Secure internet access
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) serve two major purposes: one, they encrypt your internet traffic on insecure networks such as public Wi-Fi hotspots, but they also mask that traffic from your Internet service provider too. By connecting to a VPN server in a different country you’re also able to trick internet services as to your actual location, enabling you to bypass many geographic restrictions – for example, enabling you to access catch-up TV while abroad on holiday. WindScribe ( https://windscribe.com) offers a generous 10GB free bandwidth a month with support for servers from 10 countries including the UK, US and Switzerland. A Pro package comes with tools for blocking ads and trackers as well as malware (US$9.00 a month or US$49 for a year).
While VPNs encrypt your data in transit, they don’t hide it from the services you’re connecting to, so you’ll need to continue to take steps to protect your web browser. Make use of private or incognito windows when browsing – which allegedly don’t store any tracking information after they’ve been closed. We say allegedly – it’s still possible for your traffic to be monitored by your internet service provider.
One way to tighten this security is by enabling so-called DNS over HTTPS if your browser allows you to do – for example, Firefox users should open
Options > General tab, then scroll all the way down and click Settings under ‘Network Settings’ before ticking ‘Enable DNS over HTTPS’ (with the default Cloudflare provider) before clicking OK. This prevents man-in-themiddle attacks and eavesdropping on the websites you visit.
Also look to install add-ons to help block trackers and malicious advertising. The step-by-step below reveals how to use Disconnect to monitor and block invisible trackers – after installing it, install AdBlock Plus ( https://adblockplus.org/) for a sensible approach to blocking intrusive and potentially dangerous adverts without removing all adverts.
Email is notoriously insecure – unencrypted and easy to intercept. Traditional encryption techniques involving PGP only work with contacts who apply it to their own email. One workaround is to sign up for a free ProtonMail account ( www.protonmail. com). Mail between ProtonMail users is automatically encrypted, while you can configure sensitive messages so non-ProtonMail users are directed to a secure, encrypted web link to read – and reply – to the message.
Protecting yourself when chatting with others and using social media is a must too. Install the Facebook
Container add-on for Firefox, for example, and you can isolate Facebook from the rest of your web activity by forcing it to run in a sandbox – that way it can’t spy on you through tracking cookies. Similarly consider switching from well-known, but not necessarily secure, technologies such as Skype and WhatsApp to Signal ( https://signal. org), an open-source chat tool that works on your phone and PC desktop and offers secure end-toend encryption.