Tag: #internet

How to Use the Internet to Your Advantage

The internet has certainly changed life as we know it. Although it has very much been around for decades, life is very different today than it has ever been. Many of us love the internet. It has opened up so many doors and given us more opportunities than ever. But at the same time, it’s hard not to see just how it can also bring a lot more negativity into our lives. It’s said that we’re the anxious generation – no doubt somewhat down to our ability to be connected to the internet at all times. And yet, this doesn’t mean that the internet needs to be a hugely negative thing. Love it or hate it, there are always going to be ways that you can use the internet to your advantage.

 

In this blog post, we’re going to take a look at some of the most exciting and empowering ways you can use the internet to your advantage. Regardless of where you stand on the matter, you may just find that there’s a lot of positive that can come out of your relationship with the online space. Let’s take a look.

The Negative Side of the Internet

Firstly, it’s important to acknowledge just why the internet can be considered bad. While not everyone will see it that way, it’s hard to ignore the negative effects it can have on our lives. Spending hours upon hours on smartphones, sitting for eight-plus hours a day in front of a computer, mindlessly scrolling through social media, and more can be the reality for many of us. Without vetting and validating what we’re consuming or actively giving ourselves a break, it can be overwhelming, overstimulating, and harming our health.

Why We Need to be More Positive

With that in mind, we do still need to look to be a lot more positive when it comes to the internet. Not everything is bad. Just like anything in life, there are always two sides to things. With the internet, we can actually look to use it for good. Having so much access and connection can really add a lot of positivity and influence on our lives. But we have to harness it for the good!

9 Ways to Use the Internet for Good

So now we’re going to take a look at exactly what you need to do when you’re looking to turn your relationship with the internet around. Here are nine ideas to get you started.

1. Creating More, Consuming Less

Before we get into some of the ways you can actually improve your life when using the internet, you have to begin by focusing on how you approach it. If you’re only ever consuming content online, it’s going to drain you mentally. Looking to distance yourself from excessive consumption is key. To compensate, you may find looking to create more can really help you to feel more grounded and at peace.

2. Meeting New People

We then also have the idea of meeting new people. They say that the current young generation is lonelier than ever due to the way they’re growing up online. But there is also the option to meet new people and make friends too. As we go through life, our interests tend to change. This can mean that different people come into our lives at different times. But this can be such a beautiful part of life, and the internet can facilitate that.

3. Finding Love

Another way of finding real, authentic human connection here is finding love. The online dating space can get a bit of a bad wrap, but there are still many authentic relationships that have been built online. Finding the love of your life can happen online. Again, it’s all about letting yourself be positive and optimistic about what might get to happen for you.

4. Discovering Entertainment

You can also find entertainment online too. Now, this isn’t referring to any of the short-term creator-based content. Instead, we’re thinking about the various types of entertainment you can turn to. From incredible arthouse films and grassroots music to classic minesweeper games to poetry readings, there’s a lot of niche entertainment to be found online. It’s all about connecting to what interests you the most and going beyond anything social media-based.

5. Researching for Plans

This one seems very simple, but it’s a huge positive in many of our lives. Using the internet for research purposes can be a lot of fun. It’s something that we all do every single day without really realizing it. It helps us to learn things and fill gaps in our knowledge, but it can also be very useful for making plans. Whether booking a restaurant reservation or choosing where to travel to, the internet can help us to make, facilitate, and decide upon the plans we want to make in life.

6. Advancing Your Education

Another thing you can look to do with the internet is learn. Rather than getting caught up in consuming things that are frying your brain, looking to actually learn and develop could be just what you need. Continuously learning will always be a benefit to your life. Not only can it be enjoyable and help you professionally, but it can also allow you to grow and develop as a person.

7. Furthering Your Career

As a step beyond that, there’s also the idea of furthering your career. Because the internet gives us access to new connections and gives us the chance to build a personal brand, it can also help us to get ahead. If you know you want to progress and develop your career, then looking to build up a presence online can really make a difference for you.

