Use a VPN Service
VPN (Virtual Private Network) service
is a technology that provides a secure and private connection between your computer and the Internet. It allows you to establish an encrypted tunnel between the user's device and a VPN server located elsewhere. When using a VPN, all data transferred between your computer and the Internet is encrypted, ensuring the security and confidentiality of the information transfer.
To use VPN services, you need to choose a provider that provides VPN servers and client software. There are many providers that provide VPN services. Typically, providers offer paid access to their servers, but there are also free VPNs.
VPN usage examples:
Staying safe on public Wi-Fi networks: If you connect to a public Wi-Fi network, your data can be stolen by hackers who can use your information for fraudulent purposes. Using a VPN allows you to encrypt all data transmitted over a public network and protect it from potential attacks.
Bypassing censorship and blocking: Many countries prohibit access to certain sites and services, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Using a VPN allows you to bypass these blocks and gain access to prohibited resources.
Hide your location: If you want to hide your location and browse sites that are not available in your country, a VPN can help you with this. A VPN allows you to mask your IP address and select a server in another country, allowing you to access resources that are not available in your country.
Anti-surveillance: Many companies collect information about the user, such as what websites you visit, what products you buy, etc. Using a VPN allows you to hide your data from companies that collect user information.
Examples of VPN services: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Surfshark, Private Internet Access.
Use Tor
Tor (The Onion Router) is a free and open source software that helps provide anonymity on the Internet. It routes your Internet traffic through several servers, making it impossible to track. It is important to know that Tor does not protect you from being tracked by your final destination server, so it is not a 100% effective anonymity tool.
Examples of Tor browsers: Tor Browser, Brave
Use search engines that don't track your data
Most search engines track your queries and use the data for advertising purposes. However, there are search engines that don't track your queries and don't use them for advertising purposes. Using such search engines can help maintain your privacy online.
Examples of search engines that don't track your data: DuckDuckGo, StartPage, Qwant.
Use encryption
Encryption is the process of converting plain (human-readable) text into unintelligible, encrypted text that can only be read if a decryption key exists. This helps protect your data from unwanted third parties who may try to gain access to your personal data or intercept your communications.
There are many different encryption methods, each with its own characteristics and level of security. Some encryption methods are used to protect information online, while others can be used to protect data on your computer or mobile device.
Examples of encryption methods that can help protect your data online:
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is an encryption method used to protect your communications with websites that use SSL certificates. When you enter personal information on a secure site, HTTPS encrypts that information to protect it from interception by third parties.
PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) is an encryption method that allows you to encrypt and decrypt messages and files.
The key creation process begins with the creation of a key pair: public and private. The public key is used to encrypt the data before sending it, while the private key is used to decrypt the data. The private key is stored on the user's computer and must be protected by a password.
To send a message using PGP, the sender uses the recipient's public key to encrypt the message. The message is then sent to the recipient, who uses his or her private key to decrypt the message.
OTR (off-the-record messaging) is an end-to-end encryption method for instant messages. OTR uses public and private keys to protect your communications from interception. When you send a message, OTR automatically encrypts it and only the person you are communicating with who has the appropriate key can decrypt it.
Encryption is an important means of protecting your privacy online. However, it must be remembered that even encrypted data can be stolen or hacked if the attacker has sufficiently powerful resources. Therefore, in addition to encryption, it is also necessary to use other data protection methods.
Use anonymous browsers
There are special browsers that are specifically designed to provide anonymity on the Internet. These browsers can hide your real IP address, block trackers, and provide other tools to protect your privacy.
Examples of anonymous browsers: Tor Browser, Epic Browser, Iridium Browser, Waterfox, Brave.
Browser trackers are software that collect information about user activity on the Internet. They can be used to collect data about sites visited, pages viewed, transitions between sites, time spent on sites, actions performed on sites, and others.
Use free Wi-Fi networks with caution
Open and free Wi-Fi networks can be vulnerable to attackers who can intercept your communications and gain access to your personal data. Using such networks should be done with caution and only when necessary. Using a VPN service when working on open Wi-Fi networks can also help protect your privacy.
