Is your VPN lying to you?

It’s no secret that there are oodles of shady VPN services that promise to protect your privacy as you surf the internet, but may, in fact, actually be worthless. After all, internet privacy is one part moving target and two parts shell game with your money and trust, so no one’s surprised that the post-Snowden privacy panic turned into a gold rush for the unscrupulous.

One method VPN providers use to bilk trusting customers is to do shady things with customer records. We’ve also seen them misconfigure critical security settings, de-anonymize customers, and only take action when caught.

Now there’s a new problem: VPNs that say you’re connecting to a server in one country while actually routing your traffic through another. RestorePrivacy recently took a close look at what some VPNs are saying when they give you a server in another country, versus what they’re actually doing when they connect users. And the two aren’t matching up.

Many popular VPN services let users pick which country (or city) their traffic routes through, showing the destination that you’re coming from as, say, London when you’re actually in Paris. This can be practical when you’re a Brit traveling abroad and just want to watch your BBC shows, or want to keep your IP address consistent so social media sites like Facebook don’t freak out when you log in while on the go.

In addition to these issues, RestorePrivacy pointed out that VPN performance suffers when the actual server is significantly farther away than you expect it to be. In its post they pointed out an additional issue — that customers “aren’t getting the true server locations they paid for” and that “using fake server locations raises questions about the VPN’s honesty.”

It can be disastrous for people’s safety if a server that’s supposed to be in Saudi Arabia is actually in Los Angeles, California — which is a real example of bait-and-switch claims RestorePrivacy found in their VPN server claim research.

RestorePrivacy looked at VPN services ExpressVPN, Hidemyass, and PureVPN.

These are popular services used by tens of millions of people. ExpressVPN was listed by TechRadar as one of the best VPN services of 2017, and is endorsed by Geek.com. Hidemyass got a big, positive profile in The Guardian, serves tens of millions of users, and was recommended in 2016 by PCWorld as a “tested” service that protects your privacy. PureVPN was listed in Extreme Tech’s recent “5 best VPNs” list, and the service is endorsed by BoingBoing who hails it as “the world’s fastest VPN.”

Each of the services were found to be saying one thing to customers about server locations, while in practice actually doing something totally different.

With ExpressVPN they found 11 fake server locations; they identified 5 fake server locations with PureVPN but said “there are many more.” Regarding the Hidemyass claim of “physical servers in 190+ countries,” RestorePrivacy’s post countered saying if users believe that, “I have a bridge to sell you.”

In addition, “Upon closer examination of Hidemyass’s network, you find some very strange locations, such as North Korea, Zimbabwe, and even Somalia.” They wrote:

Hidemyass refers to these fictitious server locations as “virtual locations” on their website. Unfortunately, they do not have a server page available to the public, so I could not test any of the locations. The Hidemyass chat representative I spoke with confirmed they use fake “virtual” locations, but could not tell me which locations were fake and which were real.

A week after RestorePrivacy’s post called them on it, ExpressVPN “admitted to numerous fake locations on its website (mirror) – 29 fictitious locations in total,” they wrote. “Just like PureVPN and Hidemyass, ExpressVPN refers to these as “virtual” server locations.” ExpressVPN was telling customers they could use servers in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Indonesia and more, when RestorePrivacy found that customers were actually being routed through one server located in Singapore.

RestorePrivacy said they believe the reasons for improper server location identification are financial. “First, it saves lots of money.” They explained, “Using one server to fake numerous server locations will significantly reduce costs. (Dedicated premium servers are quite expensive.)” A service can also sell more VPN subscriptions if it looks like there’s a huge variety of countries to choose from.

ExpressVPN told Engadget in a statement:

With the vast majority of ExpressVPN locations, the physical server and the registered IP address are located in the same country. This describes 97% of ExpressVPN’s servers, as we have invested in a significant physical footprint covering every continent save Antarctica.

