential hackers and cybercriminals when encryption is used, keeping your important information safe. Furthermore, VPNs are essential for protecting your privacy. They make it difficult for websites, online services and advertisers to track your online activities or collect personal information by disguising your real internet protocol (IP) address, giving you a new one from the VPN server. This measure protects your browsing history and stops targeted adverts.
Additionally, VPNs enable you to get around geographic restrictions imposed by specific websites or streaming services. You can access content that might be forbidden or restricted in your area by connecting to a server in another nation. This is especially helpful for tourists or people who live in countries with tight internet control. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a VPN:
Choose a reliable VPN service provider with a proven track record of privacy protection. To select a supplier that meets your needs, do some research and comparison-shopping.
Sign up for a subscription with your preferred VPN service and download the client. Install the VPN client software on your device after subscribing. Most VPN services provide clients for different operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
Find the VPN software icon on your device, whether on your desktop, taskbar or in the apps folder, and click on it to launch the VPN application. The software’s primary interface will appear when you double-click the VPN application icon to launch it. You might have to input your login information to access the VPN service, depending on the provider.
Once logged in, you can adjust your settings and preferences to suit your needs. This can entail configuring additional security features or picking a server location from a menu of choices. By selecting the “Connect” or “Start” button after making the required modifications, you can create a secure VPN connection. The VPN software will then establish a connection with the chosen server, encrypting your internet traffic and providing you with online security and privacy.
Why use a VPN? ️
— WheelVPN (@WheelVPN) May 11, 2023
Safeguard your online privacy by encrypting your internet traffic.
Bypass geographic restrictions and access content unavailable in your region.
Protect you from cyber attacks such as phishing scams, malware, and ransomware. #VPN #privacy #security pic.twitter.com/cUeNbyrpDP
You usually have the opportunity to select a server location after checking in. Pick a server from the list of available servers. Your selected location usually impacts internet speed and the websites or services you access. Choose a server location based on your unique requirements, such as getting around geo-restrictions or maximizing speed.
To connect to your chosen server, click the “Connect” button in the VPN application. Your device and the VPN server will connect in an encrypted and safe manner, thanks to the application.
The VPN application will display a notification or indicator letting you know you are connected to the VPN server. Additionally, to confirm your IP address, visit a website like “whatismyip.com.”
Explore the settings within the VPN application to customize your experience. You may find options to enable features like an automatic connection on startup; a kill switch, which terminates your internet connection if the VPN connection drops; or split tunneling, which allows you to route specific traffic outside of the VPN.
Related: What is a supernet, and how does it work?
You may now browse the internet, use programs and access online services confidently because your data is encrypted and your online actions are confidential, thanks to the VPN connection. To stop others from seeing your online activities, a VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic.
To disconnect from the VPN server when it is no longer necessary, click the “Disconnect” option in the VPN application. Simply open the VPN client again and select “Connect” if you need to reconnect.
VPN providers frequently release updates to address any security vulnerabilities or weaknesses that may have been discovered. Updating your VPN software ensures you have the latest security patches installed, reducing the risk of unauthorized access to your data or network.
Related: Decentralized network develops solution in support of a free and open internet
The fusion of blockchain and VPN technology has the potential to provide a potent synergy in the rapidly changing digital ecosystem, where privacy and security concerns are at the forefront. Blockchains are decentralized and immutable ledgers that ensure transparency and trust. In contrast, VPNs give internet users a safe and private connection.
2️⃣ Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): Encrypt your internet traffic and protect your identity with a VPN. It's crucial when accessing blockchain networks or making transactions, especially on public Wi-Fi.#BlockchainSecurity #CryptoProtection #Cybersecurity #cybersecuritytips
— Crypto Clarity (@CryptoClarity5) May 11, 2023
Users can improve online privacy and security by combining VPN technology with blockchain. While blockchain offers a decentralized network that adds additional protection and immutability, VPNs encrypt internet communication, rendering it unreadable to prying eyes. Through this combination, people can browse the internet safely and anonymously while taking advantage of blockchain technology in a stable environment.
Blockchain-based VPNs can also address issues with transparency and trust. Using blockchain, VPN companies could offer verifiable records and smart contracts, ensuring user privacy and data protection. However, traditional VPN providers may raise concerns about logging practices or data handling.
Additionally, centralized VPN servers may be replaced by the blockchain’s decentralized structure, which lowers the possibility of single points of failure or data breaches. Users have the option of connecting to a distributed network of VPN nodes, guaranteeing that their communication is securely routed across a variety of servers.
However, challenges such as scalability and performance need to be addressed when integrating VPN with blockchain. Blockchain’s consensus mechanisms can introduce latency, affecting VPN connection speeds. Efficient protocols and optimization strategies must be implemented to maintain a seamless user experience.
Strategies like using strong passwords, enabling 2FA, avoiding phishing, using VPNs, keeping software up-to-date and using reputable antivirus may help one against online fraud.
