How Did The Facebook Data Breach Happen
On April 3, 2021, it was revealed that a major data breach had occurred within Facebook. A user in a forum published the personal information of over 533 million Facebook users. The range of users affected was global, and the accuracy of the information was verified by Business Insider, confirming that the breach was legitimate.;
The scope of the breach was massive. The information of users spanning 106 countries was given out for free by the original poster, and included names, addresses, phone numbers, birthdays, and more.;
When asked about the data breach, Facebook confirmed that the cause was a vulnerability in a previous build of their platform. While the hole was patched back in 2019, the data had clearly leaked before that was fixed. This breached data may be old, but the personal details shared are still a clear violation of privacy.
Ads Tracking And Social Network Blocking
There was another advantage to using the Windscribe browser extension: it included ad-tracking and social network blocking. These three features made our online browsing experience with Windscribe a lot more enjoyable and private. It blocked all ads, tracking malware, and social media widgets of websites we visited that could be used to track our browsing activity. You know those Like, Tweet, and Share widget buttons that appear on various websites? Turns out, they were tracking our browsing data even though we hadnt clicked on any of them.2 Windscribe blocked those widgets so that we could browse the Web without being tracked by Facebook, Twitter, or any other social networks . That just goes to show how serious the company is about keeping its customers online activity private.
How Does An Ip Address Work
Just like your physical address that leads anyone to your home, you also have an online address. The internet labels it as your IP address.
In technical terms, your IP address is a distinct number assigned to your device as an online identifier.
Whether it is your mobile phone, your laptop, or any other device through which you access the internet, every device has its very own unique IP address that it receives from your Internet Service Provider .
The IP address isnt just a random number, rather it encloses a lot more details.
Through this single resource, anyone can know about your device, network information, browsing habits, as well as your exact physical location.
Whenever your device connects to the internet, this IP address is what the websites, advertisers, government authorities, and other online entities track about you.
But, if you know how to change the public IP address of your device, you may easily ditch all these trackers.
Similarly, your IP address also lets the content providers decide their target audience.
That is why you see a different kind of news on the internet from different places.
Likewise, you may not access BBC iPlayer outside the United Kingdom, because the service provider tracks your location via IP address.
However, if you effectively change IP to another country, you can bypass geo-restrictions and enjoy the freedom of browsing.
Read Also: How To Change Your Ip Without VPN
Cyberghost VPN Free Proxy
CyberGhost VPN Free Proxy is another solid option. Its a free version of CyberGhosts paid VPN service but doesnt compromise on speed or utility. You are limited to four endpoints but aside from that, the extension works well, offers decent speeds even at peak times and doesnt bombard you too much with advertising. It is also well worth checking out.
How Does A VPN Work
After your device and the server have verified each other as authentic, all incoming and outgoing traffic is routed through a secure tunnel and your data is encrypted. The result? No other users and services can trace you, as your device seems to have the IP address of the VPN server. And we really do mean no one: no spies, hackers, advertisersin fact, not even your Internet Service Provider can monitor your online activities. Your privacy is secured!
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How To Change Your Ip Address
Many people enjoy the internet because of the way in which it helps them connect with services and information from across the globe, regardless of their own location. Just as we all have concrete addresses in the ârealâ world, we also have our own addresses that leave digital footprints in the online world when we connect to the internet through wi-fi, a computer, phone or router. These addresses are called IP addresses, and they are easy to change. Keep reading to learn why you might want to change your IP address, as well as find out the best advice for how to change your IP address.
Option : Change Your Ip Address By Unplugging The Router
Changing your IP address is as easy as unplugging your router.
The easiest and quickest way to get a new IP address is to see what your IP address is via an IP-checking site, then walk over to your router and unplug it for at least five minutes. It may take several minutes longer, depending on how long your ISP normally takes to renew IP addresses in general. Once you plug it back in, refresh the website to make sure your IP address has changed.
Essentially, what you’re trying to do is make the IP-assigning part of your router “forget” your device so that it treats your device like a newcomer and gives it a new address. This isn’t foolproof, however. Sometimes it takes multiple tries, and in some cases you may have to leave the router off overnight. If you have a router that’s separate from your modem you may need to unplug the modem and router, leave them off for 5 minutes or so, then first power the modem on, followed by the router.;
But getting off the couch is overrated.;
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Your Isp Always Knows Your Ip Address
No matter what methods you use to change or hide an IP address, public IP addresses are always known by the internet service provider. This is inevitable because in order to connect to the internet at all, your ISP must assign you an IP address, and it must know what that IP address is in order to transmit communication and data from the internet to your device.
