<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" media="screen" href="/~d/styles/rss2full.xsl"?><?xml-stylesheet type="text/css" media="screen" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~d/styles/itemcontent.css"?><rss xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#" xmlns:feedburner="http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0" version="2.0">

<channel>
	<title>ZeroPaid.com</title>
	
	<link>http://www.zeropaid.com</link>
	<description />
	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:13:55 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1</generator>
<xhtml:meta xmlns:xhtml="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" name="robots" content="noindex" />
		<atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/zeropaid" /><feedburner:info uri="zeropaid" /><atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="hub" href="http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/" /><geo:lat>32.791246</geo:lat><geo:long>-117.243437</geo:long><feedburner:emailServiceId>zeropaid</feedburner:emailServiceId><feedburner:feedburnerHostname>http://feedburner.google.com</feedburner:feedburnerHostname><feedburner:feedFlare href="http://add.my.yahoo.com/rss?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2Fzeropaid" src="http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/my/addtomyyahoo4.gif">Subscribe with My Yahoo!</feedburner:feedFlare><feedburner:feedFlare href="http://www.newsgator.com/ngs/subscriber/subext.aspx?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2Fzeropaid" src="http://www.newsgator.com/images/ngsub1.gif">Subscribe with NewsGator</feedburner:feedFlare><feedburner:feedFlare href="http://feeds.my.aol.com/add.jsp?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2Fzeropaid" src="http://o.aolcdn.com/favorites.my.aol.com/webmaster/ffclient/webroot/locale/en-US/images/myAOLButtonSmall.gif">Subscribe with My AOL</feedburner:feedFlare><feedburner:feedFlare href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://feeds.feedburner.com/zeropaid" src="http://www.bloglines.com/images/sub_modern11.gif">Subscribe with Bloglines</feedburner:feedFlare><feedburner:feedFlare href="http://www.netvibes.com/subscribe.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2Fzeropaid" src="http://www.netvibes.com/img/add2netvibes.gif">Subscribe with Netvibes</feedburner:feedFlare><feedburner:feedFlare href="http://fusion.google.com/add?feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2Fzeropaid" src="http://buttons.googlesyndication.com/fusion/add.gif">Subscribe with Google</feedburner:feedFlare><feedburner:feedFlare href="http://www.pageflakes.com/subscribe.aspx?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2Fzeropaid" src="http://www.pageflakes.com/ImageFile.ashx?instanceId=Static_4&amp;fileName=ATP_blu_91x17.gif">Subscribe with Pageflakes</feedburner:feedFlare><feedburner:feedFlare href="http://www.plusmo.com/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2Fzeropaid" src="http://plusmo.com/res/graphics/fbplusmo.gif">Subscribe with Plusmo</feedburner:feedFlare><item>
		<title>Tribler: BitTorrent Client that Doesn’t Need Tracker Sites, Can’t Be Shut Down</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/zeropaid/~3/Wr3ix4E8jZk/</link>
		<comments>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98825/tribler-bittorrent-client-that-doesnt-need-tracker-sites-cant-be-shut-down/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:13:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jared Moya</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Apps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bittorrent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tribler]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.zeropaid.com/?p=98825</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="141" height="200" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Tribler_logo-141x200.png" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="Tribler_logo" title="Tribler_logo" /></p><h3>Tribler is, as the developers claim, "designed to keep <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/software/file-sharing/bittorrent/">BitTorrent</a> alive, even when all torrent search engines, indexes and trackers are pulled offline," and can only be shut down if you "take down the Internet" itself.</h3>
These days an air of uncertainty blankets the P2P world as torrent tracker sites like BTJunkie and others have decided to voluntarily close their doors in the wake of the MegaUpload raid by US authorities.

Sure a majority of remaining sites are safe, at least those in countries that smartly recognize the fact that torrent tracker sites don't actually host any copyrighted material, but the question is for how long? Tribler is likely the answer.

Though not new to the scene, it's been around for more than five years, reserachers at Delft University of Technology have been picking up the pace to make it a virtually bulletproof form of P2P data sharing. I first <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/6182/tribler_new_dutch_p2p_network/">covered</a> its creation back in 2006, and the researchers have been working tirelessly to perfect it ever since.

“Our key scientific quest is facilitating unbounded information sharing,” Dr. Johan Pouwelse told <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/tribler-makes-bittorrent-impossible-to-shut-down-120208/">TorrentFreak</a> in a recent interview. “We simply don’t like unreliable servers. With Tribler we have achieved zero-seconds downtime over the past six years, all because we don’t rely on shaky foundations such as DNS, web servers or search portals.”

And that's the key to fighting back against legislation like <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/tag/sopa/">SOPA</a>, <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/93426/govt-plans-to-expand-internet-censorship-powers/">PIPA</a>, and even the <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/9511/us_proposes_pirate_bay_killer_trade_agreement/">ACTA</a>: Tribler doesn't need torrent tracker sites. Downloading data is done independent of a centralized server. Tribler users enter a query into the built-in search engine, and it returns a list of results from other connected peers.

<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98825/tribler-bittorrent-client-that-doesnt-need-tracker-sites-cant-be-shut-down/tribler-3/" rel="attachment wp-att-98829"><img class="alignnone  wp-image-98829" title="tribler 3" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/tribler-3.png" alt="" width="560" height="379" /></a>

To weed out spam and fake files propagated by anti-P2P groups users can create "channels" of verified content that other users can "like." The more "likes" a channel garners the further it rises in popularity.

<img class="alignnone  wp-image-98827" title="tribler 1" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/tribler-1.png" alt="" width="560" height="379" />

<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98825/tribler-bittorrent-client-that-doesnt-need-tracker-sites-cant-be-shut-down/tribler-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-98828"><img class="alignnone  wp-image-98828" title="tribler 2" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/tribler-2.png" alt="" width="560" height="379" /></a>

When it comes to vulnerability to outside forces, govts and international entertainment conglomerates in particular, Dr. Pouweise says that "The only way to take it down is to take The Internet down."

How's that for one hell of a game of whac-a-mole?

It just goes to show that no matter what groups like the MPAA and RIAA try to do fight P2P in the end technology ALWAYS wins. It's not the most popular BitTorrent client, and as result content selection is somewhat lacking, but that could all well change in the near future if legislation like SOPA, PIPA, and ACTA come to fruition.

Tribler runs on <a href="http://dl.tribler.org/Tribler_5.5.10.exe">Windows</a>, <a href="http://dl.tribler.org/Tribler_5.5.10-i386.dmg">Mac</a>, and <a href="http://dl.tribler.org/tribler_5.5.10-1ubuntu1_all.deb">Linux</a> so nobody will feel left out.

Stay tuned.

<em>jared@zeropaid.com | @jaredmoya</em>

&nbsp;
<h3><a href="http://dl.tribler.org/">&gt;&gt; Download Tribler</a></h3>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img width="141" height="200" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Tribler_logo-141x200.png" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="Tribler_logo" title="Tribler_logo" /></p><h3>Tribler is, as the developers claim, "designed to keep <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/software/file-sharing/bittorrent/">BitTorrent</a> alive, even when all torrent search engines, indexes and trackers are pulled offline," and can only be shut down if you "take down the Internet" itself.</h3>
These days an air of uncertainty blankets the P2P world as torrent tracker sites like BTJunkie and others have decided to voluntarily close their doors in the wake of the MegaUpload raid by US authorities.

Sure a majority of remaining sites are safe, at least those in countries that smartly recognize the fact that torrent tracker sites don't actually host any copyrighted material, but the question is for how long? Tribler is likely the answer.

Though not new to the scene, it's been around for more than five years, reserachers at Delft University of Technology have been picking up the pace to make it a virtually bulletproof form of P2P data sharing. I first <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/6182/tribler_new_dutch_p2p_network/">covered</a> its creation back in 2006, and the researchers have been working tirelessly to perfect it ever since.

“Our key scientific quest is facilitating unbounded information sharing,” Dr. Johan Pouwelse told <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/tribler-makes-bittorrent-impossible-to-shut-down-120208/">TorrentFreak</a> in a recent interview. “We simply don’t like unreliable servers. With Tribler we have achieved zero-seconds downtime over the past six years, all because we don’t rely on shaky foundations such as DNS, web servers or search portals.”

And that's the key to fighting back against legislation like <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/tag/sopa/">SOPA</a>, <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/93426/govt-plans-to-expand-internet-censorship-powers/">PIPA</a>, and even the <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/9511/us_proposes_pirate_bay_killer_trade_agreement/">ACTA</a>: Tribler doesn't need torrent tracker sites. Downloading data is done independent of a centralized server. Tribler users enter a query into the built-in search engine, and it returns a list of results from other connected peers.

<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98825/tribler-bittorrent-client-that-doesnt-need-tracker-sites-cant-be-shut-down/tribler-3/" rel="attachment wp-att-98829"><img class="alignnone  wp-image-98829" title="tribler 3" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/tribler-3.png" alt="" width="560" height="379" /></a>

To weed out spam and fake files propagated by anti-P2P groups users can create "channels" of verified content that other users can "like." The more "likes" a channel garners the further it rises in popularity.

<img class="alignnone  wp-image-98827" title="tribler 1" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/tribler-1.png" alt="" width="560" height="379" />

<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98825/tribler-bittorrent-client-that-doesnt-need-tracker-sites-cant-be-shut-down/tribler-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-98828"><img class="alignnone  wp-image-98828" title="tribler 2" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/tribler-2.png" alt="" width="560" height="379" /></a>

When it comes to vulnerability to outside forces, govts and international entertainment conglomerates in particular, Dr. Pouweise says that "The only way to take it down is to take The Internet down."

