(16 August 23, 03:32)jasonX Wrote:

 

 

 

Surfshark launches Alternative ID

 

What is Alternative ID?

Alternative ID is a Surfshark product that generates a brand-new identity and an email to use online. You give us the details about the identity you want us to create — we produce a new profile with an email address while keeping your true identity under wraps.

Need to sign up for a newsletter but don’t want to give your email? Don’t want your data on many websites in case they get breached? Alternative ID is your solution to all this and more.



What does Alternative ID do?
You might be wondering what exactly you’re getting with Alternative ID. Here’s what it does: 
 

• Generates an alternative online persona;
  
• Generates an alternative email;
  
• Safely forwards emails to your real email address (as a proxy email would);
  
• Does it for as long as you want it to and can be deleted or changed at any time.
  

 

Why should I get Alternative ID?

Now that you know what Alternative ID is, let’s explore the benefits of getting it. And there are plenty! 
 

• Maintains your email address & name private
  You know the situation: a website asks you to sign up to access its services or a discount, and you end up registering, giving away your email address, name, or even more. 
  
  With Alternative ID, you can reap the benefits of signing up without handing out your data. Using it helps you avoid giving personal information to one-time-use websites and sites with vague privacy protection practices. Your data is a hot commodity — let Alternative ID protect it for you.
  
  
• Helps you avoid the risk of getting spam emails
  Yes, you read that right — fewer spam emails! Want to get that subscription discount or deal but don’t want to get flooded with promotions? Alternative ID can help with that.
  
  Once you sign up for a few of those websites, stopping promotional emails can be hard since your email is on their database. 
  
  Alternative ID is here to change the game — using it, you can generate a new email address and avoid getting spam (or even phishing) emails to your real one. Use this new email address to sign up for websites, and if it gets too spammy — generate a new one. One click, and no spam from that address will bother you again. 
  
  
• Keeps your info out of data brokers’ reach
  It’s no secret that some websites sell personal information to data brokers. That’s why signing up for one-time-use websites is a risky business — your data might be the next chip on their table!  There’s also the risk of websites being breached and malicious actors gaining access to your data.
  
  With Alternative ID, your personal information is safe. Your real email or personal data is never entered into the website databases and cannot be sold or stolen by bad actors.
  
  
• Prevents online strangers from seeing your real information
  Your email may get exposed to malicious actors on public forums or marketplaces. Once they have your information, getting it off their hands is no easy feat. That’s why preventing the exposure of your email is crucial.
  
  With Alternative ID, you’re safe from online stalking. Hop between websites with no worries and sign up for anything you want — your information stays hidden from online strangers.
  

 

More Information HERE

(19 August 23, 15:33)dinosaur07 Wrote:

(16 August 23, 03:32)jasonX Wrote:

 

 

 

Surfshark launches Alternative ID

 

What is Alternative ID?

Alternative ID is a Surfshark product that generates a brand-new identity and an email to use online. You give us the details about the identity you want us to create — we produce a new profile with an email address while keeping your true identity under wraps.

Need to sign up for a newsletter but don’t want to give your email? Don’t want your data on many websites in case they get breached? Alternative ID is your solution to all this and more.



What does Alternative ID do?
You might be wondering what exactly you’re getting with Alternative ID. Here’s what it does: 
 

• Generates an alternative online persona;
  
• Generates an alternative email;
  
• Safely forwards emails to your real email address (as a proxy email would);
  
• Does it for as long as you want it to and can be deleted or changed at any time.
  

 

Why should I get Alternative ID?

Now that you know what Alternative ID is, let’s explore the benefits of getting it. And there are plenty! 
 

• Maintains your email address & name private
  You know the situation: a website asks you to sign up to access its services or a discount, and you end up registering, giving away your email address, name, or even more. 
  
  With Alternative ID, you can reap the benefits of signing up without handing out your data. Using it helps you avoid giving personal information to one-time-use websites and sites with vague privacy protection practices. Your data is a hot commodity — let Alternative ID protect it for you.
  
  
• Helps you avoid the risk of getting spam emails
  Yes, you read that right — fewer spam emails! Want to get that subscription discount or deal but don’t want to get flooded with promotions? Alternative ID can help with that.
  
  Once you sign up for a few of those websites, stopping promotional emails can be hard since your email is on their database. 
  
  Alternative ID is here to change the game — using it, you can generate a new email address and avoid getting spam (or even phishing) emails to your real one. Use this new email address to sign up for websites, and if it gets too spammy — generate a new one. One click, and no spam from that address will bother you again. 
  