8. Starting a Business

Or it could be that you’d really like to start a business. This is something that many of us want to do outside of our careers. Without the internet, it may not even be an option for you. But because of the internet, we have more access than ever to launching something of our own. You can even do it for free! This could really allow you to pursue your dreams too.

9. Make a Difference in the World

Finally, you could also look to use your access to make more of a difference in the world. This could be in the form of giving back to the community, creating something that the world will benefit from, or even launching a nonprofit. Everything you do doesn’t have to involve consumerism. Sometimes, it can just be for the sake of doing good!

What Life is Like on the Good Side of the Internet

Ultimately, there is always going to be a good and a bad side to everything. But having the ability to turn something that could be a negative into a positive will always be there. Of course, you could let yourself go down the rabbit hole of the internet as a drain on your life. But at the same time, you always get to choose it as a positive influence.

From the way you meet people to how you find things to do in life to how you advance as a person to the career you build for yourself, there’s a lot to be gained from having a positive relationship with the internet. But in order for that to happen, you need to make sure that you’re driving it all in the right direction. So it’s time for you to take the wheel and see where it gets you!

Virgin Media, Eir: The best fixed-line Internet performances in 2024

Barometer of fixed internet connections in Ireland, The analysis period is from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024.

The nPerf barometer is based on 15,886 tests performed by users in real conditions via the nPerf website or using the nPerf application available on Android and iOS.

Sky achieved a notable performance with a nPerf score of 112,942, offering a balanced Internet experience with a Download bitrate of 104 Mbps and an Upload bitrate of 33 Mbps. Despite a Latency of 21 ms, Sky excelled in Browsing at 83%.

Three, with a score of 90,522, focused on providing solid Internet basics, displaying a Download bitrate of 65 Mbps and an Upload bitrate of 30 Mbps, while maintaining a Latency of 32 ms.

Virgin Media led the market with a top nPerf score of 124,559, showcasing a superior Download bitrate of 216 Mbps and an Upload bitrate of 44 Mbps, coupled with a Streaming performance of 89%.

Vodafone showed a strong presence with a score of 114,795, highlighted by an exceptional Upload bitrate of 46 Mbps and outstanding Browsing performance at 85%.

Eir delivered robust results with a nPerf score of 121,760, accompanied by a Download bitrate of 187 Mbps and an Upload bitrate of 45 Mbps, excelling in Streaming at 89%.

“This year, we have seen remarkable improvements in overall performance, particularly in upload speeds and browsing experiences, indicating a positive trend towards enhancing user experience,” said Sébastien de Rosbo, Managing Director nPerf.

Focus WiFi:

Virgin Media is the operator that offers the best WiFi experience in Ireland.

WiFi is a wireless networking technology that allows devices to connect to the Internet without physical cables. It provides flexibility and mobility, enabling users to access the Internet from various locations within the coverage area. The main advantages of WiFi are its convenience and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously.

A Complete Guide to Selecting Reliable Fiber Internet Provider

Many people today are looking into fiber internet. They love the fast upload and download speeds and low latency. Multiple companies currently offer this service, so knowing which provider to choose can be challenging. What features should a person look for when comparing providers? 

Speed

ISPs that offer fiber internet allow consumers to choose from different speeds. Consumers should know what speed is best for their usage. A single person only wishing to run a few devices will find 500 Mbps ideal. Multiple individuals using the same connection while running several devices simultaneously need 1 or 2 gigabits. Choosing a provider offering 2 gigabits is best because it will be necessary as technology advances. 

One thing many people overlook when considering the number of devices they run is items that aren’t readily apparent when looking at the internet connection. People look at their phones, laptops, tablets, printers, and smart TVs. They overlook the smart home devices that allow their residences to function. These devices range from smart plugs to smart major appliances. All benefit from the internet connection and influence the internet speed needed. 

