For people who are seriously concerned about internet security and maintain their privacy while browsing the net, virtual private networks (VPNs) are usually the tool of choice—allowing you to browse privately through an anonymous IP address. During normal browsing, the user is connected through a unique IP address that provides details about who that person is and where you’re located, which is exactly what using a VPN seeks to change.

When logging on through a VPN, the connection is rerouted through a series of other computers and networks so that it is secure connection and linked to an anonymous, usually untraceable IP address. There are a huge number of VPN services available that enable users to surf safely and anonymously by masking their IP address and using them couldn’t be easier. In fact, some only require a simple log in, while others run as a basic extension of your standard browser.

Using VPNs is definitely one of the best ways to help stay protected and more secure while online, but it also has other unforeseen benefits when it comes to using streaming services such as Netflix or other geographically specific services.

For those who don’t live in the United States, the US version of Netflix is unavailable due to the use of geographical blockers that limit access to the content to people with IP addresses that come from that specific country. However, as VPNs provide users with a new IP, people around the world are now using them to access the US version of Netflix. Of course, you’ll still need to pay for the access, but by using a VPN, you can get around the problem of these geographical blockers.

In addition to this major benefit, Netflix users inside the US have begun finding another major way that VPNs can help them with streaming. When signing up for Netflix through a provider such as Verizon, the ISP guarantees a certain amount of bandwidth. While most browsing only takes up a fraction of the total bandwidth, when streaming you expect to be able to utilize the whole amount so it doesn’t take hours to load your favorite show or movie.

However, many Netflix users often complain that when streaming, their downloads are still limited to a tiny percentage of their total bandwidth for some reason. This means that even though a person is paying for a 75 Mb/s connection, it’s highly unlikely they’ll ever reach this number when streaming, as many ISPs like Verizon are placing limits on online streaming; often limiting them to less than 0.5% of their total bandwidth! Even if the ISP isn’t technically limiting streaming speeds on purpose, they are failing their customers by having congested connections that simply aren’t adequate enough for the large amounts of data streaming uses to pass through quickly.

Still, some tech savvy users had the bright idea to try accessing these same Netflix services through a VPN with surprising results. Although normal rules would suggest that the more connections between you and the site you’re trying to access equals slower speeds, this isn’t always the case.

By using a VPN and rerouting the connection, users can get around these limitations of their ISP’s connection and finally achieve streaming speeds equal to Netflix’s max of 3000 kb/s. So, for those who are sick of slow streaming, a VPN may allow you to finally realize your connection’s true potential.

One statement we often hear being thrown around is that thanks to the internet, privacy no longer exists.

If you’re like most people, the internet is a complicated thing that you don’t really understand. In truth, the wide open nature of the internet is such that people have little to no control over their information, and in fact, online privacy is something that is more wishful thinking that anything else. Still, the biggest question is which direction privacy will go in the future, whether we’ll be able to regain more control over our personal data or if things will just continue to go downhill.

There is no doubt that technology is beginning to take over our lives, being seamlessly integrated into almost everything and quickly playing a major role in our world. Known as pervasive computing, these technologies are making our entire world interconnected so that everything is intrinsically linked to everything else by computers and networks.

If we take a look at how privacy has changed in just the past few years due to this interconnectivity, it would seem that things will only get worse from here, as the increase in online services and usage has led to more information being collected. The more online data there is has obviously led to less individual control and one could easily suggest that the trend will definitely continue.

Still, it’s not all doom and gloom, even despite the huge interest the tech companies have in data mining, as pervasive computing may have one major, unforeseen benefit for the user.

As technology gains a larger foothold in our lives, it also makes it much easier for us to begin to comprehend it in a brand new way. While many people still feel the internet is something that’s impossible to grasp, these new forms of pervasive computing are allowing us to see technology in a newer, more familiar perspective. What this means is that it’s bringing the issue of privacy to the forefront and making it easier for your average user to understand its importance.

With new products like Google Glass, users can actually watch data being collected and see how it’s used, making its effect much more visible and people more aware of the issue. With this increase in awareness, there is a good chance that people will start to take these privacy issues more seriously and hopefully take action.

