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Golden Frog received many votes on Golden Frog Ideas for a Kill Switch feature in the VyprVPN desktop apps. After months of hard work, they have announced Kill Switch is available in VyprVPN for Windows and Mac!

What is Kill Switch?

Kill Switch is a feature that users can enable to automatically “kill” or block their Internet connection whenever VyprVPN is disconnected. Except for network communications related to running VyprVPN services, Kill Switch will block all other Internet and network communication.

Why use Kill Switch?

Some users mistakenly connect to the Internet without enabling their VPN. Sometimes they don’t realize their VPN has disconnected. In both cases, users are unknowingly exposing their personal data. Kill Switch ensures you never connect to the Internet without VPN protection.

Customize how you want to use Kill Switch

Golden Frog made it easy to enable Kill Switch at the application or system level based on your security preferences.

• Application Level – Kill Switch will only function when you are logged in to VyprVPN.
• System Level – Kill Switch will function even after you exit VyprVPN.

You can also configure Kill Switch to allow or block LAN traffic depending on how much security you need.

Continue to submit and vote for the features you want!

Golden Frog loves hearing ideas from Giganews members and want to hear what VyprVPN features you’d like to see next. Like Kill Switch, they will continue to provide new features requested by Giganews members. Leave your feedback on Golden Frog Ideas.

To stay up to date, please subscribe to our blog and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, our YouTube Channel, and Giganews Google+.

We are proud to be partnered with a company focused on transparency and honesty in the VPN industry. Last week Golden Frog debunked 7 myths about online anonymity and VPN logging in their article, I am Anonymous When I Use a VPN – 7 Myths Debunked.

The “7 Myths” article addresses a disturbing trend in the VPN industry over the past year. More and more VPN providers are perpetuating the myth of an “anonymous” or “no logging” VPN service while providing minimal or zero transparency about how they actually handle users’ data. This has diverted privacy conscious VPN users to focus on the false promise of anonymity instead of focusing on what really matters when choosing a VPN provider: transparency, trust, ease of use, performance and reliability.

Learn the truth about each of these myths:

• Myth #1: I can be anonymous on the Internet.
• Myth #2: Anonymity and Privacy are the same.
• Myth #3: When my VPN Provider advertises an “anonymous” service, that means they don’t log any identifying information about me.
• Myth #4: When my VPN Provider’s privacy policy says they “don’t log”, that means I am anonymous.
• Myth #5: Even if my VPN Provider uses Hosted or Cloud based VPN servers I can still be anonymous.
• Myth #6: Even if my VPN Provider doesn’t own and operate the network I can still be anonymous.
• Myth #7: Any VPN Logging is Bad.

For other insightful discussions on online privacy and security check out Golden Frog’s “Take Back Your Internet” policy microsite.

We highly recommend that Giganews members view “The FCC Revolving Door vs. The Open Internet” for a detailed look at how the revolving door has hurt the free and Open Internet. The FCC has extended the deadline for people to leave comments on their site to Friday, July 18th. Make your voice heard and show the FCC bureaucrats that the public’s will to preserve the Open Internet is stronger than the corporate ties the revolving door has facilitated.

In May of 2014, the FCC made a historic decision to advance rules that will kill the “Open Internet” as we know it. Despite public outcry nationwide, Tom Wheeler, current chairman of the FCC, and his democratic commissioners betrayed Net Neutrality rhetoric, and instead approved the consideration for rules that would create a “two-tiered Internet.” that will:

• stifle innovation by putting startups with less funding at a competitive disadvantage because they can’t afford to pay for faster access
• increased costs because companies will pass along new costs for “premium traffic” to consumers
• decreased privacy because ISPs will snoop on user traffic so they can prioritize “premium” traffic over “regular” traffic

Though this ruling is disturbing and paints a grim picture of the future of the Internet, it doesn’t come as a surprise. The FCC has a long history of employing former cable and telecom lobbyists and executives. This “revolving door” phenomenon has posed significant conflicts of interest in the past, from the controversial changes enacted to media ownership rules in 2003, the Comcast – NBC merger in 2011, and now this most recent Net Neutrality debacle.

The FCC has asked Internet users to weigh in on Net Neutrality by posting to the comments section on the FCC website, http://www.fcc.gov/comments. There have been over 800,000 comments, an overwhelming number that even caused the site to crash on July 15th. Continue to leave comments through July 18th and pressure the FCC to protect the Open Internet. Make your voice heard!

I am Anonymous When I Use a VPN – 7 Myths Debunked is Golden Frog’s latest article featured on their “Take Back Your Internet” policy microsite. The “7 Myths” article addresses a disturbing trend in the VPN industry over the past year. More and more VPN providers are perpetuating the myth of an “anonymous” or “no logging” VPN service while providing minimal or zero transparency about how they actually handle users’ data. This has diverted privacy conscious VPN users to focus on the false promise of anonymity instead of focusing on what really matters when choosing a VPN provider: transparency, trust, ease of use, performance and reliability. Understanding these myths is important for Giganews members with VyprVPN and anyone considering using a VPN service.

Over the next week Golden Frog is going to reveal the reality behind these 7 myths:

• Myth #1: I can be anonymous on the Internet.
• Myth #2: – July 10th Anonymity and Privacy are the same.
• Myth #3: – July 11th When my VPN Provider advertises an “anonymous” service, that means they don’t log any identifying information about me.
• Myth #4: – July 14th When my VPN Provider’s privacy policy says they “don’t log,” that means I am anonymous.
• Myth #5: – July 15th Even if my VPN Provider uses Hosted or Cloud based VPN servers I can still be anonymous.
• Myth #6: – July 16th Even if my VPN Provider doesn’t own and operate the network I can still be anonymous.
• Myth #7: – July 17th Any VPN logging is bad.

