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Showing posts with label Tor Browser. Show all posts
VPN
Cyber Security Encrypted Email encrypted messaging apps Encryption End-to-End Encryption internet Security private browser Protonmail Signal app Telegram Tor Browser TutaNota VPN

Top 5 Ways to Encrypt Your Internet Traffic for Enhanced Securit

 

Encryption involves converting data into a format that is unreadable without the corresponding decryption key, thereby bolstering security and preventing unauthorized access.

Securing your internet connection with encryption is indeed possible, but it necessitates a multi-pronged strategy. Here are five approaches to encrypting your internet traffic:

1. Utilize a Private Browser:

Your browser serves as the primary gateway to the internet. If it doesn't shield you from tracking, other security measures won't be as effective. The Tor Browser stands out as a truly private option. It redirects traffic through a series of relays, encrypting it at each step. While it's indispensable for privacy-conscious tasks, its speed may be a limitation for everyday use. In such cases, browsers like Brave or Firefox, while not as robust as Tor, offer enhanced privacy and tracking protection compared to mainstream options like Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

2. Employ a VPN:

The use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is recommended, especially when combined with browsers other than Tor. A VPN enhances privacy and complicates efforts to track online activities. However, not all VPN providers are equal. It's crucial to choose one with robust encryption, a strict no-logs policy, protection against DNS leaks, a kill-switch feature, and reliable performance. Ensure thorough testing after selection, and extend VPN use to all devices, not just computers.

3. Embrace Encrypted Messaging Apps:

While a secure browser and VPN are crucial, using an encrypted messaging app is equally important. Opt for apps with end-to-end encryption, ensuring only the sender and recipient can read messages. Signal is highly recommended due to its reputation and emphasis on user privacy. Telegram offers a good alternative, especially for those seeking social features. WhatsApp, despite being owned by Meta, also provides end-to-end encryption and is more secure than many mainstream messaging apps.

4. Switch to an Encrypted Email Provider:

Email services from major companies like Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo collect substantial amounts of user data. By using their services, you not only contribute to Big Tech profits but also expose yourself to potential risks. Consider migrating to an encrypted email provider, which typically offer superior encryption, advanced security measures, and a focus on user privacy. While some advanced features may require payment, providers like ProtonMail, TutaNota, and Mailfence enjoy excellent reputations.

5. Invest in Encrypted Cloud Storage:

File storage plays a crucial role in internet traffic encryption, especially with the widespread use of cloud storage for personal data. Opt for providers offering end-to-end encryption and robust security practices. While numerous options are available, paid encrypted cloud storage services like Icedrive, pCloud, Tresorit, and Proton Drive provide reliable and secure solutions. Free options are scarce due to the substantial costs associated with providing this level of security and infrastructure.

By implementing these measures, you can significantly enhance the encryption of your internet traffic and fortify your overall cyber infrastructure. Additionally, consider local encryption and encrypting your entire hard drive for added security.
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User Privacy
Malicious actor malware Open Source Tor Browser Trojan Attacks Trojanized Apps User Privacy

Trojanized Tor Browser Bundle Drops Malware

 

Cybersecurity experts are warning about a new threat in the form of trojanized Tor browser installers. The Tor browser is a popular tool used by individuals to browse the internet anonymously. However, cybercriminals have been able to create fake versions of the Tor browser that are infected with malware.

Recent reports suggest that cybercriminals have been distributing a trojanized version of the Tor browser, which installs cryptocurrency-stealing malware onto the victim's device. The malware is designed to steal the victim's crypto wallet keys and passwords, allowing the attacker to transfer funds out of the victim's account. This malware has been specifically targeting Russian-speaking users, distributed through a Russian-speaking forum.

As cybersecurity expert Kevin O'Brien stated in an interview with SC Magazine, "the security industry has been playing whack-a-mole with Tor-based attacks for years." He recommends that individuals only download the Tor browser from the official website and avoid downloading it from third-party sources.

The trojanized Tor browser installers are just one example of how cybercriminals constantly evolve their tactics to stay ahead of cybersecurity measures. Individuals and organizations need to remain vigilant, stay informed about the latest threats, and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from these attacks. Regularly assessing the security posture, running security awareness campaigns, and ensuring that the right security technologies are in place to detect, prevent, and respond to attacks are important measures to take.

Organizations should educate their employees on how to spot fake versions of the Tor browser and other similar tools. They should encourage the use of official versions from trusted sources. In the words of the team at DarkReading, "It's always better to be proactive than reactive." Taking proactive measures can help individuals and organizations stay protected from cyber attacks.

The installers for the Tor browser that have been tampered with by cybercriminals are just one of the many methods they use to prey on unwary people and businesses. Individuals and organizations can better defend themselves against these attacks by remaining informed about the most recent risks and implementing preventative actions.

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User Privacy
China Chinese Residents Cyber Attacks Spyware Tor Browser User Privacy

Fake Tor browser Containing Spyware Target Chinese Residents

 

Kaspersky threat analysts have unearthed multiple infections via malicious Tor Browser installers propagated via a Chinese-language YouTube video regarding the dark web. 

Dubbed OnionPoison, the malicious campaign targeted users located in China, where the Tor Browser is banned. Hence, internet users in China often attempt to download the Tor browser from third-party websites. 

“Most of the affected users were from China,” Kaspersky Leonid Bezvershenko and Georgy Kucherin said in findings published this week. “As the Tor Browser website is blocked in China, individuals from this country often resort to downloading Tor from third–party websites. And cybercriminals are keen on spreading their malicious activity via such resources.” 

The Chinese-language YouTube channel has more than 180,000 subscribers, and the video has been viewed more than 64,000 times. It is a major setback damaging discovery for TOR browser users as it is an anonymity-based browser, employed as a gateway to the Dark Web. 

The Chinese residents use the browser to bypass Beijing’s extensive surveillance and censorship technologies, which are linked with the country’s strict intolerance of political dissent. 

Tor, named for The Onion Router, was originally designed by the US Naval Research Laboratory as a way to securely communicate between government agencies. It includes a series of volunteer-run servers that route internet traffic through a series of encrypted tunnels. 

The researchers warn that the trojanized version of the browser acts differently from the normal version by storing browsing history and data entered into website forms. It also includes a library compromised with spyware that allows the hackers to scan “exfiltrated browser histories for traces of illegal activity, contact the victims via social networks and threaten to report them to the authorities.”

The best way to avoid OnionPoison is to download Tor from the official website or, if that’s not viable, to scan digital the digital signature if it’s from a third-party site. 

“Regardless of the actor’s motives, the best way to avoid getting infected with OnionPoison implants is to always download software from official websites. If that’s not an option, verify the authenticity of installers downloaded from third-party sources by examining their digital signatures,” the researchers added. 

Modified Tor versions have been employed previously by nation-state hackers. In 2019, security experts at the Slovakian-based cybersecurity firm ESET unearthed a version designed to siphon cryptocurrency from Russian residents.
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