Global VPN downloads surge to 277 million in 2020, Arab countries lead

According to data based on the VPN Adoption Index by Atlas VPN, Virtual Private Network (VPN) downloads reached 277 million in 2020, from 85 selected countries. A Virtual Private Network hides the user's real IP address and encrypts his browsing traffic. In turn, these changes prevent nosy 3-rd parties such as hackers, ISP (Internet Service Provider), or even the government from tracking the user’s online activities.

Do you need a VPN at home?

Locked front doors and closed blinds give homeowners a sense of security and privacy. The same reassuring feeling can come from a home VPN…

Ransomware accounts for 81% of all financially motivated cyberattacks in 2020

Ransomware is a type of malicious attack where a criminal encrypts sensitive information, which can be regained if ransomware is paid. Looking at the data from last year, it is clear that this type of cyberattack is by far the most common attack vector.

Busting free VPN myths

Many perceive the free VPN industry as a thorn in their side. As the saying goes: if a service is free, you are the product. Such statements…

What is a pharming attack? Basics and prevention

Pharming pursues the same goal as phishing: to harvest sensitive information, typically exploited for financial gain. However, the tactics…

55% of Americans more worried about getting hacked than being murdered

According to the Atlas VPN investigation, US citizens worry much more about becoming a victim of identity theft (or getting hacked) than getting murdered. With headlines being dominated by government security breaches, data leaks, and similar cybersecurity issues, the concerns seem to be justified.

Location data, location tracking and sharing explained

Location data sharing has proven to be invasive and dangerous. Many companies have the power to keep tabs on our geographic information.  Of…

A record 2 million phishing sites reported in 2020, highest in a decade

The year 2020 was a rollercoaster ride. With people shifting to remote work due to the pandemic, cybercriminals saw this as an opportunity and became more active than ever.