VPN Archives - Komando.com The Kim Komando Show: America's top weekend talk radio program about all things digital! Free tips, downloads, software, newsletters, advice and more about the home electronics, digital cameras, photography, TVs, online security, gadgets and more. Thu, 01 Feb 2024 19:03:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.komando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-favicon512x512-32x32.png VPN Archives - Komando.com 32 32 166923932 ExpressVPN amps up security with game-changing features https://www.komando.com/privacy/expressvpn-amps-up-security/895705/ Mon, 05 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.komando.com/?p=895705

The VPN game has been seriously upgraded! My sponsor, ExpressVPN, recently rolled out a slew of feature-packed updates. ExpressVPN pushes the envelope to keep your digital life locked down, from ad-blockers to a beefed-up server network.

These tools are available across ExpressVPN’s Windows, iOS and Android apps, Linux and Mac. And get this: All these perks come at no extra charge.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
895705
Security tip: Next time you stay at a hotel, turn on your VPN https://www.komando.com/tech-tips/must-have-travel-tool/590177/ Wed, 30 Aug 2023 10:00:00 +0000
© Prykhodov | <a href="https://www.dreamstime.com/man-hands-holding-computer-tablet-app-vpn-screen-home-room-image147402928"> Dreamstime.com </a>

Did you know the average American spends more than 24 hours each week online? That is a considerable chunk of time.

If you’re one of the many people with multiple devices regularly accessing the internet, you probably know you need a secure connection to protect sensitive data. A virtual private network or VPN is the best way to do this.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
590177
VPNs: How they work and how to choose the best one for you https://www.komando.com/privacy/vpn-setup-and-use/505434/ Sun, 23 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.komando.com?p=505434&post_type=tips&preview_id=505434

Hackers, thieves and scammers are constantly out in full force, ready to steal your money. I’m sure you’ve heard me mention VPNs before on my show. Now’s the time to get on board.

VPN is short for virtual private network. What this means is when doing your banking online, hackers can’t step in the middle and steal your account information and drain your money. A VPN also stops your internet provider from tracking you and lets you unblock websites and bypass filters. You need it on your computer, laptop, tablet and phone.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
505434
Incognito mode doesn’t do what you might think – Here’s the truth https://www.komando.com/privacy/incognito-mode-not-private/784746/ Mon, 17 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.komando.com/?p=784746&preview=true&preview_id=784746

I know that I use Incognito mode from time to time. And while I’m not going to ask you what you’ve used it for, I assume you’ve used it, too. It serves a purpose, but here’s what it doesn’t do: Make you invisible. And that’s coming straight from Google.

Incognito mode is part of your Chrome browser — so, yup, it’s a Google product. And a U.S. judge recently allowed a $5 billion class-action lawsuit against Google to go to trial. Because even when you use Incognito mode, Google collects and sells your data and makes a fortune off it. And, according to them, that should be already clear to you.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
784746
What makes a good VPN? 3 features to look for before you spend a dime https://www.komando.com/security-privacy/privacy-how-to-3-things-to-look-for-when-choosing-a-vpn/778877/ Mon, 10 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.komando.com/?p=778877&preview=true&preview_id=778877

What you do online should be your business. That’s not the world we live in, though. Your internet service provider can see every site you visit, even in incognito mode, and your data is routinely packaged up and sold to the highest bidder.

If you’re ready to get back your privacy, you need the right tools to do it. A VPN, or virtual private network, is a great place to start. A VPN encrypts your data and hides your IP address, giving you an extra layer of protection from snoops, advertisers and Big Tech companies looking to profit off you.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
778877
Don’t want your ISP or Big Tech seeing what you look up? Do this https://www.komando.com/privacy/3-reasons-expressvpn-beats-the-competition/762332/ Sun, 02 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Doing online searches without a VPN is asking your internet service provider, Google or your search engine of choice to snoop on what you do. All that information — the products you look up, medical conditions you search for, people you Google — is compiled into the dossier about you.

