This is how VPN services are supporting journalists in Ukraine
The cybersecurity world reacts to the Ukrainian crisis
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Some of thebest VPNproviders are reacting to the Ukrainian crisis by offering free cybersecurity tools to journalists working in the country.
ProtonVPNhas committed todonating 10% of their revenue from new subscriptions- either for its VPN orProtonMailaccounts - to relief efforts in Ukraine. It also pledges support to affected journalists within the country.
In atweet,ExpressVPNreminded its audience of itsPress Roomproject open to journalists, civic society and non-profit organizations seeking safer internet connections.
Other providers are offering more bandwidth data from free plans.TunnelBearhas boosted its network to10GB for users connecting from Ukraine, whileWindscribecalled for journalists to contact the service formore connection datafree of charge.
We’re looking at how our readers use VPNs with different devices so we can improve our content and offer better advice. This survey shouldn’t take more than 60 seconds of your time. Thank you for taking part.
Click here to start the survey in a new window«
Other cybersecurity players are also stepping forward in the name of safe and fair information.
VPN andantivirussoftware providerBitdefenderjoined forces with Romania’s National Cyber Security Directorate (DNSC) toprovide free cybersecurity expertise and technologyto anyone supporting the people of Ukraine and its allies.
Since the conflict started on February 24, US computer security expert Runa Sandvik has also been offering digital safety tools to journalists reporting from Ukraine at no cost.
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
If you’re choosing to stay in Ukraine and report on what’s happening, I’m happy to discuss physical and digital safety with you pro bono. Email me at runa dot sandvik at gmail. 🇺🇦🔐February 24, 2022
Ukraine/Russia cyber-war: Latest developments
Within the cyberspace, Russia has long been an active player.
According to theMicrosoft’s Digital Defense Report published last October,58% of all cyberattacks from nation-states have come from Russia. An increase of 50% from the previous year in actions targeting government intelligence gathering agencies has also been observed. The US, UK and Ukraine were the most affected.
A few days before the first Russian missiles struck on Ukrainian cities, internet watchdogNetBlocksconfirmed the loss of connectivity to Ukraine’s State Savings Bank, Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces networks.
Ukrainian citizens are reacting though, and not just in the streets.
Backed up by Kyiv officials, theIT Army of Ukraineis a community of hackers fighting back the invasion digitally. Through their Telegram channel, the volunteers are distributing targets and tasks. They have already claimed some actions at Moscow Exchange and Russia’s largest lender Sberbank, asForbes reported.
Finally, the famous group of hackersAnonymoushas declared war on the Kremlin. Hacktivists have already attacked Russian propaganda machine, spreading their messages on several media websites and TV channels.
Chiara is a multimedia journalist committed to covering stories to help promote the rights and denounce the abuses of the digital side of life—wherever cybersecurity, markets and politics tangle up.She mainly writes news, interviews and analysis on data privacy, online censorship, digital rights, cybercrime, and security software, with a special focus on VPNs, for TechRadar Pro, TechRadar and Tom’s Guide. Got a story, tip-off or something tech-interesting to say? Reach out to chiara.castro@futurenet.com
Should your VPN always be on?
3 reasons why PIA fell in our best VPN rankings
Anker Nebula Mars 3 review: A powerful and truly portable projector