For less than 3% of ExpressVPN’s servers, the registered IP address matches the country you’ve chosen to connect to, while the server is physically located in another country, usually nearby. These are called virtual server locations, and they help ensure your connection is fast, secure, and reliable.

The post goes into deep details about each service’s claims, what RestorePrivacy found, and how they did their research. For every VPN server examined, three different network-testing tools were used “to verify the true location beyond any reasonable doubt.” Those included the CA App Synthetic Monitor ping test (tests from 90 different worldwide locations), the CA App Synthetic Monitor traceroute, and Ping.pe, a test from 24 locations around the world. All of their test results are published in an appendix to the blog post.

The research recommended users toward “smaller VPN services that have fewer locations, but prioritize the quality of their server network, such as Perfect Privacy and VPN.ac.” As you may remember, Perfect Privacy was the service that found and reported the massive privacy hole in several popular VPN services that de-anonymized users, called “Port Fail.”

With the tools and info in RestorePrivacy’s article and a little technical know-how, you can exhaustively test your VPN service to see if they’re telling the truth about server location (or not). Sometimes you can just tell something’s wrong when your Google results are in the wrong language — showing that Google is seeing you come from a location you didn’t expect.

Maybe you don’t care where your VPN’s server really is, just as long as it’s a secure service and your privacy is maintained. But for some people, honesty and accuracy about location is critical to the functions of their VPN service in the first place.

In the wider context, RestorePrivacy’s post and this article resets the growing distrust in people’s minds about security, privacy, and VPNs. It’s unfortunate, because we really need most people to start using VPNs if we’re going to elevate everyone’s security and privacy (and it doesn’t help with behavior-influencing, large companies like Netflix blocking VPNs across the board).

I just hope that calling out fake server locations — whether the labeling is just incorrect or opportunistic — changes the conversation among VPN providers to on that focuses more on accountability than profits.

Requests for comment to Hidemyass, ExpressVPN, and PureVPN did not receive a response at publication time. We will update this article in the event of a response.

Image: Prykhodov via Getty Images (VPN)

Heavy metal legend Ronnie James Dio will tour the world as a hologram

The latest instance of the musical death and resurrection show is none other than Ronnie James Dio, who died in 2010. Thanks to a hologram (actually a high-tech version of an old parlor trick), the former Black Sabbath frontman will start touring Europe the November 30th before hitting the States next spring. “His” set will change nightly, according to Rolling Stone, and audio recordings were pulled from his entire career. “He” will play each night with a backing band and some dates will have singers Tim “Ripper” Owens (Judas Priest) and Oni Logan (Racer X) on stage as well.

The stage will hearken back to the Sacred Heart and Dream Evil tours, and apparently the band may book between 80 and 100 shows. So, if you missed the man responsible for creating the devil horns hand sign in the flesh, you could see him in 1s and 0s soon enough.

Via: Rolling Stone

Source: PR Newswire

The FDA has a significant change of heart about e-cigarettes

The FDA has just announced a sweeping change in its policy regarding e-cigarettes and vaping products. In a press release issued this morning, the administration outlined its plan to focus on reducing usage of combustible cigarettes and tobacco, in turn loosening restrictive rules laid out just last year, that could have wiped out most vaping products (“eliquid”).

The health impact of vaping has been a hot topic in recent years, but an increasing amount of studies are showing that e-cigarettes are not only an effective way out of smoking but a considerably less harmful one. The UK’s Royal College of Physicians (the same agency that confirmed the cancer risk of tobacco in the 60’s) recently advised the UK Government to promote the use of e-cigarettes (along with conventional nicotine replacement methods) “as widely as possible as a substitute for smoking.”

In May 2016 the FDA outlined regulations that extended its authority to electronic cigarettes and eliquids. The rules stated that any e-cigarette or vaping product released after Feb 15, 2007, would require the same expensive, lengthy FDA approval as regular smokes. That was significant as that would include pretty much every vape liquid on the market today, most of which are made by small independent businesses (and not “Big Tobacco”). Today’s announcement extends the deadline of that process from sometime next year to 2022, and hints at a willingness to make that process simpler.

