Older adults are increasingly being targeted by online criminals. In fact, scammers see seniors as easy targets because they assume many aren’t using up-to-date protection. And sadly, they’re often right.

Just like you lock your front door at night, you need to lock down your internet connection — and the easiest way to do that is with a VPN.

What Is a VPN?

Getting protected is as easy as a click of a button

VPN stands for “Virtual Private Network.” It creates a secure, private tunnel between your device and the internet. This means no one can see what you’re doing — not hackers, not your internet provider, and not even websites trying to track you.

The Real Risks of Browsing Without a VPN

• Hackers can steal your personal details
• Scammers may track your online habits
• Advertisers build hidden profiles about you
• Public Wi-Fi (like in cafés, hotels, or airports) can be dangerous without protection

And these aren’t just “tech” problems — they’re real threats. Identity theft, fraud, and unauthorized bank access happen to everyday people. Without a VPN, you’re wide open to these risks.

Here’s How a VPN Protects You:

• Makes your internet connection private and secure
• Hides your IP address and location
• Blocks prying eyes from seeing your activity
• Lets you use public Wi-Fi without fear

Over 1.5 billion people around the world use a VPN every day. Many of them are seniors who’ve learned that online safety is no longer optional — it’s essential.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Scams aimed at seniors are at an all-time high. The damage can be devastating — emotionally and financially. But there’s good news: it only takes one step to dramatically reduce your risk.

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What is VPN Kill Switch?

If a VPN connection takes a sudden drop, it’ll instantly expose your IP address and internet traffic to your ISP or potential cybercriminals. That’s why Unlocator offers an advanced VPN feature known as a Kill Switch. Whenever a VPN connection fails, Unlocator’s Kill Switch will initiate. It will block your devices, apps, and websites from establishing an Internet connection that passes outside the VPN’s protected tunnel. However, all goes back online when the VPN connection is restored.

How Does It Work?

Unlocator VPN’s Kill Switch constantly monitors your VPN connection. In case a VPN connection failure occurs, the kill switch will prevent applications from using your unsafe internet until the VPN establishes the connection again. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to benefit from Unlocator’s VPN Kill Switch. You can enable and disable the VPN Kill Switch feature from within the Unlocator app.

Why is a VPN Kill Switch Needed?

When a VPN connection fails, your whole internet browsing activity will be susceptible to prying eyes. This issue mainly concerns bloggers, political analysts, and even journalists. People who might work in these domains often use a VPN for complete anonymity. However, if a VPN connection fails, they might expose their identity to their Internet service provider and the government respectively. Several countries have very strict laws when it comes to internet censorship, which may lead internet users to fall into various difficult situations. When using the Unlocator Kill Switch, all your browsing activities and anonymous web surfing will not be compromised in case your connection to the VPN server is abruptly lost.

How to Enable Your VPN’s Kill Switch

Turning on the VPN’s Kill Switch is a very easy process. Simply, just follow the steps below:

1. Sign up with Unlocator.
2. Install Unlocator’s application on a compatible device such as Android, iOS, Mac or Windows.
3. Sign in with your Unlocator account.
4. Click on the settings icon on the top-right corner.
5. Enable the Kill Switch Feature.
6. Double check if the Kill Switch is activated.
7. Finally, you’re safe if your connection takes a sudden drop.

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Identity Theft – The Common Used Methods

Having your identity stolen without even being aware of the whole issue is certainly scary. There are several types of identity theft out there, yet you can always know if you pay close attention. Hackers use different approaches in order to gain access to sensitive data. However, by monitoring your accounts and online activities well, you make it a lot harder for these cybercriminals. Here are a few instances that can leave you exposed to ID theft.

Data Interception Over Public Wifi

Every time you’re connected through public Wi-Fi, your data is vulnerable to hacking. Many people are not aware of this, but Wi-Fi hotspots at a public place are not safe for confidential browsing, performing financial transactions or even viewing your emails. Any amateur or unskilled hacker can intercept your personal data with a software that can be found through a search engine. Attackers can obtain a lot of sensitive information including your Email, passwords, and even credit card numbers saved on your device. That’s because public Wi-Fi networks don’t use encryption on the internet given to their users.

