Security | Virtual Private Network Resource

How to Set up VPN on Smartphones

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A virtual private network (VPN) can be an excellent way for a business to operate. As it grows, it will need to connect locations in an efficient manner. Of course, this is where the VPN comes into play.

If your business uses a VPN to connect users, you can easily integrate it with your smartphone. As you likely use your smartphone for business purposes, this can be a great way to streamline matters. From your new LG Android phone to other devices, you can connect via your smartphone.

Set up your profile by accessing networking settings, and create a new VPN profile on your device. You will then enter a name, description, and the VPN credentials needed to access the network. Check with the system administrator if you need help connecting to the network.

Depending on the device and network, you may need to enter other information. For instance, be ready to enter the IP address of the server, appropriate account/password values, and other elements. Again, your administrator can help you in regard to your smartphone. After you have set up the VPN profile, you can log off and on at will – make sure you save the profile.

While there will be many differences for devices and VPN-specific settings, you should be able to set it up without too many problems. Contact your administrator or the manufacturer or the smartphone for more information and if you need troubleshooting. Once the VPN is set up, you will be able to realize the convenience of accessing it on your mobile device.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet, Security Tagged With: Business, Mobile device, Security

PC Tools Free Antivirus

Downloading free antivirus software has always been a cheap, easy way to protect your computer from dangerous malware. Unfortunately, many hackers have caught on to this trend and created their own fake antivirus software. The fake software is commonly referred to as rogue security software. These rogue programs do much more harm than good. Knowing how to spot them, however, increases the odds that you will choose a legitimate antivirus program for your computer.

Detecting Fake Antivirus Software

Fake antivirus programs often use similar schemes to trick users into installing them and paying for fraudulent services. MS Antivirus, for instance, which has also gone by the name Spyware Protect 2009, tricks users by reporting to have found several viruses on the computer. The viruses, however, do not exist. The fake antivirus software then encourages the user to purchase a full version of the program to eradicate the viruses. Of course, since the viruses did not exist in the first place, users pay for absolutely nothing.

The fake antivirus program SpySheriff also uses false positives to encourage users to pay money for advanced services. It’s a common ruse.

If you have downloaded free software that requests your credit card number or other personal information, then chances are that you have found a piece of rogue security software.

A Useful Alternative

With so many fraudulent antivirus programs on the Internet, it’s hard to trust one over the rest. Luckily, PC Tools Free Antivirus has proven itself as a safe, effective tool for preventing and eliminating troublesome malware. Not only does it do the job well, but it never asks for any personal information (including your credit card number). After all, why should a company that makes free software ever need your credit card information? When they request those numbers, you know that they want to charge something to your account. Since PC Tools Free Antivirus doesn’t do this, you know that you are safe.

Filed Under: Hardware, Malware, Networks Tagged With: antivirus, Gawker Media, Kaspersky Lab, Malicious Software, Microsoft Security Essentials, Rogue security software, Security, SpySheriff

How Online Casinos are Protecting Their Players from Hackers

Just as thieves scheme and plot methods of stealing cash from casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, they also try to come up with ways to hack into online casinos. Each online casino’s cashier system works day in and day out handling the financial transfers of the site’s players. Players come to play and don’t want to worry whether a hacker will have their credit card or bank account information via their favorite online casino. Naturally, online casinos are aware of security concerns and provide many types of protection for their customers.

Casinos use Secure Socket Layer, or SSL, encryption procedures as a dominant precautionary measure. By using SSL, players’ personal information is jumbled up using computer codes that make the information nearly indecipherable to hackers who may intercept the transmission. Most online casinos have taken to using the latest, most recently developed SSL encryption to protect their players. Personal information is stored on the servers of the online casino, and there is adequate protection.

Firewalls are in place to protect servers from unauthorized access. Strict regulations allow only senior casino staff to have access to information stored on the servers via a series of passwords. Every keystroke made by any casino staff member is recorded and can be reviewed for misconduct. Security systems embedded inside a casino’s software are designed by an outside firm like VeriSign, whose security systems are tested and verified by outside sources. Players may only access the casino through a username and password that only the player knows. Reputable casinos require players to have an individual account and personal identification number that must be used when withdrawing winnings from the casino. For players’ safety, many casinos automatically log players out when they navigate away from the site. For personal security, all players should deactivate the ability for their favorite online casino to “remember” their log in name and password.

Filed Under: Hardware, Internet Tagged With: Casino, Consultants, Gambling, Games, Guides, Online casino, Security, VeriSign

3 Questions for VPN Providers

When you are considering a VPN, or virtual private network, for your company’s internet connections, consider these three questions before committing to a specific company. Taking the time to do your research now will benefit you later.