How's that for one hell of a game of whac-a-mole?

It just goes to show that no matter what groups like the MPAA and RIAA try to do fight P2P in the end technology ALWAYS wins. It's not the most popular BitTorrent client, and as result content selection is somewhat lacking, but that could all well change in the near future if legislation like SOPA, PIPA, and ACTA come to fruition.

Tribler runs on <a href="http://dl.tribler.org/Tribler_5.5.10.exe">Windows</a>, <a href="http://dl.tribler.org/Tribler_5.5.10-i386.dmg">Mac</a>, and <a href="http://dl.tribler.org/tribler_5.5.10-1ubuntu1_all.deb">Linux</a> so nobody will feel left out.

Stay tuned.

<em>jared@zeropaid.com | @jaredmoya</em>

&nbsp;
<h3><a href="http://dl.tribler.org/">&gt;&gt; Download Tribler</a></h3>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98825/tribler-bittorrent-client-that-doesnt-need-tracker-sites-cant-be-shut-down/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98825/tribler-bittorrent-client-that-doesnt-need-tracker-sites-cant-be-shut-down/</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>iSnooze Uses iTunes to Turn Your PC Into an Alarm Clock</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/zeropaid/~3/Tz4xKgkvGsM/</link>
		<comments>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98801/isnooze-use-itunes-to-turn-your-pc-into-an-alarm-clock/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:01:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jared Moya</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Apps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[alarm clock]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[isnooze]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[itunes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[windows]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.zeropaid.com/?p=98801</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="157" height="200" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/images3-157x200.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="images" title="images" /></p><h3>Program lets you schedule times for iTunes to wake you from your slumber, complete with spacebar-activated snooze function.</h3>
The worst thing about an alarm aclock, aside from the fact that it heralds the start of each work day with unabashed indifference, is that there's usually no way to customize what music wakes you from your slumber. Some are at the mercy of a computerized terrestrial radio DJ, and the more sadistic (or lazy) opt for the default pings of the ubiquitous buzzer we've all come to know and hate.

But there is an app for that - a PC app anyways. <a href="http://ita.progoth.com/">ISnooze</a> (<a href="http://ita.progoth.com/files/SetupiSnooze-1.3.3.exe">direct download link</a>) is a tiny program for Windows that runs quietly in your system tray and allows you to schedule times for iTunes to wake you up, complete with a spacebar-activated snooze feature.

<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98801/isnooze-use-itunes-to-turn-your-pc-into-an-alarm-clock/isnooze/" rel="attachment wp-att-98802"><img class=" wp-image-98802 alignright" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" title="isnooze" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/isnooze.png" alt="" width="233" height="340" /></a>

Features:
<ul>
	<li>Spacebar activated snooze, and configurable snooze time.</li>
	<li>Gradual volume increasing.</li>
	<li>Multiple alarm schedules.</li>
	<li>Playlist selection.</li>
	<li>Temporary pausing when you reach your computer to give you time to shut it off.</li>
</ul>
Instead of being held hostage to the playlist of some distant radio conglomerate you can wake up to the soothing (or body-thumping) beats of your favorite playlist, artist, album, or podcast; on the weekends you can wake up to your favorite movie or TV show if you want.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-98804" title="isnooze 3" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/isnooze-3.png" alt="" width="265" height="176" />

<img class="wp-image-98803 alignright" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" title="isnooze 2" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/isnooze-2.png" alt="" width="233" height="340" />When it comes to podcasts you can check out <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=213114953">Dark Ambient</a> [iTunes link] and <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=279595523">White Noise Lounge</a> [iTunes link] that provide soothing soundscapes for you to download. There's also several to be found <a href="http://www.melatonin.com/sound_samples.php">HERE</a>.

Want to create a truly custom nature soundtrack of whatever length you want? Then go to <a href="http://naturesoundsfor.me/">Naturesoundsfor.me</a>. It allows you to mix four different sounds (birds, waterfalls, creek, ocean, snowstorm, thunder, animals, drums, and more) and export to a .MP3 file. The more daring might opt for the sound of Darth Vader (yes, Darth Vader!).

Here's one I <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/naturesounds.mp3">made</a>.

So the next time you wake up wanting to kill your alarm clock, perhaps iSnooze is just what the doctor ordered.

Stay tuned.

<em>jared@zeropaid.com | @jaredmoya</em>

&nbsp;
<h3>&gt;&gt; <a href="http://ita.progoth.com/files/SetupiSnooze-1.3.3.exe">Download iSnooze 1.3.3 (Direct Link)</a></h3>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img width="157" height="200" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/images3-157x200.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="images" title="images" /></p><h3>Program lets you schedule times for iTunes to wake you from your slumber, complete with spacebar-activated snooze function.</h3>
The worst thing about an alarm aclock, aside from the fact that it heralds the start of each work day with unabashed indifference, is that there's usually no way to customize what music wakes you from your slumber. Some are at the mercy of a computerized terrestrial radio DJ, and the more sadistic (or lazy) opt for the default pings of the ubiquitous buzzer we've all come to know and hate.

But there is an app for that - a PC app anyways. <a href="http://ita.progoth.com/">ISnooze</a> (<a href="http://ita.progoth.com/files/SetupiSnooze-1.3.3.exe">direct download link</a>) is a tiny program for Windows that runs quietly in your system tray and allows you to schedule times for iTunes to wake you up, complete with a spacebar-activated snooze feature.

<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98801/isnooze-use-itunes-to-turn-your-pc-into-an-alarm-clock/isnooze/" rel="attachment wp-att-98802"><img class=" wp-image-98802 alignright" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" title="isnooze" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/isnooze.png" alt="" width="233" height="340" /></a>

Features:
<ul>
	<li>Spacebar activated snooze, and configurable snooze time.</li>
	<li>Gradual volume increasing.</li>
	<li>Multiple alarm schedules.</li>
	<li>Playlist selection.</li>
	<li>Temporary pausing when you reach your computer to give you time to shut it off.</li>
</ul>
Instead of being held hostage to the playlist of some distant radio conglomerate you can wake up to the soothing (or body-thumping) beats of your favorite playlist, artist, album, or podcast; on the weekends you can wake up to your favorite movie or TV show if you want.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-98804" title="isnooze 3" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/isnooze-3.png" alt="" width="265" height="176" />

<img class="wp-image-98803 alignright" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" title="isnooze 2" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/isnooze-2.png" alt="" width="233" height="340" />When it comes to podcasts you can check out <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=213114953">Dark Ambient</a> [iTunes link] and <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=279595523">White Noise Lounge</a> [iTunes link] that provide soothing soundscapes for you to download. There's also several to be found <a href="http://www.melatonin.com/sound_samples.php">HERE</a>.

Want to create a truly custom nature soundtrack of whatever length you want? Then go to <a href="http://naturesoundsfor.me/">Naturesoundsfor.me</a>. It allows you to mix four different sounds (birds, waterfalls, creek, ocean, snowstorm, thunder, animals, drums, and more) and export to a .MP3 file. The more daring might opt for the sound of Darth Vader (yes, Darth Vader!).

Here's one I <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/naturesounds.mp3">made</a>.

So the next time you wake up wanting to kill your alarm clock, perhaps iSnooze is just what the doctor ordered.

Stay tuned.

<em>jared@zeropaid.com | @jaredmoya</em>

&nbsp;
<h3>&gt;&gt; <a href="http://ita.progoth.com/files/SetupiSnooze-1.3.3.exe">Download iSnooze 1.3.3 (Direct Link)</a></h3>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98801/isnooze-use-itunes-to-turn-your-pc-into-an-alarm-clock/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
<enclosure url="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/naturesounds.mp3" length="1543011" type="audio/mpeg" />
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98801/isnooze-use-itunes-to-turn-your-pc-into-an-alarm-clock/</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>PSA: The Computer Maintenance Department Scam Calls</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/zeropaid/~3/5rrJXmi8V14/</link>
		<comments>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98757/psa-the-computer-maintenance-department-scam-calls/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:49:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Drew Wilson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[britain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[canada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[do-not-call]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[do-not-call registry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fraud]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[phone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[scam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[telemarketers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[uk]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[windows]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.zeropaid.com/?p=98757</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="200" height="150" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Phone-Scam_crop.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="Phone Scam_crop" title="Phone Scam_crop" /></p><h3>Have you been getting those calls from people working in a call center from what sounds like India?  You know, those people who claim to be from either the "Computer Maintenance Department" or the "Windows Technical Team" who then instruct you to go to your computer?  Tell the select minority of people who would fall for it that these calls are a scam.  We here at ZeroPaid did some digging about these calls in a public service effort.</h3>

I consider myself to be reasonably savvy when it comes to telemarketers.  Whenever they come calling trying to sell me something, I ask them to put me on a do-not-call list.  Asking to be put on a do-not-call list is substantially better than simply hanging up on a telemarketer because merely hanging up is technically an invitation to call back later.  Most telemarketers have a system in place because it's the law and it's generally good practice.

After asking numerous telemarketers to be put on a do-not-call list myself, it seems I have narrowed down the number of telemarketers down to a very select few.  Those were the automated calls that ask you to press a number to claim a prize (never do this unless you want to be charged an unknown amount of money), the occasional survey calls and one particularly annoying computer related call.

