New Chinese order asks netizens to shun anonymity

Internet censorship nightmares continue in China as the authorities have issued new rules asking netizens to register with their real names if they want to post comments online.

Though they can take pseudonyms, those names will still be tied to their real names, The Verge reported on Monday.

This is not for the first time though that the Chinese authorities have asked the people to register with their real names. Over the past three years, they made several attempts to enforce this at various levels but were unsuccessful.

“This time, however, the difference is that internet companies and service providers are being made responsible for ensuring users stay fully identified. Companies and service providers are also required to report any illegal content they see on any platform to the government,” the report noted.

Despite the Chinese authorities imposing stringent rules to censor the internet, netizens manage to skirt the rules and bypass the country’s great firewall.

The use of VPNs is prevalent in China to bypass firewall. However, the authorities banned several VPN services in July to strengthen its grip on internet usage.

Apple, citing the country’s regulations, removed several VPN apps from the iTunes store in China.

The post New Chinese order asks netizens to shun anonymity appeared first on IAPS Security Services, Ltd. Official Blog.

New Chinese order asks netizens to shun anonymity posted first on https://iapssecurityservices.wordpress.com

Schools hire private company to stop students bypassing internet filters

Schools are turning to a private company to stop students bypassing internet filters and control their online activity.

Tech-savvy students’ “endemic” use of virtual private networks (VPNs) to access restricted websites and applications left school IT managers perpetually “behind the eight ball”.

Some said the Ministry of Education’s $440 million N4L managed network, used by 95 per cent of public schools, was not responsive enough to rely on.

Schools were increasingly facing difficulties in ensuring their duty of care, keeping students away from harmful content and keeping them on-task during class time, as ‘bring your own device’ (BYOD) policies became commonplace.

About 260 New Zealand schools were using a system developed by Christchurch-based company Linewize, which allowed teachers and network administrators to enact or relax internet filters for individual students, classes, devices, or at different times of the day.

CEO and co-founder Scott Noakes said the teachers could view students’ online activity in real time. Separate parent portals let parents review their childrens’ browsing history at home – a frightening prospect for many high school students.

Linewize’s analysis of a large Auckland school indicated up to 15 per cent of students were using VPNs like Hotspot Shield or Ultrasurf. Developed by blue chip companies like Google and Apple, new VPNs were created weekly and masqueraded as normal internet traffic, making them difficult to detect.

Riccarton High School student Carl*, 15, used VPN Hexatech to access Instagram and Snapchat on the school wi-fi.

“I don’t know many people who don’t do it,” he said.

“I talked to one teacher about it but they just didn’t care at all. I think if we specifically said to them we were using a VPN they would do something, but most of them just let it slide.”

Noakes said businesses could unilaterally block social media sites but schools needed more flexibility to promote modern ways of learning and teach students about digital citizenship.

“In a school you’re trying to have a high trust model . . . we find VPN usage is highest in schools that are very draconian about what they block.

“A BYOD device can have anything on it and they can have a VPN enabled that essentially makes a mockery of everything you have done to ensure cyber safety in your school.”

Linewize’s system used data from its 130,000 users to identify the behaviour of VPNs, as opposed to specific software, and shut down new versions within an hour.

Schools that used Linewize’s system, at a cost of $200 to $1000 per month, said blocking or unblocking sites on the Government’s N4L network often took at least 24 hours.

The ministry’s head of education infrastructure, Kim Shannon, said N4L’s filtering tools were optional and it worked with schools so “the right balance is applied to prevent users from bypassing the system”. She was not aware of any schools concerned about students’ VPN use.

Burnside High School assistant IT manager Dale Sutton said he “would be dead in the water” without Linewize’s system.

It let him limit internet access for chronic offenders and distance cyberbullying victims from hurtful comments on Facebook. The school had encountered “a lot of problems” with VPN Ultrasurf and N4L was “not fast enough”, he said.

“The gear that they use isn’t up to handling 2400 students so we had to jump through a few hoops to get the N4L filtering system turned off.”

Timaru Boys’ High School IT manager Peter Burke said schools were always “behind the eight ball” of VPN development and practical filtering.

“I get emails all day long of kids trying to get around it [the filters]. Things like pornography we jump on straight away, and extreme violence is blocked but we’re always getting [blocking] hits for hunting and fishing sites.”

However, he said VPNs had their uses, especially for international students wanting to break through their countries’ firewalls to watch overseas television in the boarding houses.

“It boils down to school policies and disciplinary actions.”

The post Schools hire private company to stop students bypassing internet filters appeared first on IAPS Security Services, Ltd. Official Blog.

Schools hire private company to stop students bypassing internet filters posted first on https://iapssecurityservices.wordpress.com

How to watch UK TV in Portugal: A Beginner’s Guide

In this article we’re going to look at the easiest method to watch UK TV in Portugal. It’s so easy in fact you’ll be able to achieve it in just 6 simple steps.

