Category: Product Review

With the increasing need for online privacy and security, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become a popular solution for internet users. VPNs allow users to access the internet securely and privately by encrypting their internet traffic and hiding their IP addresses. However, with so many VPN providers available, it can be challenging to choose the best VPN for your needs. In this article, we will guide you through the process of choosing the best VPN for your needs.

The first step in choosing the best VPN is to determine your needs. Do you need a VPN for streaming, torrenting, or online gaming? Or do you need a VPN for general internet use? Different VPNs specialize in different areas, and it’s essential to choose a VPN that caters to your specific needs. Additionally, you need to consider the number of devices you want to connect to the VPN and the level of security you require.

Once you have determined your needs, the next step is to research the available VPN providers. Look for VPNs that offer a high level of security, a large number of servers in multiple locations, and fast connection speeds. Check the VPN’s logging policy to ensure that they do not keep logs of your internet activity. You can also read reviews and check the VPN’s reputation to ensure that they are reliable and trustworthy.

What is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service that allows you to connect to the internet through a secure and encrypted connection. When you use a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel, which makes it difficult for anyone to intercept or monitor your online activities.

VPNs are commonly used to protect your privacy and security online. They can help you avoid government surveillance, protect your personal data from hackers and cybercriminals, and allow you to access content that may be restricted in your region.

VPNs work by creating a secure connection between your device and the VPN server. This connection is encrypted, which means that all of your internet traffic is protected from prying eyes. When you connect to a VPN server, your IP address is masked, which makes it difficult for websites and online services to track your location or identity.

Many VPNs also offer additional features, such as ad-blocking, malware protection, and the ability to access content from other countries. Some VPNs are also optimized for specific activities, such as streaming or torrenting.

Why You Need a VPN

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are becoming increasingly popular as people become more aware of the importance of online privacy and security. A VPN can help protect your online activity from prying eyes and ensure that your sensitive information is kept safe from hackers and other malicious actors. Here are some of the main reasons why you need a VPN:

  • Security: A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it virtually impossible for anyone to intercept or steal your data. This is especially important when using public Wi-Fi networks, which are often unsecured and vulnerable to hacking.
  • Privacy: A VPN masks your IP address and location, making it difficult for websites and advertisers to track your online activity. This can help prevent targeted ads, profiling, and other forms of online surveillance.
  • Access: A VPN can help you bypass geo-restrictions and censorship, allowing you to access content that may be blocked in your country or region. This is particularly useful for streaming services, which often have different content libraries depending on your location.

While a VPN is not a silver bullet for online security and privacy, it can certainly help improve your overall online experience. However, it’s important to choose the right VPN for your needs and use it properly to maximize its benefits.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a VPN

Security Features

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a VPN is the security features it offers. Look for a VPN that uses strong encryption protocols like AES and Blowfish. Additionally, check if the VPN has a kill switch, which will automatically disconnect you from the internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing your IP address from being exposed. Also, consider if the VPN has a no-logs policy, which means that it does not keep any records of your online activities.

Speed and Performance

Another important factor to consider when choosing a VPN is speed and performance. Look for a VPN that offers fast speeds and low latency. Additionally, check if the VPN has servers in locations that are close to your location, as this will help reduce latency and improve performance. Also, consider if the VPN offers unlimited bandwidth, which will allow you to stream and download content without any restrictions.

Server Locations

When choosing a VPN, it’s important to consider the number and location of the VPN’s servers. Look for a VPN that has servers in the locations you need, such as the country or region you want to access content from. Additionally, consider if the VPN has servers in locations that are close to your physical location, as this will help improve performance and reduce latency.

Ease of Use

Another important factor to consider when choosing a VPN is ease of use. Look for a VPN that has an easy-to-use interface and is user-friendly. Additionally, check if the VPN has a mobile app, which will allow you to use the VPN on your smartphone or tablet. Also, consider if the VPN offers customer support, which will help you troubleshoot any issues you may encounter.

Compatibility

When choosing a VPN, it’s important to consider compatibility. Look for a VPN that is compatible with the devices and operating systems you use, such as Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Additionally, check if the VPN can be used on multiple devices simultaneously, which will allow you to protect all your devices with a single VPN subscription.