  
• Keeps your info out of data brokers’ reach
  It’s no secret that some websites sell personal information to data brokers. That’s why signing up for one-time-use websites is a risky business — your data might be the next chip on their table!  There’s also the risk of websites being breached and malicious actors gaining access to your data.
  
  With Alternative ID, your personal information is safe. Your real email or personal data is never entered into the website databases and cannot be sold or stolen by bad actors.
  
  
• Prevents online strangers from seeing your real information
  Your email may get exposed to malicious actors on public forums or marketplaces. Once they have your information, getting it off their hands is no easy feat. That’s why preventing the exposure of your email is crucial.
  
  With Alternative ID, you’re safe from online stalking. Hop between websites with no worries and sign up for anything you want — your information stays hidden from online strangers.
  

 

More Information HERE

This is indeed an excellent and needed feature not seen to others. Good move. Bravo, surfshark

• 1-month subscription - $10.99.
  

• Security at your convenience
  Our real-time protection ensures you’re safe from viruses on the go, and our scheduled scans will take care of the rest. You can run scans at specific times and exclude files or folders from being scanned.
  
  
• Protection for your camera
  Your life is not a movie, and we want to keep it that way. Our Webcam protection prevents all unauthorized access to your camera & notifies you once someone tries accessing it.
  
  
  
• Safety from new viruses
  New malware comes out daily, and Surfshark is ready for that. Our Cloud Protect works day and night, preventing new viruses from harming or entering your device.
  

 

 

Surfshark's pricing is changing!



Surfshark have adjusted pricing in response to market changes. The changes apply only to the 1-year and 2-year plans.

 

New discount rates for 1-year plans


Surfshark Starter

82% off + 3 months 

$2.79 / mo


Surfshark One

80% off + 3 months

$3.19 / mo


Surfshark One+

72% off + 3 months

$5.09 / mo 

 

New discount rates for 2-year plans


Surfshark Starter

86% off + 3 months

$2.19 / mo


Surfshark One

83% off + 3 months

$2.69 / mo


Surfshark One+

76% off + 3 months

$4.29 / mo

 

GET THE DEAL HERE!!!

• Your device is slowing down or heating up or draining the battery for no reason
  
  There are several reasons why your phone could slow down, heat up, or start gobbling up energy.
  
  That said, if you haven’t carried out any OS (Operating System) updates recently and you’re not running any resource-intensive apps, you should start worrying. This may be a sign that there’s malware running in the background.
  
  For example, hackers may be using your phone to launch DDoS attacks or mine cryptocurrency, which are resource-intensive processes.
  
  That’s why you should check which apps are running, how much memory they’re using, and how much free space exists on your device. If you can’t find the reason, you may have had your phone hacked.
  
  
• Your contacts receive messages you never sent
  
  If your phone is hacked, the malware that the hackers left on your phone may use your email, instant messaging services, and text messages to spread themselves to your contacts. They usually send messages in your name and attach a link or a file that would infect other devices.
  
  If someone complains to you about something suspicious you sent, start looking into it — it may be that your phone has been hacked!
  
  
• Your data usage increases without you doing anything, or there’s a spike in your phone bill
  
  Unexpected increase in data use could mean that your phone was hacked to transmit data; for instance, it may be using your phone’s resources to mine cryptocurrency or steal your photos. It may also mean that a hacker is spying on you. Check your app data usage and see which app could be the prime suspect. If there are any anomalies, you can tell that your phone has been hacked.
  
  You may also notice that your phone bill has increased — yet you don’t remember making that many calls. It would be a sign to check your records for numbers that you didn’t call. If you find any, your phone might’ve been hacked, and criminals may be using it as a proxy. 
  
  Also, be aware of strange background noises and interference during phone calls. It may be a sign of weak reception. However, it may also show that your call is being tapped and someone is listening to your calls.
  
  
• You notice a new app you didn’t install and/or the antivirus software is missing
  
  Finding suspicious apps means that somebody has installed spyware on your phone. Your antivirus software disappearing may be the effect of a virus protecting itself — malware sometimes uninstalls antivirus software. If you didn’t do it yourself, it’s one of the ways you can tell that your phone is hacked.
  
  
• Your phone acts weird
  
  Does your phone reboot without a reason, doesn’t shut down, or change its settings? Do apps open on their own, or do you get lots of pop-ups? Minor software errors may be the cause, but it may also be a sign that your phone is hacked.
  
  If you notice that, for example, your Bluetooth is turning on despite you not using it, it may be a sign of a malicious app using it to infect other devices or to gain access to your personal data.
  