Changing the MAC Address
A MAC address is a unique hardware identifier (hardware address) for a network interface. It is used to identify devices on a local network and is an important part of network security.
However, there are times when a user may want to change the MAC address of their device. For example, this can be useful to bypass traffic filtering or provide an extra level of anonymity on the Internet.
There are several reasons why a user might want to change the MAC address of their device:
Bypassing traffic filtering – In some cases, the network administrator may deny network access to devices that have a specific MAC address. Changing the MAC address can help bypass this blockage.
Protecting privacy – Many routers and access points on local networks can store logs containing the MAC addresses of connected devices. Changing your MAC address can help provide an extra layer of anonymity.
Increased security – Some attackers may use MAC addresses to hack into network devices. Changing the MAC address can help provide an extra layer of security.
How to change MAC address
Changing the MAC address can be done in different ways, depending on the operating system used by the device.
On Windows
To change the MAC address in Windows, you need to open Device Manager and find the network adapter you want to configure. Then you need to select the adapter properties and go to the “Advanced” tab. In this tab, you can find the Network Address option, where you can change the adapter’s MAC address.
On MacOS
To change the MAC address in Mac OS, you need to open System Preferences and go to the Network section. Next, you need to select the adapter you want to configure and select the Advanced option. In this tab you can find the “Change Mac Address” option.
On Linux
To change the MAC address in Linux, you can use the ifconfig or ip command. To do this, open a terminal and run the following command:
sudo ifconfig <interface> hw ether <new-MAC-address>
where <interface> is the name of the network interface to be configured (e.g. eth0 or wlan0) and <new-MAC-address> is the new MAC address to be set.
On Android
To change the MAC address on Android, you must first make sure that the device has been rooted. You can then install an app like BusyBox or Terminal Emulator and use the ifconfig command in the terminal. For example, to change the Wi-Fi MAC address, you can run the following command:
ifconfig wlan0 hw ether <new-MAC-address>
where <new-MAC-address> is the new MAC address to be set.
Encrypting an External Drive
Encrypting your external drive is an important step in keeping your sensitive data safe and secure. There are several programs that allow you to encrypt your external drive so that no one can access the data without a password or key. In this article, we will look at the most common external drive encryption software and explain how to use them to protect your data.
VeraCrypt
BitLocker
Don't share personal information
One of the most important ways to maintain privacy online is to avoid revealing personal information. Never reveal your real name, address, phone number, or other personal information online. Use reusable nicknames and email addresses to sign up for websites and social networks.
VPN (Virtual Private Network) service
is a technology that provides a secure and private connection between your computer and the Internet. It allows you to establish an encrypted tunnel between the user's device and a VPN server located elsewhere. When using a VPN, all data transferred between your computer and the Internet is encrypted, ensuring the security and confidentiality of the information transfer.
To use VPN services, you need to choose a provider that provides VPN servers and client software. There are many providers that provide VPN services. Typically, providers offer paid access to their servers, but there are also free VPNs.
VPN usage examples:
Staying safe on public Wi-Fi networks: If you connect to a public Wi-Fi network, your data can be stolen by hackers who can use your information for fraudulent purposes. Using a VPN allows you to encrypt all data transmitted over a public network and protect it from potential attacks.
Bypassing censorship and blocking: Many countries prohibit access to certain sites and services, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Using a VPN allows you to bypass these blocks and gain access to prohibited resources.
Hide your location: If you want to hide your location and browse sites that are not available in your country, a VPN can help you with this. A VPN allows you to mask your IP address and select a server in another country, allowing you to access resources that are not available in your country.
Anti-surveillance: Many companies collect information about the user, such as what websites you visit, what products you buy, etc. Using a VPN allows you to hide your data from companies that collect user information.
Examples of VPN services: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Surfshark, Private Internet Access.
Use Tor
Tor (The Onion Router) is a free and open source software that helps provide anonymity on the Internet. It routes your Internet traffic through several servers, making it impossible to track. It is important to know that Tor does not protect you from being tracked by your final destination server, so it is not a 100% effective anonymity tool.