Malware and Public Computers

Whenever you are at a library or any public computer network chatting room, your personal info is also at risk. Hackers and cyber-criminals can infect that public computer with malware or any other malicious software. For example, if you’re in a library accessing your email address, the software installed by the hacker can gather your information easily. The worst part of it all is that you might have no idea that this occurred. This is a problem that a lot of internet users face in public places. So when you’re using any computer, you have to double check first. Otherwise, your data is up for the grabs.

Phishing Scam Links

Every now and then, you might receive emails including certain unknown links. Even if these links do look familiar, the destination they lead to is what the concern is all about. Say you got an email from your bank or university with a link to double check your information and submit it all over again. This might be an act of scam so that you present what you have to an outside hacker. Even websites tend to provide scam links for any user who doesn’t know these facts. When clicked on, all info will be compromised.

Man in the Middle Attacks (MITM)

This is a very common breach of your private data. A MITM attack is where an individual hacker comes between you and your receiving end. For example, any info submitted by you to any website, this person is set in the middle harvesting any credential information. In other words, if you’re signing in to your Gmail, this person will get full access to your email and password. And the worst case scenario, your own banking accounts, and private messages. Not to mention that every website you visit starting with HTTP without an “s” is very dangerous. That’s a proper invitation for a third party to intercept your connection and steal whatever you’re providing online.

Device’s Vulnerability

Many of us have the tendency to download applications not available in our stores. However, little do we know that these applications might risk your device’s security. Any application from unknown sources might be planted by hackers with malicious intentions. Recently updated devices warn you from installing any app downloaded from an unofficial website or store.  Another way to jeopardize your data’s safety is when you open multimedia messages (MMS) from an anonymous sender. This is a perfect opportunity for any cyber-criminal to tap into your phone with ease. So beware.

How to Prevent Identity Theft

There are several approaches you can implement to minimize the risk of having your ID stolen and they’re quite simple. You don’t need to be an expert in technical matters, you just have to be cautious and willing to protect your online data. Now, you will find below the best ways to properly guard your information, thus, preventing identity theft.

Using Unlocator VPN

You’re internet security and browsing activities are the most affected factors here. With Unlocator’s VPN, not only can you hide your current IP address, but you can also encrypt your internet traffic so no one can get their hands on it. Unlocator provides users with military-grade encryption. Whenever you’re connected to an Unlocator server, you basically mask your real IP address. You will be surfing the web anonymously with no prying eye able to invade your privacy. This includes your own ISP, government, and hackers that set their sites on your info. With Unlocator VPN, all your sent and received data are perfectly safe. Just follow the steps below and keep your data perfectly in check:

1. Sign up with Unlocator.
2. Download and install the Unlocator application on a compatible device such as Android, iOS, Mac or Windows.
3. Sign in with your Unlocator account.
4. Connect to any server you want.
5. Finally, surf the web, shop online, do whatever you want on the internet anonymously.

Making Use of Anti-Virus Software and Firewall

A firewall is there to protect your device from any cyber attacks that might occur. So whatever happens, keep your firewall up for the sake of your online safety. Installing an anti-virus program is another important tool you can use to protect yourself from identity theft. A good anti-virus app will prevent the majority of malware and viruses from targeting your device. That way, no hacker or cyber-thief will steal your data in any way. All you have to do is make sure that your anti-virus is updated every time a patch is launched since it always fixes any possible security flaw.

Precautions From Suspicious Links and Emails

As mentioned before, phishing scams are very common now for invading your personal details. People with bad intentions will get you to fill out numerous surveys and questionnaires. After you do that, they will get a hold of everything you submitted including your home address, phone number, and credit card number. There’s one solution for that, and it is quite simple. Just don’t click on the link and go straight to the official website. That way you’ll guarantee if the email is legit or not.

The post How to Prevent Identity Theft appeared first on Unlocator.

The Top Risks of Using Free VPN

Whenever you look for a VPN on the web, you’ll be overwhelmed with the number of providers available for downloading. Many internet users around the world get free versions of VPNs just for the sake of paying nothing, not knowing how using a free VPN might impact their online security and privacy. With that said, here are a few risks you might encounter when using a free VPN service provider.

