*  [Useful – Informative](/categories/useful-informative/) Unmasking online threats — How a VPN ensures security and safety=================================================================*  0 0*  0*  0 *  Dec. 27, 2024 2024-12-27T12:54:25-05:00*  Dec. 27, 2024 2024-12-27T13:00:07-05:00* +*  Online Threat Alerts (OTA)  Online security and privacy have become critical issues in today’s digital environment. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become vital tools for protecting your online presence as a result of the increase in cyber threats, data breaches, and intrusive tracking techniques. Free VPNs offer a convenient starting point for customers wishing to improve their security without making a financial commitment, while premium VPNs offer a wide range of capabilities. The benefits of free VPNs and how they keep you safe online are examined in this article. Secured access to Wi-Fi———————–Public Wi-Fi networks are notoriously susceptible to cyberattacks and are frequently found in coffee shops, airports, and hotels. Unencrypted data sent over these networks is easily intercepted by hackers. Even when utilizing public Wi-Fi hotspots, your data is protected because free VPNs secure your internet connection.Improved digital privacy————————The ability to be private when internet browsing is one of the biggest advantages of using a free [VPN](https://vpnly.com/). Your IP address is hidden by free VPNs, making it harder for websites, marketers, and even hackers to monitor your online activity. This guarantees the privacy of your personal data, including your location and browsing preferences.Evading Geo-Restrictions————————The content of many websites and video streaming services is restricted by location. You can access region-locked content, such as social media platforms, news websites, and streaming services, by changing your virtual location using a free VPN.Protection against cyber threats——————————–Free VPNs nonetheless offer rudimentary defence against online attacks, even though they might not have sophisticated threat detection capabilities. They stop possible hackers from stealing private information by establishing an encrypted connection between your device and the internet.Privacy for Regular Internet Surfing————————————Users can access the internet anonymously with free VPNs. Users in areas with stringent internet laws or restrictions would especially benefit from this. A VPN enables you to evade surveillance and obtain information without restriction by concealing your identity.Affordable security solution—————————-For consumers who cannot afford premium services, free VPNs offer a cost-effective substitute. They nonetheless provide substantial security and privacy advantages despite possible drawbacks like bandwidth constraints or fewer server locations.User-friendly interfaces————————A lot of free VPN services make their apps straightforward and user-friendly. Users don’t need technical knowledge to encrypt their connection and install the VPN with a few clicks.Key factors while utilizing free VPNs————————————-Free VPNs provide many benefits, but users should be cautious and pick trustworthy services. Certain free VPNs might use poorer encryption techniques, show invasive advertisements, or log user data. Always do your research and use reputable free VPN services to optimize security.Improved privacy, safe access to public Wi-Fi, and the ability to get around geo-restrictions are just a few advantages that free VPNs provide. Even though they might not be as feature-rich as their premium counterparts, they are still a useful tool for anyone looking to increase their online security without going over budget. Users can have a more secure and private online experience by selecting a trustworthy free VPN service. Check the comment section below for additional information, share what you know, or ask a question about this article by leaving a comment below. And, to quickly find answers to your questions, use our search engine. Save Was this article helpful?*  (0)* *  (0)* Write your comment or view the ones below. Comments, Questions, Answers, or Reviews To protect your privacy, please remove sensitive or identifiable information from your comments, questions, or reviews. Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic.
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](/article/2022/6/22/your-package-cannot-be-delivered-scam-text-us9514961195221/) [View more…](/categories/trending/)Online Threat Alerts Security TipsPay the safest wayCredit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.Guard your personal informationIn any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.Be careful of the information you shareNever give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you’re dealing withKnow who you’re dealing withCrooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.Check your accountsRegularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.Don’t believe promises of easy moneyIf someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.Do not open email from people you don’t knowIf you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.Think before you clickIf an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respondIf you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don’t know the sender, it could be a phishing message.Be careful with links and new website addressesMalicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.Secure your personal informationBefore providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.Stay informed on the latest cyber threatsKeep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.Use Strong Passwords[Strong passwords](/article/2018/5/3/happy-world-password-day-protect-your-online-accounts/) are critical to online security.Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programsKeep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.Update the operating systems on your electronic devicesMake sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.What if You Got Scammed?Stop Contact With The ScammerHang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.Secure Your Finances* Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.* Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit: * Equifax * [www.equifax.com](https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/) * (800)-525-6285 * Experian * [www.experian.com](https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html#content-01) * (888) 397-3742 * TransUnion * [fraud.transunion.com](https://fraud.transunion.com/fa/fraudAlert/landingPage.jsp) * (800) 680 -7289Check Your ComputerIf your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the [Better Business Bureau’s website](https://www.bbb.org/) to find a reputable company.Change Your Account PasswordsUpdate your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to [choose strong passwords](/article/2018/5/3/happy-world-password-day-protect-your-online-accounts/) when changing account passwords.Report The ScamReporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:* **Local Law Enforcement:** Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.* **Federal Trade Commission:** Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the [Online Complaint Assistant](https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1) to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.* **Identitytheft.gov:** If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at [www.identitytheft.gov](https://www.identitytheft.gov/). This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.How To Recognize a Phishing ScamScammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might* say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t* claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t* say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t* include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake* want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware* say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam* offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not realAbout Online Threat Alerts (OTA)Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use [OTA’s search engine](/search) to search for the website or parts of the message for information.[Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA)](/about/maintain/).
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