Proxy VS VPN – what is Better?

proxy-vs-vpn

Many people ask us:

What is proxy and what is vpn?

Are they the same?

What is difference between proxy and vpn?

What is better: proxy of vpn?

Today Sahrzad tells your about vpn and proxy and you can decide what is better for you.

Also you can read about the difference between proxy and vpn we wrote before.

First of all let’s find out what is proxy and what is vpn.

According to Wikipedia:

 Proxy server is a server (a computer system or an application) that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers. A client connects to the proxy server, requesting some service, such as a file, connection, web page, or other resource available from a different server and the proxy server evaluates the request as a way to simplify and control its complexity. Proxies were invented to add structure and encapsulation to distributed systems.

If the destination server filters content based on the origin of the request, the use of a proxy can circumvent this filter. For example, a server using IP-based geolocation to restrict its service to a certain country can be accessed using a proxy located in that country to access the service.

Web proxies are the most common means of bypassing government censorship, although no more than 3% of Internet users use any circumvention tools.

In some cases users can circumvent proxies which filter using blacklists using services designed to proxy information from a non-blacklisted location

An anonymous proxy server (sometimes called a web proxy) generally attempts to anonymize web surfing. There are different varieties of anonymizers. The destination server (the server that ultimately satisfies the web request) receives requests from the anonymizing proxy server, and thus does not receive information about the end user’s address. The requests are not anonymous to the anonymizing proxy server, however, and so a degree of trust is present between the proxy server and the user. Many proxy servers are funded through a continued advertising link to the user.

A proxy can keep the internal network structure of a company secret by using network address translation, which can help the security of the internal network. This makes requests from machines and users on the local network anonymous. Proxies can also be combined with firewalls.

An incorrectly configured proxy can provide access to a network otherwise isolated from the Internet.

 

In simple words: proxy is some computer that pass through all your traffic.

Proxy is the simplest way to hide your IP address and avoid Internet filtering.

However proxy works only for your browser. If you need it only for surfing – you can use Proxy.

The next level of secure can be reached by VPN.

And again, smart Wikipedia sais about VPN:

virtual private network (VPN) extends a private network across a public network, such as the Internet. It enables users to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if their computing devices were directly connected to the private network, and thus are benefiting from the functionality, security and management policies of the private network. A VPN is created by establishing a virtual point-to-point connection through the use of dedicated connections, virtual tunneling protocols, or traffic encryption.

A VPN spanning the Internet is similar to a wide area network (WAN). From a user perspective, the extended network resources are accessed in the same way as resources available within the private network. Traditional VPNs are characterized by a point-to-point topology, and they do not tend to support or connect broadcast domains.

VPNs allow employees to securely access the corporate intranet while traveling outside the office. Similarly, VPNs securely connect geographically separated offices of an organization, creating one cohesive network. VPN technology is also used by individual Internet users to secure their wireless transactions, to circumvent geo restrictions and censorship, and to connect to proxy servers for the purpose of protecting personal identity and location.

VPN may be classified by:

  • The protocols used to tunnel the traffic
  • The tunnel’s termination point location, e.g., on the customeredge or network-provider edge
  • Whether they offer site-to-site or network-to-network connectivity
  • The levels of security provided

VPN services cannot make online connections absolutely anonymous, but they can increase privacy and security.

The VPN security model provides:

  • Confidentiality such that even if the network traffic is sniffed at the packet level : hacker can only see some encrypted data
  • Sender authentication to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the VPN
  • Message integrity to detect any instances of tampering with transmitted messages

Tunneling protocols can operate in a point-to-point network topology that would theoretically not be considered a VPN, because a VPN by definition is expected to support arbitrary and changing sets of network nodes. But since most router implementations support a software-defined tunnel interface, customer-provisioned VPNs often are simply defined tunnels running conventional routing protocols.

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Why VPN Better than Proxy?

VPN provides you:

  • better privacy and security
  • faster speed
  • best stability
  • Works on all systems (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Routers) while proxy works only for browser.
  • Unblock all restrictions.

What you can do with VPN and cannot do with most proxies:

  1. Access any blocked sites worldwide
  2. Stay safe with VPN outside your browser
  3. Encrypt your Internet connection
  4. Stay protected from phishing and malware
  5. Fastest surfing and watching videos
  6. Be anonymous is applications and games

To summarize all written above I would like to say that VPN wins!

It is much more secure in conparison with proxy.

