The ‘five eyes’ governments don’t trust Lenovo – should you?

According to a report by the Australian Financial Review, governments from around the world including Australia, America, Great Britain, Canada, and New Zealand, a.k.a. the 'Five Eyes,' have banned their intelligence and defence departments from using computers designed by Chinese company Lenovo.

 

The report claims that the ban has been in place since 2005, the year that Lenovo acquired the PC arm of computer giant IBM. While the latter company continues to do business in servers and mainframes for governments, Lenovo has been dropped. It's been suggested that this is yet another aspect of the Prism revelations: since the five governments have been sharing information using the same classified networks, it's evidently essential that they all adopt the same security policies.

 

The justification for the ban is apparently as a result of intense security tests carried out on the computers which found vulnerabilities not only in the hardware, but also in the firmware. The study and subsequent ban pointed specifically to “malicious circuits” and firmware embedded in chipsets produced in Lenovo’s native China. The tests, carried out by MI5 and MI6, discovered the potential for backdoor access to the systems. This could effectively allow people with knowledge of the system to remotely access any device, without setting off any alarm bells. 

 

Reacting to the news, Lenovo dismissed the nearly decade-old ban by pointing out that the same governments still use their technology for unclassified networks. A spokesperson for Lenovo said that its products have "been found time and time again to be reliable and secure by our enterprise and public sector customers and we always welcome their engagement to ensure we are meeting their security needs”.

 

As reported in The Daily Telegraph, the UK Home Office has refused to divulge whether they make use of Lenovo products for the UK's secret networks. In a press statement, GCHQ said: “As a matter of policy we don’t routinely discuss the names or nature of suppliers to GCHQ on any aspect of our business”.

 

If you have concerns about computer security, you can help make your data more secure by using a VPN service. The VPN works as an additional layer of protection that stands between the data stored on your device and any external users attempting to access it.

The Best VPN Services for File Sharers, 2013

Private Encryption to Cloak Your Online Data Activity

If you are looking to privately download files, share files, and access streaming media, then these are the VPN providers you will want to consider. These services will cipher your downloads, uploads, emails, messages, and also manipulate your IP address so that you are effectively untraceable.

This list of VPN providers is in random order. This list is populated in part by About.com users who submit their suggestions and offer their personal reviews. If you wish to add to this list, you may submit a recommendation for a VPN service here.

Note on VPN speeds: expect your internet speed to be reduced by up to 75% while you are using your VPN. VPN speeds of 2 to 4 Mbps are common for cheaper VPN's. Speeds of 5 Mbps per second are good. VPN speeds over 15 Mbps are excellent.

Note on VPN encryption protocols: there are 3 common ciphering options for VPN's: OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, and PPTP. For most desktop users, OpenVPN is the strongest encryption and fastest data transfer. However, L2TP may be an even better option than OpenVPN in two special circumstances: you want to use multiple mobile devices on your VPN; or if you live in a country with oppressive government rules on internet use (e.g. China, Egypt). While not as fast as OpenVPN, L2TP is difficult for authorities to block, and it generally offers more support for mobile devices.

1. PureVPN

Cost: $10.00/month; $50/year. Supports OpenVPN, SSTP, L2TP/IPsec, and PPTP protocols. PureVPN also supports IKEvs2 protocol for BlackBerry. The servers are in 19 different countries, with no bandwidth limitations for premium subscribers. The price point is very compelling, and is much more affordable than most of its competitors.

PureVPN has won the affection of many users because of its very friendly software client and very economical price. You can split the tunneling, which is helpful for having encryption on specific parts of your web habits, while still using your regular network connection for others (gamers and downloaders will like this splitting feature). PureVPN does log bandwidth usage and your login durations, but deletes that information every 5 days. Speeds on Pure are in the 4 Mbps to 21 Mbps range, which averages faster than most other VPN's.

Visit their site: www.purevpn.com

2. Strong VPN

Cost: $20/month; $85/year. Good support for users in Asia. Offers L2TP and PPTP protocols.

Strong VPN is one of the more-expensive choices out there, but readers in Asia and the Pacific Rim say that Strong performs very well for them when compared to its competitors. The price point varies with your part of the world, but expect in the range of $20USD per month. The Strong VPN owners promise that there is no logging or scanning of their customers' data, and many readers recommend Strong. Try it for a month and let us know if Strong VPN works for you.