“The overwhelming amount of death and disease attributable to tobacco is caused by addiction to cigarettes – the only legal consumer product that, when used as intended, will kill half of all long-term users,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb in the FDA report.

“Envisioning a world where cigarettes would no longer create or sustain addiction, and where adults who still need or want nicotine could get it from alternative and less harmful sources, needs to be the cornerstone of our efforts.”

The vaping industry is young and loosely organized. The FDA’s change in approach allows the industry some time to professionalize and ensure it can align with the FDA’s new plans, which center on reducing addiction to cigarettes and deterring young people from picking up the habit.

Part of that strategy includes forcing cigarette manufacturers to lower the amount of nicotine in their products to “non-addictive levels.” The other part appears to be the nearest thing we’ve seen as an endorsement for vaping from the FDA, with the administration stating:

“…the FDA is striking an appropriate balance between regulation and encouraging development of innovative tobacco products that may be less dangerous than cigarettes.”

Needless to say, the e-cigarette industry is pleased with the news. Oliver Kershaw, founder of the popular E-Cigarette Forum, and Vaping.com told Engadget “It’s a real bombshell.”

“On a pragmatic level, it just makes sense, it appears to be a joined up strategy for moving people away from cigarettes to healthier alternatives.”

Kershaw points out that the FDA’s policy change comes just days after the BMJ published a study that suggests links between the decline in smoking, and the boom in vaping around 2014. “On a pragmatic level, it just makes sense.”

The FDA is still keeping a critical eye on the vape industry. Existing products will still need approval by 2022. Also, it will develop product standards to avoid known concerns such as battery issues, and exposure of eliquid to children.

For now, though, those looking to make the switch to e-cigarettes to kick the habit can do so without the fear that their chosen alternative might be regulated out of existence.

Source: FDA

Samsung topples Intel as world’s largest chipmaker

Samsung registered a record profit of $12.6 billion in its second quarter earnings report, but hidden in those numbers lies another milestone. Of its $54 billion in revenue, $15 billion came solely from Samsung Semiconductors — pushing it above the $14.8 billion that all of Intel brought in. In short: Samsung just ended Intel’s 24-year-reign and became the largest chipmaker in the world.

But Samsung didn’t get there by outselling processors — it’s been diversifying its chip offerings for years. While Intel has focused on CPUs for computers and servers after burying its wearables division last November, Samsung has broadened into making chips for mobile devices, as well as connected chips for IoT and smart vehicles. But the company also got ahead of Intel on the strength of its flash memory with more popular SSD products. Intel isn’t giving up on the rivalry, and claimed its next generation of long-delayed Cannon Lake 10nm chips will feature twice as many transistors as Samsung’s or TMSC’s, putting them “light years” ahead.

Via: Sam Mobile

Source: Samsung Second Quarter 201 Earnings, Intel Second Quarter Earnings (PDF)

‘Forces of Destiny’ YouTube series explores untold ‘Star Wars’ tales

Can’t get enough Star Wars content while you wait for the next couple of movie installments? You might want to check out this series of animated shorts, Forces of Destiny, written by the prolific Jennifer Muro for Disney. Each two- to three-minute episode tells canonical stories of the women of Star Wars and their “everyday heroism.” Eight of a planned 16 short films are available on YouTube now, and will eventually show up on Disney Channel. While Muro notes that the stories are meant for kids, she knows that all ages will dig these in-between stories from Star Wars.

The animation is basic but serviceable: think Kim Possible rather than The Clone Wars. Each episode is prefaced by Lupita Nyong’o as Maz Kanata, saying, “The choices we make, the actions we take — moments, both big and small — shape us into Forces of Destiny.” According to Ars Technica, the final eight episodes will appear in October. The current shorts jump around in time, with stories about The Force Awakens‘ Rey and BB-8 and The Clone Wars‘ Ahsoka Tano alongside episodes about Leia Organa and Jyn Erso. All the characters are performed by their live-action counterparts, except for Leia, who’s voiced by Shelby Young.

