Computer Era

cyber security

Don’t Believe These Common VPN Myths

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A Virtual Private Technology (VPN) is a technology where the computer from long distance will connect the the remote server appearing as the local system. You might have been using the VPN to circumvent the Geo-restricted websites and content on the internet, or to remain anonymous online. The purposes might be different but the aim is the same, to provide security to the network connection and thereby the data on the computer that is prone to vulnerabilities. The following are the common VPN myths that are debunked to educate you.

common-vpn-myths

Myth 1: VPN is for do illegal activities online

This is one of the top most common VPN myths. The private networks are not actually used for accessing the restricted content on the web. The actual purpose is to encourage the security of the connection.

Myth 2: VPNs slowdown internet connection

It is of course another popular common VPN myth that people think the speed of the internet connection will be reduced due to the twisted server connection in between. Actually, the speed of the VPN depends on the speed pf the internet connection of the computer connecting. That means the VPN cannot over perform more than your internet speed. Another thing is that the location of the server that you are connecting.

Choose good and proper maintained servers to avoid the slowing down of connections. Not all connections to VPNs are slow.

Myth 3: Free VPN are enough for us

Free VPNs may be available for at no cost but are strictly restricted at speeds and other limitations like monthly usages. When you seriously want to use VPNs regularly, better pay for the premium servers and get the best of their performances.

Myth 4: All VPNs are same

Not all VPNs are the same. They don’t locate at one location, provide the same speed and performance. The core purpose of the VPNs are to provide the encrypted connections to the user. Not all VPNs use the same encryption mechanisms. Some may use weak ones and some the strongest of all.  Choose the best one wisely.

Myth 5: A VPN protects from threats online

Just because you are wearing the tight wool on the body doesn’t mean that you won’t catch the hypothermia due to the freezing ambience. The same way, just because you are using the secured encrypted connection doesn’t mean that you are safe from the online malware, phishing attacks, scams and threats. The connection is only the secured entity here. Your secured connection helps you not to bypass the communications over network. it doesn’t do the anti-virus software job.

Hope you have realised by now about the common VPN myths. Stay safe online!

Is Fingerprint Scanner Making Us More Vulnerable?

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The security of the smartphones has been taken to biological with the fingerprint scanner. The Apple iPhone started to have this feature but they are more secured than we could think. The recent rivalry of Apple with the FBI regarding the unlocking the phone to reveal the customer’s privacy in a case is well known for its consequences. That at least assures customer information privacy.

What about fingerprint scanner in Android smartphones?

Fingerprint-scanner-vulnerable-to-hack

I once happen to see a meme of a person boasting about his new phone’s fingerprint security feature and NSA recording his information for future criminal record verification purposes. It is obviously true that the national security agencies of the countries might be spying on the fingerprint scanner impressions of the smartphone users.

This spying might help us provide us more security but, what if it is taken into the hands of hackers. The hacker groups like Anonymous are known to be having the powerful hacking mechanisms including the super hardware and software that could trace any digital device connected to the internet in no time.

Android phones, as we know about of today’s are more feature rich and are grown powerful. The hardware improvement like the OIS cameras and fingerprint sensors, eyerish scanners are making them more lucrative at affordable prices.

The technology is a sword with two sided sharp edges. Those who use it wisely for good sake will be benefited and those who use it for bad sake will be more benefited hurting the good ones privacy and disturbing their lives. Be wise and be safe while using smartphones. Do not install unnecessary and unverified publisher applications on the device.

This article is not to scare you but to warn you once before using the extremities of today’s handful technologies. All the best and happy using fingerprint sensors safely on your smartphones.

Ransomware Attacks Alert; Be Conscious Online

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The Q1 of 2016 was found to be 14% more vulnerable to the hackers and hijackers. The random distribution of ransomware attacks on the internet have looted many computer users their money and data. The security stats shows that the hackers are more interested in the ransomware rather than the regular trojans.

How does this ransomware spread?

Ransomware appear to be the authentic software to solve your daily computer problems like optimisation, driver update, adware cleaning, threat removal and so on. These ransomware would actually appear flashing on the screen when we are visiting some class of websites like torrent and pirated software downloads.

The ransomware attacks actually happen like backstabbing. You won’t see it coming in which shape and name. Always be conscious while online.

What should you do to keep your data safe from ransomware attacks?

  • Never install a software or never get mislead by the fake ads that show the baiting bad status of your computer.
  • Install ad blockers on the browser that would stop loading the flashing graphics on the websites.
  • Always keep your anti-viruses update with latest virus definitions.
  • Keep cleaning the junk on your computer.
  • Always turn your firewall on.
  • Do frequent virus scans.
  • Do not look out for pirated software.
  • Be careful while downloading torrents.
  • Keep monitoring the usage stats of your internet speed.
  • Ransomware will not spread under the mat. They will act like authentic software initially.
  • Lookup for software’s reputation before installing on your computer.
  • Keep your important data synched to the cloud storage frequently.

and much more if you could.

Hope that helps!

IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad revealed Cyber Crime statistics in India

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govt it report

More than 8000 Indian websites hacked the first three months of 2016 according to the details Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad furnished to the Parliament today.

Below are the statistics mentioned in his written reply to the Lok Sabha.

Total cyber crimes including fishing malicious code, website intrusion, denial of serive, scanning, etc. occurred in the last four years.

2013 – 41,319 incidents
2014 – 44,679 incidents
2015 – 49,455 cases
2016 (till March) – 14,363 incidents

And statistics for the Indian website hacking incidents are below for the last four years.

2013 – 28,481 websites hacked
2014 – 32,323 sites hacked
2015 – 27,205 sites hacked
2016 (till March) – 8,056 sites hacked.

And the minister has also provided the statistics for the spam emails reported to the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In). Below are the details:

2013 – 54,677 spam emails
2014 – 85,659 spam emails
2015 – 61,628 spam emails
2016 (till March) – 13,851 spam emails.

Here you can read his statement.

“The National Cyber Security Policy is released for public use and implementation by relevant stakeholders. The objective of the policy is to create a framework for comprehensive, collaborative and collective response to deal with the issue of cyber security at all levels within the country,” he said.

Here in India, the vast majority of the cyber crimes will not be reported to any Govt. Agency. Myself, I don’t know where to report on cyber attacks, so we have to consider above statistics as the formality Govt., providing to the general public.

Govt. Should bring full awareness of cyber security and other precautions across the India, people using technology without having sufficient security knowledge. Govt. has to focus on that. Otherwise, unreported cyber crimes will increase at a faster pace.