Visit their site: http://www.strongvpn.com

3. VyprVPN by Goldenfrog

Cost: $20/month; $240/year. Supports OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, and PPTP protocols. Good support for mobile devices like iPhones and Android tablets.

VyprVPN is a quality VPN service, recently grown by several new servers in Europe and Asia. Users with iPads and Android devices will definitely appreciate the Vypr mobile VPN apps. Additionally, being an offshore company incorporated in the Bahamas, there is less likelihood of the Vypr server logs being examined under the US PATRIOT Act.

Visit their site: http://www.goldenfrog.com/vyprvpn

 

4. IPVanish

Cost: $10/month; $78/year. Servers in 16 different countries make IPVanish an international presence. This service supports OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP (L2TP is harder for authorities to block, so it's a good protocol for people in countries where the government restricts internet use, like China and Egypt).

IPVanish is recommended by multiple readers at About.com. Not only does it have L2TP protocol for people in oppressive countries, the speeds for IPVanish are often over 10 Mbps. This service also supports simultaneous connections across multiple devices, so your Windows PC and your iPad can be encrypted at the same time.

While IPVanish does promise not to log any of its customers' data or online activity, the company does have offices in the USA. This makes them, unfortunately, open to PATRIOT Act investigation. Nonetheless, the service provides excellent speeds in a very user-friendly manner. Do consider evaluating IPVanish as you shop for a VPN service.

Visit their site: http://www.ipvanish.com

How To Set Up & Run a A VPN Client in Windows XP Pro

When you are working at your home office or in a remote location you may require resources that are available on your on-site computer or the corporate network such as printers. In Windows XP Pro edition, you can configure your computer to access your corporate network using VPN. This gives you the resources available from your corporate network from any location.

 

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 10 Minutes

Here's How:

1. The host computer running Windows' 2003 server must be set up before you can set up the client computer.
2. Right-click on the Network Connections on your desktop.
3. Click on create a new connection.
4. You want to choose Connect to the network at my workplace and then click Next.
5. Choose Virtual Private Network connection and then Next.
6. You will now enter a name for your VPN connection. Use something like workoffice or officecomputer. Click Next.
7. Choose Do not dial the initial connection and click Next.
8. You will need to enter the IP address of the VPN server. Your company IT department will provide you with this information.
9. Choose My use only and then click Next.
10. You want to select the Add a shortcut to this connection to my desktop and then select Finish.
11. Double-click the VPN icon on your desktop and login. You will get your user information from your IT department. You can now print and use files on the corporate network.

Tips:

1. Do not click the box "Save this User Name and Password for the following users". This saves your information on the hard drive, and if your computer is stolen you have enabled anyone to connect to your corporate VPN.
2. Your company may require a proxy server to connect to the Web. You will have to change this setting in Internet Explorer. Check with your IT department first.

What You Need

• Company VPN set up first.
• IP address of server.
• User login information.

10 Reasons to Use a VPN for Private Web Browsing

Why Personal Encryption and IP Manipulation Are Extremely Useful?

A virtual private network connection achieves two technical results: 1) a VPN cloaks and encrypts your signal, making your online activity completely illegible to any eavesdroppers, and 2) a VPN manipulates your IP address, making you appear to come from a different machine/location/country. While your VPN will slow down your connection speed by 25% - 50%, there are many good reasons to cloak your activities and change your IP address.

1. Use Public or Hotel Wi-Fi in Confidence

Most people are unaware of this, but that Starbucks hotspot and that 10-dollar-a-day hotel wi-fi is not safe for confidential email and browsing. Public wi-fi offers no encryption security to its users, and your signals are broadcast for anyone savvy enough to eavesdrop. It's very easy for even a junior hacker to intercept your unencrypted wi-fi signal using an Evil Twin phony hotspot or a Firefox Tamper Data plugin. Public wi-fi is terribly insecure, and is perhaps the biggest reason why mobile users should consider spending the 15 dollars per month for the safety of a VPN connection.

If you log into a public wi-fi network, and then connect to a personal VPN, all of your hotspot web use will then be encrypted and hidden from prying eyes. If you are a traveler or a user who is regularly using public wireless, then a VPN is a very wise investment in privacy.

