Quick Online Tips » Security

Top 10 Ways to Unblock Websites

QuickOnlineTips — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:46:46 +0000

Guest post by Elisabeta Ghidiu.
How to unblock websites? These days, Internet filtering and controlled access is the new trend. More business owners are implementing filters within their companies with the purpose of blocking websites. Their intention is understandable but, on the other side, people love freedom and sometimes they feel mistreated. However, here are some things you can do that will help you bypass filters and unblock websites.

Image by kirl lau under CC

How to Unblock Websites

1. Use web proxies.
Many free online services allow you to access blocked websites through a proxy server. A proxy server is an intermediary between the user and the server where the request was send. Here is a list with the most known resources of web proxies: Proxy.org, HideMyAss.com, Kortaz.com, KProxy.com and Anonymouse.org

2. Use VPN connections.
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is like a tunnel over the public network. The advantage of using VPNs over web proxies is that VPNs are more secure because they are using advanced encryption and allow you to access all the applications (mail, chat, browser etc) in complete anonymity and not only the web sites. The most known free VPN is Hotspot Shield.

3. Use Hide IP software.
These are easy to use and even if the main functionality is to hide IP address and unblock websites, there are applications that can provide you more than that – like cleaning online tracks, testing proxies, manually adding proxy etc. Usually if you choose a free software, then this will provide you a minimal number of proxies and no other features than hiding IP address. Not My IP is one of the latest free hide IP address software that has already gained a large market followed by the old UltraSurf which is already very popular. Regarding paid applications that provide more features and have a complex structure, my recommendations are IP Privacy and Hide My IP.

4. Use Toolbars and Firefox add-ons.
Toolbars and Firefox add-ons are in fact software applications that work on specific browsers and with a simple click you can enable or disable online anonymity.

5. Use translation services.
Introduce the link of the blocked website in the translation field (for example in Google Translator) and choose a random language to translate from because translation from English to English is not supported.

6. Use Google cache.
In the Google search field type cache: before the URL of the blocked website. For example type cache:http://www.domain.com

7. Use Internet Archive.
Internet Archive allows you to view blocked websites through the Wayback Machine. This will retrieve all pages of a specific website indifferent if the website is blocked.

8. Use Web2Mail service.
Web2Mail it is a free email service that can sent to your email address specific web pages. You sign up for an account and get set to receive specific websites by email.

9. Change the http of an URL into https
This is the easiest way to access blocked websites. Of course, this might not work every time but you have many other solutions also. This is the fastest one.

10. Use IP address of the website instead of URL.
To use the IP address of a website instead of URL, you must first find its IP. To do this open command prompt and type: “ping domain.com”.

WARNING: Now, that you have so many methods to choose from, it is up to you for the purpose you use them for. Please remember that ONLY YOU are responsible for your activities and we take no responsibility for the same.

This guest post was written by Elisabeta Ghidiu, who is interested in online privacy and security solutions. You can also write a guest article and share your favorite web services.

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Original article: Top 10 Ways to Unblock Websites
Copyright 2009. Quick Online Tips. All Rights Reserved.

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Jessica Biel Most Risky Celebrity to Search Online!

QuickOnlineTips — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:50:41 +0000

Searching online for Jessica Biel is most likely to get your computer infected with spyware, adware, spam, phishing, viruses and other malware hosted on these sites! The McAfee’s Third Annual Report reveals that Brad Pitt loses his title as the most dangerous web celebrity and now Jessica Biel tops the riskiest celebrities to search on the web.

They say that fans searching for “Jessica Biel” or “Jessica Biel downloads,” “Jessica Biel wallpaper,” “Jessica Biel screen savers,” “Jessica Biel photos” and “Jessica Biel videos” have a one in five chance (a huge 20% chance!) of landing at a web site that’s tested positive for online threats, such as spyware, adware, spam, phishing, viruses and other malware!

While Beyoncé maintained her #2 slot, and continues as the overall most frequent, highly-ranked celebrity in the top five; Miley Cyrus, Ashley Tisdale and Lindsay Lohan all edged out Heidi Montag and Jessica Alba who appeared on last year’s list.