Price and Promotions

People might assume they must bundle services to get the best prices. In the past, this was often true. However, ISPs recognize they are losing business because consumers might not want phone or TV service. Standalone internet service is available, and consumers must shop around to find the right deal for their needs. To save money when purchasing a standalone service, ask about discounts and promotions that may help save money. 

Avoid Data Caps

ISPs often impose data caps. When a customer exceeds this amount, the provider charges for any extra data used. Choosing an unlimited plan ensures data is always available when needed, and the customer knows how much they will pay for the service each month. 

Smart Installations

When having fiber internet installed, request a Wi-Fi signal strength test. This test helps identify dead spots in the home so extenders or mesh Wi-Fi can be installed. A gig-speed installation may also be requested. 

Tech Support

Nobody wants to have issues with their internet. When problems arise, they want help immediately. Look for a company with robust tech support to resolve matters quickly and efficiently. Many providers today offer automated troubleshooting with the option of speaking to a live person if the automated system isn’t of help. Having multiple options makes it easy to get help when needed. 

Consider Additional Services

Internet service providers often offer additional services to enhance the user experience. They may offer apps that provide password and device protection or identity monitoring. Cloud storage remains popular with many internet users today, and the ISP might offer this storage at a discounted price for its customers. Having one provider for multiple services is beneficial, as the customer only has one place to turn when they need help with their account. 

Updated Equipment 

Look for a provider with the latest equipment. Technology advances at an astounding rate, so choosing a provider whose fiber footprint is expanding is best. They need state-of-the-art service to keep up with these changes. 

Once a fiber internet provider is selected, it’s time to focus on the home network. Consider upgrading devices to benefit the most from the new network. When you see how excellent this internet service is, you’ll want to do more online. 

Irish hate speech law could “censor the entire internet”

Global voices have united in concern about the “hate speech” bill pending before Irish parliament, as 1 in 4 Irish say they are worried about the erosion of free speech.

Speaking at the Irish parliament this month, “Twitter Files” journalist Michael Shellenberger stated clearly that “there is no hate crisis in Ireland” and that the case for censorship was brought about by “elite panic” trying to stifle open conversation and discourse among the Irish people.

The bill would make it an offence to possess (for distribution) material that could lead to “hatred” in Ireland, with punishment of up to 5 years in prison.  

The bill would also impact the right to share views on social media across much of the world, with directors and executives of social media platforms with international HQs in Ireland (X, Facebook, and more) held accountable to the Irish government if found to be platforming undefined “hate speech”. 

“The world is watching Ireland. As the home of various international social media headquarters, the bill would have a global impact on what we can all discuss online.”

– Michael Shellenberger, “Twitter Files” journalist & author

“The world is watching Ireland. The censorial “hate speech bill”, if passed, would not only shut down conversation nationally – as the home of various international social media headquarters, it would have a global impact on what we can all discuss online.

“A sweeping ban on undefined “hate” gives authorities the power to determine which viewpoints are acceptable to voice. World history warns us that such power can be easily abused,” said Michael Shellenberger, international bestselling author and journalist behind the “Twitter Files”. 

Far-reaching consequences

On the same day, giving the keynote address at the Ireland Free Speech Summit, which sold out amongst members of the public, Shellenberger suggested the goal of the bill may be to “censor the entire internet”.

The bill offers no clear definition of what “hate” entails. Experts warn this could pave the way for the criminal prosecution of a wide range of expression considered unfavorable by authorities.  

The bill would further make refusal to give a password to an electronic device a crime, which would allow authorities to search and possibly find materials that are “hateful”.

1 in 4 Irish concerned about right to free speech being eroded

New national polling commissioned by ADF International reveals a deep-seated concern amongst the Irish for the erosion of free speech, with a quarter revealing they already feel restricted in expressing their views and opinions in social settings like a pub, or in their place of work or study.  

In the survey, conducted by Whitestone Insight*, 90% confirmed that free speech was “very important” to them – while the Irish parliament debates  new and wide-ranging “hate speech” legislation, with egregious implications for the basic human right to free speech. 