 

2. Access Full Netflix and Streaming Content from Outside the USA

Because of copyright agreements, Netflix and Hulu and Pandora and other streaming media providers cannot broadcast all content outside of the USA. This means: many movies and shows are blocked to users in the UK, Canada, South America, Australia, Asia, and Europe. This geographical enforcement is managed by reading your user login IP address, and tracing it to its country of origin.

By using a VPN service, you can manipulate your machine's IP address to be from within the USA, therein unlocking access to more Netflix and Pandora streams. You will need to configure your television movie player or mobile device to use the VPN connection, but if you are a streaming fan, then the effort and cost of a VPN is worth it.

3. Break Out of a Restrictive Network at Work/School

As an employee of a company, or a student at a school/university, you will be subject to an 'Acceptable Use' policy for browsing the Web. 'Acceptable Use' is often debatable, and many organizations will impose draconian restrictions, like blocking you from checking your Facebook page, visiting YouTube, reading Twitter, surfing Flickr, performing instant messaging, or even accessing your Gmail or Yahoo mail.

A VPN connection will allow you to 'tunnel out' of a restrictive network and connect to otherwise-restricted websites and webmail services. More importantly: your VPN browsing content is scrambled and indecipherable to the network administrator, so he cannot collect any recorded evidence about your specific web activities. About.com does not recommend violating Acceptable Use policies as a rule, but if you feel you have justifiable reasons for bypassing your specific network restrictions, then a VPN connection will help you.

4. Download and Upload P2P Files in Privacy

The MPAA and other cinema and music associations absolutely detest P2P file sharing. For reasons of both profit and legality, the MPAA and other authorities want to forbid users from sharing movies and music online. They nab offenders by masquerading as fellow file sharers, or by eavesdropping on your ISP signal.

A VPN can be a P2P user's best friend. While a VPN connection will slow your bandwidth by 25% - 50%, it will cipher your file downloads, uploads, and actual IP address so that you are unidentifiable by authorities. If you are a file sharer, and do not wish to risk copyright prosecution or civil lawsuits, definitely consider spending 15 dollars a month on a good VPN. The privacy and protection from surveillance is definitely worth it.

5. Bypass the Country's Web Censorship and Content Surveillance

In the same way 'Acceptable Use' policies are enforced at workplaces and schools, some nations choose to impose oppressive internet censoring on their entire countries. Egypt, Afghanistan, China, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Belarus are some examples of nations who surveil and limit access to the World Wide Web.

If you live in one of these restrictive countries, connecting to a VPN server will enable you to 'tunnel out' of the censorship restrictions and access the full World Wide Web. Simultaneously a VPN conceals your page-by-page activity from any government eavesdropping. As with all VPN connections, your bandwidth will be slower than uncloaked internet, but the freedom is absolutely worth it.

6. Cloak Your VOIP Phone Calls

Voice-over-IP (internet telephoning) is relatively easy to eavesdrop on. Even intermediate-level hackers can listen in to your VOIP calls. If you regularly use VOIP services like Skype, Lync, or online voice chatting, definitely consider implementing a VPN connection. The monthly cost will be higher, and the VOIP speed will be slower with a VPN, but personal privacy is invaluable.

7. Use Search Engines Without Having Your Searches Logged

Like it or not, Google, Bing, and other search engines will catalog every web search you perform. Your online search choices are then attached to your computer's IP address, and are subsequently used to customize advertising and future searches for your machine. This cataloging might seem unobtrusive and perhaps even useful, but it is also a risk for future public embarrassment and social faux pas.

Don't let Google store your searches for 'anti-depressants', 'love advice', 'divorce lawyers', and 'anger management'... consider getting a VPN and cloak your IP address so you can keep your private searches private.

8. Watch Home-Specific Broadcasts While You Are Traveling

Local network news can be rather dodgy in some countries, and access to your favorite streaming television, sports games, and video feeds can be locked out while you are away from your home country.

By employing a VPN tunnel connection, you can force your borrowed connection to access your home country as if you were physically there, therein enabling your favorite football feeds and TV and newscasts.

 

9. Avoid Reprisals and Traceback Because of Your Researching

Perhaps you are a celebrity, or you are an employee doing market research of your competition. Perhaps you are a reporter or writer who covers sensitive topics like war atrocities, violence against women, or human trafficking. Perhaps you are a law enforcement officer investigating cybercriminals. In any of these cases, it is in your best interests to make your computer untraceable to prevent reprisals.

