Latest news with #AES-256-bit
Mint
3 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
As UPI usage soars, so do scams — Here's how to stay protected
In May 2025, UPI transactions saw 33 percent jump in the number of transactions year-on-year and 23 percent growth in value terms. Overall, the number of UPI transactions stood at 18.68 billion in May 2025 amounting to ₹ 24.77 lakh crore. What looks like a promising growth of digital transactions in terms of quantity as well as in volume has a flip side too: growing number of cyber frauds. The RBI does not maintain any data with regards to loss due to cyber frauds but the total loss due to frauds under the category of card, internet and digital payments collectively amounted to ₹ 107.21 crore in FY 25 (till Dec 2024). In 2023-24, financial loss on account of online frauds amounted to ₹ 177 crore which stood at ₹ 69.68 crore in 2022-23. Notably, this includes only those transactions wherein amount was bigger than ₹ 1 lakh. Year Number of frauds (more than ₹ one lakh) Loss (in ₹ Crore) 2022-23 6,699 69.68 2023-24 29,082 177.05 2024-25 (till Dec'24) 13,384 107.21 The total loss on account of frauds in the past 10 years amounts to ₹ 733.26 crore, per the information tabled by Pankaj Chaudhary, minister of state in the ministry of finance in the Parliament on March 10. Consequently, digital payment providers tend to follow multiple layers of encryption and security protocols to minimise the occurrence of these frauds. Vijay Khubchandani, Founder and CEO of Seven, which builds smart rings to enable digital payments via UPI, says 'We provide a multi-layered approach to security and keep your data and transactions protected at all times. We ensure that the data is secured using AES-256-bit end-to-end encryption standards. In addition to the multiple layers of encryption and security protocols, we use multi-factor authentication (MFA) with one-time passwords (OTPs) and biometric data.' Tarun Kher, Partner, Risk Advisory Services, BDO India, highlights the collateral damage caused by prevalence of digital payments. 'With growth comes complexity. As digital payments become the norm, they also introduce evolving risks, ranging from cyber fraud to regulatory gaps. Cybercriminals exploit users through advanced phishing, fake payment handles, OTP hijacking, and even AI-driven impersonation. Such frauds increasingly target not just individuals but enterprises and intermediaries.' Being a chartered accountant, Kher emphasises the role of auditors in minimising the occurrence of such frauds. 'Every digital transaction generates data, and every data touchpoint becomes a potential vulnerability. Whether malware-infected devices or weak third-party APIs, payment ecosystems are exposed to constant cyber threats. Auditors need to conduct holistic cybersecurity assessments, spanning application interfaces, networks, and cloud infrastructure,' he adds. Payment service providers often rely on third-party platforms and cloud vendors for critical operations. A breach in one vendor's environment can impact the entire payment chain, explains Kher. Therefore, auditors must evaluate vendor due diligence procedures and assess contractual safeguards for data security, he adds. While explaining the security system, Khubchandani of fintech start-up Seven, says, 'With secure software development practices in place, we build resilience into each layer of security within the wallets. In addition, we use real-time threat monitoring to identify breaches in security to identify any anomalies in data.' 'With secure software development practices in place, we build resilience into each layer of security within the wallets. In addition, we use real-time threat monitoring to identify breaches in security to identify any anomalies in data,' Khubchandani adds. If you are a customer of a digital payment app, it is recommended to follow these tips to minimise the occurrence of fraud. I. Do not download any suspicious link you received on SMS or WhatsApp, regardless of temptation. II. Although digital payments can be done seamlessly with ease, but once the money leaves your account, it will not come back. So, transfer money only when you are sure of the legitimacy of transaction. III. If you lose money to a fraud or cybercrime, make sure you suspend your UPI account and report the incident to your bank immediately. IV, Needless to mention the oft-repeated tip: never share your OTP with anyone, not even with a bank employee. For all personal finance updates, visit here
Time Business News
29-04-2025
- Time Business News
How to Choose the Right VPN for Canada