McAfee list of 15 top most risky celebrities to search online are -
1. Jessica Biel
2. Beyoncé
3. Jennifer Aniston
4. Tom Brady
5. Jessica Simpson
6. Gisele Bundchen
7. Miley Cyrus
8. Megan Fox & Angelina Jolie
9. Ashley Tisdale
10. Brad Pitt

Trivia: Do you know the web’s most dangerous search terms, and the most dangerous domain names.

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How to Access Blocked Websites and Bypass Filters

QuickOnlineTips — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:30:13 +0000

Guest post by Elisabeta Ghidiu.
How can you access blocked sites and cross web filters? Many people deal with controlled access to specific websites. This happens especially in some countries where Internet censorship is applied and people’s access to specific websites is restricted. Also, these days more and more institutions, schools and companies are implementing this type of software on their computers. But Internet filtering is not a problem because there are many tools and methods that enable you to bypass filters and to unblock websites.

Anonymous Web Proxy

One of the most popular methods is using a web proxy. An anonymous proxy server is an intermediate between your computer and the server you are requesting the information. Although this is an easy way it’s not the safest one. Even if the server does not have your information, the intermediate has it so you are not completely anonymous. The advantage of this method is that there are many free web proxies available over the Internet.

The most known resource for web proxies is Proxy.org. The list contains proxies all over the world, it’s periodically updated and provides link to specific web proxies in a random order. Due to the fact that the proxies are listed randomly, the chance of getting an over used proxy is considerably decreased. Other important resources of free web proxies are: Hide My Ass, Anonymouse.org, and Proxify.co.uk.

Hide IP address software

The second option is to use hide IP address applications. There are simple applications where with a simple click you can enable anonymity, or complex application that allows you to add manually proxies into the list, which will allow you to test proxies in advance and even clean cookies and temporary internet files. To be sure that the application suites your needs you should test the trial first and see how many proxies they have and from which countries.

The most known free hide IP address application is TOR Project. The application suits best to advanced Internet users because the configuration is not very simple. Other applications that are easy to use by anyone are: Ultra Surf, Anonymous Surfing, IP Privacy and Not My IP.

VPN connections

A third way used to unblock web sites is through a VPN. A VPN is a Virtual Private Network that is constructed by using public wires to connect nodes. A great advantage of these systems is that they use encryption and other security systems so only authorized users can access the network and the data cannot be tracked. Hotspot Shield is the most used these days and it’s 100% free. It creates a virtual private network (VPN) between your laptop or iPhone and our Internet gateway blocking snoopers, hackers, ISP’s, or other person from viewing your web browsing activities.

An important aspect that users must take in consideration is that before changing the IP address you must know what type of address your computer has. If you have a static IP address than you have to call your ISP and ask them to change it while if you have a dynamic IP address than you can apply any of the methods above.

This guest post was written by Elisabeta Ghidiu, who is interested in online privacy and security solutions. You can also write a guest article and share your favorite web services. Photo credit like oh so zen.

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Original article: How to Access Blocked Websites and Bypass Filters
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Top 7 Firefox Add-ons to Secure Web Browsing

QuickOnlineTips — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:30:52 +0000

Guest article by Mary Ward.
Have you secured your web browsing? Mozilla’s Firefox has grown fast and furiously in popularity among many frequent internet users and bloggers. Now one of the most favored web browsers and known for its workability, reliability, and easy customization, many users are switching over from older internet browsers like Internet Explorer to Firefox; but like any Internet Browser, it is important for Firefox to be kept secure at all times and protected from viruses and malicious spyware. Many times the download that you start with will just include basic security and features, and will not be configured to be as secure as possible.

Browser Security Matters

If you do not secure your Internet browser, it could lead to a number of problems with your computer system within the blink of an eye. Even worse than spyware, without the proper protection, you could end up leaking all sorts of personal information that others could use against you to steal your identity or harm and manipulate your computer system.

The threat of attack from malicious software on computer systems all around the globe are continuing to increase on a seemingly daily basis. The problem increases when users click mindlessly on links with which they are not familiar or visit websites that are disguised as popular places you may want to visit on the web. Because of this, more and more criminals are exploiting Internet browser vulnerabilities and compromising computer systems all over the world.