The computer related one comes at around twice a month.  The telemarketer in question tells me that he is calling in regards to my computer.  After that, he typically instructs me to go to my computer.  This is where I get my chance to stop him in his tracks.  It took a few attempts, with different marketers, but I managed to obtain two different names from them.  They claim to be either from the "Computer Maintenance Department" or the "Windows Technical Team".  This alone should be enough to set internal alarms off that this is not a legitimate call.

Every time, these people would also tell me that my computer could be infected with harmful viruses and that they are calling to fix the problem.  Usually, by this time, I tell them that I want to be put on a do-not-call list.  Every time I've requested this, the telemarketer hangs up only to call back weeks later.  To me, if these telemarketers are not even operating a do-not-call list, then that's a big warning sign that this is not legitimate.

So, armed with who this is, I proceed to exercise my Google-fu to see what these people are all about.  Turns out, this scam has been around for years.  A user known as lowlanda on a Whirlpool forum posted in 2010 that a similar call <a href=http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1440102 target=_blank>was received</a> asking to run some form of uncomprehendable command.  In a British forum, there was a similar discussion also in 2010 <a href=http://forums.v3.co.uk/showthread.php?t=199754&page=3 target=_blank>about this kind of scam</a>.  Apparently, one user reported being asked to download a logmein program and was asked to pay £55 to keep Windows activated after obtaining personal information.  Similar stories can be found on <a href=http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/0290372483 target=_blank>whocallsme</a> as well.

It turns out, this scam was so bad in the UK, police <a href=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/jul/19/police-crackdown-phone-scam-computer target=_blank>raided several websites associated with this scam</a>.  From the Guardian:

<blockquote>The Metropolitan police e-crime unit acted in April to take such sites down. Among those shut was supportonclick.com, registered to Pecon Software, a firm based in Kolkata. The company has now opened another support website, called onlinepccare.com, which is the subject of numerous online complaints about cold calling, "bullying", and claims that the caller is from Windows PC care.</blockquote>

One person recorded his adventure with this kind of scam and posted it to YouTube:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ab22fgjoC4E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

There's plenty more information about this scam on <a href=http://www.digitaltoast.co.uk/supportonclick-systemrecure-scam target=_blank>digitaltoast</a>.  While the post dates clear back to 2009, the comments section points out that this scam is still going on to this day.

<h3>Microsoft's Comment</h3>

Interested that these scammers say that they are from Microsoft, we actually contacted Microsoft about this.  We asked what to look for when it comes to figuring out whether or not the phone call is indeed from Microsoft or not.  A Microsoft spokesperson said, "Our advice is simple; treat callers as you would treat strangers in the street – do not disclose personal or sensitive information to anyone you do not know."

"Unfortunately this is not the first scam of its kind," the Microsoft spokesperson told ZeroPaid, "and it’s unlikely to be the last. The best way to avoid becoming a victim is by being aware of the threat. Consumers should also ensure the copy of Windows they are running is genuine and fully up to date, while ensuring they have installed legitimate software will guard against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.”

<h3>CRTC's Response and Information on Reporting This Scam</h3>

With an official statement from Microsoft saying that this is a scam, ZeroPaid decided to contact the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) to ask what options consumers have in terms of reporting such fraudulent phone calls; specifically, what can people do to issue a complaint about this kind of phone scam given that this scam is not compliant with the do-not-call registry.

"First," the CRTC told ZeroPaid, "this is a scammer calling you, not a telemarketer.  For scams/fraud, I would recommend contacting the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre (Phonebusters)."

The CRTC forwarded us some links about reporting this scam and how this scam has really taken off in Canada in recent months.  One link was to <a href=http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ottawa/pr-cp/20110929-eng.htm target=_blank>a press release by the RCMP</a> detailing the scam:

<blockquote>OTTAWA - September 29, 2011 - The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and their partners at the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre (CAFC) are warning that if someone calls you claiming to be able to protect your computer from viruses, your best bet is to just hang up the phone. Don’t give the caller your computer access codes and don’t provide your credit card information.

The virus scam has grown to epidemic proportions in Canada, now accounting for between 70 and 80 per cent of frauds reported daily to the CAFC. “We began noticing virus scam calls in March 2010. Since then, they’ve become an increasing proportion of our calls. Now, they’re the scam we deal with most often,” said RCMP Sgt. Paul Proulx of the CAFC.

This dramatic increase means the scam is working – more and more Canadians are being targeted by the virus scam. Proulx warns, "If a scammer is able to log on to your computer then he has access to all the personal information you have stored there, including your banking information.”

Here’s a typical scenario: a caller, often claiming to work for Microsoft or another reputable software company, will cold-call you and ask if your computer is running slowly or not working as it should. He will then offer to repair your computer via internet access, which can involve either software installation or the caller gaining remote control of your computer after you’ve granted him access. Payment for the software or the repair service is handled via your credit card with charges typically ranging from $35 to $470 per call.

Allowing a third party to download software or remotely access your computer carries a number of serious risks. Malicious software can be installed to capture sensitive data such as your online banking user names and passwords, bank account information and your personal identity information. All of this information can be used in subsequent frauds that empty your bank accounts and charge your credit cards. Your computer can also be converted to a bot-net, which means criminals can use it without your knowledge or participation. It can then be used to spam other people, spread viruses to your friends or overload computer networks. Getting your credit card information is the second important part of the virus scam. Once a criminal has that information it can be used to make purchases without your consent.

Canadians should be aware that not all virus scams are conducted over the phone. Many CAFC callers report being scammed after responding to internet pop-up ads for anti-virus software.

Sgt. Proulx offers this simple advice: “If you’re really worried about viruses on your computer, be pro-active and use anti-virus software that you've acquired from reputable sources and keep it up to date. If someone calls you out of the blue offering to provide this kind of help, it’s probably a scam. Remember, it's not rude to hang up on someone who's trying to steal your money and information.”

"When it comes to cyber security, we all have a role to play," said Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. "Canada's Cyber Security Strategy is the Government's plan to help secure Canada's vital cyber systems and help Canadians protect themselves, their families and their personal information online."

Please visit the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre’s new website for the latest on emerging fraud trends, advice on protecting yourself and victim’s guides that will help you recover from fraud loss: www.antifraudcentre.ca. For more information on the Government of Canada's Cyber Security Strategy: www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cyber

Fraud: Recognize It, Report It, Stop It. </blockquote>

A second link the CRTC sent us was <a href=http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams-fraudes/rep-sig-eng.htm target=_blank>to a page detailing how you can report a scam call</a>:

<blockquote>If you have not lost any money and have not provided personal or financial information (relating to a fraud or scam), and you simply want to inform the appropriate organizations, report it to the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501

If you received a fraudulent e-mail soliciting personal or financial information (phishing scam), you should also advise the financial institution or other agency whose name was used.

If you are a victim of fraud or if you unwittingly provided personal or financial information (identity fraud), follow the steps in our Victim Assistance Guide.

If you are a victim of fraud and it is not related to identity fraud, contact the police service of jurisdiction in your area.

Always report fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at info@antifraudcentre.ca  or by dialing 1-888-495-8501 or on-line by visiting the CAFC website.</blockquote>

The third link the CRTC sent us was to the <a href=http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/ target=_blank>Canadian Anti-Fraud Center</a> which contains a lot of information about how you can report scams over the phone and about recent phone scams which includes this particular one.

"If, however," the CRTC told ZeroPaid, "a legitimate telemarketer calls you and breaks the DNCL rules – you can make a complaint either online or by phone.  To file a complaint you need:

   1. Your phone number (where the call was received)
   2. The name or phone number of the telemarketer
   3. The date you received the call

To make a complaint online go to:

<a href=https://www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca/>lnnte-dncl.gc.ca</a>"

Note that the phone scam discussed is <em>not</em> a legitimate telemarketer, so if you get the computer viruses phone scam, this is best directed at the Canadian Anti-fraud Center and the RCMP.

We here at ZeroPaid hope that this is valuable and informative information on this scam and how you can report it.  Feel free to also discuss this scam or other phone scams in the comment section below.  Note that the above information on reporting this scam is directed at Canadians.  If you do not live in Canada or the UK and receive these calls, please feel free to let us know in the comments section below as we are only aware of this scam being active in the UK and in Canada.

Have a tip?  Want to contact the author?  You can do so by sending a PM via the <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/bbs/" target="_blank">forums</a> or via e-mail at <em>drew@zeropaid.com</em>.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img width="200" height="150" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Phone-Scam_crop.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="Phone Scam_crop" title="Phone Scam_crop" /></p><h3>Have you been getting those calls from people working in a call center from what sounds like India?  You know, those people who claim to be from either the "Computer Maintenance Department" or the "Windows Technical Team" who then instruct you to go to your computer?  Tell the select minority of people who would fall for it that these calls are a scam.  We here at ZeroPaid did some digging about these calls in a public service effort.</h3>

I consider myself to be reasonably savvy when it comes to telemarketers.  Whenever they come calling trying to sell me something, I ask them to put me on a do-not-call list.  Asking to be put on a do-not-call list is substantially better than simply hanging up on a telemarketer because merely hanging up is technically an invitation to call back later.  Most telemarketers have a system in place because it's the law and it's generally good practice.

After asking numerous telemarketers to be put on a do-not-call list myself, it seems I have narrowed down the number of telemarketers down to a very select few.  Those were the automated calls that ask you to press a number to claim a prize (never do this unless you want to be charged an unknown amount of money), the occasional survey calls and one particularly annoying computer related call.