While the kid-friendly Forces of Destiny doesn’t get too intense (Jyn Erso saves an alien cat from Stormtroopers, Leia distracts the snow monster from Hoth so Chewbacca can fix a door), the series is certainly a fun way to spend some more time immersed in the Star Wars universe.

Via: Ars Technica

Source: Disney/YouTube

MacRumors Giveaway: Win a Super Protective ‘Limitless’ iPhone Case From Mous

For this week’s giveaway, we’ve teamed up with Mous to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a Limitless iPhone case from Mous.

Mous’s iPhone cases started out as an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign that ultimately brought in nearly $2 million thanks to the impressive range of features offered.

Available for the iPhone 6, 6s, 7, 6 Plus, 6s Plus, and 7 Plus, the Mous Limitless cases are equipped with AiroShock, which is a smart material that’s meant to offer superior protection without adding a lot of bulk to Apple’s super thin iPhones. Limitless cases add just over 2mm of thickness to the iPhone and weigh 42 grams.

With AiroShock, Limitless cases have a built-in micro air pocket structure that protects them from impacts, along with a raised front lip to keep the screen from cracking in case of a drop.

Cases are available in real materials like bamboo wood, black marble, black leather, kevlar carbon fiber, walnut wood, and white marble, to suit a range of tastes.

Along with drop protection, Limitless cases are built with magnets and a steel plate in the back, allowing them to work with accessories like a wall mount, which is included with the case for free, and an optional modular wallet and flex mount that can be used anywhere. All cases also ship with a screen protector for total device protection.

The included wall mount attaches to a flat surface using an adhesive strip and then attaches to the Limitless case using magnets. It’s an ideal setup for using the iPhone in a kitchen or another spot where hands-free usage is helpful.

Mous’s Limitless iPhone cases are normally priced at $35, but we have 10 cases to give away to MacRumors readers. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner and send the prize. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years of age or older are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

a Rafflecopter giveawayThe contest will run from today (July 28) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on August 4. The winners will be chosen randomly on August 4 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.

Winners will be able to choose the size and color of their choice, with all cases coming with a free wall mount and a free screen protector.

Tag: giveaway
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Apple Listing Select Movies as 4K and HDR in iTunes Purchase History

MacRumors reader Tomas Jackson, who resides in the UK, has discovered Apple is listing select movies as 4K and HDR in iTunes purchase history.

In a discussion topic on the MacRumors forums, Jackson shared a screenshot of his iTunes purchase history with the 2016 film Passengers listed as “Movie (4K, HDR)” under the Type column. However, he said iTunes only let him download the movie in HD quality, which is either 720p or 1080p depending on the content.

Another reader mentioned that the 2016 film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is also listed as 4K and HDR. MacRumors rented the film to check, and we can confirm the film indeed has “4K, HDR” next to it in our iTunes purchase history. Nevertheless, iTunes lists the movie’s video quality as 720p.

Not all movies are listed as “4K, HDR” at this time, and it may be region specific for now. One reader from the United States shared a screenshot of Passengers still being listed as “Film (HD)” in his iTunes purchase history. MacRumors can confirm “4K, HDR” has appeared in both the UK and Canada at least.

iTunes content remains viewable in SD and HD for the time being, but the discovery suggests Apple may be gearing up for what’s around the corner — 4K and HDR support for both iTunes content and a new Apple TV.

In February, Bloomberg reported Apple was testing a new, fifth-generation Apple TV capable of streaming 4K video, adding that it may be released as soon as this year. The report also said the new Apple TV, allegedly codenamed “J105” internally, would display more vivid colors, suggesting HDR support.

A month later, developer Firi Games provided MacRumors with evidence of a device identified as “AppleTV6,2” and running “tvOS 11.0” connecting to its arcade game Phoenix HD for Apple TV in its logs. The IP address fell within a range linked to Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California.