The other thought is that these new technologies themselves could help us take action, as pervasive computing tends to focus more on the individual, with the possible result that it puts individuals back in control of their own data and information.

Moving Towards the Internet of Things

The rise in awareness of these major online privacy issues has finally begun to result in a major backlash against those companies specializing in mining, buying, selling and trading our personal data.

Still, the reason it has taken so long for people to begin to react again lies in the hard to understand nature of the internet.

However, as we begin to see the shift away from the standard internet towards what’s known as the internet of things, it has also begun to make technology easier to understand. When we see technology in the real world, versus the abstract world of the internet, it makes it easier to put expectations on what we feel is appropriate.

Just as there are social norms which tell us what types of behavior are appropriate in certain social situations, this increase in real world technology may also allow us to develop these same values regarding it as well.

Take the example of Google Glass. Although it was designed to offer a greater connection between the real world and the digital one, what it really did was make people more aware of how technology affects our privacy. We have now seen its use being banned in many places around the globe, as people become more concerned with the implications.

This type of reaction is something that was rarely seen with the internet and could be a good indicator of how things will progress as technology becomes more integrated in our lives and total connectivity takes over.

Letting Technology Work for You

As we move more towards the internet of things and find more of our everyday products being connected through technology, we are also moving towards a more personalized world designed for the individual. All of this is being done with the goal of increasing the uses of our everyday objects to allow each person to do things their own way and achieve whatever goals they have regarding technology. The real goal is to allow each of us to be an individual, as we can all use these objects in different ways.

For instance, smart home technology may allow parents to monitor when their children come home from school in one home, while enabling the neighbors to remotely lock their doors to prevent break-ins.

This shift towards more individualized uses of technology comes with the hope that it will also allow us to take a more personalized approach to privacy, especially if more individual controls are built into the technology.

However, the real determining factor on whether this will ever happen or not will lie in how these new technologies develop. If a few major corporations continue to dominate the scene, the odds are that this newfound control will be nothing more than an illusion and we will still be stuck in the same position of having to live by their rules.

Still, this is also why it’s important to begin to consider the issue of privacy now, as whether or not it will exist in the future is tied directly to this increase in real world technology. If there is a real focus on creating open, customizable technology through pervasive computing and we can finally begin taking back control, then maybe, just maybe privacy will continue to live on in a new and exciting future for both individuals and all of mankind.

The past few years have been a great success for hackers and cyber criminals, with US retailer Target and internet giant eBay just a few of the major corporations to have suffered from large-scale security breaches. In Target’s case, hackers were able to install software that targeted their payment points and copied the credit/debit card data from customers whenever they swiped their cards, resulting in more than 70 million people being affected.

This has led to Target spending more than $88 million in an effort to ramp up their security to hopefully prevent future breaches. Nonetheless, the damage has already been done, leading the company to pay millions more in legal fees and lawsuits, plus causing irreparable damage to their reputation. However, the one good thing to take from this and other similar cases is that is has highlighted a problem that all companies need to start taking seriously.

It seems that there are constantly new reports of similar security breaches making headlines around the globe, but there are luckily a number of steps you can take to prevent your company from becoming the next in a growing list of victims. No matter what field you’re in or the size of your company, it is vital that you begin to take data security seriously, so to give you a hand, here are five steps you should take:

• Identify Your Most Sensitive Data. The very first step you should take, even before you begin assessing your data security, is to pinpoint what is the most serious or sensitive data you are storing. Whether its information on your own finances or your client’s personal information, you need to first identify the areas that need most protected.
• Control Access to Data. After identifying your most sensitive data, you then need to make sure only authorized users are able to access it. It’s also a good idea to monitor this data to prevent unauthorized access, and of course, don’t forget to back up all of your sensitive data to prevent total loss or criminals demanding ransom should they find a way to steal it.
• Get Everyone Involved. Don’t limit your security measures to your IT professionals, and instead get all of your employees to help by providing training and information on how they can help protect sensitive data.
• Encrypt, Encrypt, Encrypt. Any and all sensitive data should always be encrypted, whether it’s located on hard drives, email, smartphones, or anywhere else. While encryption won’t do anything to keep it from being stolen, it will make it impossible to view should a breach occur.
• Be Wary of Third Parties. Even if your company has the best possible security, it doesn’t mean much if your information is stolen from a different company who you entrusted it to. Therefore, when dealing with outside organizations, be sure you know exactly what steps they take to protect your information and that they follow all relevant laws regarding privacy.