There are tons of VPN providers out there. You’ve probably heard of a couple of them — and some of you may have even used a VPN before. But I like to research my sponsors, and I can confidently say that ExpressVPN is the best one on the market. Believe me. I’ve tried my fair share over the years. 

Click here to read full story.

]]>
762332
Yes, you can add a VPN to your TV – Here are a few reasons you should https://www.komando.com/tv-streaming-reviews/add-a-vpn-to-your-tv/828334/ Tue, 27 Jun 2023 10:00:00 +0000

You can use many methods to protect against cyberattacks, including strong passwords, antivirus software, a virtual private network (VPN), privacy-focused browsers and more. Tap or click here for our list of essential privacy tools that help you stay safe online.

A VPN puts a layer of protection between you and the internet. Rather than connecting to a potentially unsecured server, your internet traffic goes through an encrypted tunnel, securing data traveling both ways. This hides your IP address, encrypts internet traffic and protects your browser history.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
828334
Your IP address: What it is and why you need to protect yours if you care about privacy https://www.komando.com/privacy/protect-your-ip-address/815714/ Mon, 19 Jun 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Using the internet is a complicated affair. It may not feel like that to you as a user. You click on your browser and get on with your day — it’s as easy as pie.

Behind the scenes, though, is a whole different story. It’s full of numbers like your Internet Protocol (IP) address, basically your digital home address. This numeric label distinguishes your phone or computer from other devices worldwide.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
815714
Free VPN caught leaking user data https://www.komando.com/security-privacy/free-vpn-data-risk/887588/ Fri, 26 May 2023 08:00:00 +0000

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Some things aren’t worth trying for free. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is at the top of that list. There’s just too much temptation for cybercriminals to hack into those that aren’t adequately secured or for shady developers to offer “free” software that tracks your every move.

Bad news for SuperVPN, which fell somewhere in between. Lax security practices left a huge database open for anyone to browse.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
887588
Find free Wi-Fi anywhere (but follow our No. 1 public network security rule) https://www.komando.com/tech-tips/wifi-map-wifi-finder/844636/ Mon, 24 Apr 2023 21:00:00 +0000

Are you a work-from-home warrior? Even if you’re just somebody on vacation needing a stable Wi-Fi connection, being disconnected is no good. What can you do when you need to access the internet and can’t find Wi-Fi nearby?

Free Wi-Fi isn’t always safe, and even the best Wi-Fi finders won’t always be able to help you skirt a connection that’s not secure. However, even unprotected Wi-Fi networks may be a viable resource with the right VPN on your system.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
844636
Why you can’t access some sites while you’re on a VPN and what to do https://www.komando.com/tech-tips/why-you-cant-access-sites-vpn/865067/ Tue, 18 Apr 2023 10:30:00 +0000 https://www.komando.com/?p=865067&preview=true&preview_id=865067

Let’s say you’re browsing the web with a VPN. You’re protecting privacy, so you’re confident hackers and advertisers can’t track you. Then you try to go to a site, and it just won’t load.

This can throw a wrench into productivity when working. Or it can ruin your mood when trying to have fun online.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
865067
Do you use these popular apps with ties to China? https://www.komando.com/security-privacy/china-linked-apps/882914/ Sun, 02 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.komando.com/?p=882914&preview=true&preview_id=882914

While the U.S. government is busy contemplating a ban on TikTok, another popular app has flown under the radar. Turbo VPN has been downloaded over 100 million times — and has had multiple Chinese nationals as directors.

Virtual Private Networks are used to browse the internet anonymously. They act as a layer of protection, disguising your location and preventing sites from tracking you.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
882914
Worth it? This router has a built-in VPN https://www.komando.com/privacy/router-with-built-in-vpn/881164/ Wed, 22 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Protect your internet-connected devices at home, such as an Amazon Echo or a smart thermostat, with a VPN router to prevent hackers from causing chaos.

