Prevent Personal Data Thefts with a VPN Account

From April 16-17, Sony experienced the largest online security attack to date - 100 million users' personal information was stolen and 23,400 people had their credit card information exposed. In an attempt to minimize the impact of this security breach and restore consumer confidence, Sony is offering a free ID theft protection program to U.S. residents who had an active PlayStation Network or Qriocity account as of April 20.

The Sony incident brings to light a primary concern for everyone in the digital age - identity theft issues are a global problem that people need to acknowledge and plan for accordingly. A VPN service could not have prevented the breach that occurred at Sony; however, at GoTrusted we believe Internet users should prevent their own systems from being hacked by signing up for a VPN account. This Internet security solution gives users an extra measure of protection from identity theft and stolen credit card information during a time when consumers need it the most.

How does a VPN service prevent hackers from stealing your personal information? First of all, it makes all Internet use completely private and secure. This means that when you are using a public Wi-Fi connection, the other people on that network cannot access the data on your computer or mobile device. Hackers - like those who attacked Sony - hunt for security vulnerabilities such as unprotected Internet connections, but a VPN account with GoTrusted uses encryption and a firewall for maximum privacy to keep cybercriminals at bay.

How to Take Consumer Privacy Concerns into Your Own Hands

Senator Al Franken, a Minnesota Democrat, explained in front of Congress and representatives from Apple and Google that "consumers have a fundamental right to know what data is being collected about them. They have the right to decide whether they want to share that information, and with whom they want to share it and when."

As a company dedicated to protecting consumers' online privacy through our VPN service, we wholeheartedly agree with Franken.

Yesterday's congressional hearing is the result of widespread concern about location data and its threat to consumer privacy. Although companies such as Apple and Google have no overtly nefarious reasons for collecting data, location information does bring up questions about how consumer privacy is protected. Claims that collecting data through Wi-Fi hotspots and nearby wireless towers actually benefits customers – for example, it helps them find nearby businesses – may be valid. But customers likely want to decide how their information is revealed, and when.

There are ways that consumers can take matters into their own hands. For example: Users can opt out of location share on their mobile devices. According to Alan Davidson, Google's Director of Public Policy, users can turn off the location share option if they don't want the location services their devices provide.  In general, you should also use a VPN service.  Users who have a VPN account can protect their right to privacy by turning public Wi-Fi connections into secure hotspots. Furthermore, GoTrusted also uses strong encryption and hides users' IP addresses to obscure their location for additional security and privacy.

Canadian Pirate Party Promises VPN Service

Leading up to the Canadian elections, there was widespread concern that the Conservative Party would impose strict changes in the country’s Internet privacy laws. In response, Canada’s Pirate Party announced they would set up a VPN service so residents could buy an account to use the Internet freely and anonymously. Virtual private networks are used by individuals worldwide who live in counties that monitor their communication and censor their Internet usage, and now that the election results are in it appears as though Canada will be added to that list.

The recent victory of Stephen Harper’s Conservatives in the Canadian general election means that many changes are in store for the country – socially, politically, and economically. It is hard to predict when the newly elected Conservatives will propose their Internet privacy laws, but one thing is certain: a VPN service will be waiting in the wings. Pirate Party leader, Mikkel Paulson, explains that this service will give Canadians the protection they need against the Conservative’s Internet policies which include censorship and monitoring.

The Pirate Party is so committed to this cause that they plan on protecting Internet users elsewhere in the world, too. They say they will donate a free VPN account for every one they sell in Canada. Canadian residents and the Private Party will be glued to the news on the Internet as the changes brought on by the Conservative Party begin to unfold – whether they do so through a VPN service or not is to be determined.

How a VPN Service Calms Privacy Concerns

According to the recent survey "Mobile Privacy: A User’s Perspective" by TRUSTe and Harris Interactive, smartphone owners’ main concern about mobile applications is privacy. In fact, only 36% of respondents said they feel in control of their personal information when they use their smartphones. Many of the people surveyed said they do their best to stay protected by creating strong passwords and reading privacy policies, but these security solutions are not as effective as using a VPN service.