When it comes to the internet of things, many of us are extremely apprehensive when it comes to the security of our private data. Connecting businesses, homes and workplace via the IoT (Internet of Things) is certainly a way to go forward, since it will allow for a better distribution of labor, energy and even give us more safety.

The IoT will make driving cars safer through connecting them. It will improve the energy expense rate of home appliances and it certainly will be beneficial when used in the healthcare system. On the other hand is the price we’ll potentially pay for these amenities too high?

The IoT Doesn’t Come Without Sacrifices

Being connected to the internet in such a complete way will mean that there will be a lot of room for exploitation. Privacy might as well not exist and personal choices will probably be limited too in some ways.

Just imagine how it will be if any business, workplace or other home can find and use your information in any way they want. As seen in recent studies, the majority of people are concerned mostly about their lack of knowledge and comprehension when it comes to the IoT.

This gap in our understanding will certainly give rise to opportunities for businesses and governments to abuse our ignorance for larger agendas.

Through the IoT everyone would be able to access information like:

• What appliances you use, how often and when
• When you sleep and when you’re away from home
• How healthy you are at any given time (if healthcare IoT is implemented)
• What people you hang out with
• All the above information about your children as well

These are just the tip of the iceberg. Imagine your boss, your insurance company or just a plain criminal getting his or her hands on these bits of personal data. This could end up being a very dangerous situation.

We’re not fear mongering here, since the IoT will certainly improve our lives in many priceless ways. The only issue is that there isn’t enough education for the people on how to protect themselves from the problems the IoT will bring to our lives.

The IoT is already all around us, used by us, the government and businesses alike. It is already too late to be ignorant, sadly. But, it is never too late to start taking control of your personal data’s security.

Protecting Your Data from Possible IoT Abuse

Any person who cares about their privacy and the privacy of our children, should begin taking strong measures to protect it.

Using personal VPN is certainly one of the better solutions, as you still can enjoy many of the IoT amenities, without having to give away all your personal info all the time. Keeping ourselves protected and informed is our own responsibility nowadays. So, step up and make sure that you and your loved ones can have the privacy you deserve!

According to the whistleblower William Binney, the NSA stores around 80% of all calls Americans make. This information is quite shocking, since this clearly goes against the 4^th amendment. Law abiding citizens are entitled to their privacy, until the very moment a sound suspicion exists against their person.

Storing phone information without any cause and reason looks more like espionage and population control, rather than any lawful behavior.

Is Our Privacy Safe?

The world has become a safer place since 2012 and crime statistics steadily fall, yet our privacy seems to be constantly fought over by congress and businesses. One can’t be sure when a conversation is private anymore and what information can actually be kept secret.

Phones and mobile devices are easily intercepted and most landlines are also watched by governments.

Intercepting phone calls can have great legal benefits when there is a sound reason to spy on someone, like for instance a known drug dealer. This behavior, on the other hand, goes clearly against the 4^th amendment when it comes to law abiding citizens.

In truth, our privacy isn’t safe and it sadly never was.

Every government desires control to some point and we sadly have had enough warning in the past on how our rights are being stepped on behind our backs. In today’s society, the smart citizen fights for his or her privacy. You can’t naturally expect it anymore.

We can also expect that CISA, the new cybersecurity information sharing act, won’t do much in keeping our private affairs unknown. Private information has been abused before with the excuse that it was done for security purposes, as senators Ron Wyden and Mark Udall said.