First how secure is the system. Various VPN providers have differing security protocols. Some provide top-notch security that will make it difficult for anyone to get into the network. These systems cost more money, of course. Moving downward, there are some options that probably arenâ€™t needed for most people. You will need to find the security protocols that are right for your system.

The second question for you to ask is how the traffic is tunneled to your network. Because VPNs are not regulated, there are various traffic flow methods that company employ. The tunneling method used can effect speed, so be sure to ask for details.

Also find out about how the VPN is accessed. Do you simply need internet service? Will you be able to use your laptop? Or will the network be connected to certain computers, such as terminals at the client or satellite office? Either option is fine; deciding is a matter of knowing your company’s needs.

Knowing how VPN set-ups work is a tedious, technical job, but it pays for you to read up on the networks first before you commit to a specific provider. Ask these questions and see where the responses go. Representatives from a quality company will have no problem walking you through the answers to each question, giving you responses that you understand and that help you feel more comfortable.

Keep in mind that your company’s integrity is on the line, and in an electronic world, allowing access to this information could be devastating. You need to choose a VPN provider with a solid reputation for safeguarding information.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet Tagged With: Internet access, Security, Virtual private network

How Political Campaigns Can Use VPN

Though social media plays a significant part in making campaigns effective at reaching many people, most people still want to see candidates or volunteers walking streets connecting with potential voters. A savvy campaign manager can use a VPN network to help volunteers get the most use out of their time on the campaign trail.

Most campaigns have someone who takes printed rolls of the registered voters in certain precincts. These people can use these rolls to find out how often people at each address have voted in the past, and in many states, the registered party affiliation will be available as well.

Campaign workers can log into the campaign’s computers using a virtual private network to find out which residents in a neighborhood are most likely to translate into votes for a particular candidate. Campaign workers can make decisions about how to spend their time by tapping into this information, and with a VPN option, workers will have access to the most recent information.

Another benefit for political campaigns to using VPN is that the campaign’s workers can record information in real time. Many canvassers, people who walk door-to-door, record which houses had people at home, where they left literature, and other information. By putting this information into a database immediately, the results are likely to be more accurate and useful than if entered after hours of walking and talking to people. Campaign managers then can use this information to target future campaign work.

These two basic ideas are only a fraction of the ways that campaign managers and candidates can use VPN to enhance their campaigning technique. In politics, time matters significantly in terms of contacting voters, responding to problems, and reaching everyone with a specific message. This type of technology makes that process easier and more effective if used properly.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet Tagged With: Security, Virtual private network, Wi-Fi

How VPNs Can Help Organic Farmers

Getting certified as an organic farmer is a lengthy process. The farmer must demonstrate over multiple growing seasons what his crops will yield and how he cares for them. This process is expensive and time-consuming, meaning that most farmers must devote significant time to the task once they commit to it. One way to make that system a bit easier is to use a VPN, or virtual private network, between workers on a farm.

These workers can use data-capable phones or tablet computers to record information about their crops. Being able to record this information is beneficial for a number of reasons.

First using a VPN allows the farmers to carry a small phone or tablet rather than a notebook and pen, making the process simply easier logistically to carry out. Another issue, too, is that the information can be collated into electronic data quickly.

Someone can work on turning these data points into information that can be used to analyze crop. Having this information earlier in the day allows a farmer to employ someone to work on this task. Also it means that solo farmers don’t have to come in after a day of work and try to read every ones handwriting. All of the information is recorded neatly and uniformly, which will save time and money.

Finally using a VPN to connect to the internet and record crop observations avoids problems, such as lost or rained on papers, because farmers can retrieve the data from any computer and can protect their phones or computers more easily than a notebook.

VPNs aren’t just a tool for white-collar employees to check in with the boss. They are a way America’s farmers can move forward and save a little time. This network can mean new income streams and certifications for small and mid-sized farmers.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet Tagged With: Security, Virtual private network

Medical Offices and VPNs

Healthcare offices often need a VPN, or virtual private network because many offices have one primary location and then smaller, satellite locations. Rather than lugging documents back and forth or taking a lot of time to record information in multiple places, getting a VPN system could be the best choice.

Doctors could access the same information at any office where they are currently seeing patients. People in support roles in the offices also could benefit from being able to access the same information from anywhere. Front-desk personnel could enter patient diagnostic codes from the doctors notes, and the billing staff at the main office will be able to file those claims that day.

Healthcare professionals also would be able to keep their medical files in electronic form and still be able to access them from other locations. In addition lab work and test results would be available immediately, rather than waiting for memos from one office to the next.

