3 Reasons You Need To Start Using A VPN

In 1995, Clifford Stoll wrote an article for Newsweek that he’s probably very embarrassed about now. Originally titled “The Internet? Bah!”, Stoll boldly asserted that the internet would never catch on. The idea of reading articles online, of digitising books and newspapers, and of convenient telecommunications seemed ridiculous to him.

Just one quote from the now hilarious article reads:

“Yet Nicholas Negroponte, director of the MIT Media Lab, predicts that we’ll soon buy books and newspapers straight over the Internet. Uh, sure.”

Yet there was a certain something to his arguments. He believed the internet would not catch on because of how it would devalue information, and open us up to all kinds of fake news, hoaxes, and risks to our autonomy. While his reasoning was somewhat correct, he did not take into account humanity’s penchant for throwing caution to the wind in favor of technological advancement.

The internet caught on in a big way, without solving all of the problems Stoll brought up. Which is why most people online are unbelievably vulnerable to hackers with just a smidgen of experience.

Today, virtual private networks (VPNs) are getting a lot of attention because of this. And if you’re not convinced you need one, here are 3 reasons to change your mind.

1. Your very identity is at stake

We’re way past the point where our biggest worry was a virus shutting down our computer. We’re even past the point where our concern lay in the loss of written content or the potential for plagiarism. Now, our biggest concern is identity theft.

In old movies, this tended to happen when someone dropped their wallet, and its finder took the opportunity handed to them. They took over the person’s identity with a mixture of luck and slapstick hijinks. In real life, doing the same would prove a lot more difficult.

Now, with all our personal information easily hackable, identity theft is no longer the domain of expert conmen. You’re probably not even aware of how much of your life is online. Did you know your phone keeps records of everywhere you’ve been, what apps you’ve been using, and much much more? If you have an Android device, you can actually access this information and see for yourself!

A VPN makes it much more difficult for hackers to get hold of this data. It’s irresponsible not to use one.

2. We want to live in a free world

I’m not going to get all melodramatic and spout conspiracy theories. However, there is truth to the fact that governments should not be able to surveil us at their whims, even for the sake of our security. After all, the government level security organizations are not run by saints. By tracking us, they’re limiting our freedom to feel like we’re not being watched. And there’s the all-too-real chance that our information can fall into the wrong hands.

Apple actually made a stand for our freedom from surveillance when refusing to create technology to bypass its own security measures, even for investigations into terrorism. A VPN makes surveillance much more difficult, and grants us the level of freedom we deserve.

3. Access to content

Finally, a side point for us, but something very real for people living in other countries. Certain governments limit access to content that goes against their dominion or their values. They won’t allow people to watch YouTube videos that criticise them or promote ideas outside of the culture that they’re imposing. For a guide to unblocking YouTube videos, check out Best Online Reviews.

VPNs allow people to get around this by masking their location, making it seem like they’re in another country. For this reason alone, VPNs are important pieces of software.

The Top Budget-Friendly Things to Do In North Hollywood

Not everyone seems to understand that just because you’re heading to the celebrity capital, it doesn’t mean you’re necessarily made of money. When surrounded by people living luxurious lifestyles, it can be difficult to stick to a budget, but it’s important to remember that North Hollywood is packed full of affordable activities! From haunted houses to art galleries, you can enjoy your time in Hollywood without breaking the bank. Treating yourself while you’re there can be tempting, and while payday lenders are available in the case of an emergency on your once in a lifetime trip, it’s important to try and stick to your budget as much as you can. So, what budget-friendly things can you actually do in NoHo?

Visit Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre

Sure, in London there are plenty of different theatre shows all offering something different, but this particular underground venue beats the London Dungeons anytime. At Zombie Joe’s you can have the fright of your life, as you find your way around a maze with endless scares from disturbing acting scenes. Especially with Halloween coming up, this is the perfect place to go in NoHo in order to get into the spooky spirit. So, if you’re feeling fearless, why not visit this theatre? As long as you’re not bothered about seeing demons at the end of your bed at night… freaky.

Walk Through the California Institute of Abnormalarts

Keeping up with the creepy theme, you’re never likely to feel the same after visiting this location in NoHo. Unassuming from the outside, the CIA (clever, right?) is actually a nightclub with performances from very unusual stars and groups, including freak shows. Delve a little deeper though, and you’ll come across the sideshow museum, full of disturbing art masterpieces. Those who are interested in sideshow culture will really enjoy this trip, as it costs peanuts but provides you with a completely unique experience. Once again, the CIA isn’t for the faint-hearted, so if you’re ready to see things that you can’t un-see, step right up!

Be In Awe at Warner Bros. Studio Tour

For something much more light-hearted, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour will leave you feeling star struck for days. Unless you’re a huge fan of BBC dramas, most of our beloved TV shows originate from the states, with common favourite’s being Gilmore Girls and Pretty Little Liars. Well, what if I told you that you can actually visit the sets of these incredible shows for an extremely budget-friendly price? Traveling to NoHo with family? Not a problem, as this location is perfect for children as well, with a DC Universe Exhibit along with an impressive showcase of the Batmobile, keeping your little superheroes happy. Plus, if you’re confident about stretching your budget a little more, you can purchase a deluxe tour experience for extra exclusives.