• Device slowed down significantly
  
  Slowing down is part of the natural aging process for computers, phones, and other devices. So it might just be your device getting old. But if the change happens suddenly, it could indicate hidden processes in the background. 
  
  
• Unusual text messages from you
  
  Are your friends receiving suspicious messages from you? Unless you went on a wild bender the night before, it’s likely someone has access to your device and is sending messages with malicious links to hack more people.
  
  
• More ads after installing new software
  
  Recognizing infected software can be a bit tricky as hackers will try their hardest to make it look legitimate. But if you noticed random ads popping up after you installed a new piece of free software, chances are that the software was malicious and has now infected your device.
  
  
• Notifications about login attempts
  
  Some websites or services inform you whenever a login attempt is made. Getting such notifications without actually using your accounts is sketchy. 
  
  If you’re receiving notifications about failed login attempts, the hackers probably got your email from somewhere and are trying to break in. If the log-ins are successful, your passwords are also in bad hands. Whatever the case, immediately change all your passwords and make each of them unique.
  
  
• New software installed on your device
  
  If apps that you didn’t install start appearing on your device, someone else may have access to it. In fact, any changes that you didn’t make yourself are a red flag. So keep an eye on your apps and files, and don’t ignore anything that seems off.
  
  
• Redirected internet searches
  
  Are your searches suddenly being sent through some search engine that you’ve never heard of? This is one of the more common indications of malware. On top of that, you may notice plugins being added to your browser without your consent. 
  
  If you see any of this happening, stop using your browser. Such search engines are typically used to track and log user activity data. Your data may then be sold to third parties who could use it to run targeted ads or phishing campaigns.
  
  
• Charges in your bank account
  
  You look at your bank account and see charges for things you never purchased. In this case, hackers may have gained access to your banking details by hacking your device or because of a data leak. Freeze your accounts immediately and contact your bank for further action.
  
  
• More spam
  
  Some amount of spam is nearly unavoidable. But if you notice a sudden increase in the number of spam emails or messages you’re receiving, something is off. More often than not, it’s not a hack but rather a result of a data leak or aggressive marketing tactics by some website or app you’re using. 
  
  In any case, spam messages and emails may contain malicious links. Avoid interacting with them in any way and send these emails straight to the spam folder. After you do so, look into data removal services such as Incogni that can help you reduce the amount of spam. 
  
  
• Random mouse movements
  
  If your mouse starts moving and clicking without your input, it’s very likely someone has taken over your computer. Sure, it may be just a mouse malfunction, but if it persists after disconnecting your mouse, you need to turn off your device immediately, save important files, and perform a factory reset.
  
  
• Antivirus or Firewall warnings
  
  If your antivirus or firewall is trying to warn you about a malicious file or suspicious activity — don’t ignore it. In most cases, a reliable antivirus is the best way to prevent viruses and malware from reaching you in the first place. 
  
  
• Camera light is on
  The light next to your laptop camera indicates that the camera is on. And if the light is on when you’re not in a video call or another activity requiring a camera, well, I’ve got some bad news for you. 
  
  Sometimes, it may just be a software malfunction, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. So cover that camera up and run a malware scan immediately.
  
  
• Antivirus or firewall is disabled
  
  Bad actors try not to get caught when hacking your device. In order to achieve this, hackers spread viruses that may be capable of disabling your antivirus and firewall. As a result, you don’t get warnings about malicious apps or files on your computer. So make sure to periodically check if your firewall and antivirus are active. 
  
  
• Suspicious posts on social media
  
  Bad actors may hack social media accounts and create malicious posts. You’ve probably seen such posts before. They typically include a catchy headline or provoking information with a link that promises to provide more information. 
  
  As soon as you click on the link, you may become a victim of a hack. Worse,  the same post may appear on your timeline, spreading the infection further. The best way to avoid getting hacked on social media is to not click any suspicious links on the internet, and regularly check your social media profiles for unwanted activity.
  
  
• All other unusual activity
  
  While naming each tiny detail isn’t possible, remember this: if something is happening on your device and you’re not the one doing it, it’s definitely a cause for concern. Let’s get into what you can do about it and how to prevent future hacking.
  
   
  
  
  What should you do if you’ve been hacked?
  
  A hand holding a smartphone and a speech bubble coming out of the phone with words: change password?
  Getting hacked is never a pleasant experience. It’s easy to panic when you realize someone has taken over your online profiles, devices, or even your bank account. But instead of pressing the panic button, there are a few things you can do to minimize the damage.
   