Examples of Tor browsers: Tor Browser, Brave
Use search engines that don't track your data
Most search engines track your queries and use the data for advertising purposes. However, there are search engines that don't track your queries and don't use them for advertising purposes. Using such search engines can help maintain your privacy online.
Examples of search engines that don't track your data: DuckDuckGo, StartPage, Qwant.
Use encryption
Encryption is the process of converting plain (human-readable) text into unintelligible, encrypted text that can only be read if a decryption key exists. This helps protect your data from unwanted third parties who may try to gain access to your personal data or intercept your communications.
There are many different encryption methods, each with its own characteristics and level of security. Some encryption methods are used to protect information online, while others can be used to protect data on your computer or mobile device.
Examples of encryption methods that can help protect your data online:
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is an encryption method used to protect your communications with websites that use SSL certificates. When you enter personal information on a secure site, HTTPS encrypts that information to protect it from interception by third parties.
PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) is an encryption method that allows you to encrypt and decrypt messages and files.
The key creation process begins with the creation of a key pair: public and private. The public key is used to encrypt the data before sending it, while the private key is used to decrypt the data. The private key is stored on the user's computer and must be protected by a password.
To send a message using PGP, the sender uses the recipient's public key to encrypt the message. The message is then sent to the recipient, who uses his or her private key to decrypt the message.
OTR (off-the-record messaging) is an end-to-end encryption method for instant messages. OTR uses public and private keys to protect your communications from interception. When you send a message, OTR automatically encrypts it and only the person you are communicating with who has the appropriate key can decrypt it.
Encryption is an important means of protecting your privacy online. However, it must be remembered that even encrypted data can be stolen or hacked if the attacker has sufficiently powerful resources. Therefore, in addition to encryption, it is also necessary to use other data protection methods.
Use anonymous browsers
There are special browsers that are specifically designed to provide anonymity on the Internet. These browsers can hide your real IP address, block trackers, and provide other tools to protect your privacy.
Examples of anonymous browsers: Tor Browser, Epic Browser, Iridium Browser, Waterfox, Brave.
Browser trackers are software that collect information about user activity on the Internet. They can be used to collect data about sites visited, pages viewed, transitions between sites, time spent on sites, actions performed on sites, and others.
Use free Wi-Fi networks with caution
Open and free Wi-Fi networks can be vulnerable to attackers who can intercept your communications and gain access to your personal data. Using such networks should be done with caution and only when necessary. Using a VPN service when working on open Wi-Fi networks can also help protect your privacy.
Changing the MAC Address
A MAC address is a unique hardware identifier (hardware address) for a network interface. It is used to identify devices on a local network and is an important part of network security.
However, there are times when a user may want to change the MAC address of their device. For example, this can be useful to bypass traffic filtering or provide an extra level of anonymity on the Internet.
There are several reasons why a user might want to change the MAC address of their device:
Bypassing traffic filtering – In some cases, the network administrator may deny network access to devices that have a specific MAC address. Changing the MAC address can help bypass this blockage.
Protecting privacy – Many routers and access points on local networks can store logs containing the MAC addresses of connected devices. Changing your MAC address can help provide an extra layer of anonymity.
Increased security – Some attackers may use MAC addresses to hack into network devices. Changing the MAC address can help provide an extra layer of security.
How to change MAC address
Changing the MAC address can be done in different ways, depending on the operating system used by the device.
On Windows
To change the MAC address in Windows, you need to open Device Manager and find the network adapter you want to configure. Then you need to select the adapter properties and go to the “Advanced” tab. In this tab, you can find the Network Address option, where you can change the adapter’s MAC address.
On MacOS
To change the MAC address in Mac OS, you need to open System Preferences and go to the Network section. Next, you need to select the adapter you want to configure and select the Advanced option. In this tab you can find the “Change Mac Address” option.
