If you want to surf the internet privately and securely, then you need a VPN. It may seem that using any VPN is the right decision, but it’s not.
Let’s consider a VPN browser plugin. It’s almost always free and comparatively easy to install. No payment, no subscription account, and only a few clicks to install. One may ask, what can possibly go wrong? Well, there's no such thing as a free lunch.
Before you entrust your online privacy and security to VPN plugins and browsers, you need to learn the recent news. Hackers attack hit Hola VPN plugin.
What has happened?
Blackhat hackers received access to Hola VPN what allowed them to manipulate users data for at least 5 hours. Still, there is no information what the losses are, and we can only assume what the hackers’ genuine target was. For example, MyEtherWallet (MEW) already warned their users who use Hola VPN browser extension to transfer their assets to a new address as they might have become a victim of a hackers’ attack.
Who are the victims?
All users who were using the plugin during those 5 hours could potentially be caught up in a malicious attack. Probably, the hackers were targeting the MEW and other resources which are transferring crypto assets. With the help of VPN, hackers might have substituted receivers’ wallets addresses with phishing ones. The substitution could not have been spotted as the receiver's address was changed on the Hola servers and not on the user’s PC. Besides, any other kind of private data might have been hijacked.
What conclusion should we make?
First of all, remember, VPN browser plugins are almost never a good idea: choose desktop VPN apps to bolster your security and access resources on a network you’re not physically connected to. Furthermore, don’t spare and spend money on a reliable VPN: free tools can be dishonest and may potentially leak your private data. Resort to password management services that store encrypted passwords in private accounts.
And our favorite one: always check the wallet address, online forms, and URLs before sharing your data.
Stay safe and cautious,
with Hacken white hats are on your side.
Thanks for the info
Good article.
Excellent point about the vulnerability of browser extensions :)
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