A VPN-enabled router encrypts data on your network, adding an extra layer of security and privacy for all connected devices. Watch out for these five signs indicating your current router may not keep you safe.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
881164
6 data breach dangers lurking in your home and office https://www.komando.com/how-tos/6-data-breach-dangers-lurking-in-your-home-and-office/685793/ Thu, 29 Dec 2022 12:00:00 +0000
test 1 - details

Hollywood has helped create an image that instantly pops into our minds when we hear the term cyberattack. Many of us think of a group of devious hackers led by the likes of Hans Gruber from “Die Hard.” While people like Gruber exist, most cybercriminals are simply common thieves looking to rip people off.

Names, email addresses, usernames, passwords and credit card information are some of the prime pieces of information criminals steal in data breaches. Tap or click here to learn about one of the scariest cyberattacks of 2022. The dangers are real, and threats could be closer than you think.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
685793
Does a VPN slow down your connection? Answers to 6 common VPN questions https://www.komando.com/privacy/most-common-vpn-questions/745281/ Mon, 12 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Let’s face it, the internet can be a scary and unpredictable place when it comes to maintaining your privacy and security. You never know who may be keeping virtual tabs on you.

Whether it’s a hacker or scammer out to get your personal info, a government agency or even your creepy neighbor, you need to secure your web browsing.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
745281
3 online banking mistakes putting your money at risk https://www.komando.com/money/online-banking-mistakes/859878/ Mon, 10 Oct 2022 16:45:00 +0000 https://www.komando.com/?p=859878

The internet has made banking easier than ever. The days of standing in line waiting for a teller to call you to the window are long gone.

These days, you grab your phone and open a banking app to complete any number of transactions. You can check your balance, transfer money between accounts, apply for credit accounts, and even deposit checks through your phone. Tap or click here to avoid one common online banking mistake.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
859878
Is your ISP throttling your speeds? Here’s how to check https://www.komando.com/kims-column/isp-throttling-your-speed/834686/ Sat, 08 Oct 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Websites seem sluggish and downloads take forever. It’s frustrating — especially when you’re paying for high-speed internet.

First, make sure it’s not just you. When I’m unsure if slow speeds or timeouts are part of a more significant issue, I hit Down Detector to see if others reported the same problem. Tap or click for a direct link and a few other tricks if a website won’t load.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
834686
Antivirus vs. VPN: Do you need both for online privacy and security? https://www.komando.com/security-privacy/antivirus-vs-vpn-do-you-need-both-for-online-privacy-and-security/799775/ Fri, 27 May 2022 08:30:00 +0000 https://www.komando.com/?p=799775&preview=true&preview_id=799775

You probably know that bad guys lurk within every corner of the internet. You have to watch out for spyware, ransomware, phishing attacks, IoT invasions and more. Oh, and don’t forget “zero-click attacks.” Researchers recently discovered hackers used military-grade spyware to remotely access iPhones and even replicate their data.

Usually, you can avoid this type of malware by just not clicking on suspicious text messages. Zero-click attacks are frightening because they can infiltrate your device … even if you don’t interact with the text. Tap or click here for the full story.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
799775
Records for 21 million VPN users leaked online – Check your data now https://www.komando.com/security-privacy/vpn-data-breach/838370/ Sat, 14 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Almost everything you search for, sign in to, or look at is trackable when you browse the internet. Your online activity and location logs are most likely kept somewhere, at least by your ISP. Your ISP sees everything you do online. Tap or click here to stop it.

A virtual private network (VPN) is one tool you can use to get around tracking. Essentially, a VPN hides your IP address and activity so that nobody knows who you are or where you are browsing from.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
838370
Using Kaspersky’s VPN? Here’s how to remove it from your PC, Mac or phone https://www.komando.com/security-privacy/how-to-remove-kaspersky-vpn/832951/ Sat, 02 Apr 2022 08:00:00 +0000

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shows no signs of slowing down, hundreds of international companies are enacting various trade bans or sanctions on the country. Companies like Microsoft, Google and Apple stopped operations or pulled their products from Russian shelves.

Fears that hackers can use Russian-developed software for cyberattacks against the U.S. have also sparked a ban on products like Kaspersky’s various software offerings.

Click here to read full story.

]]>
832951