 

Skype not working!

skype-tips-tricks

It looks like there are some problems with Skype since yesterday in many countries on the world.

Skype is not working in UAE and others Gulf countries.

This problem is also present in many others countries on all continents.

Skype not working!
Skype not connecting!

Skype not responding!
Skype not singing in!

These are the most frequent issues people descibe.

This problem was confirmed by official Skype support:

“We are aware of an issue affecting Skype status at the moment, and are working on a quick fix.”

“We have identified the network issue which prevented users from logging in and using Skype today. We’re in the process of reconnecting our users, and focused on restoring full service. The issue did not affect Skype for Business users.” (source)

We’ll be waiting for resolving this issue and inform you when everything be fixed.

Skype not working in Europe

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The first reports of problems with the app began around 11:00 GMT.

The Redmond firm says instant messages and Skype for Web are working fine and it is hard at work to restore the rest of the service.

Earlier this morning, Skype published a statement on its website: “We have detected an issue that is affecting Skype in a number of ways.

We’re working on a fix for this issue

Microsoft Statement

“If you’re signed in to Skype, you will not be able to change your status and your contacts will all show as offline even if they are online.

“As a result, you won’t be able to start Skype calls to them.

“A small number of messages to group chats are not being delivered, but in most cases you can still instant message your contacts.

“If you aren’t signed in to Skype, you may be experiencing difficulty when attempting to sign in.

“Any changes to your Skype account such as your Credit balance or your profile details might take a little while to be displayed.

“You may also have difficulty loading web pages on the Skype Community. For that reason, please check back here for future updates.

“We’re doing everything we can to fix this issue and hope to have another update for you soon.

“Thank you for your patience as we work to get this incident resolved.”

Status aggregator Down Detector claims almost half of all reported issues with Skype are from users having trouble logging into the service.

Meanwhile, video and voice calls account for some 28 per cent and the ability to send and receive message account for 27 per cent.

Down Detector, an online outage detection service, shows the number of issues with Skype spike

 (Used materials from Express.co.uk)

How to open blocked sites in Pakistan

Pakistan

According to Google trends – Pakistan is the top country where people looking how to unblock sites.

Like in many others Muslim countries in the Middle East a big number of sites are blocked in Pakistan. Among them we can list Youtube, Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, Wikipedia and others.

So what are the best solutions for this problem?

Best ways to unblock sites in Pakistan

First of all I must count:

  1. Translate services
  2. Google cache
  3. DNS
  4. TOR
  5. Proxy
  6. VPN Service.

 

Without any doubts vpn is the most reliable solution.

What is VPN?

VPN is a virtual private network. This is a strong technology that lets to mask your IP address, making you secure and anonymous in the Internet. Besides that vpn encrypts all your traffic. So nobody can review and monitor your on-line activity. Find out more about vpn.

Under the VPN you can open site you like and stay safe and secure.

Is is safe to use VPN in Pakistan?

VPN technology is used by many companies for security reasons. It is not prohibited in Pakistan.

Of course, if you are going to do some cyber crimes using vpn – it is better to STOP!

Why VPN is better than Proxy

VPN solutions are much more reliable than Proxy.

It is anonymous and secure way to surf in Pakistan. Proxy does not provide you full anonymity in contradistinction to VPN. Read our article Proxy vs VPN – why VPN is more reliable.

How to use VPN in Pakistan

You can use vpn on any device like iPhone, iPad, Android smartphones and planshets, Mac, Windows PC and any other that supports vpn technology.

Also you do not need any additional software to use vpn because this technology is present in Windows, iOS, Android and Mac.

How to setup VPN in iOS

To make a new vpn connection in your iOS device you need to do the next:

1. Go to Settings > General > VPN
setup vpn in iPhone/iPad 1

2.  Click Add VPN Configuration

setup vpn in iPhone/iPad 2

3. Choose PPTP VPN and enter you VPN account data. You will receive your VPN server, username and password in the e-mail

Server address must be exactly as in your account data (without http://, www or any other symbols)

setup vpn in iPhone/iPad 3

4. Save your VPN configuration. Once you have created VPN connection you can switch it ON and OFF on the main settings screen

setup vpn in iPhone/iPad 4

Once you have created vpn connection you can switch it on and off on the main settings screen.