The computer related one comes at around twice a month.  The telemarketer in question tells me that he is calling in regards to my computer.  After that, he typically instructs me to go to my computer.  This is where I get my chance to stop him in his tracks.  It took a few attempts, with different marketers, but I managed to obtain two different names from them.  They claim to be either from the "Computer Maintenance Department" or the "Windows Technical Team".  This alone should be enough to set internal alarms off that this is not a legitimate call.

Every time, these people would also tell me that my computer could be infected with harmful viruses and that they are calling to fix the problem.  Usually, by this time, I tell them that I want to be put on a do-not-call list.  Every time I've requested this, the telemarketer hangs up only to call back weeks later.  To me, if these telemarketers are not even operating a do-not-call list, then that's a big warning sign that this is not legitimate.

So, armed with who this is, I proceed to exercise my Google-fu to see what these people are all about.  Turns out, this scam has been around for years.  A user known as lowlanda on a Whirlpool forum posted in 2010 that a similar call <a href=http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1440102 target=_blank>was received</a> asking to run some form of uncomprehendable command.  In a British forum, there was a similar discussion also in 2010 <a href=http://forums.v3.co.uk/showthread.php?t=199754&page=3 target=_blank>about this kind of scam</a>.  Apparently, one user reported being asked to download a logmein program and was asked to pay £55 to keep Windows activated after obtaining personal information.  Similar stories can be found on <a href=http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/0290372483 target=_blank>whocallsme</a> as well.

It turns out, this scam was so bad in the UK, police <a href=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/jul/19/police-crackdown-phone-scam-computer target=_blank>raided several websites associated with this scam</a>.  From the Guardian:

<blockquote>The Metropolitan police e-crime unit acted in April to take such sites down. Among those shut was supportonclick.com, registered to Pecon Software, a firm based in Kolkata. The company has now opened another support website, called onlinepccare.com, which is the subject of numerous online complaints about cold calling, "bullying", and claims that the caller is from Windows PC care.</blockquote>

One person recorded his adventure with this kind of scam and posted it to YouTube:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ab22fgjoC4E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

There's plenty more information about this scam on <a href=http://www.digitaltoast.co.uk/supportonclick-systemrecure-scam target=_blank>digitaltoast</a>.  While the post dates clear back to 2009, the comments section points out that this scam is still going on to this day.

<h3>Microsoft's Comment</h3>

Interested that these scammers say that they are from Microsoft, we actually contacted Microsoft about this.  We asked what to look for when it comes to figuring out whether or not the phone call is indeed from Microsoft or not.  A Microsoft spokesperson said, "Our advice is simple; treat callers as you would treat strangers in the street – do not disclose personal or sensitive information to anyone you do not know."

"Unfortunately this is not the first scam of its kind," the Microsoft spokesperson told ZeroPaid, "and it’s unlikely to be the last. The best way to avoid becoming a victim is by being aware of the threat. Consumers should also ensure the copy of Windows they are running is genuine and fully up to date, while ensuring they have installed legitimate software will guard against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.”

<h3>CRTC's Response and Information on Reporting This Scam</h3>

With an official statement from Microsoft saying that this is a scam, ZeroPaid decided to contact the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) to ask what options consumers have in terms of reporting such fraudulent phone calls; specifically, what can people do to issue a complaint about this kind of phone scam given that this scam is not compliant with the do-not-call registry.

"First," the CRTC told ZeroPaid, "this is a scammer calling you, not a telemarketer.  For scams/fraud, I would recommend contacting the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre (Phonebusters)."

The CRTC forwarded us some links about reporting this scam and how this scam has really taken off in Canada in recent months.  One link was to <a href=http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ottawa/pr-cp/20110929-eng.htm target=_blank>a press release by the RCMP</a> detailing the scam:

<blockquote>OTTAWA - September 29, 2011 - The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and their partners at the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre (CAFC) are warning that if someone calls you claiming to be able to protect your computer from viruses, your best bet is to just hang up the phone. Don’t give the caller your computer access codes and don’t provide your credit card information.

The virus scam has grown to epidemic proportions in Canada, now accounting for between 70 and 80 per cent of frauds reported daily to the CAFC. “We began noticing virus scam calls in March 2010. Since then, they’ve become an increasing proportion of our calls. Now, they’re the scam we deal with most often,” said RCMP Sgt. Paul Proulx of the CAFC.

This dramatic increase means the scam is working – more and more Canadians are being targeted by the virus scam. Proulx warns, "If a scammer is able to log on to your computer then he has access to all the personal information you have stored there, including your banking information.”

Here’s a typical scenario: a caller, often claiming to work for Microsoft or another reputable software company, will cold-call you and ask if your computer is running slowly or not working as it should. He will then offer to repair your computer via internet access, which can involve either software installation or the caller gaining remote control of your computer after you’ve granted him access. Payment for the software or the repair service is handled via your credit card with charges typically ranging from $35 to $470 per call.

Allowing a third party to download software or remotely access your computer carries a number of serious risks. Malicious software can be installed to capture sensitive data such as your online banking user names and passwords, bank account information and your personal identity information. All of this information can be used in subsequent frauds that empty your bank accounts and charge your credit cards. Your computer can also be converted to a bot-net, which means criminals can use it without your knowledge or participation. It can then be used to spam other people, spread viruses to your friends or overload computer networks. Getting your credit card information is the second important part of the virus scam. Once a criminal has that information it can be used to make purchases without your consent.

Canadians should be aware that not all virus scams are conducted over the phone. Many CAFC callers report being scammed after responding to internet pop-up ads for anti-virus software.

Sgt. Proulx offers this simple advice: “If you’re really worried about viruses on your computer, be pro-active and use anti-virus software that you've acquired from reputable sources and keep it up to date. If someone calls you out of the blue offering to provide this kind of help, it’s probably a scam. Remember, it's not rude to hang up on someone who's trying to steal your money and information.”

"When it comes to cyber security, we all have a role to play," said Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. "Canada's Cyber Security Strategy is the Government's plan to help secure Canada's vital cyber systems and help Canadians protect themselves, their families and their personal information online."

Please visit the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre’s new website for the latest on emerging fraud trends, advice on protecting yourself and victim’s guides that will help you recover from fraud loss: www.antifraudcentre.ca. For more information on the Government of Canada's Cyber Security Strategy: www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cyber

Fraud: Recognize It, Report It, Stop It. </blockquote>

A second link the CRTC sent us was <a href=http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams-fraudes/rep-sig-eng.htm target=_blank>to a page detailing how you can report a scam call</a>:

<blockquote>If you have not lost any money and have not provided personal or financial information (relating to a fraud or scam), and you simply want to inform the appropriate organizations, report it to the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501

If you received a fraudulent e-mail soliciting personal or financial information (phishing scam), you should also advise the financial institution or other agency whose name was used.

If you are a victim of fraud or if you unwittingly provided personal or financial information (identity fraud), follow the steps in our Victim Assistance Guide.

If you are a victim of fraud and it is not related to identity fraud, contact the police service of jurisdiction in your area.

Always report fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at info@antifraudcentre.ca  or by dialing 1-888-495-8501 or on-line by visiting the CAFC website.</blockquote>

The third link the CRTC sent us was to the <a href=http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/ target=_blank>Canadian Anti-Fraud Center</a> which contains a lot of information about how you can report scams over the phone and about recent phone scams which includes this particular one.

"If, however," the CRTC told ZeroPaid, "a legitimate telemarketer calls you and breaks the DNCL rules – you can make a complaint either online or by phone.  To file a complaint you need:

   1. Your phone number (where the call was received)
   2. The name or phone number of the telemarketer
   3. The date you received the call

To make a complaint online go to:

<a href=https://www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca/>lnnte-dncl.gc.ca</a>"

Note that the phone scam discussed is <em>not</em> a legitimate telemarketer, so if you get the computer viruses phone scam, this is best directed at the Canadian Anti-fraud Center and the RCMP.

We here at ZeroPaid hope that this is valuable and informative information on this scam and how you can report it.  Feel free to also discuss this scam or other phone scams in the comment section below.  Note that the above information on reporting this scam is directed at Canadians.  If you do not live in Canada or the UK and receive these calls, please feel free to let us know in the comments section below as we are only aware of this scam being active in the UK and in Canada.

Have a tip?  Want to contact the author?  You can do so by sending a PM via the <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/bbs/" target="_blank">forums</a> or via e-mail at <em>drew@zeropaid.com</em>.]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98757/psa-the-computer-maintenance-department-scam-calls/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98757/psa-the-computer-maintenance-department-scam-calls/</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>How to Master Email Encryption</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/zeropaid/~3/KHMrL-Is41k/</link>
		<comments>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98782/how-to-master-email-encryption/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:10:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Hannah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Guides]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[apple]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[email]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[encryption]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[firefox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gmail]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GnuPG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hushmail]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PGP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[privacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thunderbird]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.zeropaid.com/?p=98782</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="142" height="200" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Security_lock_and_key_crop-142x200.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="Security_lock_and_key_crop" title="Security_lock_and_key_crop" /></p><h3>Keep your personal data safe by taking the time to encrypt your emails.</h3>
With the government threatening to do all kinds of things to the internet, and stories about email and phone hacking surfacing all over the world, there’s never been a better time to start protecting your online privacy. Email encryption is one way of keeping your personal data safe.