“The proposed “hate speech” legislation would be one of the worst examples of censorship in the modern West. The bill purports to stamp out ‘hate speech,’ but fails to define what ‘hate’” is – allowing authorities to censor any speech the state opposes. 

That’s why voices from around the world are speaking up for the right to debate and discuss ideas – here in Ireland, and everywhere,” said Lorcan Price, Irish Barrister and Legal Counsel for ADF International. 

Global voices speak out against censorship

At the 2024 Free Speech Summit in Dublin on 18th June, international free speech champions  gathered with politicians to highlight the issues at stake under the bill.  

 

 

“Father Ted” screenwriter Graham Linehan was among the famous faces gathered, challenging attempts to censor Ireland: 

“We’re all coming together with different viewpoints, beliefs, and perspectives – but we agree on one thing. We should be allowed to freely discuss and debate ideas in Ireland. Our free speech must not be curtailed by a censorial government. It’s essential that the parliament consider the draconian impact that the hate speech bill could have on Irish society – and keep the public square open for all,” said Graham Linehan, screenwriter of “Father Ted”, who is billed to speak at the Summit.  

Independent Senators Rónán Mullen and Sharon Keogan spoke out against the bill, with Mullen highlighting that this bill is “far too vague”: 

“When it comes to democracy, I believe in it. When it comes to the right to test each other’s ideas, I believe in it. And we can’t do that if we’re operating under the chilling fear of giving offence to somebody who wraps that up as hatred, claims that it’s against the law, attacks you as a mob online, causes social media companies to take down your stuff so that you’ve failed to communicate before you even begin to try…If nobody was ever prosecuted under this law, the process itself would become the punishment,” said Mullen in his address. 

Also speaking up at the event were cleric and broadcaster Fr Calvin Robinson; Cambridge academic Dr. James Orr; Irish journalist Laura Perrins; Philosophy Professor Gerard Casey; feminist campaigner Laoise de Brún; GB News host Andrew Doyle; psychotherapist and Director of Genspect, Stella O’Malley; and international bestselling author Andy Ngo.

 

Speaking to censorship within the gender debate specifically, Genspect director and psychotherapist Stella O’Malley said: 

“I am finding the gender world increasingly hardline, and there is a lack of understanding about the importance of free speech, which is a cornerstone and a fundamental to a civilisation. We need to be able to speak about this freely rather than stumbling over what is the fashionable phrase to use right now.” 

For more information on the Ireland Free Speech Summit, click here. Read more here

*Methodology note: Whitestone Insight surveyed 1,027 Republic of Ireland adults online from 15th-20th March 2024. Whitestone Insight is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Full tables are available at whitestoneinsight.com.

Source

5 Effects of Slow Internet on Business Performance

Successful businesses need a fast internet connection for better performance and productivity. A slow-speed internet can be much greater for businesses, especially those engaged in data-intensive activities. It would slow down their operations and thus make it difficult for them to compete. Let’s look at five effects of slow internet on business performance. 

Decreased Productivity

When the internet is slow, it makes it hard for employees to get work done quickly. Things like opening web pages, downloading files, or working together online take a long time. This means employees waste time waiting instead of getting things done. It can mess up projects, make deadlines harder to meet, and ultimately decrease the company’s profits.

Communication Delays 

When the internet is slow, it makes communication harder. Emails take longer to send, messages might be delayed, and video calls can have a bad sound or picture quality. This not only makes it tough for team members to communicate but also affects customers’ communication. Slow internet can lead to misunderstandings and make it harder to grow the business.

Reduced Customer Satisfaction

When the internet is slow, it can make customers unhappy. A slow internet connection can interrupt effective communication, resulting in unhappy customers. Moreover, in the online world, people expect websites to load quickly. However, if pages take too much time to load, customers might give up and go to another website.

Slow internet can also make it hard for companies to help customers quickly, leading to more frustration and bad experiences.  Moreover, your internet speed also affects the loading times of websites, but does not directly relate to website performance.  You can also run this simple test to access your website speed. 