In today’s digital age, protecting one’s identity online is more crucial than ever. The internet has facilitated communication and information sharing between people, but it has also facilitated identity theft and the theft of personal data by hackers. This article will go through some practical strategies for protecting your online identity.
The first step in securing one’s online identity is to use strong, one-of-a-kind passwords. A strong password should be at least eight characters long and include a variety of symbols, numbers, upper- and lower-case letters, and other characters.
#WorldPasswordDay reminder: Protect your accounts, and the sensitive information they contain, by using strong and unique passwords for each account.
— Brave Software (@brave) May 4, 2023
The easiest way to do that is by getting a password manager. Read more about them here: https://t.co/JohXFCLLNl pic.twitter.com/PnlMf6Cr7v
Don’t use terms and phrases that are widely used and simple to guess, such as “password” or “123456.” Likewise, refrain from using the same password across other accounts. All of your other accounts could be compromised if hackers get access to your common password.
By requiring a special code in addition to a password, two-factor authentication (2FA) gives an account an additional layer of security. This code is produced by an application, distributed over SMS or email, and is only functional for a brief time. Without the special code, a hacker won’t be able to access the account, even if they know the user’s password. Any account that holds sensitive data should employ 2FA, and there are several types of 2FA available, including hardware-based, app-based and SMS-based.
Related: How to mitigate the security risks associated with crypto payments
SMS-based 2FA sends a unique code to a user’s mobile device via text message. App-based 2FA requires the user to download an app that generates a unique code. Hardware-based 2FA uses a physical device, such as a USB key or smart card, to generate the unique code.
Cybercriminals frequently use phishing scams to acquire personal information and endanger users’ online identities. Users should be cautious of suspicious emails, confirm the sender’s identity, avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments, use anti-phishing software, and turn on multi-factor authentication to secure their online identities.
By implementing these safety measures and being wary of any unexpected emails that request personal information or contain strange attachments or links, users may stay safe online.
Using a virtual private network is an effective way to protect online identity. A VPN makes it more difficult for anyone to intercept or see a user’s online activities by encrypting their internet traffic and routing it through a distant server. When accessing public WiFi networks, which are susceptible to hacking and eavesdropping, a VPN is extremely crucial.
With a VPN, users can ensure that their online activity remains private and secure. Users should pick a trusted provider with a strict privacy policy and consistent performance among the various VPN services that are readily available.
Outdated software may have security flaws that hackers can use to access a user’s device or personal data without authorization. Security patches that fix known vulnerabilities and enhance overall security are frequently included in software upgrades.
Therefore, users should frequently check for and apply software updates for their operating systems, online browsers and mobile apps on all of their devices. Additionally, it’s critical to avoid running outdated or unsupported software, which may not be receiving security updates, and to only obtain software from reliable sources.
Related: 17 biggest crypto heists of all time
Using a reliable antivirus program is a crucial first step in online identity protection. Malware, spyware and other forms of dangerous software that can jeopardize a user’s online security can be found and eliminated by antivirus software. Additionally, it can offer real-time protection against new and developing risks and aid in the defense against phishing schemes and other types of cyberattacks.
The antivirus software should be chosen by users from a reliable vendor, and users should keep it updated with the newest virus definitions and security fixes. Additionally, it’s critical to routinely check devices for malware and unusual activity and to eliminate any risks that are found.
A researcher at the Ethereum Foundation said he had “internally” discovered that staking Ether reveals a user's IP address information.
A researcher at the Ethereum Foundation (EF) revealed that the IP addresses of Ether (ETH) stakers are monitored as part of a broader set of metadata, causing the cryptocurrency community to flag Ethereum for privacy concerns.
In an April 12 interview on the crypto podcast Bankless, EF researcher Justin Drake revealed that he learned this information “internally” — presumably at EF.
The metadata Drake referred to is used to track a wide range of things, he explained:
“There’s a lot of metadata, you can look at deposit addresses, you can look at withdrawal addresses, you can look at fee recipients, you can look at IP addresses.”
Drake’s comments appeared to have taken Bankless host Ryan Sean Adams by surprise.
Ethereum = 1984 chain
— Pledditor (@Pledditor) April 13, 2023
Justin Drake, who works as the "Researcher" at the Ethereum Foundation, said today that when you stake your ETH, you can be tracked via IP address.
He says he knows information "internally" that such databases exist. pic.twitter.com/2V6DvTobL3
“So it’s a fairly Sybil resistant dataset of your most involved Ethereum citizens?” Adams asked.
“Exactly,” Drake responded.
The conversation was initiated when Drake predicted that “special airdrops” may become available for solo stakers — but not the industry heavyweights:
“Then you can identify, okay, we know who Kraken is, we know who Coinbase is, and we can just not give them an airdrop if the purpose of the airdrop is to airdrop to specific individuals that are running solo validators.”
The conversation caused a stir on Crypto Twitter.
Related: Crypto privacy is in greater jeopardy than ever before — here's why
One Twitter user referred to Ether as the “real surveillance coin,” while another mocked Drake by sarcastically rehashing him: “We can stop censorship by censoring those we don’t like.”