A personal VPN connection is the best choice for manipulating your IP address and rendering you untraceable.

10. Because You Believe Privacy Is a Basic Right

All the above reasons notwithstanding, you are a firm believer in personal privacy and the right to broadcast and receive without being surveilled and catalogued by authorities. And that is perhaps the biggest philosophical reason you want to spend 15 dollars a month on a good VPN connection service.

 

Microsoft announces the destruction of almost 90% of Citadel malware bots worldwide

Back in June, we reported on Microsoft and the FBI working together to take down the financial malware Citadel. Over a month later, it looks like the partnership has more than paid off. Microsoft has reported that around 88 percent of botnets that were running the Citadel malware when the partnership was announced have now been disrupted, thanks to the company’s collaboration with the FBI and other technological and financial service partners. It’s also estimated that about 40 percent of Citadel-infected computers that were a part of these botnets have been cleaned of the infection, although Microsoft haven’t been very forthcoming with details of how exactly this was achieved.

Richard Domingues Boscovich, assistant general counsel for Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit, posted a blog post towards the end of June claiming that Microsoft had identified around 1.3 million unique IP addresses that were connected to a ‘sinkhole’ system that the company had implemented, in order to replace the ‘command’ servers used by Citadel hackers.

After analysing IP addresses and user information sent by these computers when they connected to the sinkhole servers, Microsoft estimated that around 1.9 million computers were a part of the targeted botnets. The number may have even been higher given that multiple computers can connect via a single IP address. The company then began working with researchers and anti-malware organisations such as the Shadowserver Foundation in order to let victims know about the malware and work to remove it.

Although the partnership may sound positive so far, some security researchers have raised concerns about the way in which the companies chose to take down the botnets. A security researcher from the abuse.ch botnet tracking service has already criticised Microsoft for sending configuration files to computers that were infected with the malware, pointing out this amounts to modifying settings without the owner’s consent and is a potential violation of local law.

Although the FBI and Microsoft are coming down pretty heavily on the Citadel malware, there's still a lot of dangerous technology out there. A VPN service is an easy way to amplify your computer's defenses: the VPN adds an extra layer of protection to your computer to keep your connection more secure and your personal data private.

Top 10 vacation tips for security

Now that our users are looking forward to their summer vacations, it’s a good time to remind them to

keep private information private when they are on their laptops and mobile devices aboard. Here are some guidelines to keeping data safe while abroad.

• Disable sharing of files
  On your home network, you might be sharing folders or complete hard-drives without password protection. Don’t forget to disable your shares or at least protect them with a strong password, otherwise everyone who is logged into the next public wifi hotspot will be able to download all your shared files and sensitive data.
  
  
• Protect your files
  You can secure your network settings all you want, but that will not help if your notebook gets stolen. Data like passwords, billing information etc. should not be visible clear-type anywhere on your computer. Use tools like e.g. TrueCrypt to create encrypted and password-protected partitions or containers for your sensitive data!
  
  
• Enough remaining VPN subscription time?
  If your going to protect your internet traffic with HMA! Pro VPN while you’re away (which we recommend you do!), then you don’t want to suddenly be unable to use it because your subscription has expired. Make sure to place a new order to have sufficient remaining VPN subscription time for your trip. Login to the VPN control panel now to check your subscription and place a new order.
  
  
• Install all needed security software
  Better prepare your machine/device before you depart, so that you have all the latest updates and antivirus definitions installed. Do you have a proper firewall and antivirus software installed? What about other security-related software you’re usually using?
  
  
• Prepare for possible connection issues
  Due to badly configured or restricted public hotspots or unknown networks it can happen that your usual method for connecting to the VPN won’t work. But don’t worry, that’s simply a matter of trying alternative VPN servers and protocols.
  
  For example if you are unable to connect to VPN servers from your favorite area, try to connect to servers from a different area. If you’re unable to connect with your favorite VPN protocol (e.g. OpenVPN-TCP), try PPTP, L2TP or OpenVPN-UDP. See our Wiki for a list of connection methods and setup instructions.
  
  
• Online storage for data you might need
  Instead of taking all the data you might possibly need with you, you can also easily store it somewhere secure, e.g. on cloud hosting services such as Dropbox or OwnCloud.
  
  
• Make backups
  Just in case – make backups of all important data on your machine/device and store it somewhere secure at home. Protecting the data on your notebook does not help much if the notebook itself is gone.
  