The NSA will draw security from our calls even when there is no lawful reason to do so and the information has no connection to security threats. Through CISA the government will draw personal user information from other companies, learning things about citizens that have no connection to criminal activities.

The 4^th amendment clearly states that there has to be just cause to suspect someone to intrude into their privacy. The broad definition of cyber-security information in the CISA act allows for the government to spy on its citizens with no prior suspicion or reason.

What Does the Future of Digital Privacy Look Like?

Sadly, there is a huge room for improvement at the moment. Citizens should take measures to ensure their privacy, by using VPN or similar privacy enhancing services.

Your private information can and will be used against you if anyone finds cause to do so. The possibly 80% of calls stored by the NSA are a clear warning that there isn’t a lot of respect for the people’s rights when it comes to being safe in your own home and your private conversations.

If you care for your constitutional rights, NOW is the time to do something about this situation and take your privacy protection into your own hands!

It has happened to most of us: You plan to watch an exciting World Cup game online and suddenly you realize that no site allows you to stream the video. You read that loathed message: “This service is not available in your country” and you wonder why. The reason is the dreaded GEO restriction.

What are GEO restrictions?

Many online videos and websites are accessible only to people who have a specific country’s IP. Your original IP number is given to you depending on your geographic area. By hindering people with certain IPs from watching some content, broadcasters ensure that their services are only available to a certain nation’s citizens. This is called GEO restriction (short for geographic restriction).

How to overcome GEO restriction?

Thankfully, it is quite easy to mask your original IP number by becoming a member of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Think of VPN as an exclusive VIP card which lets you enter any place you want on the internet, regardless of the country you live in.

When you are trying to reach a server to watch, let’s say, the World Cup, that server reads your IP and either lets you in or kicks you out. The VPN sends the server an acceptable IP number instead of yours, so that you can watch as many videos as you’d like.

How to watch the World Cup through VPN?

First of all you need to find a VPN provider. There are literally hundreds of VPN providers you can choose from on the internet. You need to find a specific one that will allow you to watch the videos you like, so be careful, because not all VPNs work specifically for that purpose.

Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. 1.       Type in “VPN provider” into your browser and check out your choices
2. 2.       Research about each provider and find out who suits YOU best
3. 3.       Ensure that your top choice VPN provider will allow you to watch the World Cup
4. 4.       Become a member
5. 5.       Enjoy all the World Cup games live!

Not all VPN services cost money, but you should be careful when it comes to free VPN since you will get a lot of annoying advertisements and your activities might get logged. There are plenty of dirt cheap VPN providers that do a much better job for a minimal price.

To be sure that your VPN provider allows you to watch the World Cup, see where their servers are located and choose a country that allows streaming. Now, with all that done, you can sit back and watch an exciting game with your friends in any country you want!

Once you have Blacklogic VPN set up you’ll be able to watch your team’s home broadcast from anywhere in the world. Blacklogic VPN puts you in control of your IP address, getting you around those annoying geo-restrictions. Here is a list of where you can find live stream coverage of the World Cup 2014:

Australia:  SBS

France:  MYTF1, Zattoo

Germany:  Das Erste, ZDF Mediathek, Zattoo, FilmOn

Italy:  RAI.tv, Zattoo

The Netherlands:  NOS

Spain: Cuatro, Telecinco, Gol Televisión

Switzerland:  SRF, RTS, Zattoo

UK:  BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport, ITV Player, FilmOn, Zattoo, TVPlayer.com, Sky Go, Virgin Anywhere

UAE Internet Providers Etisalat & DU

To understand the internet censorship situation in the UAE it’s important to understand the two — and only two — internet service providers: Etisalat & DU. Until 2006 Etisalat had a monopoly over the entire market, until DU was established to form an appropriately named duopoly. Unlike in other areas of the globe where competition is promoted, even if some companies do clearly have enormous advantages, The Telecom Regulatory Authority — which oversees all censorship in the UAE — simply writes the rules in favor of UAE telecommunications providers.

