online privacy

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on online privacy:

Get a VPN, an ad blocker and more in one packed app

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Clario
Get VPN, malware, ad blocking and other essential digital security tools in one intuitive app.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

As more of our life moves online, security and privacy become more valuable. That’s why we’re big fans of virtual private networks, malware blockers and any other tools that make online life more secure. Luckily, you can get all that and more from one app.

Protect your online privacy and security with a powerful, affordable VPN

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NordVPN
This critically acclaimed VPN uses double encryption to keep your browsing safe and private.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

For many of us, going online is a part of daily life. Unfortunately, the internet is also full of risks to our security and privacy. That’s why more and more people are turning to virtual private networks, so that activities and personal data stay hidden from prying eyes. That’s why we love VPNs, and this chance to get powerful protection for just a few bucks a month.

How you can protect your Mac against cyberthreats

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A good VPN adds an essential layer of security to your Mac.
A good VPN adds an essential layer of security to your Mac.
Photo: John Sting/Unsplash CC

This post on VPNs for Mac is brought to you by VPNOverview.

Many advanced Windows users have been using VPNs for various reasons for years. However, not many people are aware that VPNs can be just as beneficial for Mac owners. There is a misconception that Macs do not get viruses, and that you are completely safe browsing the web if you do it on a Mac. Apple products are better at defending against attack — and are less frequently targeted by malware. But that does not mean VPNs aren’t useful for Apple computers. In fact, VPNs for Mac are just as effective as they are for Windows systems.

Google makes it way easier to delete your search history

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With just a couple of taps you can erase your Google search history.
With just a couple of taps, you can erase everything Google has stored about your search history.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Your iPhone does everything it can to protect your privacy, but using Google’s services punches a gaping hole in that protection. Google took a small step toward increasing user privacy by making it much easier to delete your search history.

Google doesn’t just save the terms your looked for, but also the pages you visited as part of the search. Both collections can be erased.

Trump administration takes a first step toward regulating Facebook, Google

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Facebook employees
The US government may soon be looking over Facebook's shoulder to better protect your privacy. Unless Facebook and Google can prevent it, of course.
Photo: Facebook

The Commerce Dept. is reportedly talking to social networking companies and consumer advocates about rules to protect online privacy. Also included are possible protections for companies that have data breeches.

This is supposedly laying the groundwork for legislation that might be proposed this fall.

What happened to Facebook today won’t happen to Apple

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Facebook owns 4 of the top 10 apps of the past decade
Wall Street hammered Facebook today. But the privacy concerns that pushed the company's share price down almost 20 percent aren't an issue for Apple.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Facebook lost more value today than any other company in history: $120 billion. The massive selloff came after CEO Mark Zuckerberg admitted that the growing privacy concerns of the public, and the likely response of lawmakers and regulators, will hit the company where it hurts: in the pocketbook.

On the same day Facebook lost 19 percent of its value, Apple’s share price was unaffected. This is because the two companies have diametrically opposing views on the privacy rights of the public. What hurt Facebook so much is actually one of Apple’s strengths.

Venmo privacy flaw reveals users’ sensitive info

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The website Public by Default highlights the weak privacy of Venmo.
The website Public by Default highlights the weak privacy of Venmo.
Photo: Hang Do Thi Duc

Companies don’t always succeed at keeping user data private, but Venmo doesn’t even seem to be trying. This service that allows users to make payments to individuals or merchants has the privacy for transactions set to public by default. 

A researcher found that with very little effort she could track the purchases made by most of the 7 million active Venmo users. That includes everyone who installed Venmo from the App Store.

Google admits third-party developers can read your emails

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Google-Chrome
Real human developers can read your Gmail messages. But only if you let them.
Photo: Google

Privacy is a hot-button issue in 2018, and the latest target is Google after it was revealed that developers of third-party apps can read your Gmail messages. 

The thing is, you gave the application permission to do that. You just don’t remember. Or weren’t paying attention.

Supreme Court rules police need a search warrant to track your iPhone

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Tower
Your wireless service provider always knows where your iPhone is, but police can no longer access that data without a search warrant.

The U.S. Supreme Court just handed down a victory for privacy advocates: police can no longer access mobile phone tracking data without a warrant.  

Wireless providers know which of its cell towers each of their customers is connected to, giving it a basic idea of where all of them are. Law enforcement agencies used to be able to obtain this data without permission from a judge.

Say goodbye to free Opera VPN

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Opera VPN
Olaf, the friendly Viking mascot of Opera VPN, is sad.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The end is nigh for a free VPN service for iOS and Android. Opera VPN will close at the end of this month. No reason has been given.

A Virtual Private Network protects users by hiding their IP address, making it much harder to be tracked. Opera Software’s version would even let you appear to be in another country.

You can soon see (and delete) everything Apple knows about you

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Apple takes privacy seriously
A pop-up in iOS 11.3 gives Apple's commitment to privacy.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple will soon let you download all the information it has stored about you, modify it, or even delete it. The privacy change is required by a new European law, but is also in-line with Apple’s policy to not spy on its customers. This sets it apart from rivals like Google and Facebook.