Watch The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Chat show TV doesn’t get any better than the Ellen DeGeneres show, as she’s a barrel of laughs and has a giant heart of gold. This incredible experience is completely free of charge as long as you’re lucky enough to be picked for tickets for the show. If you have your trip to NoHo booked well in advance, it’s definitely worth applying for tickets before you fly out, as the process can take quite a while. If you’re lucky enough to be chosen, though, you can enjoy the magic of the Ellen DeGeneres, and if you’re extra lucky, you could even enjoy the show in front row seats!

Reviews of Landline; Girls Trip

Many comedies premiere each year, but not all of them are memorable or even funny in many cases. The year 2017 was a particularly good year for this genre, as seen with such films as the Landline and Girls Trip, two of the funniest and wittiest movies to come out this summer. Using different approaches, they both managed to make us laugh and even feel nostalgic at times.

Directed by Gillian Robespierre, Landline brings together Jenny Slate, who also appeared in Robespierre’s directorial debut Jay Duplass; Edie Falco, who starred in the award-winning series The Sopranos; John Turturro, who recently starred in HBO’s The Night Of and Abby Quinn. Revolving around the personal crises of all these characters, who are intimately related and struggle with conflicts typical of their different ages, Landline is set in the 90s and manages to recreate the atmosphere of that decade with subtle humor, from the fashion and the music to emerging neo-hippie trends. Reflecting on the choices we make in life, the fragile bonds that tie us to others and how we rely on their support and the relations we establish with them to move forward, Landline and its fantastic cast manages to deliver a message that is not as original as the homely — and very honest — way in which it transmits it.

From a different angle and focusing on the relationship between four friends, Girls Trip is a daring comedy starring Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish. Directed by Malcolm D. Lee, who is now preparing his next comedy along with the multifaceted, stand-up comedian Kevin Hart, Girls Trip was a box office success. With a sense of humor that may seem too explicit at times and in the spirit of The Hangover, what sets Girls Trip apart is that this time it is women going on a crazy, adventurous trip. Looking to bring together her best friends from college, who used to call themselves the “Flossy Posse” and have taken different paths over the years, Ryan Pierce (portrayed by Hall) invites everyone to the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. Unsurprisingly, the girls’ holiday takes a wrong turn and a series of unexpected events are triggered. Hilarious at times, and even offensive at others, Girls Trip is equally daring and empowering with feminine characters that are struggling to make a room for themselves in society and who, at the end of the day, understand that with a little self-esteem and the support of those who love them, they can achieve pretty much anything they want.

Using two very different languages but the same code, humor, both Landline and Girls Trip are well-crafted comedies that stick with viewers. An element they share is that the main characters in both films are women, and in an era in which achieving gender equality is at the top of the priorities, it feels right to have witty, funny, strong, smart and daring female characters in movies. As a matter of fact, Girls Trip actually proved Hollywood wrong, considering that being filmed on a tight budget and starring African American women, it made it to the top of the box office; so yeah, it looks like things are finally changing.

Why You Should Read Personal Finance Blogs

Personal finance advice on earning, saving, spending and investing is one of the most sought after services today. While many people are willing to get the best professional financial advice and even pay for it, more are spending time online searching for smart ways they can better manage their finances.

According to offers.creditcard, personal finance blogs have become the go-to solution when it comes to finding helpful information dedicated to money management. There are many financial advice blogs you can visit today. Why are they so special?

Free Education

Free financial tips, guidelines and expert opinions on personal finance matters are just a click away. If you want to gain knowledge on how to get out of debt, manage your money, build wealth or live a more comfortable life, you certainly don’t need to pay for costly financial advice or buy a dozen books to get it right.

Personal finance blogs offer you a wealth of information and knowledge you can easily access anytime you wish. Most of these blogs are owned by financial experts and successful entrepreneurs who are driven by the desire to ensure financial freedom for readers. The key is finding the best one to suit your financial needs and one you can easily connect with.   

Unique Financial Perspectives

Every personal finance blog out there is different. While some are dedicated to specific areas of personal finance and others to broader topics of money management, each one of them brings a unique perspective, vision and personality to the world of personal finance. Of course, there are blogs you will love more than others.

Everyone out there is looking for personal finance information that specifically suits their financial needs. You can easily explore many blogs to find exactly what you want. Remember though, that reading financial blogs alone is not enough when it comes to improving your personal finances.

Learn From Personal Experiences

Blogs bring like-minded people together. Whether you are new to personal finance management, want to improve your lifestyle, need help with saving money or any other type of financial help, personal blogs are where people are asking questions, sharing personal experiences and learning about money every day.

You get to learn from each other’s mistakes and experiences. The blogs not only act as a personal finance management platform for people looking for personal finance advice but also provide a great resource for people to learn, support, teach and encourage each other through interaction and networking.

Blogs Can Make a Huge Difference

Personal finance blogs can make a real difference in your life. One step at a time, these blogs provide valuable information and expert resources that can help you live a more financially stable life. The plethora of information available enables you to learn something new and fill in the gaps in your personal finances.

Financial blogs fill a huge education gap in the personal finance market. While many people wish to get the best financial help, paying for expert services sometimes becomes the very hurdle that stops them from seeking help. Free personal finance blogs offer a reliable solution to many who can’t afford to pay for financial advisors.