Cultural & Moral Reasons For Censorship

Internet censorship in the UAE is based officially on cultural and moral preservation. The error pages which pop up in place of restricted content state that the website in question has been found to not align with what is best for the nation. While this reason sounds like it has good intentions behind it, the people and the visitors to the UAE largely believe the censorship is either too strict or completely unnecessary. To make matters worse, there is no clear set of guidelines which determine why a particularly website is blocked. For that reason any website can potentially be blocked. Below is a comprehensive list of types of website content The Telecom Regulatory Authority finds fit to block:

● Information promoting illegal drugs

● Gambling

● Any content that helps users view blocked content

● Religious hatred

● Content contradicting UAE laws

● Nudity, dating and other content perceived as ethically and morally wrong

● Content which can harm users like spyware

Blockage of Skype

Skype and Wikipedia are perhaps most missed by internet users in the county. Dubai is a city which quickly ascended the world stage, built on the success of business in the region. But even as the city works to prove the region can compete with other areas of the globe, the ubiquitous application Skype is blocked. It’s difficult to cite moral or cultural reasons for the blockage of this app, which makes local economic incentives the clear motivation. Just as the internet service providers in the UAE have an unfair advantage by not dealing with any competition, local communications providers do not want to have their profits cut into by a free application. Particularly for expats and travelers used to performing most of their communication via Skype, this level of censorship is not only costly but incredibly inconvenient.

How VPNs and Other Solutions Provide Internet Freedom in the UAE

Expats are able to offer their favorite online content, and applications like Skype, due to solutions like virtual private networks and proxies. In fact, the blockage of websites in the UAE is built on a simplistic framework and outdated tools when it comes to both Etisalat and DU. Depending on how much you want to spend, you’ll essentially receive relative quality service. Paid services like VPNs work faster and provide more protection, while proxies usually aren’t fast enough for streaming and are less secure in general. Internet censorship is increasing every year in the UAE, leading to the increased need for solutions like virtual private networks.

Our servers and our network infrastructure has not been compromised by Heartbleed OpenSSL bug.

Video streaming is one of those ubiquitous online features most of us take for granted. That is, until we find ourselves in a situation which qualifies us for restriction. Travelers, expats and residents of certain countries know the inconvenience of GEO-IP restrictions all too well. The truth is however that businesses of all sizes have too much motivation to block streaming content, for a variety of reasons — users simply must learn now to combat restrictions in order to access their favorite content.

What Are GEO-IP Restrictions?

Your IP address identifies your geographical location. Most of the time this doesn’t matter but when it comes to certain situations like video streaming, your location determines the rights you have. For example, the visitors and citizens of many countries including Australia — despite the close ties of the country to the United States — are not allowed to access popular content from providers like Netflix, Hulu, the Apple Store, BBC iPlayer and others. Why? Because licensing content around the world is difficult, and a relatively new area for many businesses. In many cases content rights holders native to a particular country seek to protect their business by limiting outside competition. In other cases the prices content producers demand for licensing are simply not affordable.

Streaming Restrictions by Country

Most countries implement some type of access restriction, but those most commonly cited include the US, UK, Canada and Australia because their content has the highest amount of worldwide demand. From the US Hulu Plus, Netflix, ABC and Vudu — which is owned by Wal-Mart — are the most sought after content providers. In the UK the primary popular content provider is the BBC, specifically the BBC iPlayer which gives web access to all BBC content. CTV, Global and broadcasters of sports games are what viewers outside of Canada seek out most often. Expats and those whom travel frequently comprise a lot of the demand for geo-blocked content because these viewers already have content subscriptions in their homes and consequently miss their favorite programming abroad.

Solutions For Circumventing GEO-IP Restrictions

Three main solutions exist for getting around pesky GEO-IP restrictions: proxies, VPNs or virtual private networks, and the use of particular DNS servers. Each has advantages and disadvantages.

● Proxies: proxies are usually free but they don’t offer much in terms of speed, even if you go with a paid proxy.

● VPNs: virtual private network market offers a lot to choose from and many providers are very reliable in terms of speed and support, although monthly fees are required and sometimes speed is hindered by all of your internet activity needing to pass through the VPN.