How to setup in Android

To create new vpn tunnel

    1. Click Settings icon

how to setup VPN in android

    1. Select Wireless & Networks and tap on VPN

how to setup VPN in android

    1. Tap Add VPN Networkhow to setup VPN in android
    2. Input connection name (Sahrzad VPN), select the type of your VPN connection – PPTP VPN, input VPN server address from your account data.
      Please be carefully – don’t use any additional symbols like spaces, http://, www, / …etc in the server address.how to setup VPN in android
    3. Input your Username and password that you received from VPN account service in e-mail.
      Save it and tap Connect

how to setup VPN in android

For connection to vpn server:

  1. Select Home > Menu > Settings
  2. Tap Wireless & networks
  3. Tap VPN settings
  4. The VPN connections you have added are present in the list
  5. Tap the VPN you wish to connect to (Sahrzad VPN)
  6. A dialog box will open asking for your credentials, enter them and click connect

When you are connected to VPN, you will see an ongoing notification in the Status bar on your Android device. If you are disconnected, you will receive a notification and an option to go back to the VPN settings section.

Here you can find out others instructions to how setup VPN in others systems.

Now Sahrzad provides free trial vpn accounts for test. Don’t miss your chance to get the best solution for on-line privacy and anonymity.

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Original: http://sahrzad.net/blog/unblock-sites-in-pakistan/

Security Risks in Mobile Networks: is VPN a solution?

mobile-security

Without a doubt, the use of mobile networks is here to say. In fact, the design of mobile phones continues to get better as mobile phone manufacturers invest a lot just to be ahead in the competition. But whether we like it or not, there are a lot of security risks while you are enjoying the advantages of this latest communication technology.

So far, the biggest security risk in mobile networks is loss of privacy and stealing of personal information, especially when you are browsing the Internet in a public Wi-Fi zone. No matter how secure your operating software is, you are still not totally safe. Smartphones may have security features against robbers, but not against hackers and online thieves.

To give you a better idea, imagine exposing yourself in a crowd of total strangers such as train station or coffee shop. Once you visit a website or make an online transaction, it’s like telling them all your personal details. As compared to using broadband network, your data via Wi-Fi is being transferred via wireless connection. Everyone is using the same network.

The problem arises when a third party tries to intercept your data. And because the network system is not capable of detecting interceptors, your online activities are exposed. As an additional problem, you and everyone in that area don’t have any idea that your data can be stolen. This is why you should use a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

As the name suggests, VPN allows users to use a public network privately. It hides your real IP address by assigning a temporary IP address while you are using the network. But unlike other ways to browse the web anonymously, VPN traffic is highly encrypted. This means that no third party can easily intercept your data and you are now secured.

In case you are not yet aware, many business owners use VPN to protect their vital information. They allow their employees to access their data while working in remote areas using Wi-Fi. But if you also plan to use VPN, you should know which type of VPN is applicable for your needs. You don’t want to spend money for something you will not use.

And although you can use a free VPN, don’t expect the same quality of service you can get from the premium ones. First of all, free VPNs also need money to maintain their service and they get it via advertisements while you are using their service. You should not also expect a free VPN to have a stable and fast connection, as well as great customer service.

Again, the use of smartphone is now becoming a part of our daily lives.  It is also a necessity for faster communication and searching for information. On the other hand, online safety should not be taken for granted. So far, VPN is still the best way to secure your data. Just like the old saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure.”

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How to access blocked sites in Dubai on ipad (or iphone)

unblock sites in ipad or iphone

We often receive questions from our customers like:
How to access blocked sites on ipad or iphone when you are in Dubai?

We have answered them several times already and we continue to answer.

Taking into account severe Cyber Crime Law in the United Arab Emirates we highly recommend using only reliable and safe solution like vpn (virtual private network) .

This is complete secure and 100% reliable way to be anonymous and open blocked sites in Dubai.

Actually you don’t even need any additional soft to use vpn on your iOS device. All you need is setup vpn connection following simple steps below:

To make a new vpn connection in your iOS device you need to do the next:

  1. Go to Settings > General > VPN
    setup vpn in iPhone/iPad 1
  2. Click Add VPN Configuration
    setup vpn in iPhone/iPad 2
  3. Choose PPTP VPN and enter you VPN account data. You will receive your VPN server, username and password in the e-mail
    Server address must be exactly as in your account data (without http://, www or any other symbols)setup vpn in iPhone/iPad 3
  4. Save your VPN configuration. Once you have created VPN connection you can switch it ON and OFF on the main settings screen
    setup vpn in iPhone/iPad 4

Once you have created vpn connection you can switch it on and off on the main settings screen.

Under the vpn connection you can access any blocked website and be absolutely sure that you are safe and secure.