Encryption services or third-party software encrypt emails by making them unreadable to anyone other than the intended recipient. When you encrypt your email, you have a public key (usually a mixture of numbers and letters) that others can use to send you encrypted email, and a private key, which you then use to decode the email.

When sending encrypted email to someone else, you need to know their public key in order to keep the email secure. You can either get this from them personally, or find it by searching the online key servers.

Encrypted email isn’t widely used outside of sensitive situations - such as political or business dealings - however, it can help protect your personal and financial information from prying eyes. Below are some of the tools you can use to encrypt your email and protect your personal privacy.

<strong><a href="http://www.hushmail.com/">Hushmail</a></strong>

Hushmail is a stand-alone email service that enables users to send and receive encrypted emails through their Hushmail address. If you are new to the concept of encryption or aren’t very tech-savvy, Hushmail does all the leg work for you: once you’ve set up a Hushmail account, all you have to do is remember your passphrase.

<strong><a href="http://enigmail.mozdev.org/home/index.php.html">Enigmail (Thunderbird)</a></strong>

Enigmail is a plug-in for Mozilla’s Thunderbird email application. Once you’ve downloaded the extension, create your public and private keys, and a passphrase. You can also generate a revocation certificate, which invalidates your public key in the event that your private key is compromised.

<strong><a href="http://langenhoven.com/code/emailencrypt/gmailencrypt.php">Gmail Encrypt (Firefox)</a></strong>

The Gmail Encrypt extension for Firefox only works with Gmail accounts, and you need to install Greasemonkey before you can use it. Once installed, the extension works in a similar way to Enigmail: you create public and private keys, as well as your own passphrase to access the Gmail Encrypt service.

<strong><a href="http://www.gpgtools.org/gpgmail/index.html">GPG (Apple Mail)</a></strong>

This open-source plugin for Apple Mail encrypts, signs and verifies emails sent and received through the Apple Mail client. The plugin is compatible with Lion and has an integrated update mechanism, which means you automatically receive GPG updates using Apple’s software update system.

<strong><a href="http://gnupg.org/">GnuPG</a> and <a href="http://www.pgpi.org/">PGP</a></strong>

GnuPG and PGP are two types of software you can download onto your hard drive. After installing the software on your computer, you can use it to create keys and encrypt messages sent through certain email clients.

Email encryption only works with the computer on which you have installed the encryption software, add-on or plug-in. If someone sends you an encrypted message through Gmail and you try to read it on your phone or another device, you won’t be able to decode it.

Although it’s not impossible to decode an encrypted email, using this service will help secure your personal information. To make your email encryption as fool-proof as possible, always check the recipient’s public key before sending - if you get the key wrong, the information inside the email could end up in the wrong hands. Some encryption services don’t encrypt the subject line so include sensitive information only in the body of the email.

&nbsp;

<em>hannah@zeropaid.com</em>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img width="142" height="200" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Security_lock_and_key_crop-142x200.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="Security_lock_and_key_crop" title="Security_lock_and_key_crop" /></p><h3>Keep your personal data safe by taking the time to encrypt your emails.</h3>
With the government threatening to do all kinds of things to the internet, and stories about email and phone hacking surfacing all over the world, there’s never been a better time to start protecting your online privacy. Email encryption is one way of keeping your personal data safe.

Encryption services or third-party software encrypt emails by making them unreadable to anyone other than the intended recipient. When you encrypt your email, you have a public key (usually a mixture of numbers and letters) that others can use to send you encrypted email, and a private key, which you then use to decode the email.

When sending encrypted email to someone else, you need to know their public key in order to keep the email secure. You can either get this from them personally, or find it by searching the online key servers.

Encrypted email isn’t widely used outside of sensitive situations - such as political or business dealings - however, it can help protect your personal and financial information from prying eyes. Below are some of the tools you can use to encrypt your email and protect your personal privacy.

<strong><a href="http://www.hushmail.com/">Hushmail</a></strong>

Hushmail is a stand-alone email service that enables users to send and receive encrypted emails through their Hushmail address. If you are new to the concept of encryption or aren’t very tech-savvy, Hushmail does all the leg work for you: once you’ve set up a Hushmail account, all you have to do is remember your passphrase.

<strong><a href="http://enigmail.mozdev.org/home/index.php.html">Enigmail (Thunderbird)</a></strong>

Enigmail is a plug-in for Mozilla’s Thunderbird email application. Once you’ve downloaded the extension, create your public and private keys, and a passphrase. You can also generate a revocation certificate, which invalidates your public key in the event that your private key is compromised.

<strong><a href="http://langenhoven.com/code/emailencrypt/gmailencrypt.php">Gmail Encrypt (Firefox)</a></strong>

The Gmail Encrypt extension for Firefox only works with Gmail accounts, and you need to install Greasemonkey before you can use it. Once installed, the extension works in a similar way to Enigmail: you create public and private keys, as well as your own passphrase to access the Gmail Encrypt service.

<strong><a href="http://www.gpgtools.org/gpgmail/index.html">GPG (Apple Mail)</a></strong>

This open-source plugin for Apple Mail encrypts, signs and verifies emails sent and received through the Apple Mail client. The plugin is compatible with Lion and has an integrated update mechanism, which means you automatically receive GPG updates using Apple’s software update system.

<strong><a href="http://gnupg.org/">GnuPG</a> and <a href="http://www.pgpi.org/">PGP</a></strong>

GnuPG and PGP are two types of software you can download onto your hard drive. After installing the software on your computer, you can use it to create keys and encrypt messages sent through certain email clients.

Email encryption only works with the computer on which you have installed the encryption software, add-on or plug-in. If someone sends you an encrypted message through Gmail and you try to read it on your phone or another device, you won’t be able to decode it.

Although it’s not impossible to decode an encrypted email, using this service will help secure your personal information. To make your email encryption as fool-proof as possible, always check the recipient’s public key before sending - if you get the key wrong, the information inside the email could end up in the wrong hands. Some encryption services don’t encrypt the subject line so include sensitive information only in the body of the email.

&nbsp;

<em>hannah@zeropaid.com</em>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98782/how-to-master-email-encryption/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98782/how-to-master-email-encryption/</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>How to Connect Your Android Phone or Tablet to a PPTP VPN</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/zeropaid/~3/UeS0u5oKIEU/</link>
		<comments>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98752/how-to-connect-your-android-phone-or-tablet-to-a-pptp-vpn/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:13:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jared Moya</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Guides]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[android]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PPTP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[VPN]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.zeropaid.com/?p=98752</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="200" height="182" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/images-3-200x182.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="images (3)" title="images (3)" /></p><h3>Quick and easy guide to configuring your Android phone or tablet to connect to a PPTP-type VPN connection.</h3>
The Internet always has and always will be plagued by challenges to content access and data security, and one of the of the easiest solutions around is a VPN connection. A VPN is a virtual private network with “virtual” encrypted connections routed through the Internet to remote servers. The data traveling between you and those servers is encrypted, and the IP address that will appear while surfing or downloading content from the Internet will be that of the server and not your own.

In the past I've mentioned <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/94826/top-5-free-vpn-services/">free VPN services</a> and how to configure <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98245/vpn-setup-guide-vyprvpn/">VyprVPN</a> and <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98618/vpn-setup-guide-vpnhq/">VPNHQ</a> for desktop use, but I've never shown you how to configure a VPN for use on an Android phone or tablet.

To make it easy we'll run through how to configure a PPTP-type VPN connection on your Android phone or tablet. Though it only has 128-bit encryption it's accepted by most Wi-Fi hotspots and that's what we're looking for: the ability to use a VPN connection on your Android phone or tablet when you're transmitting via an open Wi-Fi connection at a local coffee shop or cafe.

&nbsp;
<h2>1. Go to Settings &gt; Wireless &amp; Networks &gt; VPN Settings</h2>
<h2><a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98752/how-to-connect-your-android-phone-or-tablet-to-a-pptp-vpn/vpn-1/" rel="attachment wp-att-98768"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-98768" title="VPN 1" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/VPN-1-300x183.png" alt="" width="300" height="183" /></a></h2>
<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98752/how-to-connect-your-android-phone-or-tablet-to-a-pptp-vpn/vpn-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-98767"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-98767" title="VPN 2" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/VPN-2-300x226.png" alt="" width="300" height="226" /></a>

<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98752/how-to-connect-your-android-phone-or-tablet-to-a-pptp-vpn/vpn-3/" rel="attachment wp-att-98769"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-98769" title="VPN 3" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/VPN-3-277x300.png" alt="" width="277" height="300" /></a>

&nbsp;
<h2>2. Select "Add PPTP VPN"</h2>
<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98752/how-to-connect-your-android-phone-or-tablet-to-a-pptp-vpn/vpn-4/" rel="attachment wp-att-98770"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-98770" title="VPN 4" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/VPN-4.png" alt="" width="378" height="163" /></a>

&nbsp;
<h2>3. Select "Add VPN"</h2>
<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98752/how-to-connect-your-android-phone-or-tablet-to-a-pptp-vpn/vpn-5/" rel="attachment wp-att-98771"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-98771" title="VPN 5" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/VPN-5.png" alt="" width="426" height="207" /></a>

&nbsp;
<h2>4. VPN Connection Configuration</h2>
<ul>
	<li>Choose a name for your VPN connection.</li>
	<li>Enter the IP address of the VPN server you want to connect to.</li>
	<li>Check "Enable Encryption."</li>
	<li>Don't worry about the last box.</li>
</ul>
<div><a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98752/how-to-connect-your-android-phone-or-tablet-to-a-pptp-vpn/vpn-6/" rel="attachment wp-att-98772"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-98772" title="VPN 6" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/VPN-6.png" alt="" width="421" height="388" /></a></div>
<div></div>
<h2>5. Connect to the VPN</h2>
Go back to the "Add VPN" screen and select your new VPN connection.

