The Risks of Online Gaming & How to Stay Safe

October 30, 2014 by Jim Lastinger Leave a comment

Whether you’re an all-out “gamer” or simply enjoy a few hands of online poker every now and then, all that online gaming fun comes with its own set of risks.

When we turn to the internet for gaming entertainment often the last think we think about (or want to think about) is the fact that we’re opening ourselves up to potentially be the victim of scams, identity theft or viruses.

If you spend any time gaming, then take a few minutes to read through the risks below and how to avoid them!

The Risks…

Large, online gaming communities may feel “friendly” but the truth is, you’re surrounded by strangers, which means you could unthinkingly share too much personal info like your full name, email address, age or even online passwords.
When you download “cheats” you could actually be downloading corrupt software that contains viruses.
Illegally downloading games could lead to severe penalties or even prosecution.
Getting rid of old game consoles, computers, mobile devices, etc. that still contain your personal info can put you at risk of identity theft.

Ok, now that you recognize some of the risks of online gaming, let’s go over how to protect yourself so you can keep on gaming without the worry.

How to Stay Safe…

Make sure you have updated antivirus software.
Only play authorized, legitimate versions of games that you have obtained/purchased legally and from the proper sources.
Choose a secure username that does not reveal personal info.
Create strong and long passwords.
Never share personal info with other players.
Keep your game software up-to-date.
Delete all personal info before disposing of or selling unwanted gaming devices.
Establish rules and guidelines for your children when they’re playing online (and model good behavior)!

To protect yourself even further, consider setting up a VPN so that you can mask your location and identity and never worry about online gaming hazards again! For more information about getting a Virtual Private Network, click HERE.

Risks & safety measures inspired by this post on GetSafeOnline.org.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Maximum Security & Privacy on Facebook

October 2, 2014 by Jim Lastinger Leave a comment

Half a billion people are on Facebook. Yes, that’s billion with a “b”.

And, while Facebook may seem like all funny posts and picture-sharing, there are a number of risks that come with sharing personal data online — risks like identity theft, cyberbullying, scams and more.

If you’re one of the 500 million on Facebook, and want to ensure that your security and privacy are secure, read through our step-by-step instructions below to keep yourself safe & happy on this social media site.

Basic Security Settings

Go to “settings” in the drop-down menu in the upper righthand corner or the page. Make sure you’re in “general settings” in the lefthand column.

Double check to make sure you’re using a email address that is solely dedicated for your Facebook account, NOT your primary email. If you use your primary that you also use for accessing credit cards, banking info, etc., you are putting yourself at risk.
Use a long, strong password. Never use the same password for your Facebook account that you also use for other important accounts online.

Manage Your Security

Still in “settings”, click the “security” tab in the lefthand column.

Set up login notifications. This will alert you if someone is trying to access your account.
Set up login approvals. This setting will require that you input a code sent to you via text if Facebook doesn’t recognize the device from which it’s being accessed. This is great hacking-prevention!
Check out trusted browsers. It’s best to NOT save browsers and also to log out after each and every Facebook session.
Start a list of trusted contacts. This will help you get your account back to normal after you’ve been hacked or lose your password.
Where have you been logging in from? This will show the various locations and devices from which you’ve logged in to Facebook. If there are sessions that don’t look familiar, look into them as it may mean your account has been compromised.

Protect Your Privacy

Again, still in “settings”, click the “privacy” tab on the left.

Set your sharing/privacy option to Friends only.
Limit the reach of older posts on your Timeline.
Choose who can request to be your “friend”.
Do NOT allow search engines to access your Timeline.
Check out the Activity Log to review all the pictures, posts, etc. you’ve been tagged in.
Select either a “basic” or “strict” filter.
Set “who can look me up?” to Friends only.

We also recommend reading as much as you can about Facebook privacy because it’s constantly evolving. For even greater online protection & privacy, consider using a VPN whenever you access your social media accounts.