Firefox Offers Secure Browsing Solutions

The Mozilla Firefox Internet browser supports a number of features that can help you keep up your guard against those who may wish to harm your computer or worse. Firefox supports a number of security policies that are easy to configure. In addition, you can increase the security of your Mozilla Firefox browser with a number of add-ons that are available to provide you with the safest Internet browsing every time.

Safe Internet browsing is a major concern, especially with the number of people who are now logging on to the Internet to buy and sell items, take care of their banking needs, socialize with their friends and colleagues, promote their business and even earn a college degree. With all of that valuable information swimming around on your computer system, it is important to arm yourself with the right protection.

7 Firefox Addons for Secure Browsing

While Mozilla Firefox offers many add-ons and security features, there are few select choices you should know about. Following are some of the best security add-ons for Mozilla Firefox that will help you make sure that your computer and all of your valuable information is kept:

Adblock Plus
This add-on is the most popular among Firefox users for blocking banners and ads, with almost 800,000 downloads every week.
BetterPrivacy
This one will protect your system against cookies that cannot be deleted, known as “super-cookies”.
NoScript
This add-on for Mozilla Firefox Internet browser is believed by many to be the best when it comes to keeping your computer safe from a number of different attacks.
WOT
WOT, or Web Of Trust, is a great add-on that will warn you anytime a website is out to rip you off, infect your computer or bombard you with spam.
Stealther
This is the best add-on for surfing on the Internet without leaving footprints of everywhere you have been by disabling browser history, cookies, disk catche, file history, forms info and more.
Roboform Toolbar
This one provides the user with a great way to manage and secure passwords.
KeyScrambler Personal
This add-on works to encrypt all of your keystrokes in order to keep your system safe from keyloggers.

Many people are coming to appreciate all that Firefox has to offer. With these easy add-ons, you can be assured that your browsing is safe as well as productive.

Guest author Mary Ward writes about various legal career topics, including how to obtain a court reporting degree. You can also write a guest article and share your favorite tools.

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Original article: Top 7 Firefox Add-ons to Secure Web Browsing
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9 Best WordPress Security Plugins

QuickOnlineTips — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:08:29 +0000

Guest post by Srikanth.
Do you know the best security plugins for WordPress? WordPress is one of the most popular blogging platforms; though it comes packed with security features, hackers always looking for vulnerabilities to hack into your blog.

In order to eliminate attacks if not minimize them, here are some of the top WordPress security plugins which will help you in this regard.

1. WP Security Scan
This plugin will scan your entire WordPress installation and will suggest you regarding security vulnerabilities like passwords, database security, file permissions, admin security. It will also hide the version of your WordPress and remove the META tag from the core such that hacking to your WordPress installation would be hard.

2. Secure WordPress
It will help secure WordPress installation by removing miscellaneous items after the installation process which may aid hackers. It will remove error information from the login-page and also remove or change the WP-version data but leave it unchanged in the admin area. It is suggested to remove any unwanted information to the non-admin for security reasons so it will remove update information about plugins, themes and core update information. Secure WordPress will add a blank index.html to the plug-in directory such that if anyone is trying to view the contents of the directory they will be viewing a blank page instead of the contents.

3. WordPress Database Backup
This is the first plug-in to be installed soon after you complete WordPress installation. It will help you backup all your core data and other content of your choice to the destination your choose: hard disk, email or remote server. In the event of crash either by your fault or from hackers, you can restore your WordPress blog from the backup file easily. It is recommended that you use this plug-in for WordPress version 2.0.3 or later.

4. Force SSL
Having a secure SSL connection to communicate with your users is beneficial. To enable this, your site must be SSL enabled first. To implement this, you need to buy the SSL certificate. By installing this plug-in it will force your user browser to connect to your site via a SSL connection. This eliminates any third party attacks between the connection and all the data that is transmitted to and from the site will be encrypted for better security.