So even if you used one of the above methods to mask your IP address from websites, services, and other devices on the internet, your ISP is an exception that can see behind the mask.
Even if your ISP can identify you by your IP address, however, you can hide your online activity through encryption. A VPN or Tor will encrypt all data before it ever leaves your device, so even though your ISP can see that you are communicating, it cannot see the contents of those communications.
If you need an easy way to change your IP address to that of a different ISP, try switching between wifi and your smartphones mobile data connection. Chances are, your phone carrier and home internet use different ISPs.
Best VPNs In 2021 Safe Fast And Unlimited
After using a premium VPN for years, I was curious if any free services could save me money and offer the same benefits . The short answer is no most free VPNs cant unblock streaming platforms like Netflix, come with slow speeds, and offer limitations that make them almost unusable. They can even be dangerous some have harmful malware embedded in the app, while others have even been caught selling private data to third parties.
However, after testing 100+ free VPNs, my team and I discovered a handful that have strong security features to keep you safe. Some have added benefits and can unblock popular streaming platforms. Unfortunately, all of them come with limitations.
Of all the VPNs I tested, ExpressVPN was the best Its really safe to use and reliably unblocks all major streaming sites. On top of that, it doesnt limit you in any way, so you can surf the web and stream as much as you want. Even though its not 100% free, you can test it out risk-free, as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If youre not impressed, then just ask for a full refund.
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How VPN Helps Deter Cyber Threats
When it comes to avoiding invasive third parties, a VPN can be highly effective. VPNs encrypt your internet connection by rerouting through independent endpoint servers. This process accomplishes two things: it protects your connection from prying eyes and masks your IP address. Since your connection is passing through the VPN endpoint server, the sites being accessed will read your IP address as the address of the server rather than the address of your device.;
This type of encryption solves many common problems you may face in school. First and foremost, encrypting your connection significantly improves your security on public WiFi. A VPN connection creates a sort of tunnel between your device and the endpoint, which stops WiFi snoopers from observing your activity and accessing your information. This is useful on campuses, in coffee shops, in airports, and anywhere else where you may be exposed.;
Meanwhile, the masking of your IP address helps to circumvent other potential issues. Since your device will appear to be connecting from the IP address of the endpoint server, unreasonable restrictions of the network can be worked around. You can also shield your activity from your ISP and avoid any unfair throttling practices. This essentially allows you more freedom to explore the internet while also helping to keep you secure in the process.
How Does A Free VPN Work
Free VPN services encrypt your data while it’s in transit, creating a virtual tunnel through the internet. This separates your data packets from the countless others around them until they reach the services exit nodes many miles away from where you are.
Not only is the data encrypted, as it would be during a normal secure web session, but the routing information about the sender and intended recipient is hidden as well.
Today, the most popular VPN protocols are OpenVPN and various implementations of Internet Protocol Security , which include IPsec by itself or in combination with Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol or Internet Key Exchange versions 1 and 2 .
A VPN’s scrambling and unscrambling of your data can sometimes slow internet traffic to a crawl. The best free VPN will have fast servers connected to huge data pipes to minimize this performance decline. They also have thousands of servers located in scores of countries, ranging from Albania to Zimbabwe.
Read Also: How To Create Your Own VPN
Why Change My Online Location
The reasons to change your online location are many and relevant to people from all walks of life. Here are a few:;
- : sometimes, its not a streaming company that doesnt want you to see stuff. When a government tries to block access to websites or services, employing a VPN to change your location works wonders.;;
- Keeping your bank account unlocked: when youre traveling abroad, you dont want to check your bank account too often. The security measures can kick in and lock it. Plus, checking your account on unsecured Wi-Fi may lead to it getting hacked. But if you use a VPN to change your location to make it appear like youre logging in from your country , youre much better off.;
- Defying price discrimination: did you know that you may get different prices online depending on where in the world youre browsing from? One of the ways this is accomplished is by tracking your IP. But with a location change, you can effortlessly virtually bounce around the world and find the best prices.;
- Avoiding surveillance: as we mentioned, your IP is basically your physical address online. If youre doing something that may attract the surveillance states attention, you dont want your IP address to lead back to you. By changing your location/IP, you will be much safer.;
Why Are Steam Prices Different In Different Countries
Steam itself does not impose price variations. Distributors have complete control over the prices they offer over the platform. Distributors also value customers differently based on spending power . E.g.: UK gamers are seen as more wealthy and therefore the distributor may charge higher prices to UK gamers.