Delayed Cloud Computing Backup

Many businesses use cloud services to store important data and keep backups. But if the internet is slow, saving this data in the cloud can take a long time. This delay means that if something bad happens, like a cyberattack, it takes longer to get back the saved data. This can make the business stop working for even longer and increase the chance of losing important information, which is really bad for the company. Moreover, it’s important to regularly test the speed of your Vodafone internet to ensure it meets your business needs. 

Loss of Competitive Edge

In business, it’s important to be quick and responsive to stay ahead of others. But if the internet is slow, it can make things harder. Businesses with slow internet might struggle to keep up with faster ones. 

Also, in industries where using new technology is really important, slow internet can make it harder to come up with new ideas and launch new products. This can make it tough for the business to stay competitive.

Google.org extends support to Barnardos to help make the internet safer for children

Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, has announced that it is extending its support to children’s charity Barnardos by providing an additional $1 million of grant funding to promote safe internet use for children and teens across Ireland.

The announcement follows the success of the initial Online Safety Programme launched by Barnardos in 2019 with €1 million in grant funding from Google.org. Over the past five years, more than 3,000 workshops in 700 schools across Ireland have reached over 90,000 students, and delivered over 2,000 parent workshops on online safety nationwide.

The new grant will enable Barnardos to extend the programme to children aged between 10 and 15 and will address new areas including AI. The new programme will also see Barnardos working in collaboration for the first time to help shape the programme with Webwise, leading online safety organisation and Media Literacy Ireland, Ireland’s media literacy network.

Speaking at the launch, Mindy Brooks, Senior Director, General Manager for Kids and Families, Google said:

“The internet is laden with opportunity and promise for young people, but education on how to confidently and safely explore the online world is crucial. Our work with Barnardos has been incredibly impactful across primary schools in Ireland. It’s important that we continue to collaborate to develop the correct tools and training for both young people and their parents to ensure ongoing education. This new grant from Google.org empowers Barnardos to not only reach more young people but also to roll out innovative solutions to emerging issues.”

Suzanne Connolly, CEO, Barnardos said:

“Over the last five years we have seen high levels of engagement with our Online Safety Programme supported by Google.org. The workshops have been very well received with 85% of children stating they found the workshops useful and 98% of teachers stating they would recommend the programme to other schools. This new grant allows us to extend both the reach and scope of the Online Safety Programme. We are especially excited by the collaboration with Media Literacy Ireland and Webwise, which will allow for a first of its kind co-creation of materials between different organisations.”

With this grant Barnardos plans to expand its current Online Safety Programme to include:

  • Collaboration with Webwise and Media Literacy Ireland in the design and delivery of its Online Safety Programme

  • Development of a virtual programme for delivery online to significantly increase the scale and reach of the programme

  • Adapting the existing Online Safety Programme for an older audience and delivery within secondary schools for students in 1st to 3rd years

  • Adapting the programme for use in youth and community settings as well as schools

  • Designing a Crisis Incident Response to provide advice and practical support to schools where a significant incident of online bullying or abuse has occurred

  • Organising conferences on topics of interest and engage in research to further the charity’s understanding of issues surrounding online safety and digital literacy

The grant was announced today at the Google “Growing Up in the Digital Age” Summit, which convened experts from industry, academia, government and civil society to discuss how young people can be protected, respected and empowered online. The summit was hosted by the Google Safety Engineering

Center (GSEC) in Dublin.

The Online Safety programme will be rolled out in secondary schools from September 2024 to complement our ongoing work in primary schools. A virtual programme will be rolled out in 2025. Schools can contact Onlinesafety@barnardos.ie for more information or to enquire about booking a workshop for their school.

RETN Unveils Initiative to Drive Global IPv6 Adoption; Tackling Key Internet Challenges

In a significant stride towards the future of internet connectivity, RETN, a leading international network services provider announces an ambitious 12-month initiative to bolster the transition to IPv6, the next-generation internet protocol. This initiative comes at a critical time as the internet community faces the need for a more scalable, secure, and efficient networking infrastructure.

