Miscellaneous 3 min. read

Spying fears, breaches keeping people offline – US study

Spying fears, breaches keeping people offline – US study

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In a recent study by the US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), it was found that almost half of Internet users in the US have decreased the frequency of their online activities because of fears that going online may threaten their security and privacy.

The study, which surveyed more than 41,000 households in July last year, identified the major concerns that the respondents had whenever they were online. 63 percent of respondents said they were concerned with identity theft, while 43 percent were wary of credit card and banking fraud.

Almost 22 percent expressed fear of losing control over personal data and 18 percent were afraid of the US government’s data-collecting methods, while 13 percent feared that going online could threaten their personal security.

The study also revealed that these concerns have deterred a lot of US Internet users from taking part in online activities such as credit card transactions, online merchant purchases, and social media sharing.

The Internet provides a convenient way for us to communicate with the rest of the world. We use it to share our ideas, learn about what’s happening around us, and connect with others, all with just a simple click.

But with threats to our online security and privacy growing even more formidable and complex as we dive deeper into the digital age, it’s not surprising that a lot of Internet users are becoming wary of going online.

If you’re among those who are afraid of going online because of the same reasons, then you should consider installing a virtual private network (VPN) app on your device. VPNs provide a way for you to anonymously surf online and allow you to conduct online activities without having to worry about the various threats to your security and privacy.

How do I get a VPN?

There are many companies out there that allow you to get a VPN for free, providing you a way to browse the web anonymously. Among the best free VPN services that you can download is Hotspot Shield VPN.

Hotspot Shield VPN is an effective way to protect yourself from identity thieves, credit card fraudsters, and other cybercriminals. By installing it on your device, you get to enjoy your online activities worry-free, because it keeps you safe from online threats in many ways:

IP address masking – Hotspot Shield masks your actual IP address and provides you with a new one. This lets you hide your virtual location, making it impossible for cybercriminals to track your actual location.

Encryption – Hotspot Shield provides an encrypted tunnel between your device and its servers. This secures your sensitive information — such as instant messages, credit card transactions, and personal information — from malicious individuals.

Anonymous surfing – Hotspot Shield’s IP address masking and encryption methods allow you to surf online anonymously. With this, you no longer need to worry about hackers and snoopers accessing your personal information and using it for their interests.

Malware protection – Today’s hackers are using all possible ways to victimize Internet users, including attacks via malicious software. Hotspot Shield notifies you if a website is infested with malware, blocking the site to protect your device.

Wi-Fi security – A public hotspot is a goldmine of potential victims for cyber criminals. With Hotspot Shield, your device is protected from snoopers that monitor your online activities and watch your every move.

With Hotspot Shield, you can enjoy all these benefits with no strings attached! Whether it’s a Windows PC, a Macbook, an Android tablet, or an iOS smartphone, you can get Hotspot Shield for your device in a few easy steps:

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What are you waiting for? Download Hotspot Shield Free now and join the 400 million Internet users who are enjoying a safer, more secure Internet experience.

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