Online security firm accused of threatening its own users’ privacy

China is rarely thought of as a bastion of online security, but its private sector’s reputation took yet another hit this week after it was revealed that Qihoo 360 Technology, the country’s largest internet security service provider, had been accused of stealing the personal data of its vast customer base.
The National Business Daily, a Chinese newspaper, alleged that personal information of 400 million online users had been illegally obtained, using a complex and secretive browser tracking system. The software, the paper claimed, transmits users' online viewing habits to the company’s cloud storage servers - not exactly the type of behaviour that you expect from an internet security firm.
As if that wasn't enough, the company has also been accused of attacking its rivals by using software updates to uninstall their software from its user’s systems. In a possible tit-for-tat response, Apple Inc has already removed all of the company’s App Store applications and suspended its developer privileges. Qihoo, of course, denies that Apple's app removal is related to privacy issues.
The company built its impressive customer base by offering free online security services to privacy conscious Chinese web users, who often find themselves fighting a losing battle against their snooping state. Customers have understandably reacted with outrage on hearing the news, with one individual complaining that he was unable to use any other browser after installing the free Qihoo 360 option. Such tactics are perhaps unsurprising given that Qihoo is currently embroiled in high-profile bickering with rival firms.
The company has attempted to brush off the allegations, claiming that they are based on the accounts of “anonymous industry insiders” and blaming rumour-mongering by competitors. They have also offered the somewhat dubious explanation that the data was being harvested to aid in its anti-virus efforts for the benefit of its users.
If you’re concerned about the questionable practices of online security agencies, try using a reliable VPN service to give your system an added layer of protection. Using a VPN service makes it more difficult for would-be data thieves to access your private information and helping to ease your online privacy worries.

Google vs China: who’s the global menace?

Erich Schmidt, Google’s outspoken boss and writer, offers released a vituperative philippic towards online censoring in China, taking goal in the “nuisance” of the country’s condition backed cyber-criminal gangs and web police. Irregular? Hero? Villain? We are nevertheless less than sure what to think of Mr Schmidt, let alone China.

Inside a new book entitled The New Digital Age, Schmidt describes what he or she views as the “difference” between your Chinese as well as US method of both independence of the web and corporate espionage, with the developing Far Eastern world power charged with missing the actual “United states sense associated with fair play”. (Of course, we couldn’t possibly discuss regardless of whether Schmidt’s views on paying company tax are affected by this feeling of fair play!)

The authors from the book also express their own concern over the developing influence from the Chinese government within the online world. The fast distribute of Chinese technologies is actually making it easier for that routine to manage the actual flow of information arriving as well as out of the country, in addition to providing them with the chance to pursue their very own corporate espionage program. Of course, it should be also noted which Google are barely knights in combat in shining web armour. Google has come set for heavy globally criticism previously, especially more than its own dubious take on privacy...

Nevertheless, Google offers fought for a long time because of its Chinese language customers, fighting against the Chinese government bodies and it is intense online censoring program before lastly acknowledging defeat at the start the brand new Year - pulling out a new feature made to notify Google customers within China in regards to a quantity of blocked key phrases. Previously, Google re-sent search demands from mainland China via it's uncensored Hong Kong site, although the government’s “Excellent Firewall” put an end to that exercise for the finish associated with 2012.

Should you’lso are affected by China’s ever-developing censoring activities, a VPN supplier may be a perfect solution. A dependable VPN supplier helps lengthy struggling internet users to prevent GEO-limited content as well as beat nationwide censoring applications, providing them with totally free as well as unrestricted use of the internet - only the way it should be!

Using a VPN supplier helps keep your personal info away from spying eye as well as safeguarding your online identification - crucial for all those accessing the web via a link, or for individuals concerned about state sponsored corporate espionage.

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