RETN’s initiative, aimed at encouraging IPv6 adoption, offers an unparalleled incentive: for every IP Transit service purchased, RETN will match the customer’s committed data rate with an equivalent IPv6 traffic capacity at no additional cost until March 31st 2025. This effort is designed to mitigate the financial and operational barriers associated with IPv6 transition, thereby accelerating global adoption rates.

The Urgent Need for IPv6 Rapid Adoption
The internet is facing a critical juncture with the depletion of IPv4 addresses, making the transition to IPv6 beneficial, essential for the continued growth and sustainability of online services and long overdue, the protocol having been ratified by the IETF in 1995. IPv6 addresses the limitations of its predecessor by providing a vastly expanded address space, enhanced security features, and improved efficiency in routing and network auto-configuration. These advancements are crucial for supporting the burgeoning number of devices connecting to the internet, the expansion of IoT (Internet of Things), and the development of new, innovative online services.

Addressing IPv6 Adoption Challenges
Economic and innovation drivers are significant motivators for IPv6 adoption, with national infrastructures that embrace IPv6 poised to better support economic opportunities and innovation in critical areas such as IoT and smart infrastructure. However, the transition requires concerted efforts to expand the base of IPv6 users and address the perceived lack of immediate need due to temporary workarounds like Network Address Translation (NAT).

RETN reports a 40% IPv6 adoption rate among its customer base, closely aligning with Google’s observation of 41.72% among its users as of February 19th, 2024, according to Google’s IPv6 adoption statistics (https://www.google.com/intl/en/ipv6/statistics.html#tab=ipv6-adoption).

Strategic Approaches to IPv6 Adoption
Adopting IPv6 involves strategic considerations, including addressing private and public interoperability with IPv6 networks. Organisations are driven by various factors, including regulatory mandates and the need to cater to IPv6-only clients, particularly in the mobile and IoT sectors. RETN is poised to support these strategic needs by facilitating IPv6 adoption through its innovative matching initiative.

Despite the clear advantages of IPv6, such as enhanced efficiency, security, and performance, the transition to date has been slower than anticipated. RETN’s initiative aims to alleviate these concerns by providing a cost-effective pathway to IPv6 adoption.

Joining Hands for the Good of the Internet

RETN recognises the importance of IPv6 in ensuring the internet remains unrestricted, accessible, and capable of supporting future technological innovations. By offering IPv6 transit free of charge alongside IPv4 purchases, RETN is not only easing the transition for customers but also contributing to the global effort to adopt IPv6. This initiative reflects RETN’s dedication to providing cutting-edge solutions and our commitment to the long-term success and resilience of the internet.
Tony O’Sullivan, CEO of RETN.

Helping children & young people reflect, recognise and reset- Safer Internet Day Turns 21

Celebrated in more than 180 countries worldwide, today, February 6th marks the 21st anniversary of Safer Internet Day, which has become a landmark global event in the online safety calendar. The theme for Safer Internet Day 2024 is ‘Tech in our World’ and through a series of events taking place involving 200,000 children and young people from schools and organisations across Ireland, will explore the role of digital technology in young people’s lives, their views on new and emerging technology and the changes they would like to see enacted online.
Safer Internet Day 2024 kicks off today with an event hosted in Microsoft’s Dream Space and will feature contributions from the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel; Niamh Hodnett, Online Safety Commissioner; Kieran McCorry, National Technology Officer, Microsoft, and Dr Emma Murphy, School of Computer Science – TU Dublin.  The session will also include interactive stakeholders’ discussions that will explore some of the opportunities and challenges as they relate to the role of the internet and digital technology in young people’s lives.

Webwise Youth Panellist Billie Constantinou, 19, said:‘We live in a world where internet technology is constantly evolving, one where we wake up with new AI capabilities, new apps and new trends every single day. To discuss tech in our world, we must understand that the future is uncertain and being able to adapt in tandem with this advancing online technology is a key skill in ensuring our safety in this every changing world.’