DuckDuckGo expands its privacy services beyond anonymous search

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Long known for its anonymous search prowess, DuckDuckGo is going long on online privacy.
Long known for its anonymous search prowess, DuckDuckGo is going long on privacy.
Photo: Kaique Rocha/Pexels CC

This post is presented by DuckDuckGo.

The web is a creepy place. No matter what you do or where you go, countless digital eyeballs watch what you do, looking to sell your data.

DuckDuckGo is known as the search engine that doesn’t snoop on its users. Used by security- and privacy-minded people, DuckDuckGo counts some 16 billion anonymous searches since launching in 2008. The world has changed a lot in the last decade, and the web has only grown creepier. So, DuckDuckGo is expanding its services beyond search.

Level up the privacy on all your devices [Deals]

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This single app offers several layers of protection from online security and privacy threats.
This single app offers several layers of protection from online security and privacy threats.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You don’t need us to tell you that the internet is a dangerous place. Surely you need no reminders of the malware, data thieves, and snoops that swim the interwebs. And if you’re aware of all those threats, you’re probably aware that a VPN is one of the easiest security measures you can take to protect yourself.

Cover up your Mac’s camera with software [Deals]

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Sorry, but sticking a piece of paper over your camera isn't a viable security solution.
Sorry, but sticking a piece of paper over your camera isn't a viable security solution.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

When you see Mark Zuckerberg covering up his webcam, you know there’s good reason. After all, webcams are the windows into our world for hackers and snoops. And with facial recognition taking off as a security feature, taking control of your webcam is only going to get more important.

How to find the right VPN for you

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The Best VPN
How do you choose the best VPN from the dizzying array of options?
Image: The Best VPN

This post is brought to you by The Best VPN.

If you surf the web in public — at a coffee shop, airport or hotel — you absolutely must use virtual private network software. But with so many versions and variations, from so many different VPN providers, the eyes glaze over at the very mention of this security essential.

Just $40 will keep prying eyes off your online activity for life [Deals]

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Protect and anonymize your online activity with this easy to use VPN.
Protect and anonymize your online activity with this easy to use VPN.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Hopping online means stepping into a situation where your every move can be seen and monitored. But by connecting through a virtual private network, you can vastly reduce your vulnerability using distributed, encrypted servers.

VPN.asia offers an easy and reliable way for even non-technical people to connect to the internet securely and anonymously. And right now, you can get a lifetime of VPN.asia access for just $39.99 at Cult of Mac Deals.

Use this VPN to keep your IP hidden, access blocked content and more [Deals]

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Guard against identity thieves, data miners, and more with this easy to use virtual private network.
Guard against identity thieves, data miners, and more with this easy to use virtual private network.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Getting online is getting in position to be hacked, snooped or blocked. Hotspot Shield dramatically reduces the risk of all of the above, encrypting your data through high speed connections with a secure and private network even via public Wi-Fi. If you’re uneasy about identity theft, frustrated by geo restrictions, or having your activity tracked, sign up with Hotspot Shield Elite VPN for life for $39.99 at Cult of Mac Deals.

Keep a no profile with online privacy device

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The tracking and profiling ends here.
The tracking and profiling ends here.
Photo: eBlocker

You played poker online a few times and didn’t tell anybody. You didn’t have to. The bank you hope will give you a mortgage just purchased your online profile from a data broker and now wonders whether your history of gambling makes you a risky borrower.

Tech entrepreneur Christian Bennefeld is betting people are beginning to want privacy when connected to their devices. His eBlocker Pro is a simple plug-in device that hides your IP address and stops all tracking activities.

Open your own private lane on the information superhighway with PureVPN [Deals]

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PureVPN encrypts and accelerates your internet connection while bypassing location restrictions.
PureVPN encrypts and accelerates your internet connection while bypassing location restrictions.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

As open and free as the internet is purported to be, it’s easy to run into a lot of walls and not always safe. A great way to relieve the worry and hassles of online life is PureVPN, a virtual laser-fast private network that secures, anonymizes, and upgrades any online connection. And right now you can get a subscription for $69 at Cult of Mac Deals.

Do-Not-Track Tool Added To Latest Safari Browser

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Safariicon

The latest beta version of Safari now features a do-not-track privacy setting to prevent online advertisers from tracking users as they surf the Web.

The tool has been added to the latest version of Safari in Lion, the upcoming update to OS X expected to go public this summer.

Safari is the third major browser to add a do-not-track setting. It joins Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Mozilla’s Firefox include it, but Google’s Chrome does not — yet.

Google, of course, is one of the web’s biggest online advertisers. It’s also worth noting that Apple offers an in-app advertising program called iAds that competes with other forms of advertising, online and off.

Wall Street Journal: Apple Adds Do-Not-Track Tool to New Browser