https://www.ivpn.net/en/blog/authors/dennis-k%C3%BCgler/ Recent content in Dennis Kügler on IVPN Hugo en Wed, 28 Oct 2015 17:26:24 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/port-forwarding-reservations-now-available/ Wed, 28 Oct 2015 17:26:24 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/port-forwarding-reservations-now-available/ July 2023 update: Port Forwarding is being phased out from the IVPN service and is no longer offered to new customers. You can find more information in a blog post about this change. Today we are excited to release the first of many upgrades to our network, reservation based port forwarding. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/scheduled-server-maintenance-june-2015/ Tue, 26 May 2015 09:27:35 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/scheduled-server-maintenance-june-2015/ In preparation for the new Multi-hop network we need to perform maintenance on several servers. Expected downtime is less than 30 mins per server. Only the servers listed below will be affected. Any active connections to the servers below will be disconnected at the time of the upgrade. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/americas-worst-anti-online-privacy-politicians/ Tue, 09 Sep 2014 15:32:34 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/americas-worst-anti-online-privacy-politicians/ Every year or so we take a look at which US politicians are making a concerted effort to destroy what little privacy we have left on the web. From CISPA-supporters, to Snowden-haters, these are the people who have firmly planted their flag in the anti-online privacy camp, preferring to support entities who are pushing for surveillance and the curtailing of online freedoms. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/internet-censorship-around-the-world/ Mon, 18 Aug 2014 08:46:26 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/internet-censorship-around-the-world/ In 2013, Freedom House released a ‘Freedom on the Net’ report, detailing internet censorship and restrictions around the world. In the report, each country was awarded a ‘Freedom on the Net’ score out of 100. This was based on three different metrics - limits placed on online content, obstacles to internet access, and violations of user rights. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/uk-citizens-care-online-privacy-24-hours-two-simple-things/ Tue, 15 Jul 2014 14:31:07 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/uk-citizens-care-online-privacy-24-hours-two-simple-things/ The UK is currently one of the worst countries in Europe when it comes to pushing online surveillance laws (if not the worst). Don’t let them get away with more of this bullshit without voicing your opposition. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/quick-guide-fcc-corruption-infographic/ Wed, 18 Jun 2014 17:41:30 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/quick-guide-fcc-corruption-infographic/ The incestuous relationship between the Federal Communications Commission, and the telecommunications industry it’s supposed to regulate, is very well documented. Numerous FCC executives and employees have left the organisation only to be employed at Comcast and other telcos, while the FCC itself is being run by the former head of lobby groups that would like nothing more than to see net neutrality ground into the dust. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/individuals-responsible-online-privacy-governments-says-survey/ Tue, 28 Jan 2014 19:38:18 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/individuals-responsible-online-privacy-governments-says-survey/ Microsoft has released a new global privacy survey to coincide with International Data Privacy Day (which takes place today in case you didn’t know). The findings reveal a somewhat confused attitude toward online privacy across both Europe and the US, with respondents claiming to care about online privacy, but at the same time failing to take simple actions, such as reading a company’s privacy policy. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/dont-expect-googles-conscious-home-to-keep-things-private/ Tue, 14 Jan 2014 17:28:14 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/dont-expect-googles-conscious-home-to-keep-things-private/ Two interesting Google-related news stories broke over the last few days. The first is that France’s data protection authority, CNIL, has issued the search giant with an 150,000 euro fine after ruling its privacy policy violated the French Data Protection Act. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/will-us-government-try-ban-vpns-2014/ Mon, 30 Dec 2013 04:06:23 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/will-us-government-try-ban-vpns-2014/ With online privacy coming under increasing attack, it’s no surprise that more and more activists, and privacy-conscious internet users, want to shield their internet activity from potential evesdroppers - be they state institutions or private companies. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/concerned-online-privacy-heres-five-us-politicians-keep-eye-2014/ Tue, 24 Dec 2013 10:58:27 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/concerned-online-privacy-heres-five-us-politicians-keep-eye-2014/ Last year we rounded-up a selection of the most anti-online privacy politicians in the US, followed by a similar round-up focusing on the UK. Since then Edward Snowden’s PRISM revelations have had a huge impact on the political landscape and have revealed a broad church of politicians who have allied themselves with perhaps the most pervasive spying programme in history. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/will-europeans-really-set-free-data-retention/ Sun, 15 Dec 2013 11:08:11 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/will-europeans-really-set-free-data-retention/ It appears the EU Data Retention Directive will soon be scrapped. On Thursday, the European Court of Justice General, Pedro Cruz Villalon, said the highly controversial law contravenes the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/five-reasons-uk-politicians-hate-internet/ Sat, 30 Nov 2013 08:48:19 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/five-reasons-uk-politicians-hate-internet/ The World Wide Web may have been created by a Brit but in the last 15 years the UK government has shown nothing but disdain for online liberties and online privacy. In fact, out of all western nations, we reckon the UK is probably the most draconian and heavy handed in its approach to managing and controlling its own citizens in the online space, and - unlike the US’ PRISM program - most of this has been done out in the open. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/european-parliament-eu-surveillance-programmes-are-incompatible-with-fundamental-human-rights-of-citizens-and-residents-in-the-eu/ Fri, 15 Nov 2013 10:06:09 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/european-parliament-eu-surveillance-programmes-are-incompatible-with-fundamental-human-rights-of-citizens-and-residents-in-the-eu/ A European Parliament report on state surveillance says current programmes are “incompatible” with the human rights of EU residents and all state surveillance must be framed “in terms of collective freedoms and democracy,” rather than “data protection and national security. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/ivpn-launches-new-privacy-guides/ Thu, 07 Nov 2013 08:47:26 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/ivpn-launches-new-privacy-guides/ Given the constant attacks on online privacy, from both government agencies and corporate interests, the practice of keeping your data private and secure has never been more relevant nor more important. However, the online privacy landscape can often look incredibly arcane and complicated to outsiders. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/vpn-privacy-policies-decoded-vyprvpn/ Wed, 23 Oct 2013 10:49:36 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/vpn-privacy-policies-decoded-vyprvpn/ This post is part of a series reviewing the privacy policies of popular VPN services. The aim is to find out whether the VPN takes customer privacy seriously. This is not intended as a review of a VPN service, which would need to take into account a number of other factors. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/top-five-threats-to-online-privacy-2013/ Sat, 28 Sep 2013 13:07:59 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/top-five-threats-to-online-privacy-2013/ The likes of SOPA, ACTA and CISPA may be behind us, but that doesn’t mean there still aren’t a number of legislative threats against online privacy looming on the horizon. From the Trans Pacific Partnership, to the UK’s impending porn filter, Western governments are continuing to try and curtail internet freedoms. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-onion-router-under-fire/ Wed, 18 Sep 2013 19:06:59 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-onion-router-under-fire/ Anonymity tool The Onion Router (TOR) has had a pretty rough few months, following confirmation that the FBI used an security flaw in the Tor Browser Bundle to install malware on its users’ computers. Despite offering our own privacy platform we’re big supporters of TOR and think it’s generally a secure platform to use (you can take a look at some of our guides on TOR right here). https://www.ivpn.net/blog/prism-is-the-biggest-influence-on-vpn-sign-ups/ Tue, 20 Aug 2013 16:22:14 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/prism-is-the-biggest-influence-on-vpn-sign-ups/ Edward Snowden’s revelations over the NSA’s PRISM programme is the biggest influence on people signing-up to a VPN, according to IVPN’s recent survey. A total of 1,054 people responded to our survey, which asked them to choose which recent pieces of proposed legislation and enacted laws - if any - caused them to sign-up to a Virtual Private Network service. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/vpn-privacy-policies-decoded-boxpn/ Sun, 28 Jul 2013 13:20:19 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/vpn-privacy-policies-decoded-boxpn/ This post is part of a series reviewing the privacy policies of popular VPN services. The aim is to find out whether the VPN takes customer privacy seriously. This is not intended as a review of a VPN service, which would need to take into account a number of other factors. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/uk-gov-publishes-whitewash-investigation-into-prism/ Fri, 19 Jul 2013 16:46:04 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/uk-gov-publishes-whitewash-investigation-into-prism/ The UK Intelligence and Security Committee has attempted to absolve UK authorities of any responsibility in the PRISM scandal and has published the results of an investigation into claims GCHQ along with the NSA violated UK law. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/global-privacy-poll-germans-least-concerned-about-online-privacy/ Sun, 07 Jul 2013 14:54:53 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/global-privacy-poll-germans-least-concerned-about-online-privacy/ An interesting survey from ComRes and Big Brother Watch came out recently giving us a broad global comparison of attitudes toward online privacy. The results were rather surprising and certainly confounded some of our own expectations. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/vpn-privacy-policies-decoded-witopia/ Fri, 28 Jun 2013 16:05:13 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/vpn-privacy-policies-decoded-witopia/ This post is part of a series reviewing the privacy policies of popular VPN services. The aim is to find out whether the VPN takes customer privacy seriously. This is not intended as a review of a VPN service, which would need to take into account a number of other factors. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/vpn-privacy-policies-decoded-airvpn/ Fri, 21 Jun 2013 12:19:01 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/vpn-privacy-policies-decoded-airvpn/ This post is part of a series reviewing the privacy policies of popular VPN services. The aim is to find out whether the VPN takes customer privacy seriously. This is not intended as a review of a VPN service, which would need to take into account a number of other factors. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/vpn-privacy-policies-decoded-strongvpn/ Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:59:25 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/vpn-privacy-policies-decoded-strongvpn/ This post is part of a series reviewing the privacy policies of popular VPN services. The aim is to find out whether the VPN takes customer privacy seriously. This is not intended as a review of a VPN service, which would need to take into account a number of other factors. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/prism-the-us-government-is-attacking-the-entire-global-online-community/ Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:25:59 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/prism-the-us-government-is-attacking-the-entire-global-online-community/ Did you need more evidence that the US government is spying on your web browsing? Well today is your lucky day. The Guardian has just published evidence of a secret program from the US government’s NSA, which proves that security agencies have direct access to the servers of major companies including Google, Facebook and Apple. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/vpn-privacy-policies-decoded-hide-my-ass/ Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:58:17 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/vpn-privacy-policies-decoded-hide-my-ass/ This post is part of a series reviewing the privacy policies of popular VPN services. The aim is to find out whether the VPN takes customer privacy seriously. This is not intended as a review of a VPN service, which would need to take into account a number of other factors. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/vpn-privacy-policies-decoded/ Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:58:02 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/vpn-privacy-policies-decoded/ As we’ve mentioned before on this blog, not all commercial VPN services are concerned about protecting your privacy, with some platforms presenting just as many surveillance risks as a regular ISP. VPN services are, of course, free to log your data and there’s nothing dishonest about this practice if it’s openly disclosed. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/introducing-ivpns-new-privacy-guides/ Wed, 29 May 2013 15:13:42 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/introducing-ivpns-new-privacy-guides/ Here at IVPN we take privacy very seriously. Unlike many other VPNs, we aim to educate users as much as we can on the technologies and tools that are able to protect your data and online identity. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-online-privacy-debate-understanding-the-basics/ Fri, 17 May 2013 15:20:12 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-online-privacy-debate-understanding-the-basics/ The current debate being waged around online privacy isn’t always straightforward and can often be filled with legislative and technical jargon that confuses people. We frequently get questions on very fundamental aspects to understanding online privacy, such as the difference between privacy at the IP level and at the browser level, understanding what data retention is, or questions around the myriad of surveillance bills that seem to pop-up every month or so. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/apple-vs-google-who-better-protects-your-privacy/ Wed, 08 May 2013 16:45:10 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/apple-vs-google-who-better-protects-your-privacy/ Apple and Google are two of the biggest giants in the world of technology and if you’re using a smartphone or tablet device, then chances are you’ve tied yourself to one of those company’s platforms and ecosystems. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/is-cispa-a-threat-to-vpn-users/ Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:22:02 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/is-cispa-a-threat-to-vpn-users/ So the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act is firmly back on the agenda, with the infamous bill likely to be voted on in the next 24 hours. If CISPA does eventually become enacted it will likely see more US citizens turning to virtual private networks (VPNs) to help anonymise their internet activity. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/facebook-vs-google-the-loser-is-your-privacy/ Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:44:48 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/facebook-vs-google-the-loser-is-your-privacy/ The launch of Facebook Home last week was a significant escalation in the arms race between Facebook and Google; a battle that will only result in the continuing erosion of privacy - and the expectation of privacy – online. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/top-five-defenders-of-online-privacy/ Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:49:47 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/top-five-defenders-of-online-privacy/ The attempted crackdown on online freedoms over the last few years has been relentless. From CISPA in the US, to the CCDP in the UK, governments around the world are ramping up efforts to increase internet surveillance, not to mention private corporations trying to impose draconian legislation such as SOPA and ACTA. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/european-parliament-eu-surveillance-programmes-are-incompatible-with-the-fundamental-human-rights-of-citizens-and-residents-in-the-eu/ Mon, 01 Apr 2013 09:24:00 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/european-parliament-eu-surveillance-programmes-are-incompatible-with-the-fundamental-human-rights-of-citizens-and-residents-in-the-eu/ A European Parliament study on state surveillance has concluded that surveillance programmes must be framed “in terms of collective freedoms and democracy” and current programmes are “incompatible” with the human rights of EU residents. The study, which was commissioned by the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, says: https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-five-biggest-threats-to-global-online-privacy/ Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:01:52 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-five-biggest-threats-to-global-online-privacy/ While the phrase “there’s no privacy online” holds true in many respects, it’s always worth remembering that there’s a great deal of internet freedoms we currently enjoy that could be put at risk by cack-handed, or downright malicious, legislation. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-uks-top-5-anti-online-privacy-politicans/ Mon, 21 Jan 2013 22:13:46 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-uks-top-5-anti-online-privacy-politicans/ The UK is currently facing one of the biggest threats to its online freedoms. The looming Communications Capabilities Development Programme gives law enforcement unprecedented powers when it comes to accessing citizens’ online data. So we thought it might be fun to take a look back at which UK politicians have posed the biggest threat to online privacy and internet freedoms. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/top-5-online-privacy-trends-in-2013/ Wed, 26 Dec 2012 18:00:33 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/top-5-online-privacy-trends-in-2013/ As 2012 draws to a close we take a look back at what we think will be the top five threats to online privacy over the coming year. Think we’ve missed something out? Let us know in the comments below. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/us-boosts-child-online-privacy-law-but-facebook-gets-off-the-hook/ Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:16:38 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/us-boosts-child-online-privacy-law-but-facebook-gets-off-the-hook/ US federal regulators have tightened legislation designed to safeguard children’s online privacy. The new laws are designed to give parents more control over what types of data is collected online, and reflect the growing importance and spread of smartphone technology. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/160-million-people-affected-by-data-breaches-in-2012/ Thu, 13 Dec 2012 18:51:24 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/160-million-people-affected-by-data-breaches-in-2012/ Data breaches suffered by private companies and public institutions increased by more than 40% year-on-year in 2012, with over 160 million people having their personal information compromised, according to a new study. The auditing company KPMG says there was a total of 835 separate incidences of data breaches this year and deliberate ‘hacking’ of companies accounted for 67% of the data loss. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/uk-public-data-under-threat-from-us-patriot-act/ Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:01:04 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/uk-public-data-under-threat-from-us-patriot-act/ The USA’s controversial Patriot Act has just got, well, a lot more controversial. A recent study by The University of Amsterdam says US government agencies can secretly request US-based cloud storage companies to hand over data they have on foreign citizens. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/oppose-the-uks-spying-bill-youre-siding-with-paedophiles/ Mon, 03 Dec 2012 17:23:53 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/oppose-the-uks-spying-bill-youre-siding-with-paedophiles/ The UK’s home secretary, Theresa May, has made her most outrageous defense of the Communications Capabilites Development Programme yet, saying that anyone who opposes the bill - which allows police to monitor email communications and web browsing - is siding with “criminals, terrorists and paedophiles”. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/europeans-more-concerned-about-online-privacy-than-canadians/ Sun, 25 Nov 2012 21:14:17 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/europeans-more-concerned-about-online-privacy-than-canadians/ Two interesting online privacy-related surveys were published earlier this week. One was conducted in Europe by data management company TRUSTe and the other in Canada by the Canadian Advertising Standards industry regulator. Although the two surveys covered slightly different topics, the way they were reported in the press suggested that Europeans are more concerned about online privacy and tracking than Canadians. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/uk-online-communications-crackdown-a-brief-round-up/ Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:55:58 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/uk-online-communications-crackdown-a-brief-round-up/ Last week a man was arrested in the UK for posting an image of a burning paper poppy to Facebook, in just the latest incident of what appears to be a growing crackdown on free speech and internet freedoms in the UK. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/want-to-know-how-much-your-personal-data-is-really-worth/ Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:17:06 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/want-to-know-how-much-your-personal-data-is-really-worth/ A recent study from business strategists The Boston Consulting Group, has underscored the growing importance and value of online personal data for businesses. The report titled ‘The Value of Our Digital Identity’, says the total value extracted from European consumers’ personal data in 2011 was 315 billion euros and that figure is predicted to grow to a staggering 1 trillion euros annually by 2020. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/71-of-brits-dont-trust-governments-new-cyber-security-bill/ Sat, 03 Nov 2012 12:37:15 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/71-of-brits-dont-trust-governments-new-cyber-security-bill/ The UK government is edging ever closer to passing its draconian communications data bill, but new research from YouGov shows that the British public do not trust the coalition when it comes to keeping its private online data safe. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/top-five-free-online-privacy-tools/ Sun, 28 Oct 2012 21:22:44 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/top-five-free-online-privacy-tools/ Although maintaining complete anonymity on the internet is very difficult, there are plenty of tools and alternative services out there that can help protect your personal data. Below we’ve listed five of our favorite services and tools that are privacy conscious. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/google-under-pressure-to-change-privacy-policy/ Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:22:00 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/google-under-pressure-to-change-privacy-policy/ Google’s new privacy policy may be in breach of EU law according to 30 European data protection commissioners. The EU has sent a public letter to Google saying its new privacy policy could be collecting too much data on users and holding that data for too long. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/top-5-online-privacy-misconceptions/ Sat, 13 Oct 2012 13:33:47 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/top-5-online-privacy-misconceptions/ Online privacy is a vast topic and for the average internet user it can be an uphill struggle keeping up with the facts. So we’ve rounded-up five of – what we think – are the most common misconceptions surrounding online privacy. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/australian-data-retention-debate-heats-up/ Fri, 05 Oct 2012 10:14:07 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/australian-data-retention-debate-heats-up/ Australia’s National Security Proposals, which threaten to curtail the online freedoms of Aussie citizens, are currently being thrashed out in a series of joint parliamentary committees. The latest hearing, which took place last week, saw police officials call for new data retention laws and increased power to access Australian citizens’ online personal data. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/will-privacy-concerns-limit-facebooks-growth/ Sat, 29 Sep 2012 10:07:59 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/will-privacy-concerns-limit-facebooks-growth/ The last week has been troublesome for the world’s biggest social network Facebook, with (false) allegations of a timeline privacy flaw, worries over its new data-sharing partnership, and – most importantly – a dramatic dip in confidence from potential investors. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-internet-association-a-rogues-gallery-of-online-privacy-violators/ Sat, 22 Sep 2012 16:38:24 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-internet-association-a-rogues-gallery-of-online-privacy-violators/ A number of heavy weights in the online space have joined forces to form The Internet Association, a new lobbying group that aims to protect the freedom of the internet and the rights of internet users. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/congress-to-vote-on-secret-spying-act-today/ Wed, 12 Sep 2012 11:15:29 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/congress-to-vote-on-secret-spying-act-today/ The US House of Representatives is scheduled today to vote on an five-year extension of the controversial FISA Amendments Acts, which was enacted in 2008 to legalise the Bush adminstration’s wiretapping program. What is FISA Amendments Act? https://www.ivpn.net/blog/only-three-days-left-to-protest-uk-porn-filter/ Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:56:54 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/only-three-days-left-to-protest-uk-porn-filter/ The UK’s Department of Education is currently holding a public consultation on parental internet controls, the results of which will influence the coalition government’s decision to implement an mandatory ISP-level content filter, designed to block pornography and other adult content. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/trans-pacific-partnership-sopa-through-the-back-door/ Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:59:04 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/trans-pacific-partnership-sopa-through-the-back-door/ Heads-up people, a new threat to online freedoms is on the horizon. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) looks set to be the latest trade agreement that seeks to infiltrate SOPA-like laws through the backdoor, with almost no public consultation or legal scrutiny. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/android-is-a-trojan-horse-just-follow-the-money/ Fri, 24 Aug 2012 13:03:54 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/android-is-a-trojan-horse-just-follow-the-money/ Google’s Android mobile operating system is currently the most popular smartphone platform in the world. In the space of just three years, the OS rocketed from 9% of the global smartphone market share to, currently, 56% ahead of Apple, Symbian, BlackBerry OS and Windows Phone. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/google-can-never-be-trusted-to-protect-your-privacy/ Fri, 17 Aug 2012 12:26:29 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/google-can-never-be-trusted-to-protect-your-privacy/ Last week saw Google slapped with a $22.5 million fine by the US Federal Trade Commission, in order to settle allegations that the search giant broke its privacy policy, by secretly tracking the browsing habits of millions of people who use Apple’s Safari browser. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/germany-the-biggest-defender-of-online-privacy/ Wed, 08 Aug 2012 15:44:28 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/germany-the-biggest-defender-of-online-privacy/ When it comes to defending online privacy not all governments, and indeed not all populations, are born equal. Nowhere is this most apparent than when looking at Germany and other European Union countries. Despite Germany’s role at the very heart of the EU, and despite the EU continually trying erode online freedoms, Germany’s government and legal system has taken a defiant stand on a number of online privacy issues, while the German people have been vociferous in their opposition to online privacy violation. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/australia-prepares-for-new-online-privacy-fight/ Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:59:18 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/australia-prepares-for-new-online-privacy-fight/ The Australian government is proposing a new set of sweeping online surveillance powers as a part of a National Security Inquiry. If implemented, the new powers would see Australian ssuffer some of the most extreme online surveillance policies yet implemented in western democracies. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/protecting-your-online-privacy-on-a-smartphone/ Wed, 25 Jul 2012 10:22:35 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/protecting-your-online-privacy-on-a-smartphone/ Smartphones present a whole new arena of privacy concerns to anyone looking to protect their anonymity online. If you’re a very privacy conscious individual then you’ve probably already opted to avoid using an internet-enabled phone all together. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/top-five-worst-online-privacy-breaches/ Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:04:44 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/top-five-worst-online-privacy-breaches/ If there’s one thing the world wide web has taught us it’s to expect a degree of incompetence when it comes to companies protecting your online privacy. Over the last decade or so there’s been numerous serious online data breaches from major corporations - whether it’s companies such as AOL displaying a bewildering lack of regard for their customers private search data, or Google outright spying on people within their own homes. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/acta-and-sopa-back-from-the-dead/ Thu, 12 Jul 2012 13:00:54 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/acta-and-sopa-back-from-the-dead/ Last week we revisited our round-up of threats to online privacy and scoured the internet for updates on their current status. Well, we probably should have waited for this week to undertake such an endeavour, because two of the internet’s biggest bogeymen (or is it bogeybills? https://www.ivpn.net/blog/status-update-current-threats-to-online-privacy/ Mon, 02 Jul 2012 20:32:32 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/status-update-current-threats-to-online-privacy/ Back in April we rounded up six major pieces of legislation that posed a threat to online privacy and online freedoms in the western world. In the last few months since that post there have been a few developments, with some bills winding their way further through state legal systems, and others wilting in the face of popular protest. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/governments-and-online-privacy-who-are-the-worst-offenders/ Wed, 27 Jun 2012 12:49:39 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/governments-and-online-privacy-who-are-the-worst-offenders/ In this article we take a quick look at the track records of western democratic governments when it comes to online privacy and data retention, rounding up the three best cases and the three worst cases. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-uks-political-parties-dont-care-about-online-privacy/ Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:21:53 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-uks-political-parties-dont-care-about-online-privacy/ The propaganda machine around the UK coalition government’s new online surveillance bill, designed to help law enforcement agencies spy on UK citizens without judicial oversight, is in full flow. The last two weeks have seen advocates from the Conservative party take to the airwaves, putting their views across TV and radio shows in attempt to convince the British public that the bill will help keep children safe from peadophiles and the general public safe from terrorists. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/when-law-enforcement-knocks-on-a-vpns-door-what-happens/ Fri, 08 Jun 2012 12:49:27 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/when-law-enforcement-knocks-on-a-vpns-door-what-happens/ Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are fast becoming one of the last refuges for internet users who want to ensure their web browsing is kept private. This year barely a week has gone by without unpopular, anti-online privacy, legislation, pushed by powerful entertainment industry lobbies, making headlines. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/nations-or-corporations-who-poses-the-biggest-threat-to-online-privacy/ Sat, 26 May 2012 13:05:29 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/nations-or-corporations-who-poses-the-biggest-threat-to-online-privacy/ This week has reminded us of the twin threats online privacy currently faces from both the public and private arenas, with news of a new FBI surveillance unit designed to crack emerging technologies, and the revelation that Apple may be storing every word you say to the iPhone 4S voice assistant Siri. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/when-it-comes-to-online-privacy-the-uk-is-already-screwed/ Wed, 16 May 2012 15:14:44 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/when-it-comes-to-online-privacy-the-uk-is-already-screwed/ Last week’s formal announcement of the UK government’s CCDP surveillance plans, may be the last nail in the coffin when comes to the online privacy of UK citizens, but it certainly isn’t the first. The UK has for some time led the way in Europe when it comes to a complete disregard for the privacy of internet users across the country. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/americas-most-dangerous-anti-online-privacy-politicians/ Mon, 07 May 2012 15:32:24 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/americas-most-dangerous-anti-online-privacy-politicians/ With politicians Mike Rogers and ‘Dutch’ Ruppersberger trying desperately to push the CISPA surveillance bill through the US Senate, facing opposition from thousands of concerned citizens and president Obama himself, we though it was about time to take a closer look at the men behind these half-cocked pieces of legislation. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/cispa-danger-esclates-as-bill-receives-approval/ Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:42:48 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/cispa-danger-esclates-as-bill-receives-approval/ The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) was yesterday approved by the US House of Representatives, in a vote that brings the US one step closer to eradicating the very principle of user anonymity and privacy in the online space. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/a-quick-guide-to-current-online-privacy-threats/ Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:53:16 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/a-quick-guide-to-current-online-privacy-threats/ It may only be April, but 2012 has already seen a worrying number of legislative acts hit the headlines that threaten online privacy. From the entertainment industry-backed SOPA in the USA, to the UK’s surveillance state-issued CCDP, 2012 has seen governments and industries across the western world try to put the brakes on the vibrant, free-thinking, online ecology that has grown over the last decade. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/cispa-more-of-a-threat-to-online-privacy-than-sopa/ Sat, 14 Apr 2012 15:36:00 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/cispa-more-of-a-threat-to-online-privacy-than-sopa/ Another day, another new piece of legislation that threatens the online privacy of web citizens around the world. Last week it was the draconian new spying powers of the UK’s CCDP act, this week it’s the turn of the US congress’ to stir-up online protest with a piece of legislation that once again threatens to give government agencies new powers to spy on users. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/uk-online-spying-law-how-to-resist/ Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:32:14 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/uk-online-spying-law-how-to-resist/ The UK’s coalition government is planning to give law enforcement agencies unprecedented powers to monitor and spy on the web-browsing of British citizens. In this post we’ll be explaining what this proposed new law means, and what you can do to fight it. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/can-duckduckgo-kill-google/ Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:18:49 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/can-duckduckgo-kill-google/ Could the growing furor over online privacy spell the end of Google’s dominance over search? Granted, it’s an almost unthinkable proposition today, but with the rapid rise of privacy-conscious alternative DuckGoGo, Google may have a real fight on its hands over the next few years. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/top-five-ways-to-protect-your-online-privacy/ Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:29:00 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/top-five-ways-to-protect-your-online-privacy/ The issue of online privacy has never been more urgent. Over the last year we’ve seen a combination of governments, advertisers, and the entertainment industry, all trying to increase their power to monitor what you do in cyberspace. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/internet-privacy-concerns-rise-as-debate-rages-over-ad-tracking-regulation/ Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:25:25 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/internet-privacy-concerns-rise-as-debate-rages-over-ad-tracking-regulation/ Two surveys released this week have revealed that internet users are becoming more and more concerned about their online privacy, as debate rages between regulators and activists over how much control we should have over advertisers seeking to collect our personal data. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/uk-isps-forced-to-spy-on-customers/ Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:21:04 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/uk-isps-forced-to-spy-on-customers/ UK internet users may soon face an unprecedented attack on their online privacy, after two of the country’s biggest ISP’s lost their latest court appeal against a government law that forces them to spy on customers on behalf of copyright holders. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/ireland-passes-sopa-law/ Sat, 03 Mar 2012 17:31:54 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/ireland-passes-sopa-law/ The entertainment industry may have suffered a defeat in the USA with SOPA, and a potential defeat in the wider EU with ACTA, but in Ireland it’s finally finding some success, after the Irish government passed a SOPA-esque bill into law on Friday. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/iranians-face-halal-internet/ Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:58:07 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/iranians-face-halal-internet/ Two thousand, five hundred, years ago Iran connected the world with the first ever global empire, but fast-forward to 2012 and it looks like the Iranian government is about to take a dramatic step in isolating its own population. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/google-caught-spying-on-safari-users/ Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:42:16 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/google-caught-spying-on-safari-users/ Google stands accused of deliberately hacking Apple’s Safari browser, in order to circumvent security barriers and install user-tracking cookies. Google’s activities were reported to the Wall Street Journal by a Stanford researcher. The researcher found that Google had installed dodgy web forms inside online ads with Google’s +1 button. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/canadians-face-police-attack-on-online-privacy/ Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:35:01 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/canadians-face-police-attack-on-online-privacy/ Canada is close to passing a new law that allows police to access user IP addresses, names, addresses and telephone numbers, without need for a warrant or any evidence of wrongdoing. Unlike recent headline-grabbing bills such as ACTA and SOPA, the “Protecting Children From Internet Predators Act” was not devised by the entertainment industry and copyright lawyers. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/europeans-rage-against-acta/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:08:08 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/europeans-rage-against-acta/ Thousands of European citizens are taking to the streets today to protest against the EU’s Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, otherwise known as ACTA, which severely threatens European online privacy and civil liberties in the name of protecting copyright. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-fbi-wants-to-criminalise-online-privacy/ Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:24:13 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-fbi-wants-to-criminalise-online-privacy/ The FBI and US Department of Justice is now encouraging internet cafe users to spy on the online activities of their fellow citizens. The FBI’s “Communities Against Terrorism” notice lists a whole host of activities that the agency classifies as “suspicious” and a “potential indicator of terrorism”. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/government-bills-spy-on-individual-surfing-habits/ Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:14:23 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/government-bills-spy-on-individual-surfing-habits/ This week has seen an enormous rise in awareness of internet censorship bills such as SOPA and PIPA, which is good news for anti-censorship advocates. Whilst many within the technology industry were aware of these bills, others were not until last week’s internet blackout campaign which included large companies such as Wikipedia and Google. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/could-you-be-prosecuted-under-a-foreign-countrys-online-content-laws/ Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:03:56 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/could-you-be-prosecuted-under-a-foreign-countrys-online-content-laws/ It’s fast becoming clear that using an anonymous IP address is going to be vital if you want to protect yourself, not only from being wrongly prosecuted by your own country’s vague laws concerning online content, but also the laws from other countries. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/fbi-gives-agents-ok-to-invade-privacy/ Mon, 27 Jun 2011 07:32:12 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/fbi-gives-agents-ok-to-invade-privacy/ The Federal Bureau of Investigation has recently approved the use of broader powers by approximately 14,000 agents involved in observing criminal and terrorist activities. These increased powers allow them greater freedom to search databases, rummage through household garbage and even deploy surveillance teams to spy on the daily lives of those who are unfortunate enough to have attracted Big Brother’s attention. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/new-zealand-about-to-push-through-controversial-three-strikes-law/ Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:08:16 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/new-zealand-about-to-push-through-controversial-three-strikes-law/ According to news released today by torrentfreak.com, New Zealand looks set to pass the controversial Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Bill for its second reading in just a few hours. The Bill originally passed its first reading in April 2010. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-right-to-privacy/ Wed, 22 Sep 2010 13:37:33 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-right-to-privacy/ One of the most abused and least exercised of human rights is the right to privacy. This fundamental freedom is slowly being etched away by the constant encroachment from government and corporate entities, countless databases with personal information and questionable security, as well as our own unwillingness to take a stand against this abuse. https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-importance-of-privacy/ Sun, 08 Aug 2010 11:03:05 +0000 https://www.ivpn.net/blog/the-importance-of-privacy/ A man sits down to dinner. He proceeds to discuss his work and his opinion of his colleagues. He moves on to reveal personal secrets he has gleaned from intimate conversations with these same coworkers. His wife is intrigued and urges him to continue.