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Use a VPN to guard your online security and anonymity today [Deals]

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VPN Unlimited Main
Protect your online activity and browse without restriction for life.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Going online means exposing ourselves to malware, data thieves and other threats to our security and anonymity. So maybe it’s not a surprise that more and more people are using virtual private networks (VPNs) to encrypt and mask their online activity.

Save 97% on a lifetime of powerful VPN protection [Deals]

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Score a lifetime of VPN protection that's full of protective features, and available for just 20 bucks.
Score a lifetime of VPN protection that's full of protective features, and available for just 20 bucks.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

At this point, if you’re not going online through a VPN, you’re doing it wrong. The threats to security and privacy are growing, so the time is now to protect your digital life. And this deal offers the ideal opportunity to start.

Enjoy top-rated VPN protection for 1/3 the usual price [Deals]

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Nord VPN offers top=notch online protection at a bargain price, just in time for your holiday travels.
This is top-notch online protection for bargain price, just in time for your holiday travels.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’re traveling this holiday season, you could encounter nastiness other than the cold or flu. Using public Wi-Fi is a prime way to face malware, identity theft and other online threats. So you’ll want to travel with solid VPN protection.

Hilarious Jimmy Kimmel video mocks fear that iPhones spy on us

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A late-night comedian pokes fun at our paranoia about iPhone privacy violations.
A late-night comedian pokes fun at our paranoia that our phones are constantly spying on us.
Photo: ABC

Apple takes a firm stance on iPhone privacy, with strict rules. Nevertheless, many people remain nervous that their phone is spying on them.

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel, on his eponymous TV show, pokes fun at this fear in a newly-released video. Watch it now:

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.

Scientists answer the question, are iPhone apps spying on us?

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James Bond
James Bond is a spy, but what about your iPhone? People want to know.
Photo: Eon Pictures

Ever been discussing some product to your friends and then had an ad for it appear on your iPhone the next day? It’s happened enough that people want to know “Is my phone listening to me all the time?”

A group of computer scientists decided to test this phobia, which they dubbed panoptispy: the fear that everyone is being spied on.

Apple, other tech titans cross swords on consumer privacy

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Apple takes privacy seriously
Apple takes consumer privacy seriously, but Google and Facebook don't. Can an industry trade group that includes all three company reach any kind of consensus?
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Information Technology Industry Council will meet on Wednesday. This trade group, made up of Apple, Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and others, will discuss consumer privacy.

The proceedings are likely to be contentious, as these companies have very different views on the subject.