<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98752/how-to-connect-your-android-phone-or-tablet-to-a-pptp-vpn/vpn-7/" rel="attachment wp-att-98766"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-98766" title="VPN 7" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/VPN-7.png" alt="" width="404" height="325" /></a>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It's that easy

Stay tuned.

<em>jared@zeropaid.com | @jaredmoya</em>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img width="200" height="182" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/images-3-200x182.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="images (3)" title="images (3)" /></p><h3>Quick and easy guide to configuring your Android phone or tablet to connect to a PPTP-type VPN connection.</h3>
The Internet always has and always will be plagued by challenges to content access and data security, and one of the of the easiest solutions around is a VPN connection. A VPN is a virtual private network with “virtual” encrypted connections routed through the Internet to remote servers. The data traveling between you and those servers is encrypted, and the IP address that will appear while surfing or downloading content from the Internet will be that of the server and not your own.

In the past I've mentioned <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/94826/top-5-free-vpn-services/">free VPN services</a> and how to configure <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98245/vpn-setup-guide-vyprvpn/">VyprVPN</a> and <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98618/vpn-setup-guide-vpnhq/">VPNHQ</a> for desktop use, but I've never shown you how to configure a VPN for use on an Android phone or tablet.

To make it easy we'll run through how to configure a PPTP-type VPN connection on your Android phone or tablet. Though it only has 128-bit encryption it's accepted by most Wi-Fi hotspots and that's what we're looking for: the ability to use a VPN connection on your Android phone or tablet when you're transmitting via an open Wi-Fi connection at a local coffee shop or cafe.

&nbsp;
<h2>1. Go to Settings &gt; Wireless &amp; Networks &gt; VPN Settings</h2>
<h2><a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98752/how-to-connect-your-android-phone-or-tablet-to-a-pptp-vpn/vpn-1/" rel="attachment wp-att-98768"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-98768" title="VPN 1" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/VPN-1-300x183.png" alt="" width="300" height="183" /></a></h2>
<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98752/how-to-connect-your-android-phone-or-tablet-to-a-pptp-vpn/vpn-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-98767"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-98767" title="VPN 2" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/VPN-2-300x226.png" alt="" width="300" height="226" /></a>

<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98752/how-to-connect-your-android-phone-or-tablet-to-a-pptp-vpn/vpn-3/" rel="attachment wp-att-98769"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-98769" title="VPN 3" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/VPN-3-277x300.png" alt="" width="277" height="300" /></a>

&nbsp;
<h2>2. Select "Add PPTP VPN"</h2>
<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98752/how-to-connect-your-android-phone-or-tablet-to-a-pptp-vpn/vpn-4/" rel="attachment wp-att-98770"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-98770" title="VPN 4" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/VPN-4.png" alt="" width="378" height="163" /></a>

&nbsp;
<h2>3. Select "Add VPN"</h2>
<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98752/how-to-connect-your-android-phone-or-tablet-to-a-pptp-vpn/vpn-5/" rel="attachment wp-att-98771"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-98771" title="VPN 5" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/VPN-5.png" alt="" width="426" height="207" /></a>

&nbsp;
<h2>4. VPN Connection Configuration</h2>
<ul>
	<li>Choose a name for your VPN connection.</li>
	<li>Enter the IP address of the VPN server you want to connect to.</li>
	<li>Check "Enable Encryption."</li>
	<li>Don't worry about the last box.</li>
</ul>
<div><a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98752/how-to-connect-your-android-phone-or-tablet-to-a-pptp-vpn/vpn-6/" rel="attachment wp-att-98772"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-98772" title="VPN 6" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/VPN-6.png" alt="" width="421" height="388" /></a></div>
<div></div>
<h2>5. Connect to the VPN</h2>
Go back to the "Add VPN" screen and select your new VPN connection.

<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98752/how-to-connect-your-android-phone-or-tablet-to-a-pptp-vpn/vpn-7/" rel="attachment wp-att-98766"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-98766" title="VPN 7" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/VPN-7.png" alt="" width="404" height="325" /></a>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It's that easy

Stay tuned.

<em>jared@zeropaid.com | @jaredmoya</em>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98752/how-to-connect-your-android-phone-or-tablet-to-a-pptp-vpn/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98752/how-to-connect-your-android-phone-or-tablet-to-a-pptp-vpn/</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>Pandora for Chrome: Control Pandora Music Stream in Browser Toolbar</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/zeropaid/~3/dmW9L5qrlEo/</link>
		<comments>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98745/pandora-for-chrome-control-pandora-music-stream-in-browser-toolbar/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:13:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jared Moya</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.zeropaid.com/?p=98745</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="200" height="200" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/images-1-200x200.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="images (1)" title="images (1)" /></p><h3>Pandora for Chrome browser extension allows users to rate, pause, change tracks in their Pandora stream without having to open Pandora.com.</h3>
Chrome users have an increasingly wide variety of extensions to customize their Internet browsing experience, especially when it comes to streaming music services.

Last week I <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98358/last-fm-free-music-player-chrome-extension-for-playing-music-on-demand/">mentioned</a> the Last.fm Free Music Player that lets you stream your favorite artists on-demand from your browser toolbar. Now I'd like to mention <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gkmadeppaemeiomnofefglmiehecbfod">Pandora for Chrome</a>. It doesn't offer on-demand playback, but it does let you rate, pause, and change tracks with the same browser toolbar convenience.

Just click the Pandora logo to activate Pandora's native control options. In addition to the control buttons it displays the song title, name of the artist, and options for sharing tracks with family and friends via your favorite social networking sites.

<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98745/pandora-for-chrome-control-pandora-music-stream-in-browser-toolbar/chrome-pandora/" rel="attachment wp-att-98746"><img class=" wp-image-98746 alignnone" title="chrome pandora" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/chrome-pandora.png" alt="" width="536" height="345" /></a>

What makes Pandora for Chrome so great is that you always have Pandora controls right at your fingertips without having to switch back and forth between open tabs.

If use <a href="http://www.pandora.com/">Pandora</a> on a regular basis you'll want to give the Pandora for Chrome extension a try.

Stay tuned.

<em>jared@zeropaid.com | @jaredmoya</em>

&nbsp;
<h3>&gt; <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gkmadeppaemeiomnofefglmiehecbfod">Download Pandora for Chrome (Chrome Web Store)</a></h3>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img width="200" height="200" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/images-1-200x200.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="images (1)" title="images (1)" /></p><h3>Pandora for Chrome browser extension allows users to rate, pause, change tracks in their Pandora stream without having to open Pandora.com.</h3>
Chrome users have an increasingly wide variety of extensions to customize their Internet browsing experience, especially when it comes to streaming music services.

Last week I <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98358/last-fm-free-music-player-chrome-extension-for-playing-music-on-demand/">mentioned</a> the Last.fm Free Music Player that lets you stream your favorite artists on-demand from your browser toolbar. Now I'd like to mention <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gkmadeppaemeiomnofefglmiehecbfod">Pandora for Chrome</a>. It doesn't offer on-demand playback, but it does let you rate, pause, and change tracks with the same browser toolbar convenience.

Just click the Pandora logo to activate Pandora's native control options. In addition to the control buttons it displays the song title, name of the artist, and options for sharing tracks with family and friends via your favorite social networking sites.

<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98745/pandora-for-chrome-control-pandora-music-stream-in-browser-toolbar/chrome-pandora/" rel="attachment wp-att-98746"><img class=" wp-image-98746 alignnone" title="chrome pandora" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/chrome-pandora.png" alt="" width="536" height="345" /></a>

What makes Pandora for Chrome so great is that you always have Pandora controls right at your fingertips without having to switch back and forth between open tabs.

If use <a href="http://www.pandora.com/">Pandora</a> on a regular basis you'll want to give the Pandora for Chrome extension a try.

Stay tuned.

<em>jared@zeropaid.com | @jaredmoya</em>

&nbsp;
<h3>&gt; <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gkmadeppaemeiomnofefglmiehecbfod">Download Pandora for Chrome (Chrome Web Store)</a></h3>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98745/pandora-for-chrome-control-pandora-music-stream-in-browser-toolbar/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98745/pandora-for-chrome-control-pandora-music-stream-in-browser-toolbar/</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>The Best Free Social iPad Apps</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/zeropaid/~3/IlPuDTcmbE0/</link>
		<comments>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98710/the-best-free-social-ipad-apps/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:49:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Hannah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Apps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[free apps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[iPad apps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[itunes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[iTunes apps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social apps]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.zeropaid.com/?p=98710</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="200" height="156" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/facebook-ipad-1-200x156.png" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="facebook ipad 1" title="facebook ipad 1" /></p><h3>A round-up of the best free social iPad apps that will keep your digital life thriving.</h3>
Is there anything the iPad can’t do? This list of free social iPad apps will help you stay in touch with friends and family, without having to spend a dime.