Price and Plans

Finally, when choosing a VPN, consider the price and plans offered by the VPN provider. Look for a VPN that offers affordable pricing and a range of plans to choose from. Additionally, check if the VPN offers a free trial or money-back guarantee, which will allow you to test the VPN before committing to a subscription.

Top VPN Providers

There are numerous VPN providers in the market, and it can be challenging to choose the right one. To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a list of the top VPN providers based on our research and analysis.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a top choice for its excellent privacy protection and speed. It offers an intuitive user interface and is known for its reliable performance. The pricing is competitive when signing up for a 12-month plan, which includes 3 free months.

NordVPN

NordVPN is a popular choice for its range of features and multi-year plan pricing. Known for its enhanced security options, NordVPN also offers add-ons to customize the user experience. It’s a strong runner-up contender in the best VPN list.

Surfshark

Surfshark is ideal for budget-conscious users who do not want to compromise on features. It provides a high level of privacy, speed, and unlimited device connections, making it a top choice for families and small businesses alike.

IPVanish

IPVanish offers an intuitive user experience with its easy-to-navigate interface. The VPN provides strong security features and customizable settings for optimal privacy protection. Its competitive pricing makes it a favorite among users.

VPN Unlimited (aka KeepSolid)

VPN Unlimited is ideal for users requiring a multi-device connection. It offers a smooth app interface and user-friendly customization options. Additionally, the pricing is affordable when considering the features provided.

CyberGhost

CyberGhost VPN is a great option for users who want a balance between speed and security. With a user-friendly interface and multiple server locations, CyberGhost is a reliable choice for users seeking an all-around robust VPN experience.

These VPN providers are among the best in the market and offer excellent value for money. However, it is essential to choose a VPN provider that meets your specific needs and requirements. Consider factors like server locations, security features, speed, and pricing before making a decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and answers related to VPN services and their features:

  1. Which VPN has the best overall performance?

ExpressVPN is often considered the best all-around VPN, thanks to its impressive speed, strong security, and user-friendly interface. It consistently performs well in various categories like speed, streaming, and security. Learn more at ExpressVPN.

  1. Is there a reliable budget-friendly VPN option?

Surfshark is known for offering an affordable yet reliable VPN service. With low subscription fees and unlimited device connections, it provides excellent value for your money. Visit Surfshark for more details.

  1. Which VPN has the most extensive server network?

NordVPN is a popular choice when it comes to a vast server network, as it has over 5,000 servers in more than 60 countries. This extensive coverage allows for stable connections and better performance. Find out more at NordVPN.

  1. Are there any VPNs particularly suitable for streaming?

CyberGhost is a popular option for streaming, as it can unblock several streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, and it has a user-friendly interface with dedicated streaming profiles. Discover more at CyberGhost.

  1. What is a crucial consideration when selecting a VPN?

One of the essential factors to consider when choosing a VPN service is its commitment to privacy and security. Look for features like strong encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and a transparent privacy policy. It’s also essential to evaluate the VPN’s performance, compatibility with different devices, and customer support. 

Conclusion

Choosing the best VPN can be a daunting task, but it’s important to take the time to evaluate your options and find the right fit for your needs. Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind:

  • Consider your primary concerns, such as privacy, security, or accessing geo-restricted content.
  • Look for a VPN with strong encryption and a reliable server network.
  • Consider the cost and any additional features, such as a kill switch or split tunneling.
  • Read reviews and do your research to ensure the VPN you choose has a good reputation and a track record of protecting user privacy.

Remember that no VPN is perfect, and there may be trade-offs depending on your specific needs. However, by taking the time to evaluate your options and choose a reputable provider, you can enjoy greater privacy and security online.

Ultimately, the best VPN for you will depend on your individual needs and priorities. By considering the factors outlined in this guide, you can make an informed decision and find a VPN that meets your needs and budget.

The post Secure Your Online Privacy: How to Choose the Best VPN in 2023 appeared first on Cybersecurity Insiders.