5. Chap Secure Login
If you are not having a secure connection like SSL to protect your password , then you can use this plug-in for encrypting passwords. It will use the Chap protocol to hide the passwords and transmit it encrypted. The only information that is transmitted unencrypted is your username. Protecting password will give full security because password leaks will enable the hacker the gain full control of your WordPress blog.

6. Anonymous WordPress Plugin
All the WordPress versions 2.3 and above have the feature to get automatic updates for plugins. During this process it will send some of your information like your blog’s URL, version number, list of installed plugins and activated plugins to Wordpress.org. This information could be of potential use for hackers. So to avoid this, installing Anonymous WordPress plug-in is a feasible option. It will strip off your blog’s URL and version number and empty the activated plugins list. This plug-in is compatible with WordPress 2.3 and above.

7. Login Encrypt
This will help encrypt the login information using the complex DES and RSA combination. It uses the JavaScript appended and encrypted the password of the user and generates a unique DES key. And by using this key, user can have secure login each time they login to your blog.

8. Admin SSL
This plug-in will work with both the private and shared SSL connections and it will force a SSL connection in every page where password can or has to be entered. It is very helpful to protect the admin area, posts and all the pages of your WordPress installation and secure the login page. This plug-in works on WordPress 2.2 to 2.7.

9. AskApache Password Protect
It will block the bots and creates a safe wall for any vulnerability your WordPress blog may have. It will protect your password as well as your WordPress directories like the wp-includes, wp-content, etc. It is like placing your WordPress blog behind a security wall.

Guest blogger Srikanth writes on Tech Inspiration blog about tips, gadgets, and technology. You can also write a guest articles and share more useful tools you like.

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Original article: 9 Best WordPress Security Plugins
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Download Free Norton AntiVirus, Internet Security 2010 Beta

QuickOnlineTips — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 09:54:26 +0000

Security leader Symantec now lets you download free Norton 2010 Beta products – Norton Internet Security 2010 and Norton AntiVirus 2010.

Remember these are “beta” pre-release versions of Norton products, made available for free download to beta software testers for public testing before the final version is released. This enables valuable feedback, bug reports and helps to develop a better quality software.

Norton Protection System is now powered with Norton Safe Web antispam engine and SONAR 2 technology that stops new and unknown threats. Norton Performance System protects your computer performance and Identity Safe is now portable. Norton Security 2010 software are now ready to protect Windows 7 running computers from all types of threats.

Download Norton Internet Security 2010 – comprehensive protection against all types of online threats.
Download Norton AntiVirus 2010 - superior protection against viruses, trojans and worms for your computer.

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Original article: Download Free Norton AntiVirus, Internet Security 2010 Beta
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How to Password Protect Directory Using .htaccess

QuickOnlineTips — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:14:20 +0000

Do you want to password protect a directory on your website? .htaccess is a powerful file which can easily password protect your files and folders in your web directories. I share this new skill I learnt while implementing it on our site.

Lets suppose you want to protect the folder ’secretfolder’ located on this path on your server: home/user/domain/secretfolder

Password Protect Directory with htaccess

Step 1 – Create .htpasswd file with your desired username and password in any text editor (like Notepad) and save without the .txt extension. It is a good idea to encrypt the password for extra security. Here is a good htpasswd encryption tool to do just that – simply enter the username and password and it will generate the code for you, which you can copy and paste. For a user ‘abc’ and password ‘abc’, I got this (but it generates a new one everytime) -

abc:9476nIHW7Esgw

Step 2 – Create .htaccess file with the code below. It can be created using any text editor (like Notepad) and saved without the .txt extension. Remember to double check the location of the htpasswd file, or it will not work. You can change ‘Login Details’ to whatever you want displayed on the pop up alert.

AuthUserFile /home/user/domain/secretfolder/.htpasswd
AuthType Basic
AuthName "Login Details"
Require valid-user

Step 3 – Upload both these files in the same folder which you want to protect (in this case ’secretfolder’). Now whenever anyone accesses that directory or any files in it, they will be asked for login details. You web directory is now secure.

