“Thanks to Windows’ comparative dominance and macOS’ significant differences, very few custom-built attacks are found for Macs in the wild. As a matter of efficiency, attacking macOS isn’t worth the time. However, Macs are still highly vulnerable to web-based attack vectors and social engineering attacks,” Alexander Fox writes for Apple Gazette. “These attacks allow attackers to gain access to your confidential information by exploiting holes in web protocols or hijacking human trust and social expectations.”
“VPN service for Macs can help users remain more anonymous online, lowering their attackable profile by obscuring information like IP address and hiding browsing information from potential snoops,” Fox writes. “Almost every major VPN client offers a VPN service for Mac users. Because VPN is a web-based protocol, there aren’t ‘Mac-specific’ VPNs. While some software companies might market their services as ‘Mac-friendly,’ there’s no need for a ‘Mac-compatible’ VPN.”
“VPNs work by wrapping your Internet traffic in an encrypted ‘tunnel’ between you and the VPN server. This means that anyone outside of your connection with the server is unable to observe even rudimentary details about your connection. No one, not even your Internet service provider, can even see the websites you visit while you have VPN enabled,” Fox writes. “VPNs also obscure your IP address. When you connect to your encrypted ‘tunnel,’ you’ll often be able to choose the geographical area in which that tunnel exits… Security-conscious users will also want to check on the service provider’s policy regarding retaining records and providing them to law enforcement authorities. ”
Much more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We use TunnelBear’s VPN service (especially while using public Wi-Fi) which lets you choose from servers located around the world in 20+ countries. TunnelBear offers unlimited data for $4.99/month. Importantly, TunnelBear explicitly states, “No logging. TunnelBear does NOT log any activity of users connected to our service. Period.”
SEE ALSO:
Your DNS settings may be betraying your privacy – October 24, 2017
Apple should offer their own VPN service to iOS and Mac users for security and privacy – April 5, 2017
Protecting against possible ISP snooping by using a VPN and https – April 3, 2017
Privacy 101: Why you need a VPN – March 31, 2017
Why Congress’s rejection of proposed FCC data rules will not affect your privacy in the slightest – March 31, 2017
Congress to US citizens: Online privacy isn’t dead, those who want it will just have to pay for it – March 30, 2017
U.S. Congress sends repeal of FCC broadband privacy rules to President Trump for signature – March 29, 2017
Congress votes to repeal FCC Internet privacy rules – March 28, 2017
U.S. Senate votes to overturn Internet privacy rules – March 23, 2017
I’ve been using ExpressVPN for years and have been very happy with it.
As a followup, ExpressVPN has servers in 148 cities in 94 countries, supports all major OSs, and offers many features you want and need in a VPN (www.expressVPN.com). And, no, I am not being paid for writing this.
I use it too but I am considering at renewal time coming up in a couple weeks to go with a cheaper VPN service like Tunnel Bear, NordVPN or IPVanish.
I think MDN is Tunnelbear.
I prefer Tunnel&Bone. They’ve been very reliable as a VPN service. Yeh-heh-hehehesssssss … Tunnel&Bone.
Also, point of interest: Tunnel & Bone is what I can be found doing most every weekend in the ‘hood.
Get it?
Tunnel & Bone.
Hello … is this on?!?
I use ExpressVPN as well and they do not keep logs as specified in the article. Just remember that whichever VPN you use there will be a slight slow down in your browsing speed. With ExpressVPN the speed drop is minimal but it is still noticeable.
I am discovering using Firefox Quantum more than makes up for any speed lag making Safari look very slow indeed.
I’ve tried IPVanish, too slow, so because MDN kept praising tunnelbear, I changed to them last August. No. I do not like it!! Cannot even go to craigslist with tunnelmess on. I’ve been on it since August, so I’m back to trying out more services. Can someone test ExpressVPN on craigslist for me? The reason I specify craig is because that’s about the only site I’ve found that tunnelbear doesn’t work on.
Anyone use the free, built-in VPN with Opera?
I did. Notice past tense.
What was the issue? Too slow?
I’ve tried so many vpn messes, I cannot remember. But it no good. Same with ipvanish, tunnellmdnbear. Gone from them. In vpn research mode again.
Isn’t Opera owned by the Chinese government now?
I’ve used it for some time now. For a free VPN that only works with the Opera browser, it works fine for me.
I do. It’s pretty good for free VPN. But not always reliable. I’ve had times when it wasn’t up, so wasn’t getting any internet access. Pretty fast compared to other VPNs.
I like it in that it works on my devices too. On my desktop, only works for the Opera Browser. Since I use multiple different browsers on my iMac and PCs (both Windows and Linux), I am considering other VPNs.
The last time I tried TunnelBear, iMessages sent from my phone wouldn’t appear on my iPad or Mac, and vice versa. Has the syncing problem been fixed?
I use Private Internet Access. No logs, cheap, decent speed, and many different geo locations. Sometimes I’ll run into a banned IP issue with a website, but I just switch to a different IP and it usually fixes the issue.
PIA doesn’t block torrents either, which some VPNs explicitly do…
I’m also using PIA and I’ve been very impressed.
SaferVPN has been my go to for over a year with great results. I’ve been up and down the west coast including Canada without a connection issue.
My home internet is 124Mbps. Tell me who offers a VPN that will not slow that considerably.
That is THE question! I just tested my connection with/without tunnerbear. With is over 5 FIVE time slower than not using it! Wow. Totally unacceptable.
I used Overplay VPN for years, then switched to TunnelBear on MDN’s recommendation, as it was a bit cheaper. Switched back after 2 months. TB is very restrictive on some sites.