Monitoring and tracking potential threats from the dark web, open source, and social media platforms to detect threats that could attack your organization is critical to ensure public and corporate safety and security. Yet many cybersecurity professionals, cybersecurity analysts, and researchers who collect and manage this type of open source intelligence (OSINT) lack the training, tools, and internal oversight needed to effectively thwart an attack.

Developing intelligence to satisfy each of these stakeholders requires vast and numerous datasets, a wide range of tools, and hard to find expertise, making DIY monitoring and analysis prohibitively costly. While vendors in the cybersecurity space have responded with threat data feeds and information platforms, each falls short of delivering finished intelligence and overwhelms teams with noisy alerts.

For this reason, the last decade has seen a dramatic rise in managed services adoption. Today, organizations use managed services to address a wide range of problems, from managing firewalls and networks, to endpoints and SIEMs.

Nisos OSINT Monitoring & Analysis
Open source intelligence (OSINT) refers to any information that can be gathered from sources such as the dark web, open source, and social media platforms to detect threats targeting businesses.

Nisos OSINT Monitoring and Analysis provides cybersecurity, protective security, and intelligence teams with contextualized, prioritized, and relevant findings from monitoring and analyzing the dark web, open source, and social media platforms. Their monitoring and analysis allow Nisos to provide recommendations that help identify threats, disrupt attacks, stop adversaries, and remediate risks.

Nisos offers OSINT Monitoring and Analysis as a managed service subscription service that delivers threat intelligence developed specifically for the client by experienced intelligence analysts.

There is no software or hardware to deploy. Clients sign up for a monthly or annual service plan. As soon as the subscription is active, Nisos Analysts will start their investigation. As a managed service, Nisos provides the people, process, and technology necessary to deliver actionable intelligence so that organizations can utilize internal resources most effectively and achieve positive outcomes.

Nisos is the first vendor to deliver client-specific threat intelligence as a managed service at scale, thereby delivering:

1 – Unmatched Open Source Collection Capabilities
Using an extensive stack of third-party and proprietary tools, Nisos collects and maintains a vast collection of content to query for mentions of the client, their brand, key personnel, or company assets. Nisos’ skilled analysts leverage aged personas to infiltrate closed forums and groups to better understand threat actors’ motives and plans.

2 – Expertise Across All Intelligence Domains
While most intelligence vendors provide cyber threat data, few cover the breadth of disciplines of Nisos. Their analysts are experts able to surface threats against a client’s reputation, evidence of fraud and platform abuse, physical threats, and the risk posed by third parties.

3 – Analyst Engagement and Client Success
Nisos places cyber experts at the center of each engagement, with each client interfacing with a lead analyst and a Client Success Director. Nisos Client Success Directors average over ten years of intelligence experience and serve as clients’ primary point of contact. Client Success Directors help clients navigate business requirements related to contracting, Nisos offerings, troubleshooting, and administrative needs. The Nisos team will prepare the client’s finished intelligence product and review their findings and recommendations.

CUSTOMIZED INTELLIGENCE FOR YOUR NEEDS

Vendors in the cybersecurity industry have developed OSINT collection products that make it possible to scrape and scan large data sets from the open and dark web. Typically delivered as a threat feed or platform, they are easily integrated into SIEMs and other tools, but fail to deliver true intelligence.

These tools only provide incomplete threat data that requires further analysis to make it actionable. Further, these solutions are not client-specific, meaning the insights often lack the appropriate organizational context to make the data relevant for the client.

In contrast, Nisos only delivers finished intelligence collected and developed by their analysts for the client’s specific challenges. Nisos OSINT Monitoring and Analysis delivers client-specific threat intelligence as an analyst-led managed service.

Supported by proprietary technology and datasets, Nisos’ highly experienced Pandion analysts use open-source tradecraft to regularly monitor the surface, deep, and dark web for indications of breaches, disinformation campaigns, fraud, platform abuse, and physical threats targeting businesses. Nisos analysts act as an extension of the client’s team to build, tailor, and refine queries to ensure the intelligence provided is credible, timely, and actionable.