If you’re a novice computer, tablet or phone user then you need not worry either as it’s extremely beginner friendly.

If you’re an expat in Portugal, on holiday in Portugal or for whatever other reason you’re in Portugal then you’ll probably already know that UK TV services are blocked.

The easiest way to access UK TV in Portugal is to use online streaming services such as BBC iPlayer and all you’re going to need to do that is a simple app called a VPN. Below we explain all.

If you’re already in Portugal and you’ve tried to access one of the UK streaming services like BBC iPlayer or Sky Go then you’ll already know you’re blocked from viewing.

Rather than being able to stream the TV you want to watch you’ll see a block message that looks something a little like this:

 

To avoid this block you need to get yourself an app called a VPN.

VPN services are available for Android, iOS, Windows and Mac which we cover below. They’re also available for the Amazon Fire TV and SmartTV’s.

When you visit websites now they’ll think you’re in the UK even though you’re actually in Portugal or anywhere else in the world for that matter.

All that is left to do now is visit your favourite UK TV streaming service and rather than be blocked like before you’ll now be able to watch anything.

 

The post How to watch UK TV in Portugal: A Beginner’s Guide appeared first on IAPS Security Services, Ltd. Official Blog.

How to watch UK TV in Portugal: A Beginner’s Guide posted first on https://iapssecurityservices.wordpress.com

10 Reasons Why You Should Be Using A VPN

Virtual Private Networks are affordable, easy to use, and a vital component in your PC and smartphone set up. Along with a firewall and antivirus/anti-malware solution, you should have a VPN installed to keep every moment you spend online completely private.

Here are 10 more reasons to convince you of the importance of private, secure browsing:

1. Browse the Web Securely on Public Wi-Fi

You’re out shopping, stopping for coffee somewhere, or you’ve just booked into a hotel. You notice there is free Wi-Fi. The common reaction is to get online quickly, and start browsing the web, checking social networks, email… you know how it goes.

The problem is that this is an extremely risky activity without a VPN:

Your browsing is unencrypted, and unencrypted radio waves can be picked up by anyone.

1. Malware from one laptop in the coffee shop could find its way to your device via the router.
2. The free Wi-Fi on offer could be a trap — a fake internet connection operating as the pleasant face of a phishing scam.

Bear in mind also that legitimate free public Wi-Fi invariably demands person information from your for signing up. This is data that can be used to track you, and far from private.

2. Beat Location-Based Streaming Restrictions

Where are you in the world? Do you want to watch something on BBC iPlayer? Perhaps you’re in the U.K. and want to catch the latest streamed releases on the U.S. version of Netflix?

Either way, location-based restrictions prevent you from doing that. While you can employ a browser-based proxy tool to fool the service into thinking you’re in a different country, these can often result in slow data streaming.

Instead, you can employ a VPN and specify a “local” server. Most VPNs typically have dozens, if not hundreds of servers, that you can securely connect to and route data via. These servers are based around the world, so a computer in New York could connect to a server in the U.K. and catch the latest episode of Doctor Who the night it goes out via BBC iPlayer.

3. Defeat Oppressive Government Censorship

Governments have the power to prevent you from accessing websites that you might need to use. Perhaps you live in an oppressive state, where certain materials or services are unavailable to you and your countrymen.

Perhaps you need to communicate with the outside world, a message from an uprising, maybe.

A VPN can be used to access the materials and services you need to use without any security apparatus being made aware. The data is encrypted, which means that every online action is private.

They cannot be read.

4. Avoid Location-Based Price Targeting

Amazing as it might seem, some online stores will display different prices for the same item, based on which country you’re browsing from. This could be anything from a handbag, shoes, new car, or even hotel rooms and airfares.

In one example, prices for the same plane ticket were cheaper via a Norwegian IP address than via a Malaysian IP.

This is clearly completely unacceptable for a consumer to have to contend with. The solution, therefore, is to search for prices carefully, methodically switch VPN servers with each attempt, until the lowest price can be found!

It might take a bit longer, but if we’re talking about saving hundreds of dollars (if not more) then it will be worth the effort.

5. Automatically Encrypt Everything

This might seem like something from some cybercrime movie or TV show, but a VPN client on your PC or mobile really can encrypt the data you exchange with remote websites and servers. Indeed, any online activity you conduct with a VPN app running and connected to a server will be encrypted.

In effect, a secure, private tunnel is created for you to send your data through. This is how public Wi-Fi can be made safe and how data and browsing activity can be kept from the eyes of government censors.

Every VPN service offers a client app. Through this, you choose the server you wish to use, and connect to it. All internet activity is routed via the virtual private network, ensuring privacy and security. Even if your data is intercepted, it will mean nothing to the hacker.