Censorship & Security Issues While Traveling

September 25, 2014 by Jim Lastinger Leave a comment

If you’re a frequent traveler, you likely know the headaches and risks that can arise with censorship, geographic restrictions and unsecured WiFi.

In our wired world, we often take for granted the ease and security of connecting to the Internet at home, and then when we travel, we’re suddenly hit with outrageous usage fees, limited access and compromised public WiFi that puts our data and identities at risk.

Well, we put together a fun infographic that demonstrates the censorship and security issues travelers face, as well as a solution that’ll remove the blocks and the worry!

For more info about VPNs (virtual private networks), click here.

7 Rules for Safer Online Shopping

September 18, 2014 by Jim Lastinger Leave a comment

For most people online shopping has become the norm.

Our busy schedules prevent us from trekking to the mall every time we need something, so instead we visit online retailers to fulfill our shopping needs.

Safe online shopping

But, not all online shopping destinations are created equal, and while many sites are trustworthy and legitimate, there are a number of fake online retailers that are just waiting to rip you off.

Luckily, a little online shopping savvy can go a long way to protecting you, your money and your identity.

Read through our online shopping rules below to keep yourself safe online.

Stick to sites that you know & trust. Instead of starting your online shopping with a search engine, begin at a trusted retailer like Amazon, Target, Lowe’s or Macy’s. Search engines can lead you to places that are not trustworthy, especially if you venture past the first page or two of search results. Also, check the spelling of the site’s name (Amazon.com versus Amazn.com*). Many “copycat” sites try to get your money by looking “familiar”, and check the top-level domain as well (Amazon.com versus Amazon.net*). *These are fictitious examples.
Use credit cards. Credit cards tend to be the safest option for online shopping because you have recourse. If an ordered item is never delivered or you find fraudulent charges on your card, the credit card company will work with you to remedy those issues and get you your money back. But, if you use a debit card or give access to your bank account, it can be a lot more challenging to get your money back after you fall prey to a scam. Check your statements regularly, and keep an eye out for suspicious activity.
Keep a paper trail. Whenever you make purchases online, be sure to save any and all documentation that you receive via email in an email folder or, better yet, print hard copies of receipts, terms of sale, product descriptions, and any emails that you exchange with the retailer. Again, this will be helpful and necessary should you find yourself the target on an online shopping scam.
Only shop with the “lock”. Any time you’re about to make an online purchase, look for the lock. Make sure that the site has SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption installed. You can determine if it does because an SSL url will begin with https:// (instead of http://). Typically, a little lock icon will also appear next to the site’s url or in the status bar; another indication of a secure site.
Shut down your machine. Do you typically leave your computer running and connected to the Internet 24/7? While that may seem like no big deal to you, it means that you’re leaving your machine open to cybercriminals all day and night. This gives hackers the opportunity to infest your system with malware and commit cybercrimes. Instead, after making a purchase, turn off your computer and protect yourself and your money!
Don’t overshare! Only fill out the necessary (i.e. “starred”) information when making on online purchase. No online retailer needs your birth date, social security number, or other unnecessary personal data to complete your transaction. Don’t make it easy for online criminals, instead be cautious, don’t over share, and you’ll protect yourself from identity theft.
Use a secure connection. Don’t conduct your online shopping while using unsecured public WiFi. This is an open invitation to hackers, peeping Toms, and identity theft. Instead, wait to make online purchases from a secure network like your home or place of work.

If you want to further protect yourself, your money and your identity while shopping online, consider getting a VPN. For more details about how a Virtual Private Network can improve your online experience, visit Ghost Path.

4 Questions to Ask BEFORE Buying a VPN

September 11, 2014 by Jim Lastinger Leave a comment

If you regularly use public WiFi, travel for work, worry about Internet security, or simply value you privacy, you’re probably considering getting a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

4 questions for your VPN provider

A VPN is essentially a protective “tunnel” that secures the connection between your laptop, smartphone or tablet and the Internet. This ensures that all your online activity is protected from hackers, peeping toms, or others with malicious intent who are using the same network.