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Should I Use A Free VPN With Tor
Its possible to use the free VPNs on this list with Tor but it can be very slow.
Since Tor already takes extra time to send your traffic through its relays, you need a high-speed VPN to make it fast enough to use. Free VPNs that limit your bandwidth and speed wont work.
For the best speeds, you should connect to a server thats close to your physical location. This can sometimes be difficult with a free VPN because they have fewer servers, so there may not be one nearby.
What Makes The Best Warzone VPN
While you want your Warzone VPN to be secure , first and foremost you’re looking for excellent connection speeds, reliability, and a wide range of locations. There are a number of services that can do the job, but overall we consider ExpressVPN to be the gold standard for Warzone, and as a gaming VPN in general.
If you’re playing on a console, you might want to set up a router VPN. ExpressVPN is one of the few providers to offer a dedicated app, although it’s possible with most competitors, too.
Below we’ll explore more about why ExpressVPN is the best Warzone VPN on the market, and well also look at its closest competitors to see which is the best fit for you.
NB: We’ve seen some reports of players struggling to get matches when using a VPN. If you find this to be the case, it’s worth testing out a different protocol like IKEv2. If that doesn’t work, don’t be afraid to contact your VPN’s support team, and if worst comes to worst, all our recommended VPNs come with at least a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test the service before you commit.
Reasons to avoid
In our testing, ExpressVPN comes out on top in just about every area, and it excels for gaming and as a Warzone VPN.;
If you play on a console, router setup is one of the only ways to get access to VPN connections. ExpressVPN has streamlined the whole procedure by developing an app for routers, and it’s far simpler to get up and running than the competition.
Reasons to avoid
Reasons to avoid
Reasons to avoid
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Is Using A VPN At School Complicated
A common misconception about VPNs is that they require technical proficiency. The StrongVPN app, while definitely complicated on the back end, could not be simpler for the user. All you have to do is install the appropriate app, launch it, and click Connect. StrongVPN uses a Best Available Location feature to automatically select the best endpoint server for you. It also defaults to WireGuard, the best available VPN protocol, to guarantee a secure and fast connection. Of course, if you have specific preferences, the interface of StrongVPN makes it easy to change settings and experiment with different protocols and server locations.;
Worked On Desktops Smartphones And Browsers
Windscribe worked on just about any device we used at home. There were desktop clients for Windows, Mac, and Linux, apps for iOS and Android, browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, and even an app for our Amazon Fire TV. Now thats impressive, but lets go back to the basics. We used Windscribe mostly on our MacBook Pro. The desktop client connected all our apps to the VPN tunnel, while the Windscribe extension we installed on our Chrome browser only encrypted our browser activity. That was helpful because, given the 10 GB per month data limit, we used Windscribe mostly to browse the Internet. If, for instance, we wanted to Google something while on a Skype call, we could simply connect our browser to Windscribe without having to connect Skype and all our other desktop applications.
Pro Tip: You can get additional data allowance by tweeting about Windscribe, referring friends, or hanging around Windscribes official Subreddit.
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Which Devices Can I Install A Free VPN On
Most free VPNs are compatible with laptops, desktops, tablets and smartphones.This list includes free VPNs with apps for many devices, including ones running: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Some of them are even compatible with routers and Amazon Fire TV Stick, while others have free Firefox and Chrome extensions.
Most free VPNs only let you connect to 1 device at a time, so keep in mind that even if its compatible on lots of your devices, you wont be able to connect them all at once.
What Is An Ip Address And How Do You Change It
IP stands for Internet Protocol. An IP address is a unique string of numbers used to identify an individual computer. Your IP address can pose risks to your privacy, unless you decide to change it. Many people change their IP address to avoid their personal privacy being breached. The easiest way to change your IP is by using a VPN. Here are 5 simple steps for how to change an IP address:
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