 A proxy server is a computer or usually set of computers that act as an intermediary between a client computer and a web server. It enables client computers to make indirect requests through it for resources or services such as web pages, videos, PDF files, etc. |
 A public IP address denotes your device’s physical location and can be used as a means of tracking. Each device that is connected to the internet has an IP Address. This address is required to enable communication and the transferal of data across the internet. Think of an IP Address as a Zip Code. Without a Zip Code, the mailman would not be able to locate your house and deliver any mail. Conversely, a device would not be able to connect to your own and send information without knowing your IP Address. |
 Web browsers create simple text files called cookies when you visit websites on the internet. Your device stores the text files locally allowing your browser to access the cookie and pass data back to the original website. Internet Cookies are not programs or viruses and do nothing on your computer/device by themselves. Cookies simply store information with the aim of improving your web experience and help speed up the internet. |
 Consumers are oblivious to the dangers of connecting in a free wireless environment. If they actually knew how vulnerable they are, all that coffee shops would do is sell coffee. Nobody would stick around and connect to the internet. Everyone - and I mean everyone - always asks me if they should connect to public WiFi. The short answer is yes, but you need to install virtual private network software to encrypt your connection. More on that in a bit. There’s plenty to know and a few things you can do to protect yourself. Here are some terms you should know... |
 The process of using a VPN for downloading torrents is quite straightforward and there are many VPN providers you can use. Basically, when you are downloading torrents, you are connecting to other users around the world and revealing your IP address in order to download the file. This opens you up to attacks and also monitoring from groups who try to stop torrenting services. A VPN will hide your own IP address and connect to the torrent service instead meaning there is no traceability back to your own device. |
 There are a few different reasons why you might want to find someone’s IP address. Maybe you need to create a secure connection between two devices or allow someone access to your business’s network. Perhaps you want to block an IP address or blacklist a device while remaining anonymous. Or maybe you want to trace someone online to find the person’s physical location. Fortunately, there are a few methods for finding an IP address either for a web site or an individual device. |
 VPN protects your privacy by creating a secure tunnel across the Internet between you and your Internet destination. This tunnel is created by first authenticating your device (a PC, tablet, or smartphone) with a VPN server. The server, which you can run yourself with programs such as OpenVPN, then uses one of several encryption protocols to make sure that everything sent between you and websites and Internet services can't be monitored. It does this by creating an encrypted tunnel, which is like putting a package into a box and then sending it to someone. Nobody can see what it's inside the box until it's opened or decrypted. |
 Internet cookies are small text files (255 characters or less) that are placed on your web browser or computer by web servers. A cookie is created when you first visit a site that wants to store information. This text file usually includes a name, an expiration date, a coded number, and the domain name of the visited site. |
 Identity theft is a big issue these days. According to the Federal Trade Commission, over 2 million Americans filed complaints with them about this last year, making identity theft the number one consumer complaint. Early detection of identity theft is possible and can reduce your potential losses. Here are six signs that you might have been hit, and how you can respond effectively. |
 Social media has become one of the most powerful resources in the world for people to connect to one another. We tend to jump in, sign up and add friends and connections at the speed of our data connections, but how many of us actually pay attention to the safety and security of the information we’re sharing? The last time you were asked to allow a site or Facebook page to “access your personal information,” did you let it? The only way to share some information is to allow these intrusions into your personal space. So what is safe? And what do you need to know about each of the major sites’ privacy policies to ensure that your information is protected at all times? |
