Official Government Guidance Recommends Using VPNs Opposed by Labour – Guido Fawkes

EXC: Official Government Guidance Recommends Using VPNs Opposed by Labour

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The government’s own National Cyber Security Centre recommends that private individuals use a Virtual Private Network to keep their data secure. What will Labour do now…

The latest guidance for small business owners says:

“When you use public Wi-Fi hotspots (for example in hotels or coffee shops), there is no way to easily find out who controls the hotspot, or to prove that it belongs to who you think it does. If you connect to these hotspots, somebody else could access:

• what you’re working on whilst connected
• your private login details that many apps and web services maintain whilst you’re logged on

The simplest precaution is not to connect to the Internet using unknown hotspots, and instead use your mobile 3G or 4G mobile network, which will have built-in security. This means you can also use ‘tethering’ (where your other devices such as laptops share your 3G/4G connection), or a wireless ‘dongle’ provided by your mobile network. You can also use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), a technique that encrypts your data before it is sent across the Internet. If you’re using third party VPNs, you’ll need the technical ability to configure it yourself, and should only use VPNs provided by reputable service providers.”

Hacks have lapped up Peter Kyle’s line that he is currently “not in the business” of restricting VPN use. As Guido revealed yesterday Labour officially supported a forcing a review on rules for VPNs when the Online Safety Act was first debated…

Kyle is currently begging adults to verify their age whenever they are asked, which is unsustainable. All it will take is for a few civil service reviews to support restricting VPNs somehow – e.g. by forcing them off established app stores. A futile effort and one which makes the internet more dangerous – much like the Online Safety Act…

Labour should take their advice from the National Cyber Security Centre on VPNs. Farcical…