The themes that will be explored at today’s event will encourage schools, children, teens and parents to:

  • Reflect: an opportunity to reflect on tech in their world, the challenges, opportunities and big changes.
  • Recognise: give learners an understanding of the influence of digital technology in their daily life, exploring the concept of persuasive design and the influence of algorithms.
  • Reset: learn tips to help reset online experiences and empower young people to make the most of their online world.

Niamh Hodnett, Online Safety Commissioner said: “I am delighted to celebrate my first Safer Internet Day as Online Safety Commissioner by taking part in Webwise’s ‘Tech in our World’ session. Safer Internet Day is a great chance for me to hear the views of young people on the role technology plays in their lives. It is also an opportunity to highlight the work of Coimisiún na Meán including preparing our first Online Safety Code, as part of our overall online safety framework. I would especially like to commend the essential work of the Irish Safer Internet Centre in supporting parents, children and teachers in navigating the online world in a safe and responsible way through the work of Webwise, the ISPCC, the National Parents Council and Hotline.ie.”

Minister for Education Norma Foley T.D. said:“Safer Internet Day is a day in which we focus on promoting the safer use of the internet by children. 

 We acknowledge the great work of our schools. We salute too the work of Webwise and the Oide Support Service for Teachers, who provide additional resources and training to schools and webinars for parents to support them in keeping their children safe on the internet.

 “Of course, we’re also very keen that parents would continue to engage with the guidelines that have been presented around the use of smartphones for young people in primary schools.”

Safer Internet Day in Ireland is coordinated by the Irish Safer Internet Centre, a partnership between Webwise, ISPCC, National Parents Council and Hotline.ie, providing a range of complementary online safety services, including an education and awareness centre, child and parent helplines and a hotline. The Centre is coordinated by the Department of Justice and co-funded by the European Union.

 

Irish Safer Internet Centre

The Irish Safer Internet Centre is a partnership of four leading organisations – Webwise, Hotline.ie, ISPCC and National Parents Council, with a mission to make the Internet a better place for children and young people, under the coordination of the Department of Justice – Cybercrime Division. The Irish Safer Internet Centre partner organisations work towards a shared mission of making the internet a safer and more inclusive place for children and young people.

 

Webwise is the online safety initiative of the Department of Education and co-funded by the European Commission. Webwise promotes safer, better internet use through awareness raising and education initiatives targeting teachers, children, young people and parents. Webwise develops and disseminates resources that help teachers integrate digital citizenship and online safety into teaching and learning in their schools. Webwise also provides information, advice, and tools to parents to support their engagement in their children’s online lives. Webwise is part of Oide, a new support service for teachers and school leaders, funded from the Department of Education.
Hotline.ie is Ireland’s primary national channel for members of the public to anonymously and confidentially report suspected illegal content online, such as child sexual abuse material, technology facilitated child sexual exploitation – child grooming, non-consensual sharing of intimate images and videos (also known as intimate image abuse), racism and xenophobia, and financial scams. Further information can be found here.
ISPCC operates the Childline Listening Service, Ireland’s only 24-hour active listening service for children and young people. The service is here to listen to children, to support and empower them and to help to strengthen their resilience so they can cope with any challenges they face. Any child or young person can contact Childline for free and in confidence, at any time, to talk about any issue on their mind. The service can be reached online at Childline.ie or calling 1800 66 66 66. Parents/caregivers can check out the Digital Ready Hub to upskill their knowledge on the digital environment.

 

National Parents Council (NPC) provides a dedicated helpline to support parents and carers in dealing with issues relating to online safety, including cyberbullying. The National Parents Council also provides parents with training courses, both online and face-to-face. Further information about the National Parents Council Helpline can be found here. 

Exploring the Advantages of a VPN

Understanding the benefits of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help your organization decide whether to use it and how. In many cases, the advantages of using a VPN outweigh the cons.  When properly configured, it can greatly enhance your company’s security configuration. 

