A Virtual Private Network is a popular service used for many reasons. The most common reason why a person would add this service to their desktop computer or smart device is to boost their security and allow them to connect to the web without using their real IP address.
However, running a good VPN service on your device that connects to the internet has more advantages than just security. For example, many websites and applications use geo-blocking technology so you can’t access them from certain regions. When you run a decent VPN you should be able to access these blocked sites from any region because you can choose the location of the server.
You may find searching for a VPN might be a bit overwhelming. Especially if you are new to VPNs, you might want to give a VPN a trial run. Many packages available offer you a free trial with their VPNs before you purchase the full version. Visit fortunelords.com to find out what are the best free VPNs on the market.
Improves Your Security
Cyber attacks have become a common problem that internet users face daily. If we connect to the internet without using a good VPN service we are making it easy for anyone to find out our device's IP address.
When you run a VPN on your device the computer or phone will assume you are in a different location. The VPN will provide the device with a new IP address from the VPN service you are using. The location won’t be in the same area you are in, which makes you hidden from cybercriminals.
Just because you are using a VPN doesn’t mean your device is completely safe from cyber attacks, however, it will make it much harder for a hacker to try and gain access to your sensitive data. It seems like cybercrime is rising each year, and if you were to lose personal data, like banking details or passwords to your social media accounts and emails, it can cause a financial and personal disaster.
Protect Your Device While Using Public WiFi
Most of us connect our smart devices to public WiFi at some stage. It seems like most businesses these days offer WiFi service to their customers. However, connecting to a public network, even if it is secure, is prone to people falling victim to a cyberattack.
It is very easy, even for a beginner hacker to access the data that you are sending and receiving to a server on a public, unencrypted network. Hackers can easily download, easy to use software that allows them to ‘’listen in’’ to WiFi traffic. If you are one of these unlucky victims, the hacker will be able to watch your every move online, including everything that you type. If you are entering in credit card details or other private information the damage could be very costly. Not only that, but your sensitive data such as family pictures, private work documents, and other confidential documents are all vulnerable.
Purchasing a reliable VPN will help you avoid this nasty situation. When you connect to a public network your VPN will hide your original IP address so the hacker won’t be able to access your device.
A VPN lets you choose your Region
Quality VPN services have servers throughout the world. Some platforms, applications, and websites use geo-blocking technology so you can’t access them from certain regions. When you are running a VPN, you can choose the region so you should have no issue accessing it.
- This allows you to overcome laws that are in place in certain countries. If you are on holiday in an area where gambling is illegal, you can change the location of the server so you can access the blocked site.
- Netflix and other streaming sites only allow you to watch Netflix from that area. Changing the location of the server gives you access to Netflix from the country you desire.
- New movies and games are released in some countries earlier than others. When using a VPN you can download or stream the new content before it is available in your area.
By using a reliable VPN and choosing the region gives you more access and lets you browse more freely on the internet.
Conclusion
With the number of cyberattacks growing each year purchasing a reliable VPN is almost essential for most people. Don’t assume that only big companies are vulnerable to being attacked. It seems very common to read a story in the news of a person who has lost their identity due to a hacker gaining access to the device they use to go online. Most people don’t leave their homes without locking the door so why should we avoid securing something that often has lots of our sensitive data.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).