On Linux
To change the MAC address in Linux, you can use the ifconfig or ip command. To do this, open a terminal and run the following command:
sudo ifconfig <interface> hw ether <new-MAC-address>
where <interface> is the name of the network interface to be configured (e.g. eth0 or wlan0) and <new-MAC-address> is the new MAC address to be set.
On Android
To change the MAC address on Android, you must first make sure that the device has been rooted. You can then install an app like BusyBox or Terminal Emulator and use the ifconfig command in the terminal. For example, to change the Wi-Fi MAC address, you can run the following command:
ifconfig wlan0 hw ether <new-MAC-address>
where <new-MAC-address> is the new MAC address to be set.
Encrypting an External Drive
Encrypting your external drive is an important step in keeping your sensitive data safe and secure. There are several programs that allow you to encrypt your external drive so that no one can access the data without a password or key. In this article, we will look at the most common external drive encryption software and explain how to use them to protect your data.
VeraCrypt
VeraCrypt is a free and open source software that allows you to create encrypted volumes on external drives. Here's how to use VeraCrypt to encrypt an external drive:
Step 1: Download and install VeraCrypt on your computer.
Step 2: Connect the external drive to your computer.
Step 3: Open VeraCrypt and select "Create Volume" from the menu.
Step 4: You will be asked to select the type of volume you want to create. Select "Create a volume within a partition/disk" and click "Next."
Step 5: Select "Select Device" and select your external drive from the list. Click "Next."
Step 6: Select "Encrypted Volume" and click "Next."
Step 7: Select the encryption algorithm you want to use and enter the password. Make sure the password is complex and strong. Click "Next."
Step 8: Select the volume size and click “Next”.
Step 9: Select the file system you want to use and click “Next”.
Step 10: Click “Format” and wait for the formatting process to complete.
Step 11: Select “Auto-mount devices” and select your external drive from the list. Click “Mount”.
Step 12: Enter your password and click “OK”.
Your external drive is now encrypted and password protected.
Step 1: Download and install VeraCrypt on your computer.
Step 2: Connect the external drive to your computer.
Step 3: Open VeraCrypt and select "Create Volume" from the menu.
Step 4: You will be asked to select the type of volume you want to create. Select "Create a volume within a partition/disk" and click "Next."
Step 5: Select "Select Device" and select your external drive from the list. Click "Next."
Step 6: Select "Encrypted Volume" and click "Next."
Step 7: Select the encryption algorithm you want to use and enter the password. Make sure the password is complex and strong. Click "Next."
Step 8: Select the volume size and click “Next”.
Step 9: Select the file system you want to use and click “Next”.
Step 10: Click “Format” and wait for the formatting process to complete.
Step 11: Select “Auto-mount devices” and select your external drive from the list. Click “Mount”.
Step 12: Enter your password and click “OK”.
Your external drive is now encrypted and password protected.
BitLocker
BitLocker program to encrypt external hard drives:
Step 1: Connect the external drive to your computer.
Step 2: Right-click the drive and select "Turn on BitLocker."
Step 3: Select "Use a password to unlock the drive" and enter the password. Make sure the password is complex and strong.
Step 4: Choose how to save the recovery key (for example, on your device or in the cloud) and click "Next."
Step 5: Select the encryption method you want to use and click "Next."
Step 6: Click "Start Encryption" and wait for the encryption process to complete.
Your external drive is now encrypted and password protected.
Step 1: Connect the external drive to your computer.
Step 2: Right-click the drive and select "Turn on BitLocker."
Step 3: Select "Use a password to unlock the drive" and enter the password. Make sure the password is complex and strong.
Step 4: Choose how to save the recovery key (for example, on your device or in the cloud) and click "Next."
Step 5: Select the encryption method you want to use and click "Next."
Step 6: Click "Start Encryption" and wait for the encryption process to complete.
Your external drive is now encrypted and password protected.
Don't share personal information
One of the most important ways to maintain privacy online is to avoid revealing personal information. Never reveal your real name, address, phone number, or other personal information online. Use reusable nicknames and email addresses to sign up for websites and social networks.