Nisos OSINT Monitoring and Analysis provides cybersecurity, protective security, and intelligence teams with contextualized, prioritized, and relevant findings from monitoring and analyzing the dark web, open source, and social media platforms. Their monitoring and analysis allow Nisos to provide recommendations that help identify threats, disrupt attacks, stop adversaries, and remediate risks.

OSINT Monitoring and Analysis delivers critical intelligence via analyst-driven threat hunting to find hidden threats across the open, deep, and dark web. Nisos analysts develop and refine client-specific queries, making it possible to track company mentions as they appear. Nisos analysts also use aged personas to access closed forums and engage directly with threat actors. A named analyst will analyze threats daily to determine credibility and urgency, alerting clients to all threats that require immediate action. If required, Nisos can
unmask high-risk threat actors targeting the business using technical links that suggest a real-world identity.

KEY BENEFITS
1 – Analyst-led, client-specific intelligence to find hidden threats targeting your business.
2 – Intelligence to address threats against a client’s reputation, provide evidence of fraud and platform abuse, identify physical threats, and assess risk posed by relationships with a
third-party.
3 – No noise – only finished intelligence with clear remediation recommendations.

“Nisos’ analyst-led Third-Party Risk investigations maximize our visibility into relevant,
traditional AND non-traditional business risks within our ecosystem, ensuring we are able to properly analyze exposure and take proper action.”
– John Sullivan, Global Chief Security and Resiliency Officer Vice President – Boston Scientific

INTELLIGENT RESULTS WITH CLEAR RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE RISK

OSINT Monitoring and Analysis is not a threat feed or platform that provides clients with a tool for their investigations. It delivers finished intelligence with clear remediation recommendations.

OSINT Monitoring and Analysis reports provide a clear accounting of analyst findings. Depending on the focus discipline, quantifiable results can include credential exposure, social chatter, vulnerabilities, brand mentions on the dark web, etc.

OSINT Monitoring and Analysis provides value to clients as soon as the engagement begins. Although typically issuing intelligence reports monthly, analysts will surface critical threats they discover during their investigation the same day they are found.

OSINT Monitoring and Analysis provides intelligence for diverse use cases including:

CYBER: Threats and risks to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive data, including data leakage and insider threats.
FRAUD: Cybercrime, e-crime, and online fraud. Trafficking in stolen or illegal physical
goods, illicit purchases of goods or near money instruments (gift cards, credits), use of stolen credentials, accounts, or payment methods.
PLATFORM: Threats and risks to the trust and safety of an online platform. Misuse or abuse of credentials and/or accounts, platform abuse including counterfeit apps, malicious content syndication, and API manipulation via bots.
PROTECTIVE: Threats and risks to executives, physical property, corporate assets, and PII takedown capabilities in response to doxing.
THIRD-PARTY: Threats and risks by vendors, suppliers, partners, mergers, acquisitions, and investments. Data leakage of client data by vendors.

ABOUT NISOS
Nisos is The Managed Intelligence Company™. Their services enable security, intelligence, and trust & safety teams to leverage a world-class intelligence capability tailored to their needs. They fuse robust data collection with a deep understanding of the adversarial mindset delivering smarter defense and more effective response against advanced cyber attacks, physical threats to personnel or facilities, disinformation and reputational attacks, and the abuse and fraud of digital platforms.

www.nisos.com | info@nisos.com | 703-382-8400

The post PRODUCT REVIEW: Nisos OSINT Monitoring and Analysis appeared first on Cybersecurity Insiders.

Today’s organizations are facing significant threats that can impact a wide range of people,
from individual users to the boardroom. Studies show that cyber professionals believe they are missing at least half of the attacks targeting their organization.

Most organizations lack the expertise and internal resources to respond effectively to threats. For these reasons, more businesses are seeking out managed security services.

Key drivers why organizations increasingly rely on managed security service providers

OVERVIEW
Executive Shield by Nisos is an award-winning, analyst-led managed intelligence service that addresses doxxing, fraud, and real physical security risks to executives and key personnel. Nisos provides the people, processes, and technologies necessary to deliver actionable intelligence as a managed service.