  
• Take backups
  Ever had to reinstall your operating system during vacation? Bad enough, even worse if you forgot your rescue CDs or operating system installation CDs. To be on the safe side, you should take backups of everything with you that might require a reinstallation or can’t be accessed from anywhere. There’s plenty of space on your USB sticks or DVDs for that!
  
  
• Additional security measures
  We’ve now already covered the basic and common security measures that you should take, but there’s plenty of additional things you can do, for example
  • Setting up a BIOS password for your machine
  • Setting up anti-theft and auto-backup for iOS and Android devices, e.g. with Lookout
  • Delete your machines free space to prevent deleted data from getting restored
  • Move sensitive data that you won’t need during the trip from your notebook to your desktop computer

How to Watch Netflix in Germany - Nucleaus VPN

Special features of Netflix

Netflix has been the most popular choice among online users in order watch all type of popular TV shows and movies without spending much for the subscription fee. There are several aspects that are responsible for Netflix’s popularity. Here, you can easily watch thousands of DVDs with a lower membership charge. You do not have to face any sort of limitation in case of the number of movies that can be watched through the online system. This special service charges only $7.99 per month; therefore, users can easily sign up for any of the available package of Netflix. Moreover, there are more unique features available in the Netflix website. Accessibility is another positive aspect of Netflix as users do not have to face any sort of difficulties while surfing into the website. Besides, users can easily check out all sort of information of movies available into the website. Therefore, it becomes extremely easy for users to search out for their desired choice of movies in order to watch instantly. Moreover, Netflix has arranged all of their contents effectively as the company have separated all type of genres; therefore, users have got the chance of getting into their favorite genre of movies only.

Is it possible to watch Netflix from all over the world?

Netflix is basically offered for US citizens only. Though, it has recently extended the service into some of the Latin American countries along with Canada. Therefore, users from different parts of the world are not being able to access into the website as the company does not allow them to do so. Netflix only allows users from those countries where they have been providing services.

What are the options available for users to watch Netflix in Germany?

Netflix has recent launched their services in some of the European countries. Unfortunately, users will be able to get a limited edition of all the packages available in Netflix. Germany is one of those countries where Netflix has spread their services with a limited package. Therefore, users from this country will not get a chance to see all of their desired TV serials and movies while giving the same amount of subscription charge. However, many users have already tried some resources in order to get access of US Netflix as it offers all the exclusive and amazing features for the customers. Sources like IP address hiding tool and proxy services are not efficient enough to create an access into the US Netflix as the respective authorities are being able to detect those proxy IP addresses and block them immediately after being introduced into the website. Therefore, many users are still seeking for a solution in order to watch Netflix Germany.

There is another service available for the users in Germany through which they can easily make an entrance into the Netflix website. This special service is known as the virtual private network system. Through this service, users can create American IP addresses with the help of servers that are specifically located in US region in order to provide this service. Besides, VPN service will able to provide top notch online security and privacy for their customers whom will certainly help while surfing into a different type of restricted websites around the cyber space. Moreover, this specialized service has the capability of providing anonymity service for their users and this can certainly help in order to make the online outing much safer and comfortable than any other available services. Being an anonymous user, you can certainly browse anywhere in the cyber world without getting noticed by any third party resources along with hackers and spammers. It will help users while trying to provide access into Netflix as none of the network administrators will be able to detect your real identity in order to block your real IP address.

Best VPN service to watch Netflix in Germany:

If you look for a VPN service in order to watch Netflix Germany, there are both free and paid VPN service providers available in the market. Most of the free VPN service providers can not provide enough online security for their customers. Besides, they do not have the capability of providing full anonymity for users as it is one of the prime needs in order to protect personal information from hackers and spammers. Therefore, it will be a wise decision to sign up for a paid VPN service as it will provide all the essential features that are related to Internet service. Besides, you will be able to get proper online security system while using the Internet connection. In order to choose the best one, you should check out all the available and top VPN services in order to compare their services. You will have to verify their features as it should match your requirements.

Name of the Provider	Website Address
Hide My Ass	Visit Provider
Strong VPN	Visit Provider
Switch VPN	Visit Provider
Pure VPN	Visit Provider
IPVanish VPN	Visit Provider
Hotspot Shield Elite	Visit Provider