Transcriptionists, too, would find benefit. Medical transcriptionists take doctors dictated information and put it into computer software that creates files for patients records. Transcriptionists typically use special headgear to hear the dictation, but they tend to need complete silence still to be able to understand everything that a provider is saying.

The benefit of a VPN for transcriptionists is that they could work from home without any problems. They would be able to connect to the offices system and do their work in quiet.

These VPN benefits for medical providers would result in faster and better patient care. More streamlined billing practices, better transcription, and faster access to information all add up to a better quality of care for patients and improved financial health for the medical practice. In a time of constantly increasing healthcare costs, anything that can decrease costs benefits everyone.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet Tagged With: Security, Virtual private network

Software Versus Hardware VPN

For the user, there is little difference between a software VPN, or virtual private network, and a hardware VPN. Still some situations work better for one system or the other.

A hardware VPN is used most often with remote office situations. The technical support staff will set up an internet router, and the router settings essentially capture all traffic and route it to the internal network for the main office.

The user simply turns on the computer. He or she never knows that any re-routing of traffic is happening. Everything that is done on computers with hardware VPNs is done on the network. This type of system works best when a computer will be used for no other purpose because it doesn’t require anything of the user. There are no passwords to remember, and only the technical support staff needs to make any updates.

Another option is to use software VPN. This system is a bit more cumbersome but works for client-based businesses. The person in charge of computer software will download a program to the desired computers. When the user opens the software, he or she will need to enter a username and password and then will be patched into the private network.

If this software program is not running, the computer will operate on its own LAN, or local area network. For places where clients need to interact with multiple businesses, a software-based system is best. Most personal VPNs also are software based because they make more sense for personal use and are easier to understand and maintain.

The VPN industry is changing rapidly as technology changes. Mobile browsers and data-enabled phones are creating new challenges. Software like File Zilla and openoffice is becoming more readily available and with greater features. Using a VPN now is easier than ever, regardless of which system you choose.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet Tagged With: Local area network, Networks, Security, Virtual private network

Efficiency Is a Reason to Get a VPN Account

Signing up for a VPN account can be expensive. You may consider the benefits of a private virtual network for your company’s internet account and think that you can solve most problems without a VPN account. The truth is that you can do that. You can have people record information with pen and paper or send faxes back and forth. You can have your assistants spend their days retrieving and repeating information.

The benefit to allowing access to work computers from remote locations, however, is that you can be more efficient if you do not have your employees spend their time on the tasks that VPNs can take away.

Instead of recording information twice, first on paper and then on their computers, you can have your employees record vital data only once. This work can be completed in less than half of the time because your employees won’t need to try to remember information from earlier in the day or have any questions about their handwriting.

Information can be seamlessly transferred to the home office from the field.
Your assistants will be able to field more inquiries and keep up with correspondence rather than spending their time finding information for others.

Using a VPN also allows you to give employees days off away from the office but still ask for them to check in or even to work from home on certain days. The flexibility that VPN accounts afford you make the expense worth it because in the end, you will be able to recoup the costs you put into the network.

Employees also feel better about their work environment when they feel that their bosses are trying to make their work easier and more streamlined. The VPN gives such a broad range of options that workers definitely will appreciate the effort.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet, Networks Tagged With: OpenVPN, Security, Virtual private network

4 Times VPN Could Come in Handy

While VPN, or virtual private networks, sound hip and trendy because they are “they also have practical applications. There are times when having access to a VPN account for your office can help you while you are out.

Forgotten Print-Out

Let’s say you are on your way to a major presentation to a client when you have a stunning realization. You left the printout that showed exactly how your company would meet the client’s needs on your desktop in your office. Having access to a VPN network will allow you to find any computer, log in, and get that printout to save your presentation.

Trivia Contest

The CEO who is interested only in making you sweat and seeing how much you know won’t be able to get to you as much if you can access any company documents during your big presentation. Instead of hoping you have last quarter’s earnings exactly to the penny, you can verify the information before providing it.

Disaster Strikes

After an inspection on a property you are selling, you find that the potential buyers want some consideration for the cost of repairs. While you know the owners are amenable, you can’t remember how much. And somehow you are deleted their phone number! Connect to the VPN network and retrieve the information quickly, salvaging the sale.

Too Much Downtime

Snow in Chicago means a delay of at least 4 hours. While you are waiting, you can log onto your computer at work and get a head start on next week’s work. Make downtime useful with a VPN account.

These are just a few of the scenarios in which you could benefit from being able to access work remotely. Not only can you access your computer, which you could solve by simply using a laptop, but you can get information from co-workers as well.

Filed Under: Internet, Networks Tagged With: Security, Virtual private network