Another described the situation as “central governance to a T.”
To resolve the privacy concerns, one Twitter user suggested Ethereum users take on-chain privacy responsibilities into their own hands by installing a Linux operating system, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and storing cryptoassets on a hardware wallet such as Ledger:
DeFi security setup:
— DeFi Crypto Vaults (@DefiVaults) April 13, 2023
- Linux system
- VPN 24/7
- Ledger (hardware wallet)
Protect yourselves from data mining and scams
Am I missing anything? https://t.co/X2YrGwpbdx
It isn’t the first privacy-related statement to have caused a stir in the crypto community either.
ConsenSys, the team behind Ethereum wallet Metamask began collecting IP addresses in November. The policy amendment was made to ensure that the firm could comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) where necessary.
Cointelegraph contacted Drake and the Ethereum Foundation for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
Magazine: ‘Account abstraction’ supercharges Ethereum wallets: Dummies guide
The firms were cited anonymously in the CFTC’s complaint describing Binance’s alleged facilitation of U.S. clients.
Trading firms Jane Street Group, Tower Research Capital and Radix Trading have been reportedly identified as Binance’s three “VIP” clients that were anonymously cited in the recent lawsuit filed against Binance by the United States commodities regulator.
According to an April 5 Bloomberg report citing “people familiar with the matter,” Radix Trading is “Trading Firm A” as described in the Commodities Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) suit, while Jane Street was “Trading Firm B” and Tower Research was “Trading Firm C.”
The firms on the CFTC’s list were examples of U.S. clients allegedly able to access Binance.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) first reported on March 28 that Radix Trading was “Trading Firm A.”
Radix co-founder Benjamin Blander told the WSJ in a March 30 report that he believed the firm acted legally even when trading with Binance’s offshore entity.
The claimed “VIP” treatment from Binance included lower transaction fees and faster trading services, the CFTC said in the filing. The firms provided Binance with liquidity on the exchange, and Binance gained the corresponding trading fee revenues.
Today the CFTC charged Binance and its founder, Changpeng Zhao, with willful evasion of federal law and operating an illegal digital asset derivatives exchange. Learn more: https://t.co/DdczFgvW6A
— CFTC (@CFTC) March 27, 2023
It was part of a strategy that “actively facilitated violations of U.S. law” by helping U.S. trading firms evade Know Your Customer compliance standards, among other things, the CFTC alleged.
Binance allegedly enabled Radix to sidestep compliance controls by providing them information on accessing Binance.com through a virtual private network to obscure its IP address.
Related: Dubai regulator demands Binance provide info on ownership, governance: Report
The CFTC claimed the trading violations to have come about as Binance prioritized “commercial success over compliance with U.S. law.”
However, Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao vehemently denied the claims of compliance and market manipulation violations in a follow-up post on March 28.
CZ’s Response to the CFTC Complainthttps://t.co/iIoDR70IT9
— Binance (@binance) March 27, 2023
Magazine: US enforcement agencies are turning up the heat on crypto-related crime
The judge overseeing Sam Bankman-Fried’s fraud case wants some help navigating the world of encrypted messaging, privacy apps, and virtual private networks.
Attorneys working on behalf of former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried have agreed to pay for a security expert to assist the federal judge overseeing his fraud case in navigating modern encryption technology to aid in possibly modifying Bankman-Fried's bail terms.
Bankman-Fried lawyers Christian Everdell and Mark Cohen sent a letter to Judge Lewis Kaplan on Feb. 21 agreeing with his proposal for a technical professional to aid him.
According to the letter, “the defense has already begun researching and contacting possible experts and anticipates being able to propose one or more potential candidates to the court by the end of the week.”
NEW: Just filed today, the defense expects to propose one or more potential candidates to act as an independent technical expert to advise the court on @SBF_FTX's bail conditions by the end of the week. pic.twitter.com/WfkF5frBAn
— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) February 21, 2023
Judge Kaplan suggested at a bail hearing last week following a tightening of bail terms when it was discovered that Bankman-Fried had been accessing the internet using a VPN (virtual private network).
A VPN obscures and encrypts a user’s internet traffic and is often used to change internet (IP) addresses, to add a layer of security to communications or to access censored content in autocratic regimes.
The judge has been trying to achieve a balance between letting Bankman-Fried access communication channels to prepare his defense and the potential misuse of messaging apps and privacy software.
Judge Kaplan temporarily banned Bankman-Fried from using a VPN or any encrypted messaging apps until his bail terms are settled.
Related: Sam Bankman-Fried may no longer be allowed to play League of Legends
The technical expert will help the judge navigate issues regarding encrypted messages, privacy-focused messaging apps and VPNs.
Bankman-Fried and his attorneys claim he used the VPN on two occasions, to watch the NFL playoffs on Jan. 29 and to watch the Super Bowl on Feb. 12.
Prosecutors have asked for strict bail terms limiting Bankman-Fried’s access to the internet and messaging platforms. They also alleged that VPN use “raised several potential concerns” regarding thepotential access of crypto platforms that have blocked United States users.