Living in Canada? Visiting? Either way, you need a VPN more than you think! Let's dig into why. Even in a country like Canada, internet privacy isn't guaranteed. Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) can track your online activities, and sometimes, share your data with third parties. A VPN encrypts your data, turning your online life into a private journey. Ever tried watching your favorite U.S. Netflix show only to find it blocked? Annoying, right? A good Canada VPN lets you bypass geo-restrictions, opening up a world of global content like Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more. Public Wi-Fi is everywhere – cafes, airports, hotels. But it's a hacker's paradise too! Using a VPN while on public networks keeps you safe from cybercriminals who are lurking to steal your data. Not all VPNs are created equal, especially when it comes to Canada. A quality Canada VPN should have multiple servers inside Canada. Why? Because it gives you faster speeds and reliable access to Canadian websites even when you're abroad. Look for VPNs with military-grade encryption (AES-256-bit). Security protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Wire Guard should be available to keep your data locked down tight. If a VPN keeps logs of your activity, it's a no-go. Make sure the VPN you choose has a strict no-logs policy, ideally verified by independent audits. There's a lot to think about when picking the best VPN. Here's what to focus on: A slow VPN is a pain. Choose a provider that consistently delivers fast download and upload speeds, especially for streaming and gaming. Whether you're on a laptop, tablet, smartphone, or even a smart TV, your VPN should work seamlessly across all your devices. User-friendly interfaces and simple apps make a big difference. If you're struggling to connect, it defeats the purpose of convenience! Good support can be a lifesaver. Look for VPNs offering 24/7 live chat support with knowledgeable agents. A top VPN doesn't have to break the bank. Many offer great deals, longer plans at discounted rates, and 30-day money-back guarantees. Beyond basics, some extra features can make a VPN truly outstanding. If your VPN connection drops, a kill switch automatically blocks your internet to protect your IP and data from exposure. Want to route only certain apps through the VPN? Split tunneling lets you decide which traffic stays encrypted and which doesn't. This routes your traffic through multiple VPN servers, adding an extra layer of anonymity. Choosing from a sea of VPNs? Here are some gems. 480+ servers in Canada Top-notch security Super-fast speeds Great for Netflix and torrenting Servers in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal Best-in-class privacy Blazing speeds Easy-to-use apps Budget-friendly Unlimited device connections Great security features Perfect for families Short answer: mostly not. Many free VPNs collect your data or have poor security protocols, putting you at risk. Paid VPNs invest in stronger encryption, better server infrastructure, and they don't need to sell your data to survive. Think of it as paying for peace of mind! Choose a reputable VPN provider. Sign up and download their app. Install the app on your device. Log in and connect to a Canadian server (or any server you prefer). Enjoy secure and unrestricted browsing! Windows/Mac: Easy one-click setups. Android/iOS: Available in app stores. Routers: Some VPNs offer router apps or manual setup guides for whole-home protection. Picking a VPN based only on price Ignoring the privacy policy Overlooking server availability Not checking compatibility with your devices Falling for 'lifetime deals' that aren't sustainable Choosing the right VPN service for Canada isn't just about grabbing the first one you see. It's about balancing speed, privacy, usability, and value. A reliable VPN service will protect your data, let you access content globally, and give you peace of mind every time you hit 'connect.' Take your time, do your homework, and pick a VPN service that truly fits your needs. Happy surfing! Q1: Can I use a VPN legally in Canada? Yes! Using a VPN is completely legal in Canada for personal privacy and security. Q2: What's the best VPN for streaming in Canada? NordVPN and ExpressVPN are fantastic for streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Q3: Will a VPN slow down my internet speed? Some slowdown is normal, but top VPNs like Surfshark or ExpressVPN minimize speed drops. Q4: Can I use one VPN account on multiple devices? Absolutely! Many VPNs allow multiple simultaneous connections, sometimes even unlimited. Q5: Are there VPNs with Canadian servers outside of Canada? Yes, some VPNs offer virtual Canadian servers located elsewhere for better performance and availability. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
The Independent
27-01-2025
- Business
- The Independent
ExpressVPN review 2025: Hands-down the most effortless VPN you'll use
Price ExpressVPN has always been on the pricey side – cue the sharp intake of breath – but in October last year, it introduced a two-year plan, making it slightly less costly. It's still one of the most expensive VPNs we've tested, but at least there are now more subscription options to soften the blow. The best part? No matter which plan you choose, you get the exact same set of features – there's no faffing about with add-ons or tiers. That said, it does mean you don't get to pick and choose the extras you want – you get the full package, take it or leave it. Prices do change depending on the latest deals, but right now, the cheapest option is the 28-month plan, which costs £112.88 up-front, which works out to £4.04 per month. Yes, we heard that gasp. If that feels like too much commitment, there's the 15-month plan for £80.75 (£5.39 per month), but if you're after the one-month