Golden Frog has done an excellent job dispelling these common myths and starting a transparent and frank discussion about privacy in the VPN industry. Learn the truth about online anonymity today starting with Myth #1, “I can be anonymous on the Internet.”

To stay up to date on Giganews, please subscribe to our blog and follow us on Giganews Facebook, Giganews Twitter, Giganews YouTube Channel, and Giganews Google+.

We had a spirited discussion that covered the cultural, political and technological issues that affect online privacy. We co-sponsored a Take Back Your Internet Privacy Panel and Party with Golden Frog and Data Foundry on March 9th in Austin, Texas during SXSW. The event honored the global fight for online privacy and an uncensored Internet for all.

A big thank you to everyone that attended. We had a full house of people who clearly cared about these issues and engaged with the panelists making for an invigorating and lively debate.

The expert panel:

• Kevin Bankston – Policy Director, New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute
• Evan Greer – Campaign Manager, Fight for the Future
• Representative Bryan Hughes – Texas House of Representatives, District 5
• Ali Sternburg – Public Policy Counsel at CCIA
• Ron Yokubaitis – Co-founder and Co-CEO of Golden Frog, Giganews, Data Foundry and Texas.net

The panel was moderated by Stacey Higginbotham, senior writer at GigaOm.

In addition to the people in the room, we had viewers from around the world who watched the panel LIVE on the Golden Frog website and sent questions via Twitter. We also want to thank our diverse panel of experts for a truly informative and rousing discussion.

PRIVACY PANEL VIDEO

If you didn’t catch the expert panel in person or online, you can now watch a recording on our YouTube channel:

Thanks again for making our annual celebration such a memorable one! Here are some photos from our “Take Back the Internet” Privacy Panel:

It’s been a rough year for the Internet. With everything from the NSA controversy, to data collection by corporations, to the repeal of Net Neutrality, we could all use a good time.

With that in mind, Giganews in partnership with Golden Frog and Data Foundry is hosting its second annual “Take Back Your Internet” party during SXSW. We’d like to invite you to join us on Sunday, March 9 in downtown Austin for an evening of networking with your fellow netizens who care as much as you do about online privacy.

As a VERY COOL added bonus, we’ve recruited some of the leading online privacy advocates in the world for an entertaining and informative panel discussion about the current and future state of online privacy. Various surveys indicate an overwhelming majority of people are concerned about their online privacy and are in favor of political initiatives and technical solutions that help preserve their privacy. But, is that still possible in an age of widespread Internet censorship, data collection, and mass surveillance by governments? We all leave a footprint online, but what can be done to keep it private when needed?

Our expert panel will examine the current state of online privacy in the U.S. and worldwide, the role that ISPs play in an open Internet, and the future of government policy regarding the Internet.

Privacy Panel Livestream:
If you can’t make it to the event in person, you can watch the Privacy Panel online as the event will be streamed LIVE at:

www.goldenfrog.com/sxsw2014/livestream

We’re also going to be accepting a few questions for the panelists on Twitter and our livestream page. Just Tweet us your privacy-related questions with hashtag #takebackyourinternet and include @giganews in your tweet.

PANEL DETAILS:
Is There Any Online Privacy Left? What Does The Future Hold?
An expert panel on what every internet user should know
Speakers:
Kevin Bankston – Policy Director of the New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute
Evan Greer – Campaign Manager at Fight for the Future
Ali Sternburg – Public Policy Counsel at CCIA
Rep. Bryan Hughes of District Five in the Texas House of Representatives,
Ron Yokubaitis – Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Golden Frog, Giganews, Data Foundry and Texas.net
Panel Moderated by Stacey Higginbotham – Sr. Writer, GigaOM

We hope you can join us either in person at the event or via our Livestream. Don’t forget to post comments or tweet your questions to us with hashtag #takebackyourinternet during the event.

Event Information:
WHAT: Take Back Your Internet Party – 2014
WHEN: Sunday, March 9, 6-10pm
WHERE: The Bourbon Girl, #212 E 6th St, Austin, TX – 78701
EVENT SCHEDULE:
6pm Doors Open
7-8pm Expert Panel on Online Privacy
8-10pm Party Continues
DRINKS: Open Bar from 6-9.30pm
COST: No cost to you – just RSVP for the event while tickets last
(Note: This is an unofficial SXSW event, and a badge is not required to attend.)

RSVP For the event here: http://www.goldenfrog.com/sxsw2014

If you are in town, the event is free and doesn’t require a SXSW badge. Our space is limited, so please don’t delay in RSVPing. We hope you’ll join us.

Today, the Golden Frog development team released version 1.3 of the VyprVPN App for Giganews.

VyprVPN App for Giganews version 1.3 updates:

• When the App checks for available updates, files associated with this action are digitally signed to message anti-virus software that the files are safe.
• The App prevents connection problems due to malicious third party DNS poisoning.

Giganews members with VyprVPN can apply this update within the VyprVPN App for Giganews or can download the VyprVPN App for Giganews v 1.3.

The VyprVPN App for Giganews is currently only available for Windows. The Mac version of the VyprVPN App for Giganews will be available soon so please stay tuned!

To stay up to date on the VyprVPN App for Giganews, please subscribe to our blog and follow us on Giganews Facebook, Giganews Twitter, Giganews YouTube Channel, and Giganews Google+.