But, before you got out and buy one, it’s important to consider your needs and usage habits so that you choose the best possible VPN for you!

Here are 4 questions to consider before you buy a VPN:

Do you regularly travel out of the country? Many of your favorite services, like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon on Demand, are blocked once you travel outside of the USA, and many decide to get a VPN to bypass these limitations. To ensure you get the right one for you, ask your VPN service provider if they have exit servers in the U.S. meaning that you can “appear” to be in the United States when you’re actually enjoying a cappuccino in Rome. (GhostPath VPN is totally equipped to help you bypass any foreign country limitation, so you can catch up on House of Cards even while you’re abroad.)
Can it be used across all your devices? You may think you only need a VPN for your computer, but the truth is more and more Internet security breaches are occurring on our smartphones and tablets because they’re portable and we can easily use them in public (often on unsecured WiFi networks). (Our GhostPath VPN works seamlessly with laptops, computers, smartphones and tablets, so no matter what device you’re using, you’re covered!)
Can I use it on my router? Using a VPN in conjunction with your wireless router is a great way to protect all of your internet connected devices in one fell swoop. (GhostPath supports using DD-WRT to connect to the VPN at the router level, meaning all your internet connected devices are protected. Keep in mind DD-WRT will only work if it’s supported by your router.)
Are there any limitations? Make sure to ask about bandwidth limitations, as that can greatly impact your user experience. Also, ask if the VPN you’re considering works with all service providers. (GhostPath syncs with all major operating systems including Windows, Mac OS X, Ubuntu, Android, and iOS. And, there are no download limits, no throttling, and no maximum number of server changes! You are free to use our service however you see fit.)

Click here for more information on our VPN service.

Some questions inspired by this post from PC World.

How Safety Savvy Are You Online? Take The Quiz To Find Out!

August 7, 2014 by Jim Lastinger Leave a comment

Few of us go a day (or more likely a few hours!) without going online, whether it be to check our email, do research for work, look-up a funny YouTube clip, peruse our social media accounts, or simply pass the time.

But, with so much time spent in cyberspace, we’re also putting ourselves at risk for hacking, identity theft and scams.

If you’re wondering how online safety savvy you are and if you’re putting yourself at risk, take this fun, 6-question quiz to find out.

Want to boost your online safety?

Sign-up for GhostPath’s VPN service & enjoy a 7-day money back guarantee!

Cybercrime Report: Are You A Target?

July 17, 2014 by Jim Lastinger Leave a comment

The Internet and computers have become an integral part of our everyday lives.

We wake to our smartphone alarm clock, check our emails over breakfast on our tablet, and settle in at our work desks in front of our computers to conduct the morning’s to-dos…and that’s all before 10am.

Yet, despite the convenience of all this modern technology, it also means that cybercrimes like hacking and identify theft are on the rise.

Norton released their report on cybercrime in 2013, and the data is quite compelling.

First off, though, let’s give a little context as to the depth of this report. Norton collected data from over 13,000 online adults ages 18-64 from 24 different countries.

Below are a few key factors that we found particularly interesting from Norton’s report:

64% of cybercrime victims are male.
66% are millennials (as compared to baby boomers).
Common theme noticed in victims: Almost 1/2 of victims don’t use basic precautions like passwords or security software.
Among smartphone users, 38% have been a victim of mobile cybercrime in the last year.
There are 378 victims per year, which is more than 1 million per day, which translates to 12 victims per second.
Risky behavior: 39% of social media users don’t log-out after a session, 25% share their passwords with family & friends, and 31% connect with people they don’t know.

Check out the entire report below:

The Norton Report 2013

Protect yourself & your data.

Sign-up for a VPN service and never worry again! Register now, and get our 7-day money back guarantee.