Security on Internet

A VPN is first and foremost a security solution. It establishes an encrypted communication tunnel between you and the Internet. Simply put, it creates a secure internet connection to protect you from external threats which is another advantage of using a VPN.

Your security is further enhanced with features like Kill Switch and Private DNS. Kill Switch will shut down your internet connection if the VPN is offline, so no sensitive data is leaked. Private DNS adds an extra layer of security to your searches and the data you send to websites when you visit them.

Better privacy

When it comes to VPNs, privacy is just as important as security. Much of your personal information can be collected if you are not using a VPN. This includes your searches, the websites you visit, your activity on those sites, or even your name, email address, phone number, and location.

By encrypting all your traffic and changing your IP address, a VPN app effectively eliminates these problems. When you are connected to a VPN, neither your ISP (Internet Service Provider) nor the bad guys can see your online activity. On top of that, you can even hide the fact that you’re using a VPN if you connect to one of the obfuscated servers. 

Stream regionally blocked websites

People know this problem all too well. You pay for a streaming service or visit a website in one area, only to find yourself stuck in another or if you want to watch something on the internet but all of sudden it shows you that your country has a restriction for it. Finding a solution can be a problem but there are ways for it and they are so easy to approach if you know where to look. If you want to watch Netflix, for instance, unblocking access using VPN is possible. There are even free VPN options that may work with Netflix and other streaming sites. Movies, shows, videos, it doesn’t matter, you will be able to watch all the content that was restricted in your country without worrying about unexpected surprises. Sit back and enjoy!

Saving money

While any good VPN costs money, it can also save you money. Some websites keep a log of your activity and use this information to increase prices. This is especially common with airline tickets and accommodation bookings. The more you visit to check prices, the higher they go. To fix this damage, clear your browsing history and cache, and connect to the VPN. Sometimes the prices of goods and services vary by location. You can try switching VPN servers to get an even better offer.

Unrestricted internet access

The Internet can be like an open ocean that you can explore without constraints or limitations. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Oppressive governments tend to heavily censor the Internet for their citizens, while fewer Internet restrictions or tweaks may apply depending on where you live.

You can bypass oppressive censorship and freely access the wonders of the World Wide Web by connecting to a VPN server. Secure encryption won’t let anyone track your online activity, so you can enjoy the best Internet without worrying. 

Prevent internet tracking

Your ISP, or Internet service provider, tracks your online activity and may share this data with advertisers, government agencies, and other third parties without your knowledge or consent. They do this for a variety of reasons, not all of which are harmful, but nonetheless an invasion of privacy. Some countries require ISPs to store your digital activity data, while others, such as the US, allow ISPs to openly sell your browsing data to advertisers and data brokers.

If that’s not enough of a reason to use a VPN, remember that they also have access to your passwords, social media data, and physical location. 

Scalability of a network

While a private network can help you start a business, the cost of network expansion can be very high. If you use a VPN server, you can provide simultaneous access to multiple employees and remote workers. You can also run key applications in a cloud environment and provide access to them through a secure VPN tunnel.

This can include anything from email to full-featured applications that you normally run on the desktop. When employees connect to the VPN, they access another computer that you use to run the applications they need. Every employee with credentials can access the VPN and the application. Adding more employees means providing more bandwidth if needed, and credentials for each new team member.  

Stay anonymous

One of the most commonly cited reasons to use a VPN is anonymous browsing. There are many reasons why you might want to stay anonymous while browsing online, many of which are related to the benefits of a VPN discussed above. You don’t even know sometimes why you want to stay anonymous online until the consequences of oversharing hit you in the face.

In modern society, we all depend on the Internet for everything. We want to access information, communicate with friends and family, and shop online. All of this can be done when connected to a virtual private network (VPN) service. It is an essential tool for Internet freedom. Governments, ISPs, businesses, and advertisers all track internet users. Internet Freedom allows you to surf any website without worrying about your privacy.