1. Malware Infection

When you use a free VPN, you might notice that your device has been receiving ads and emails in a nonconventional way. This is probably because of some malware the provider you have installed is infecting your device with. In addition to that, cybercriminals may be posing as a legitimate VPN app to hijack your personal online accounts. By doing so, they will get a hold of your emails, passwords, and even your credit card details. This is considered a direct approach to an identity theft crisis in the near future. Another thing is that a malware can act as an encryption software to lock your phone. Any hacker can shut your phone down unless you pay a certain amount of ransom for decryption.

2. Internet Speed

If you’re looking for high internet speed and unlimited usage, free VPNs are definitely not what you need. It is probably because of the insufficient number of servers which are usually overloaded.

VPNs with a free lower quality version tend to tamper with your internet speed claiming that if you subscribe to their premium edition your internet speed will double. In other words, they prioritize paid users over free ones.

One other way to slow down your internet speed is by overwhelming your device with unstoppable ads. Stacking up ads will drastically lower your internet speed. Moreover, the limited bandwidth you are given means that you can only use the free VPN for a short period of time before having to pay for it.

3. Internet Traffic Leaks

The main focus of using a VPN is to encrypt your internet traffic and increase your online security. However, a lot of users who choose free VPN apps face the issue of IP address leaks. As a result, your original location is left exposed, putting your personal data at risk. Now, whatever you were doing while a VPN connection was established is out in the open. This definitely goes opposite to what the purpose of using a VPN truly is. Exposing yourself while using a VPN connection may result in being monitored by the government or your own ISP. A good VPN always provides that online anonymity everybody’s looking for. This is why traffic leakage is a problem that certainly needs to be avoided.

4. Selling Your Personal Data

VPNs are supposed to keep you safe while you’re online. It is well known that one of a VPN’s main jobs is to block your ISP and other data trackers from collecting your private information and selling it to third parties. That’s why you should be wary of the VPN services that offer their private connection free of charge. It’s simply because hosting more than a thousand user or simply distributing servers around the world cost a lot of money.

5. Browser Hijacking

Another method used by free VPNs to collect money from their users is Browser Hijacking. This is when the VPN intercepts and redirects you straight to partnership websites without your permission. So, how would a free service be able to pay its dues if it’s not funded by any source? That’s where you become the provider’s primary source of income. Bottom line is:

“If You’re Not Paying for It; You’re the Product.”

6. Stolen Bandwidth

A free VPN provider might steal your own bandwidth and resell it to sister companies. It harvests your bandwidth to increase the network’s capacity, offering a portal that others can benefit from. Meaning that your own IP address will be used by someone else out there when they connect to a server in your country and vice versa. In essence, if that person with your IP does something illegal online, then you’re the one who’s going to get the blame in the end. That is totally not what a VPN must be like and you should be aware of the risks and disadvantages you’re putting yourself through.

Top Free VPN Alternative

The best way to avoid all these problems and secure yourself while you’re surfing the web is to get a premium VPN provider. A reputable VPN can help you protect your private information and prevent any data leakage to the open.

Unlocator VPN protects your device with military grade encryptions so that your sensitive data stays safe. It also hides your IP address so that you surf the internet anonymously and doesn’t keep any logs of your browsing activities. Subscribe to Unlocator, and you can benefit from top-notch security features.. Your privacy is strictly protected by our privacy policy. You can install the Unlocator app on your Android, iOS, Mac or Windows.

The post Why You Should Avoid Using Free VPNs appeared first on Unlocator.

Top Ways to Keep Your Facebook From being Hacked

A lot of bad things can be done whenever a hacker gets his hands on your Facebook account. They can post anything they like with you being all helpless to do anything about it. Imagine yourself chilling at home, as your friends start calling nonstop to warn you the inappropriate posts are on your timeline. To avoid all of that, you should take certain precautions while using Facebook, and here are a few.

1. Create a Strong Password

The first thing you do when you sign up for Facebook is create a username and password. Well, here comes the beginning of a threatening online journey, make sure you start it the right way. Creating a strong password in one of the key elements to ensure your FB’s security. When you use a random password that not even you might remember, you’ll get more confident that no hacker or software will be able to crack your security measures.