The Problem
Because smartphones are more sophisticated than ever, they are replacing the need for desktop and laptop computers. This means that consumers now carry around their personal data in their pockets. Smartphone users are aware these devices are a main source of sensitive information, which is why these privacy concerns exist. For some people, using a public WiFi connection or sharing information via apps is becoming more scary than convenient. Mobile privacy issues receive media attention, too, which fuels the public’s concerns about security.

The Solution
Smartphone users who want to feel more in control of their personal information should use a VPN service. GoTrusted secures applications with one click, making all Internet use completely private and secure. Not only does this service use strong encryption to encode personal information, but it turns public WiFi connections into secure hotspots. With GoTrusted, smartphone users know their privacy is always protected no matter where they connect. Ultimately, a VPN service is peace of mind the TRUSTe survey respondents need to calm their privacy concerns.

The Government and Internet Privacy: Is Canada the next China?

Canada was recently called into an election, which means any pending bills are dead on paper. The winning party can decide to reintroduce legislation from parliament’s last session – or not. One such piece of legislation is a bill which grants Canada’s federal police force permission to demand a person’s Internet activity – including emails and instant messages – without a court order. If this bill is passed, Canadians will face unprecedented privacy concerns. The short-term solution? A VPN service for your computer and/or mobile device.

As technology evolves and the Internet continues to change the way we communicate, governments all over the world are faced with the difficult task of regulating online activity without overstepping the boundaries of their constitutions. When it comes to digital issues, governments need to find a balance between protecting citizens and preserving their rights to privacy.

One of the concerns of this bill is the potential for abuse. If the federal police force can access an individual’s Internet activity without a court order then who is preventing this law from being abused? Without some form of oversight, Canadians will have to live in fear that their privacy could be violated at any given time. So, if the constitution isn’t enough to uphold their privacy, Canadian citizens will have to look elsewhere.

A VPN service makes all Internet use completely private and secure. Canadians who value privacy should consider using this Internet security solution if they aren’t already. Only time will tell who wins the election and whether or not this legislation will be supported by the winning party. No matter where you live in the world: instead of waiting for the government to determine Internet privacy laws, be proactive with a VPN service for your private browsing needs.

New Study Shows Majority of Men Want Private Browsing

According to a recent online poll in the U.K., more men welcome private browsing than women. More than half of the men polled said they have enabled a private browsing feature so their partner could not see their browsing history. The results of this poll might have British women asking what their husbands are hiding, but it has us asking "why are only 52% of men enabling private browsing"? Everyone should use a VPN service on their computers for privacy and security purposes.

Of the men and women who responded to the poll, 62% of them said the reason they like private browsing is because this feature makes them feel safer when purchasing things online. It’s true – if you make online payments or use your credit card to shop online without a VPN service then you are vulnerable to hackers who can easily steal your information. These software packages are especially important for people who connect to public WiFi on their computers or mobile devices.

Another reason why poll respondents said they like private browsing is because they can shop online without their families knowing what they bought. Online shopping is a modern convenience that many people take advantage of, especially during the holidays. However, the element of surprise can be easily spoiled if family members simply check the browsing history to see which websites were recently visited on that computer. The use of the private browsing feature of a web browser helps protect against this, but the addition of a VPN service ensures that the purchase is truly anonymous.

eHow Recommends GoTrusted’s VPN Service

Administrators on college campuses all over the country use proxy firewalls to censor which websites students can visit while they are connected to the school’s network. The problem with this is that students end up being restricted from some useful resources on the Internet, which contradicts the philosophy that universities are places to share ideas, promote independence, and prepare students to enter the workforce. According to eHow.com, GoTrusted’s VPN service is one way that students can bypass proxy walls so their Internet use is not monitored or restricted.

The eHow article gives three suggestions for bypassing proxy firewalls, including downloading and installing a free VPN service. It is important for you to understand why these programs are “free,” and how they could end up costing you in the long run. In reality, the company wants to use you to sell advertisements, make a commission from tracking your online buying habits, or steal your personal information by installing malware on your computer. As you can see, choosing a free VPN service is a risky decision to say the least.

On the other hand, there is no question where a VPN service generates its profit if they charge a low monthly fee. This allows the company to focus on providing a reliable service as opposed to co-opting users’ personal information in order to make money. In short, a small monthly investment in a dependable VPN service is the best way for students to protect their personal identities and use the Internet freely throughout their college careers and well into their future.