  
  
   
  • Change your passwords
    
    Changing your passwords is often the first thing you should do if you’ve been hacked. Make sure they’re all unique. Bad actors may try to gain access to different accounts by using the same password and cause even more damage.
    
    If only your account, and not your entire device, got hacked, changing your password might be enough to solve the issue. 
    
    Keeping track of many different passwords is hard, so you might want to think about using a password manager.
    
    
  • Contact customer support
    
    You should reach out to the platform or website’s customer support team where your account was compromised by hackers. They should help you check for any damage to your account and resolve any issues.
    
    
  • Recover hacked accounts
    
    If the hacker has managed to change your account password, not all hope is lost. Most platforms, apps, and websites offer ways to recover stolen accounts. Even if you don’t plan to use that account in the future, it’s best to recover and delete it. Otherwise, hackers may be able to use it under your identity.
    
    
  • Freeze your bank account
    
    Weird charges on your bank statement? If bad actors get your banking credentials, you should freeze your account immediately and contact the bank. In most cases, the bank will be able to reverse fraudulent payments, and you will get your money back. However, you might have to change your cards and banking details.
    
    
  • Warn your friends and family
    
    Hackers often use hacked social media accounts to send malicious messages or posts that spread the virus to other users. So warn your friends and family not to click on any links or interact with the messages sent from your accounts.
    
    
  • Disconnect from the internet
    
    Bad actors need an internet connection to access your devices remotely. If you suspect you’ve been hacked, disconnect from Wi-Fi and turn off mobile data so that none of your devices have access to the internet.
    
    On top of that, it’s a good idea to disconnect any other devices from your Wi-Fi network, as some hackers may infiltrate the entire network rather than just a single device.
    
    
  • Delete apps you don’t use
    
    Notice strange apps on your device that you can’t remember installing? Delete them immediately. It’s likely a piece of malicious software that allows the hacker to track your actions or even take control of your device. Even if it’s just a seemingly harmless app that you never use, it’s better to be safe than sorry and get rid of it.
    
    
  • Reinstall your operating system
    
    Unfortunately, sometimes a hacker may completely take over your device. The only thing you can do is wipe it clean. You can do so by performing a factory reset on your phone or re-installing the operating system on your computer. 
    
    Keep in mind that everything on your device will be deleted. Make sure to save precious files like pictures, videos, or notes on an external hard drive or on the cloud.
    
    How to protect yourself from being hacked? Read on below the full Surfshark article so you will be properly informed and have better perspective to defend yourself!
    
     
    
    14 signs of being hacked and what you can do about it
    
    How to protect yourself from being hacked
    
    
    
    
     
    

• We reworked our Refer a friend program
  
  Previously, our friend referral program was tier-based. For example, your first invite used to extend your subscription for a month, three successful invites granted three months of extension, and so on.
  
  Now, we’re simplifying it, and each invitation will earn you and your friend up to three extra months of Surfshark. Check out this blog post to get all the details.
  
  
• You can now use a Surfshark Search widget
  
  You can now access Surfshark Search faster via the widget on your iOS and Android devices. Put Surfshark Search directly on your phone screen and practice safer browsing without the hassle.
  
  
• You can select a specific city on Apple TV
  
  Great news for Apple TV users. We’re perfecting our freshly released native app for Apple TV. This time, we added the ability to connect to a specific city in your selected country. 
  
  
• We uplifted the Antivirus scan screen
  
  From now on, our Antivirus scans won’t interrupt your flow. You’ll be able to access all Surfshark Antivirus features on Windows while the scan happens on the uplifted scan screen.
  
  
• Check your home appliances’ security
  
  We just released a new research project that offers a useful home appliance privacy checker.
  
  We analyzed 290 smart home apps connecting to ≈400 IoT (Internet of Things) devices and discovered that 1 in 10 share user data with third parties. 
  
  Check which smart home devices are collecting the most data and compare them using our new Smart Home Privacy Checker.
  
  
• Install new Android & Windows updates!
  
  Our fresh Android 3.8.0 app update includes some crucial bug fixes. These include fixing a bug that prevented the selection of the Chinese traditional language and upgrading widget sizes. 
  
  Together with the Antivirus update, our new Windows 5.8.0 app includes a fix for Kill Switch-related internet connectivity issues and possible fixes for app installation bugs. 
  
  That’s it for June!
  We started the summer with a nice bouquet of updates! Check them out, and if you’d like to hear more updates, watch our video!
  
   
  
  Surfshark updates: June 2024
  
  
  Surfshark updates: June 2024