The current Apple TV has a model identifier of AppleTV5,3, and Apple TV6,2 does not correspond with any released model.

It’s conceivable that Apple could launch 4K content in iTunes alongside a new Apple TV with support for up to 4K video output and HDR, or high dynamic range, which allows for sharper colors and lighting. The current, fourth-generation Apple TV has a maximum 1080p video output, and no support for HDR.

Netflix has embraced 4K, offering its original series in ultra-high-resolution on compatible devices. The high-end iMac models with 4K and 5K Retina displays are currently Apple’s only devices that can properly display 4K content. The latest Apple TV lacks the hardware required for 4K and HDR video output.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 10
Tags: 4K, HDR
Buyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Don’t Buy)
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Possible ‘iPhone 8’ SIM Tool Packaging is Consistent With Rumors of Narrow Bezels and Front Camera Notch

A new picture of an alleged packaging insert for the so-called iPhone 8’s SIM-eject tool has been shared on Chinese microblogging service Sina Weibo. The image was then submitted to leak aggregator Slashleaks today.

The insert includes a generic diagram of what is supposedly the iPhone 8. If legitimate, the smartphone’s design is consistent with rumors, which suggest it’ll be almost entirely screen on the front, beyond narrow, uniform bezels along the edges and a tiny notch for the front camera and sensors.

It’s almost August, when mass production of Apple’s next iPhones would normally be underway, ahead of their usual September launch. However, recent reports suggest the iPhone 8 may be running several weeks behind. Some analysts believe the device may not begin shipping whatsoever until at least October.

Make sure to read our comprehensive iPhone 8 roundup, which is updated regularly with the latest information and rumors about what could be Apple’s most significantly redesigned smartphone ever.

Related Roundup: iPhone 8
Tag: Slashleaks
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TouchArcade iOS Gaming Roundup: Pokemon Go Fest, Strike Team Hydra, The Elder Scrolls: Legends and More

Without question, the biggest thing that happened in iOS gaming this week was the disastrous Pokemon Go Fest that took place in Chicago last Saturday the 22nd. The event was hyped to unbelievable levels in the Pokemon Go community, particularly as exclusive in-game rewards for attending were teased. This led to people from quite literally all over the world flying into Chicago to participate in what was thought to be the premiere Pokemon Go event. Having been to large Pokemon Go meetups where cellular networks were crippled by the people in attendance, I was curious to see how Niantic was going to solve inevitable connectivity problems.

Right around the time the event was set to start, massive server problems and crash bugs hit Pokemon Go. Then, as more people started flowing through the gates, cellular networks were so crippled that it was incredibly difficult to get online to even attempt to connect to the game. Throw in the exquisite misery of an unbelievably hot and humid Chicago summer day, people who paid anywhere between hundreds to thousands of dollars to travel to the event, and a game that straight up doesn’t work, and you were left with crowds eager to boo and heckle any Niantic representative that took the stage.

This eventually resulted in Niantic refunding everyone’s tickets, along with giving all players who came $100 worth of premium in-game currency as well as the legendary Pokemon Lugia. I’ve posted more details on the day over on TouchArcade, and we discussed it on our podcast, if you want to dive even deeper into the Pokemon Go Fest fallout.

In other news, we’re huge fans of both Demon’s Rise as well as its sequel, Demon’s Rise 2. They’re highly strategic turn-based games that don’t reinvent the strategy RPG genre, but instead just execute it really well on touch devices. Another game from the same developer titled Strike Team Hydra is due to launch in mid-August and we’re super-excited for a continuation of gameplay reminiscent of the Demon’s Rise series, but set in a futuristic environment. Strike Team Hydra is definitely a game to keep an eye out for in the future.

Don’t say I never gave you anything. pic.twitter.com/Ud30sW4DeY

— Pocket Mortys (@PocketMortys) July 24, 2017

To coincide with the new season of Rick and Morty premiering this Sunday, Pocket Mortys is continuing to get loads of new season three content. If you haven’t tried the game yet, it’s easily among the best Pokemon-likes on the App Store, except instead of catching Pokemon you’re catching Mortys. It’s free to play, but the monetization scheme is very player friendly. Rick and Morty fans will find loads of in-jokes, and everyone else will just find a really competent lightweight RPG battler.