Your Facebook will demand a 9-character password and will inform you how strong it is with a measuring bar. But that doesn’t mean that when it strikes its Strong level it’s actually secure enough. Try to insert characters like “$,! @, #, ?”. These tend to be unguessable and most importantly they might be unreadable by the software the hacker is using. Moreover, the longer the password is, the harder it is to crack. Make sure you use the right one and start safely from the beginning.

2. Avoid Phishing Links

Think twice before clicking or download anything from Facebook. The links provided might contain viruses, malware, or even malicious software. If you visit those links, most of your data such as your email, password, and personal information will be harvested by whoever planted that link on your timeline.

It’s been reported and you’ve probably seen that many attacks occurred when someone falls for these kinds of scams. The worst thing that could happen is that if the hacker got the right details, he could either impersonate you which is very bad or in the worst case demand a ransom for giving your account back.

There is also a chance that you will see that the email came from Facebook but actually, it’s come from a phishing website. So be careful what you choose to click on while using your FB, you never know what’s waiting for you at the end of the line.

3. Use Private Browsing

One other way to circumvent being hacked is to use the Private Browsing feature provided by the browser you’re using. Almost all the web browsers on different computers have this option. Therefore, when you activate it, any activity you go through will not be logged into the browsing history.

This is very important when you’re using your Facebook on a random computer at internet cafes and libraries. You never know who uses the device after you and what might his intentions be afterward. So, remember to turn this feature on and remove all submitted details as soon as you leave. Check out how to activate the Private Browsing option in Safari, Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox below:

Safari

If you’re on Mac, then opening a private window on Safari goes like this: File> Private Browsing.

Safari Private Browsing

Firefox

For Firefox, head to Tools > Start Private Browsing.

Firefox Private Browsing

Chrome

Now for Chrome, the feature is called Incognito. To open this window, go to File > New Incognito Window.

4. Enable Two Factor Authentication

This feature is an extra layer of security offered by Facebook. Each time your account is used on another device (unrecognized one), you’ll have to submit a security code to verify yourself. Facebook will ask for your password then a log in code anytime it notices and unusual login. This code is sent to you via SMS or any other secure application of your choosing. It is a very practical way to keep your Facebook safe and block out anyone trying to use it from succeeding.

To activate Two Factor Authentication, go to Settings > Security and Login, look for Two Factor Authentication, and click on the Edit button.

Two Factor Authentication

5. Avoid Questionable Friend Requests

Don’t ever accept a friend request from people you don’t know or suspicious of. If you do, you’re whole Facebook page, friends, likes, and comments will be open to those you’ve accepted. Any hacker might be posing as a fake account waiting for the moment you press confirm. Once you accept, you are giving him an open invitation to take all he wants and leave you hanging.

It’s always best to keep information like your birth date, address, number, and so on private. Such info can potentially help a hacker to steal your identity. Adjust your privacy settings on Facebook. Separate who you trust and who you don’t by simply choosing who can see what you post. You can also prevent anyone from finding you in the search bar, only you will have the ability to locate them if you know them in person.

Be careful of whom you accept, it is a friend request, but not all people are friendly.

6. Make Use of Unlocator VPN

Unlocator VPN is one of the best ways to keep your data intact and private. People may not know or ignore this, but using public WiFI jeopardizes your online security.

The problem with public WiFi is that it’s not secure at all.  Hackers and criminals can harvest personal data with ease. When you’re using Facebook, you’re subjecting yourself to several threats, most importantly, identity theft.

Once you connect to Unlocator VPN, all your Internet traffic becomes encrypted. This will allow you to check your email, bank accounts, and of course, use Facebook without endangering your privacy at all.

Setting up the Unlocator application is quite simple. All you have to do is follow the steps below:

1. Sign up with Unlocator.
2. Install the Unlocator app on your Android, iOS, Mac or Windows.
3. Sign in using your Unlocator account.
4. Connect to a VPN server from within the Unlocator app.
5. Finally, use Facebook, or any other social media app, with an extra layer of security in place.

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