THE CHALLENGES WITH PROTECTING EXECUTIVES AND KEY PERSONNEL
Executive protection offerings today are focused primarily on cybersecurity. They typically neglect intelligence about physical and reputational threats. Most intelligence solutions for executive protection offer only surface-level discovery and removal of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) data, opting to address only the data that can be scraped and removed with automated tools.

Nisos’ approach to executive protection is much deeper. Executive Shield tracks threat actors targeting an organization’s people, identifies latent vulnerabilities, and reduces digital footprint exposure. Executive Shield protects key personnel with credible, reliable intelligence gathered through regular OSINT monitoring, analyst-led investigations, and finished digital human intelligence – spanning the protective, reputation, and cyber intelligence domains across the deep surface and dark web.

A SERVICE MANAGED BY EXPERTS TRAINED IN FINDING AND REMOVING POTENTIAL THREATS
Nisos curates target-specific keywords for tuning broad social media, open web, as well as deep and dark web collection tools. Nisos analysts actively remove PII through legally protected opt-out procedures on public and private data broker sites, add relevant addresses and phone numbers to do-not-call lists, and remove contact details from mailing lists. Nisos also documents any remaining PII that couldn’t be removed.

Nisos Executive Shield also includes PII reduction. Nisos analysts actively remove PII through legally protected opt-out procedures on public and private data broker sites, add relevant addresses and phone numbers to do-not-call lists, and remove contact details from mailing lists. Nisos also documents any remaining PII that couldn’t be removed.
Nisos analysts then go deeper, using aged personas to access closed forums and voice channels, and manually analyzing broad and targeted results of potential risks. Clients are immediately notified of urgent credible, actionable threats.

When needed, Nisos analysts will obfuscate the target’s digital footprint by injecting misleading information (such as false addresses and telephone numbers) associated with some portion of the subject’s data to confuse PII sites and create false positives for threat actors in instances where PII data cannot be removed.

As part of the service, Nisos delivers a monthly report capturing PII detection and reduction efforts that analysts performed, and identifying any exposure that couldn’t be addressed. Monthly reports include a thorough accounting of sites where PII was found and any remediation actions taken.

Nisos Collection & Analysis Stack Spans All Critical Data Sources

“Nisos’ analyst-led Third-Party Risk investigations maximize our visibility into relevant,
traditional AND non-traditional business risks within our ecosystem, ensuring we are able to properly analyze exposure and take proper action.”

– John Sullivan, Global Chief Security and Resiliency Officer Vice President – Boston Scientific

KEY CAPABILITIES

Extensive Digital Footprint Reduction – Nisos analysts identify exposed PII of key personnel and their families and provide recommendations and support to reduce digital exposure. Their analysts actively remove PII from more than 165 internet databases and sources while documenting any data that cannot be removed for legal and policy reasons.

Ongoing Monitoring without Alert Overload – Nisos regularly monitors social media activity for threats targeting key personnel and their families and notifies clients upon discovering a critical threat. Their analysts also monitor for evidence of compromised PII such as stolen credentials, stalking, doxxing, sensitive documents, and breach disclosures on the dark web. Unlike other services, Nisos will only alert clients when a critical threat requires action, sparing security teams from unnecessary alerts.

PII Poisoning and Closed Forum Access – While removing unwanted PII can dramatically reduce the risk profile for an executive, some data may remain that provides more information for would-be adversaries. As part of Executive Shield, Nisos Analysts will obfuscate this data by publishing false PII data, such as addresses and phone numbers, and associating it with the executive. Nisos goes even further by maintaining aged personas to access closed groups and forums that may trade in PII.

NISOS Analyst-Led Workflow Enables Deep Visibility and Rapid Response

ABOUT NISOS
Nisos is The Managed Intelligence Company™. The services enable security, intelligence,
and trust and safety teams to leverage a world-class intelligence capability tailored to
their needs. They fuse robust data collection with a deep understanding of the adversarial
mindset delivering smarter defense and more effective response against advanced cyberattacks, physical threats to personnel or facilities, disinformation, reputational attacks, and the abuse and fraud of digital platforms.

Contact Details: www.nisos.com | miked@nisos.com | 703-382-8400

The post Product Review: NISOS Executive Shield appeared first on Cybersecurity Insiders.