One thing we’ve kept our eyes on waiting for it to go anywhere is mobile virtual reality. Google Cardboard and Galaxy Gear-like headsets are a good (and low cost) way to get involved in virtual reality, but none of the “mobile” VR headsets out there are really that portable. A Swedish startup aims to solve that problem with the “Moggles,” a pair of VR goggles that compact down into a case that’s significantly more portable than existing solutions. I’m still not sure what the killer app is for mobile VR, but at least the headsets are getting better?

The Elder Scrolls: Legends has finally been updated to be universal, which should greatly grow its playerbase if Hearthstone’s path to success was any indication. Legends is another digital collectable card game, but with a level of complexity that should satisfy hardcore card gamers. For more information, check out our interview with Pete Hines, Bethesda’s VP of PR/Marketing.

Last, but not least, is a huge update for Phoenix II which adds support for the 120 Hz screen of the new iPad Pro. It’s impossible for me to capture in video just how much of a difference this makes when playing the game, but needless to say, if you’ve got a new iPad Pro you need to give this game a shot. It really wouldn’t surprise me if Phoenix II found itself on the demo iPads on the Apple Store, as tons of fast moving objects on the screen at high refresh rates do a great job of showing off the screen.

That’s all of the big stories from this week, but as always, if you’re interested in iOS gaming and want to easily keep your finger on the pulse of the mobile gaming scene, check out TouchArcade. We post this kind of stuff, along with news, reviews, guides, and more all week long.

Tag: TouchArcade gaming roundup
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Wallpapers HD [Backgrounds] by Walldroid (Review)

Wallpapers HD by Walldroid is a typical wallpaper app designed to allow easy access to a variety of different wallpapers. Wallpapers HD has a host of high quality and interesting wallpapers available at no cost–and there seems to be something for everyone. Whether you like nature, sports, technology or cartoons, Wallpapers HD by Walldroid has you covered.

Simple layout practice

The layout is very well designed and allows you to sort by categories such as ‘Abstract’, ‘Cars’, ‘Games’, ‘Animals’, etc. Overall there are 13 different categories to select from the main menu. Any wallpaper can be viewed, liked, shared, saved to your device, or set as your current wallpaper. The options available within Wallpapers HD are easy to find and very easy to utilize.

Pop open the menu to sort by categories, shuffle, share and rate the application–it’s all here!

There are tools within the menu that allow users to rate the app as well as share information about the application over Twitter, Facebook or email. There is also an option to shuffle through all available wallpapers or to view your favorites right from the main menu.

High on quality

Wallpapers HD by Walldroid has one of the best collections of high-quality and visually stunning wallpaper backgrounds I have ever seen. Each photo, rendering, and artistic design is high resolution and visually pleasing. This is some of the “best of the best” as far as wallpapers go. If you have access to a tablet or phone with a high-resolution display, I can easily recommend Wallpapers HD by Walldroid.

One neat option within the main menu is to view only background images designed specifically for ‘Edge’ devices. While this is primarily for Samsung Edge phones (minus the asymmetrical, original Note Edge), these images can also be used on other devices such as the Huawei Mate 9 or Xiaomi Mi Note 2.

Wrapped in Wallpapers

Wallpapers HD by Walldroid is supported by advertisements that are always visible at the bottom of the screen. Thankfully they are not overly intrusive or distracting, especially on smaller screens. I experienced no issues with pop-ups, slow-loading or missing content–which was a major bonus.

If a random stranger was to walk up to me today, asking for a good place to find wallpapers for his or her phone, I would recommend Wallpapers HD (Backgrounds) by Walldroid. It’s an app I’ll definitely keep around for times when I need to switch it up with a new and pretty device background. Download it and try it for yourself.