plan, brace yourself—it's £10.46 a month, which is more than your Netflix bill. There's no free trial if you purchase on desktop, but ExpressVPN does have a 30-day money-back guarantee. If it's not for you, you'll need to contact its support team via live chat or email to request a refund – no quick cancel and refund button sadly. If you're on iOS or Android, you can get a free seven-day trial. Last year, it also added dedicated IP addresses – you can add one of these starting from £2.77 per month, based on the two-year subscription plan. As with all VPN providers offering subscription plans, be cautious with ExpressVPN's auto-renewal system. Some users have been caught out and ended up locked into longer contracts because they forgot to cancel before their plan renewed. If you're unsure how long you'll need the service, it's safer to go for the one-month plan – yes, it's more expensive per month, but it's cheaper than committing to a year-long plan and paying the full amount up-front, only to realise you don't actually need it. Is it worth that much? In our opinion, the features, security, speed and ease of use, and the fact you can now connect up to eight devices makes the price less of an issue, and ExpressVPN has been consistently adding more features in recent years. Privacy and features Now that we've got the issue of ExpressVPN's high price tag out of the way, let's tackle the fun stuff – ExpressVPN's privacy and feature set. While it doesn't have every bell and whistle out there, what it does offer is useful and actually works. You get all the essentials: AES-256-bit encryption (the same level of security used by banks); support for OpenVPN; its speedy Lightway protocol and a kill switch (on by default), which cuts your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. Split tunnelling worked well in our tests. We configured ExpressVPN to route the Netflix app through the VPN (connected to a US server) while setting our web browser to bypass the VPN and use the local network. This allowed us to stream US Netflix with a US IP address while still accessing UK news sites and local services directly through our normal internet connection. Everything ran smoothly – Netflix streamed without interruptions, and our local browsing stayed quick and unaffected. A unique feature to ExpressVPN is parallel connections, which helps the VPN connect faster by trying multiple methods at the same time. Whether we were on dodgy hotel Wi-Fi or a packed coffee shop network, ExpressVPN connected in under a second every time. It's only subtle, you don't even notice it working, but we always connected fast – other VPNs we've tested sometimes took 20 seconds to connect. Of course, privacy is where ExpressVPN really shines. Its RAM-only servers meant none of our data was ever stored permanently – it's wiped every time the servers reboot. Plus, it runs its own private DNS (domain name system) on every server, which ensured our browsing was kept completely in-house. We ran tests on and DNSLeakTest, and ExpressVPN passed with flying colours. That said, there are a few things missing. Unlike NordVPN or Surfshark, there's no Onion-over-VPN, torrenting-based servers or a double VPN feature for extra layers of anonymity. If those advanced options are a dealbreaker for you, it's worth looking at those providers instead. It nails the basics, but there's not a lot in the way of advanced features. ExpressVPN has also expanded its services beyond its core VPN offering in recent years. ExpressVPN's threat manager, which was added in 2021, lets you blocks trackers and stops malicious sites. During testing, it worked seamlessly without breaking any websites or slowing down browsing. While it doesn't block every ad (video ads still slip through), it makes browsing feel a lot cleaner. There's also a handy password manager, though we still preferred using a dedicated manager such as 1Password. Annoyingly, it's new identity defender suite is also locked to the US, so if you want cyber insurance, you can't get it in the UK. But it ultimately delivers on the features that matter most. It's fast, secure and user-friendly, with its threat manager and password manager nice additions, though not entirely necessary . Logging When you use a VPN, you're essentially trusting one company with your traffic and data, so knowing what they do (or don't) collect is crucial. ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy, which means it doesn't keep any records of your browsing history, traffic destinations, data content, DNS queries, IP addresses (yours or the VPN's), connection timestamps or session durations. It says that it doesn't store anything that could be traced back to you. But no one should just take a company's word for it. ExpressVPN has undergone multiple independent audits to prove its claims. In 2019, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) confirmed its no-logs policy and privacy protections after a thorough review. More recently, in December 2023, KPMG conducted another independent audit, validating that ExpressVPN's no-logs policy held true and confirming that its TrustedServer technology operates exactly as the company promised. There's also real-world proof. In 2017, Turkish