6. Improve Online Gaming Speeds

Whether you’re exploring some crazy fantasy realm in an MMORPG, fighting Nazis in the latest online FPS, or just waiting for your opponent to take his or her next turn in Civilization online, there’s a very strong chance that your ISP is throttling online gaming data.

It’s not fair, and is usually done to offer a uniform service to all users. But how can you overcome this? Well, a VPN can be used to disguise the fact that you’re playing games online.

However, this tip comes with a caveat. You need to make sure that the VPN server you’re using is nearby, and capable of handling the load. (Most VPN clients will show how busy your chosen server is at any time). Otherwise, you could face speed and bandwidth issues, making the exercise a little pointless!

7. Enjoy Private and Secure Voice Chat

Do you want your online conversations to be overheard? While some chat apps have encryption built in (such as WhatsApp), voice-over-IP (VOIP) apps don’t generally come with this feature.

A VPN can deal with this, however. If you’re using Skype, or Google Hangouts chat, enabling your VPN will ensure that any online conversation is kept between you and other parties. Connected to the point on censorship, above, this will prove particularly valuable if you live under an oppressive regime.

8. Complete Sensitive Research Without Interference

Many types of research can be considered “sensitive”. Following on from some earlier points, if you have an oppressive government, researching their activity may well attract attention. As might looking up censored material or movies.

Conversely, if you’re in business, and you wish to assess the quality of your competitors, then keeping your activity private will stop them from catching on.

With a VPN installed and activated, you can protect yourself from observation. It’s worth selecting a server in a distant, safe location, however.

9. Keep Your Torrent Activity Private

While Bittorrent peer-to-peer networking has been identified as a leading means of software piracy and copyright theft, the truth is that it is so widely used by legitimate services that it cannot be banned.

Online games use P2P networking to download updates; as does Windows 10. But whether you’re torrenting legitimately or not, you should be able to do so with privacy and security. Tools like PeerGuardian are supposed to keep your torrent shares safe, but can have the effect of slowing things down.

With a VPN installed, you can keep your torrents private. Different VPNs have there own rules with regard to Bittorrent, and you might find that a service specifically catering to Bittorrent users is more suitable for you than a general VPN.

10. Completely Private Collaboration

Often used for collaboration, cloud drives and group chat tools can be the target of hackers, copyright thieves, and even agencies engaged in industrial espionage. It is a relief, therefore, that a VPN can be employed to encrypt your data communications and protect against these risks.

In terms of collaboration, however, it is important to ensure that the other members of your team are also using a VPN!

A VPN goes beyond protecting your online gaming and video streaming, however. It surpasses torrent privacy, and transcends censorship. In short, everything you do online can be made private thanks to a VPN.

The post 10 Reasons Why You Should Be Using A VPN appeared first on IAPS Security Services, Ltd. Official Blog.

10 Reasons Why You Should Be Using A VPN posted first on https://iapssecurityservices.wordpress.com

VPN Logs & What You Need to Know

When it comes to VPN logs, there’s a lot of confusion.

Countless VPN providers are making the “no logs” claim for marketing purposes, but in reality they’re keeping some form of logs.

In this guide we’ll cover the different types of VPN logs, the reasons for keeping logs, and what you can do to further protect your online privacy.

There are three different types of VPN logs:

Usage (browsing) logs – These logs basically include everything you do online: browsing history, times, IP addresses, metadata, etc. From a privacy standpoint, you should avoid any VPN that collects usage data.

Connection logs – Connection logs typically include dates, times, connection data, and sometimes IP addresses. Typically this data is used for optimizing the VPN network and potentially dealing with user problems or terms of use issues (torrenting, illegal activities, etc.). Many VPN providers keep connection logs, even while claiming to be a “no logs” VPN service.

No logs – There are very few VPNs that truly meet the “no logs” criteria. Having a truly no logs policy is very difficult to implement. This is especially the case when VPNs need to enforce restrictions such as bandwidth or the number of devices being used per subscription. IAPS Security Services, Ltd. does not limit bandwidth on vpn’s or remote desktops and does not enforce a device limitation.

Reasons for logging

There are many reasons for maintaining some form of logs – and they are not necessarily bad.

1. Limiting the number of devices

One of the biggest reasons for maintaining logs is to limit the number of devices used with a subscription. Nearly every VPN imposes limits (3, 5, 6…) on the number of simultaneous connections that can be used with a subscription. Enforcing connection and device limitations requires some form of logging.

One alternative possibility is when a VPN tells you there’s a device limit, but they don’t/can’t strictly enforce it, due to a no logs policy. Again, IAPS Security Services, Ltd. does not engage in device limitations.