NOTE – You might not be able to see these files on your server since they are hidden files. I use Filezilla FTP client and often use the “force showing hidden files” option to view these files. Also remember that these files can be created easily in Notepad but save without .txt extension (Save a type - choose “All Files”, then you can save without any extension). If the Login window keeps popping up, most probably your login details are wrong.

OPTION - Here are some simple scripts to protect webpages, but they are only the first line of security. However, they are easier to implement as they can be simply inserted in the webpage HTML code.

WARNING: .htaccess is a very powerful file to mess with and if wrongly configured can make your site inaccessible. If you are not sure of what you are playing with, seek professional tech support from your hosting provider. Edit your .htaccess at your OWN RISK, we bear no responsibility for the same and cannot provide support.

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Microsoft Morro: Free Anti-Virus Software Coming Soon

QuickOnlineTips — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:42:01 +0000

Strong news is coming in that Microsoft is ready to launch its free anti-virus software called Morro for personal computers. This is a huge competition in making for security software leaders like Symantec Norton Antivirus and McAfee Anitvirus software.

Reuters got a tip by a Microsoft guy about Microsoft Morro

A Microsoft spokesman said on Wednesday that the world’s biggest software maker is testing an early version of the product with its own employees. Microsoft would “soon” make a trial version, or product beta, available via its website, he added, but declined to provide a specific date.

If Microsoft starts bundling their antivirus software with Windows, much like Windows Defender, it would definitely hit sales of expensive security suites loaded with encryption, firewalls, password protection, parental controls and data backup. Since it will be well integrated, it will protect Windows better in conjunction with Windows Firewall and Defender, without slowing the computer.� Why pay when you can get it for free!

The Microsoft brand will also challenge popular free antivirus software available online like free AVG or Avast. Microsoft is lately getting all its cards right – Bing, Windows 7, Zune HD, Project Natal… maybe Morro is next.

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Check Your Google Safe Browsing Page for Malware

QuickOnlineTips — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:43:30 +0000

Google has a Safe Browsing diagnostic page for every site on the web where they provide detailed information about malware warnings and scripting exploits to protect web surfers from online threats. Have you checked your site Google Safe Browsing Diagnostic Page?

The Safe Browsing page basically answers 4 questions about any site -

1.What is the current listing status for mysite.com?
2. What happened when Google visited this site?
3. Has this site acted as an intermediary resulting in further distribution of malware?
4. Has this site hosted malware?

Here is a sample malware report spotted by Google at mysite.com
http://www.google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=mysite.com
Simply replace mysite.com domain name with your domain to check your site.

Check what your site’s Google Safe Browsing Diagnostic Page looks like. It could help you find� malware, malicious software, trojans etc hosted on your site, which you never knew about. Sometimes Google does mark all websites with malware warnings, but that is rare!

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4 Free Tools to Protect Your Email Online from Spam

QuickOnlineTips — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:00:46 +0000

Guest article by Venkat.
Some people unknowingly reveal their email addresses in forums, blogs and in Social Networking sites like Twitter which may not be good for them because spam bots gather these email ids and send spam emails to your inbox. Here are 4 tools to Protect Your Email Online from Spam -

E-mail Icon Generator

Email Icon Generator converts email to icons which you can show in forums, blogs and on other major social sites publicly.�Choose your email provider, enter your id, click generate to create an icon for it and it gives links for your�email which you can use in websites and forums.

Emailcover

Emaillcover hides your email address and creates an image in a CAPTCHA for your email and also gives links separately for forums and websites �which you can use in forums, blogs or social networks. Real people have to open the link to see your email address.

Scr.im:

Scr.im converts emails into short and safe links which you can use on twitter, web, blogs, forums, Craiglist or anywhere. To view the email, the other person had to pass a simple test that other automated scripts and bots cannot pass.

Hidetext

Hidetext.net converts any text to image which can hide in any blog, forum and social networking sites like Twitter. In this site we can hide text as well as email ids. Here it gives the link which can be used in blogs, forums and also on social networking sites.

Guest author Venkat is the writer of Technically Inspired, a blog that provides articles on web, technology, windows tips, troubleshooting, solutions, software reviews, utilities, and downloads. You can also write a guest article on QOT and share your thoughts.

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