authorities seized an ExpressVPN server during an investigation but were unable to recover any logs or user data, demonstrating the company's infrastructure is genuinely built to safeguard privacy. TrustedServer technology, introduced in 2019, also ensures all servers run on RAM only, meaning data is wiped entirely every time the server reboots. Performance and speed While ExpressVPN might not have the most extensive list of privacy features, it delivers on speed. In our series of speed tests, we connected to the nearest server (East London) as well as random US servers to put it through its paces. Speeds dropped by just eight per cent when connecting to our nearest server, which is impressively fast (though not as fast as NordVPN), and we didn't notice much of a slowdown while browsing, streaming or downloading files. What about servers further afield? Speeds on the recommended US server (New York) were just as impressive, dropping between seven and eight per cent, and even a less-common option like Salt Lake City only dropped by 11 per cent. While these figures are rough, they highlighted just how snappy ExpressVPN's servers were, regardless of location. We also tested speeds using ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol, its proprietary alternative to WireGuard that uses the open-source wolfSSL cryptography library. When connected via Lightway to the nearest server, speeds dropped by just seven per cent, putting it on par with other WireGuard-based protocols. It's lightning-fast and perfect for streaming or gaming. ExpressVPN's user interface deserves the biggest shoutout, however. It's genuinely one of the cleanest and most intuitive VPN apps we've tried (and we've tried a lot). The main screen has a single quick-connect button, with a collapsible server list that lets you either connect to the fastest server or choose a specific location within a country. Everything is designed to be beginner-friendly – advanced features like protocol settings and the kill switch are neatly tucked away in the settings menu, so you don't have to deal with them unless you really want to. The best part is that every ExrpessVPN feature is available on every platform, and the UI looks the same on each, so you never get confused. iOs and Android apps As with most VPNs, the Android experience edges out the iOS app, mainly because of Apple's stricter restrictions on VPN providers. Both apps are simple, fast and easy to navigate, but Android has a slight edge when it comes to advanced features. On Android, you can enable automatic connection on untrusted networks, so the VPN kicks in the moment you connect to a sketchy Wi-Fi hotspot, like at a coffee shop or airport. It also has split tunnelling, which lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which bypass it entirely – a great feature if you only want to route specific traffic through the VPN. There's also an automatic kill switch, ensuring your data stays protected if the VPN connection drops. The iOS app has seen some improvements recently, bringing it closer to feature parity. You now get automatic connection on untrusted networks, which was previously Android-only. It also includes a kill switch (called Network Lock), which blocks internet access if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly. However, split tunnelling is still missing on iOS, which is frustrating but ultimately down to Apple's tighter platform restrictions. Both also include the threat manager and password manager in the iOS and Android apps. While Android offers a few more advanced tools, both apps provided us with a smooth and reliable VPN experience. ExpressVPN for streaming ExpressVPN's speeds really matter when you're streaming – especially if you're abroad and trying to watch shows back home. No one wants to sit through buffering or error messages when all you want is to catch up on The Traitors. So how well does it actually perform when it comes to unblocking UK content while on holiday? We tested it by accessing UK Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4 and ITVX while connected to a recommended UK server (East London). As soon as we connected, BBC iPlayer loaded without a hitch, and we could stream The Traitors in HD with no buffering. Netflix also showed us the full UK library straight away, and streaming was flawless – no interruptions or error messages. We tried switching to other UK servers, such as Wembley, Docklands and Midlands, and the performance stayed consistent. ITVX and Channel 4 also worked perfectly, allowing us to catch up on Love Island, both live streaming and on-demand content. Support ExpressVPN offers 24/7 live chat support, accessible through its Support Centre. While the mobile app doesn't feature live chat directly, it provides a Help section where you can access support articles and contact options. When we tested the live chat function on the website, it took just 15 seconds to connect with a human agent – fast and efficient. The chatbot that greets you is surprisingly helpful too, and we found it could answer many of our questions without needing to escalate to a human. But when we preferred to speak to an agent, we could just ask the bot to connect us, and the handover was smooth.