2. Limiting bandwidth

Bandwidth restrictions also require logging. To limit the amount of bandwidth used with a given account, logging is obviously necessary. Therefore if any VPN has bandwidth limits and also claims to be a “no logs” VPN, you can be sure they’re not being honest. IAPS Security Services, Ltd. does not engage in bandwidth limitations for vpn accounts.

3. Troubleshooting problems and optimizing VPN performance

Logging connection data is often justified by VPN providers for fixing problems with their service and optimizing their network. While running a fast and reliable VPN service does not necessarily require logging, most VPNs will at least maintain some minimal connection logs to keep everything working well.

The post VPN Logs & What You Need to Know appeared first on IAPS Security Services, Ltd. Official Blog.

VPN Logs & What You Need to Know posted first on https://iapssecurityservices.wordpress.com

Residential Remote Desktops: The Ultimate in Security

When we generally think about our online security, our privacy, and keeping our isp and TLA’s out of our business, we generally run to the closest VPN Provider.

But are vpn’s always the answer to our security needs and do they always provide all the security we need? With vpn’s we have to be aware of webrtc (browsers leaking our real ip addresses), dns leaks, connection drops, and a whole lot more.

The answer to this is Residential Remote Desktops. With full residential remote desktops we do not have to worry about ip leaks, webrtc, or connection drops. Besides, dns requests don’t leak either because they sit right on our residential remote desktop and have no reason to leave it.

We also don’t have to worry about third party firewalls or data leaks of any kind as the residential remote desktop only depends on its local network, not your personal internet service provider.

The post Residential Remote Desktops: The Ultimate in Security appeared first on IAPS Security Services, Ltd. Official Blog.

Residential Remote Desktops: The Ultimate in Security posted first on https://iapssecurityservices.wordpress.com

UK Government Destroyed All Privacy

Imagine what it would be like if thousands of strangers could have instant access to the most intimate details of your life.

They could read all your emails, look at your private photos, see every website you’ve visited, how long you were on the website, what comments you made, your social media posts, text messages, phone calls… everything.

If you’re living in the United Kingdom, this is now a reality. With the passage of the Investigatory Powers Act, the UK has implemented the “most extreme surveillance in the history of Western democracy,” according to Edward Snowden. And while these developments are devastating for privacy, there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself, which we’ll cover further below.

The complete destruction of privacy

In November 2016 the United Kingdom officially passed into law the most extreme mass surveillance measures in the Western world. The Investigatory Powers Act (also called the Snooper’s Charter) destroys privacy for everyone living in the UK. Here are the key points for people living in the UK:

• Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and phone companies are now required to record every website you visit over and how long you were on the website over a period of 12 months, and provide that information to police, security, and 48 other government agencies. (This information will be stored in a giant centralized database with everything under your name.)
• Legalizes bulk data collection of all personal communications (phone/text and internet)
• Legalizes mass government surveillance of everyone inside the UK, as well as large populations of people outside the UK.
• Requires tech companies to record data from apps and devices, such as iMessage and WhatsApp.
• Allows the government to force tech companies to hack into their customer’s devices (phones, computers, tablets) for the purposes of stealing private information.
• Allows for the targeted hacking of individuals, technology infrastructure, or even entire towns – if deemed necessary by UK officials.

 

And the worst part is, there is no oversight and everything is done in secret. Every time a company is forced to hack into a customer’s phone or computer, they will also receive a gag order, forbidding them from discussing anything. Disputes between private companies and governments will be completely hidden from the public.

Your private information – EXPOSED

At this very moment, thousands of people working in the UK government can get instant access to all you private information.

Now imagine for a second that someone hacks into the database and steals that information. Or perhaps someone working in the government decides to access your private information and expose some of your information online via anonymous leaks. Either of these possibilities aren’t that far fetched.

How to protect yourself

The best tool for protecting your online privacy is a VPN (virtual private network). A good VPN service will encrypt your internet connection, protect your privacy, and help anonymize your online activity.

Here are some other benefits of a VPN:

• Surf the web without revealing your real IP address and geo-location
• Add an extra level of security by encrypting your internet connection
• Prevent your Internet Service Provider (ISP), corporations, and governments from spying on your online activities (thanks to encryption)
• Access blocked content that’s restricted to certain geographic locations
• Bypass censorship by easily getting around regional restrictions
• Protect yourself from hackers anywhere you go – especially while using public WiFi connections in cafés, hotels, and airports.

Here’s the bottom line: if you’re using a good VPN in combination with other best privacy practices, you don’t have to stress out about these developments. Just be smart and use protection whenever you go online.

The post UK Government Destroyed All Privacy appeared first on IAPS Security Services, Ltd. Official Blog.

UK Government Destroyed All Privacy posted first on https://iapssecurityservices.wordpress.com