<strong><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/hootsuite-for-twitter/id341249709?mt=8">Hootsuite </a></strong>

<img class="alignnone" src="http://www.bridiestypingservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/hootsuite1-300x264.jpg" alt="" width="168" height="148" />

Manage your Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and LinkedIn accounts in one go with the Hootsuite iPad app. You can use up to 5 social networking accounts at a time for free - if you have more, you will need to pay $5 per month for a Pro account. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can sync with your existing Hootsuite account, or create a new one from scratch. The Hootsuite app comes with many of the desktop client’s features, including the ability to schedule status updates, geotag tweets and automatically shorten links.

<strong><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flipboard/id358801284?mt=8">Flipboard</a></strong>

<img class="alignnone" src="http://www.crunchbase.com/assets/images/resized/0008/6174/86174v5-max-250x250.png" alt="" width="158" height="200" />

Flipboard consolidates the latest updates from your social media accounts and uses them to create a personal magazine. Compatible with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Flickr, Tumblr and more, Flipboard eliminates the need to switch between accounts. The digital magazine updates in real time and provides link previews and full-size pictures. You can still share, retweet and comment on items through Flipboard, and the magazine layout is far more beautiful and interesting than Facebook or Twitter’s designs.

<strong><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stumbleupon!/id386244833?mt=8">StumbleUpon</a></strong>

<img class="alignnone" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/StumbleUpon_logo.png" alt="" width="168" height="168" />

The StumbleUpon app lets you take your Stumbles mobile. Search other people’s stumbles, stumble your own items, and share content through Facebook, Twitter or old-fashioned email. If you’ve already signed up to StumbleUpon, you can sync the app with your web account. Otherwise, choose from the app’s list of interests or type a word into the search box to get started.

<strong><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/yelp/id284910350?mt=8">Yelp</a></strong>

<img class="alignnone" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5180/5540543936_423e37dae4_m.jpg" alt="" width="151" height="151" />

Yelp is a community review app where you can search for local businesses, including stores, restaurants, bars and cafes, then read other users’ reviews of the establishment. You can post reviews, photos and tips for other Yelp users and get contact information and deals for local businesses. The app also comes with a check-in feature, so you can share your location with friends through Facebook and Twitter.

<strong><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/beejiveim-with-push/id291720439?mt=8">Beejive </a></strong>

<img class="alignnone" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.tuaw.com/media/2010/05/beejivetuaw0519.jpg" alt="" width="165" height="158" />

Beejive comes in two versions: separate free apps are available for Facebook, Twitter, Google and other instant messenger programs, or you can upgrade to Beejive IM with Push Notifications.

The separate apps enable you to message and chat with contacts using various IM accounts on your iPad. For $9.99, the Beejive IM with Push Notifications app gathers all your IM accounts into one interface, so you don’t have to switch between windows. Beejive is compatible a range of messaging programs, including AIM, Facebook, Google, Jabber, MSN/Windows Live and Yahoo! IM.

<strong><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/gowalla/id304510106?mt=8">Gowalla</a></strong>

<img class="alignnone" src="http://streetfightmag.com/wp-content/uploads/gowalla-logo1.jpg" alt="" width="170" height="170" />

If you’re a travel junkie and want to share your travel tips with friends (or show off your latest destination), Gowalla can help. Find out where your friends have been, what they recommend, and get local expert tips on what to see and do at major cities and destinations around the world. You can access photos, area guides from Gowalla users, Disney and National Geographic, and use Gowalla’s “nearby guide” to find out what’s happening in the area. This travel app currently covers areas of the US, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.

&nbsp;

<em>hannah@zeropaid.com</em>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img width="200" height="156" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/facebook-ipad-1-200x156.png" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="facebook ipad 1" title="facebook ipad 1" /></p><h3>A round-up of the best free social iPad apps that will keep your digital life thriving.</h3>
Is there anything the iPad can’t do? This list of free social iPad apps will help you stay in touch with friends and family, without having to spend a dime.

<strong><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/hootsuite-for-twitter/id341249709?mt=8">Hootsuite </a></strong>

<img class="alignnone" src="http://www.bridiestypingservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/hootsuite1-300x264.jpg" alt="" width="168" height="148" />

Manage your Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and LinkedIn accounts in one go with the Hootsuite iPad app. You can use up to 5 social networking accounts at a time for free - if you have more, you will need to pay $5 per month for a Pro account. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can sync with your existing Hootsuite account, or create a new one from scratch. The Hootsuite app comes with many of the desktop client’s features, including the ability to schedule status updates, geotag tweets and automatically shorten links.

<strong><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flipboard/id358801284?mt=8">Flipboard</a></strong>

<img class="alignnone" src="http://www.crunchbase.com/assets/images/resized/0008/6174/86174v5-max-250x250.png" alt="" width="158" height="200" />

Flipboard consolidates the latest updates from your social media accounts and uses them to create a personal magazine. Compatible with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Flickr, Tumblr and more, Flipboard eliminates the need to switch between accounts. The digital magazine updates in real time and provides link previews and full-size pictures. You can still share, retweet and comment on items through Flipboard, and the magazine layout is far more beautiful and interesting than Facebook or Twitter’s designs.

<strong><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stumbleupon!/id386244833?mt=8">StumbleUpon</a></strong>

<img class="alignnone" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/StumbleUpon_logo.png" alt="" width="168" height="168" />

The StumbleUpon app lets you take your Stumbles mobile. Search other people’s stumbles, stumble your own items, and share content through Facebook, Twitter or old-fashioned email. If you’ve already signed up to StumbleUpon, you can sync the app with your web account. Otherwise, choose from the app’s list of interests or type a word into the search box to get started.

<strong><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/yelp/id284910350?mt=8">Yelp</a></strong>

<img class="alignnone" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5180/5540543936_423e37dae4_m.jpg" alt="" width="151" height="151" />

Yelp is a community review app where you can search for local businesses, including stores, restaurants, bars and cafes, then read other users’ reviews of the establishment. You can post reviews, photos and tips for other Yelp users and get contact information and deals for local businesses. The app also comes with a check-in feature, so you can share your location with friends through Facebook and Twitter.

<strong><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/beejiveim-with-push/id291720439?mt=8">Beejive </a></strong>

<img class="alignnone" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.tuaw.com/media/2010/05/beejivetuaw0519.jpg" alt="" width="165" height="158" />

Beejive comes in two versions: separate free apps are available for Facebook, Twitter, Google and other instant messenger programs, or you can upgrade to Beejive IM with Push Notifications.

The separate apps enable you to message and chat with contacts using various IM accounts on your iPad. For $9.99, the Beejive IM with Push Notifications app gathers all your IM accounts into one interface, so you don’t have to switch between windows. Beejive is compatible a range of messaging programs, including AIM, Facebook, Google, Jabber, MSN/Windows Live and Yahoo! IM.

<strong><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/gowalla/id304510106?mt=8">Gowalla</a></strong>

<img class="alignnone" src="http://streetfightmag.com/wp-content/uploads/gowalla-logo1.jpg" alt="" width="170" height="170" />

If you’re a travel junkie and want to share your travel tips with friends (or show off your latest destination), Gowalla can help. Find out where your friends have been, what they recommend, and get local expert tips on what to see and do at major cities and destinations around the world. You can access photos, area guides from Gowalla users, Disney and National Geographic, and use Gowalla’s “nearby guide” to find out what’s happening in the area. This travel app currently covers areas of the US, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.

&nbsp;

<em>hannah@zeropaid.com</em>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98710/the-best-free-social-ipad-apps/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98710/the-best-free-social-ipad-apps/</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>Music2pc: Find, Download Millions of Songs Online for Free – Even at Work!</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/zeropaid/~3/fXknxLfDuiw/</link>
		<comments>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98709/music2pc-find-download-millions-of-songs-online-for-free-even-at-work/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:09:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jared Moya</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[limewire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[music2pc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.zeropaid.com/?p=98709</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="182" height="58" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/music2pc-4.png" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="music2pc 4" title="music2pc 4" /></p><h3>Free program with no ads, spyware, or malware of any kind allows users to search among more than 100 million MP3s online and download them to a computer or USB drive for free; program can also run from a USB drive, making it safe to use at work.</h3>
Looking for a <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/91199/10-alternatives-to-limewire/">LimeWire alternative</a>? Want to safely download music at work? Then Music2pc might just be the program you're looking for.

<a href="http://www.music2pc.com/">Music2pc</a> is free program that allows users to search its online database of more than 100 million MP3s for songs to download for free. Downloaded music can be played directly from the program itself.

It contains no ads, spyware, or malware of any kind, and is non-P2P, making it safe to use without fear of being busted by overzealous copyright enforcement organizations.

Program <a href="http://www.music2pc.com/">highlights</a>:
<ul>
	<li>Download over 100 million mp3 songs with unmatchable speed, best output quality</li>
	<li>Safe, non-BitTorrent and non-P2P file-sharing method</li>
	<li>Find any music easily, only with the song title, artist name, album or edition</li>
	<li>Safe to install and run, no malware, no ads, no viruses</li>
	<li>Hugest selection of publicly available tracks</li>
	<li>Search the live, piano, guitar or cover versions of your favorite songs</li>
	<li>Compatible with all portable devices: iPad, iPhone, PSP, cell phone, mp3 player etc.</li>
	<li>Multi-thread downloading, download multiple songs at the same time</li>
	<li>Download the hottest songs across all genres, from electronic to religious, mainstream to indie, hip-hop to classical, etc.</li>
	<li>Simple and intuitive interface ensures you to easily get any music you want</li>
</ul>
<div><a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98709/music2pc-find-download-millions-of-songs-online-for-free-even-at-work/music2pc-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-98714"><img class="alignnone  wp-image-98714" title="music2pc 2" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/music2pc-2-300x188.png" alt="" width="240" height="150" /></a><a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98709/music2pc-find-download-millions-of-songs-online-for-free-even-at-work/music2pc-1/" rel="attachment wp-att-98713"><img class="alignright  wp-image-98713" title="music2pc 1" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/music2pc-1-300x188.png" alt="" width="240" height="150" /></a></div>
<div></div>
&nbsp;

All you have to do is enter the name of the artist or song you're looking for and select "search." Then choose the desired song and select "download."

<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98709/music2pc-find-download-millions-of-songs-online-for-free-even-at-work/music2pc-3/" rel="attachment wp-att-98711"><img class="alignnone  wp-image-98711" title="music2pc 3" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/music2pc-3.png" alt="" width="469" height="112" /></a>

It's that easy.

The best part of music2pc is that it's also portable, meaning you can run it from a USB drive at a friends house or at work! So, now you can enjoy music at home or on the go.

It works on Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 2003 and 2008 Server.

Stay tuned.

<em>jared@zeropaid.com | @jaredmoya</em>

&nbsp;
<h3><a href="http://www.music2pc.com/download.html">Download music2pc</a> &gt; <a href="http://www.music2pc.com/files/music2pc-setup.exe">Desktop</a> | <a href="http://www.music2pc.com/files/music2pc.exe">Portable</a></h3>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img width="182" height="58" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/music2pc-4.png" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="music2pc 4" title="music2pc 4" /></p><h3>Free program with no ads, spyware, or malware of any kind allows users to search among more than 100 million MP3s online and download them to a computer or USB drive for free; program can also run from a USB drive, making it safe to use at work.</h3>
Looking for a <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/91199/10-alternatives-to-limewire/">LimeWire alternative</a>? Want to safely download music at work? Then Music2pc might just be the program you're looking for.

<a href="http://www.music2pc.com/">Music2pc</a> is free program that allows users to search its online database of more than 100 million MP3s for songs to download for free. Downloaded music can be played directly from the program itself.

It contains no ads, spyware, or malware of any kind, and is non-P2P, making it safe to use without fear of being busted by overzealous copyright enforcement organizations.

Program <a href="http://www.music2pc.com/">highlights</a>:
<ul>
	<li>Download over 100 million mp3 songs with unmatchable speed, best output quality</li>
	<li>Safe, non-BitTorrent and non-P2P file-sharing method</li>
	<li>Find any music easily, only with the song title, artist name, album or edition</li>
	<li>Safe to install and run, no malware, no ads, no viruses</li>
	<li>Hugest selection of publicly available tracks</li>
	<li>Search the live, piano, guitar or cover versions of your favorite songs</li>
	<li>Compatible with all portable devices: iPad, iPhone, PSP, cell phone, mp3 player etc.</li>
	<li>Multi-thread downloading, download multiple songs at the same time</li>
	<li>Download the hottest songs across all genres, from electronic to religious, mainstream to indie, hip-hop to classical, etc.</li>
	<li>Simple and intuitive interface ensures you to easily get any music you want</li>
</ul>
<div><a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98709/music2pc-find-download-millions-of-songs-online-for-free-even-at-work/music2pc-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-98714"><img class="alignnone  wp-image-98714" title="music2pc 2" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/music2pc-2-300x188.png" alt="" width="240" height="150" /></a><a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98709/music2pc-find-download-millions-of-songs-online-for-free-even-at-work/music2pc-1/" rel="attachment wp-att-98713"><img class="alignright  wp-image-98713" title="music2pc 1" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/music2pc-1-300x188.png" alt="" width="240" height="150" /></a></div>
<div></div>
&nbsp;

All you have to do is enter the name of the artist or song you're looking for and select "search." Then choose the desired song and select "download."

<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98709/music2pc-find-download-millions-of-songs-online-for-free-even-at-work/music2pc-3/" rel="attachment wp-att-98711"><img class="alignnone  wp-image-98711" title="music2pc 3" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/music2pc-3.png" alt="" width="469" height="112" /></a>

It's that easy.

The best part of music2pc is that it's also portable, meaning you can run it from a USB drive at a friends house or at work! So, now you can enjoy music at home or on the go.

It works on Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 2003 and 2008 Server.

Stay tuned.

<em>jared@zeropaid.com | @jaredmoya</em>

&nbsp;
<h3><a href="http://www.music2pc.com/download.html">Download music2pc</a> &gt; <a href="http://www.music2pc.com/files/music2pc-setup.exe">Desktop</a> | <a href="http://www.music2pc.com/files/music2pc.exe">Portable</a></h3>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98709/music2pc-find-download-millions-of-songs-online-for-free-even-at-work/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98709/music2pc-find-download-millions-of-songs-online-for-free-even-at-work/</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>uTorrent Control: Official Browser Plugin for Remote Download Control</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/zeropaid/~3/d_IYoPqrZN0/</link>
		<comments>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98697/utorrent-control-official-browser-plugin-for-remote-download-control/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:25:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jared Moya</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Apps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bittorrent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[utorrent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[utorrent control]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[uTorrent Remote]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.zeropaid.com/?p=98697</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="200" height="200" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/images2-200x200.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="images" title="images" /></p><h3>UTorrent Control is a browser plugin for Explorer 8 and above, Firefox 3 and above, and Chrome that gives users access to their BitTorrent client downloads on the go.</h3>
BitTorrent users are always looking for new and convenient ways to access and control their downloads on the go. A few days ago I mentioned <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98203/utorrent-tiny-client-chrome-extension-to-remotely-control-your-downloads/">uTorrent Tiny Client</a>, a simple-to-use Chrome extension that does the trick. Today there's another browser plugin worth taking a looking at, and comes straight from the brilliant minds over at BitTorrent Inc.: <a href="http://www.utorrent.com/utorrent-control">uTorrrent Control</a>.

UTorrent Control is a small and efficient add-on for your browser that gives you access to your downloads on the go, and unlike uTorrent Tiny Client it also works on Internet Explorer 8 and above, and Firefox 3 and above.

UTorrent Control <a href="http://www.utorrent.com/help/guides/utorrent-control">features</a>:
<ul>
	<li>Add torrent</li>
	<li>Remove torrent</li>
	<li>Pause torrent</li>
	<li>Check torrent download status</li>
	<li>Monitor torrent download speed</li>
	<li>Toggle full torrent list</li>
	<li>Sync with desktop µTorrent Client</li>
	<li>Sync remotely</li>
	<li>Launch web remote (remote.utorrent.com)</li>
</ul>
The plugin includes an optional search engine feature for searching the Web directly in your browser, but it's powered by Bing and will likely just add unnecessary clutter to your workspace.

<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98697/utorrent-control-official-browser-plugin-for-remote-download-control/utorrent-control-2-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-98699"><img class="alignnone  wp-image-98699" title="utorrent control 2" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/utorrent-control-21-1024x433.png" alt="" width="553" height="234" /></a>

UTorrent Control only works with <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.zeropaid.com/utorrent/&amp;sa=U&amp;ei=QxgwT-_iL6vRiAK0z42rCg&amp;ved=0CAYQFjAB&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;usg=AFQjCNEiJuHCNp5g63BlTM1XSvKU09R21g">uTorrent client version 3.0 and higher</a> so you'll need to upgrade if you haven't already.

Stay tuned.

<em>jared@zeropaid.com | @jaredmoya</em>

&nbsp;
<h3>&gt;&gt;<a href="http://www.utorrent.com/utorrent-control">Download uTorrent Control </a></h3>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img width="200" height="200" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/images2-200x200.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="images" title="images" /></p><h3>UTorrent Control is a browser plugin for Explorer 8 and above, Firefox 3 and above, and Chrome that gives users access to their BitTorrent client downloads on the go.</h3>
BitTorrent users are always looking for new and convenient ways to access and control their downloads on the go. A few days ago I mentioned <a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98203/utorrent-tiny-client-chrome-extension-to-remotely-control-your-downloads/">uTorrent Tiny Client</a>, a simple-to-use Chrome extension that does the trick. Today there's another browser plugin worth taking a looking at, and comes straight from the brilliant minds over at BitTorrent Inc.: <a href="http://www.utorrent.com/utorrent-control">uTorrrent Control</a>.

UTorrent Control is a small and efficient add-on for your browser that gives you access to your downloads on the go, and unlike uTorrent Tiny Client it also works on Internet Explorer 8 and above, and Firefox 3 and above.

UTorrent Control <a href="http://www.utorrent.com/help/guides/utorrent-control">features</a>:
<ul>
	<li>Add torrent</li>
	<li>Remove torrent</li>
	<li>Pause torrent</li>
	<li>Check torrent download status</li>
	<li>Monitor torrent download speed</li>
	<li>Toggle full torrent list</li>
	<li>Sync with desktop µTorrent Client</li>
	<li>Sync remotely</li>
	<li>Launch web remote (remote.utorrent.com)</li>
</ul>
The plugin includes an optional search engine feature for searching the Web directly in your browser, but it's powered by Bing and will likely just add unnecessary clutter to your workspace.

<a href="http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98697/utorrent-control-official-browser-plugin-for-remote-download-control/utorrent-control-2-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-98699"><img class="alignnone  wp-image-98699" title="utorrent control 2" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/utorrent-control-21-1024x433.png" alt="" width="553" height="234" /></a>

UTorrent Control only works with <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.zeropaid.com/utorrent/&amp;sa=U&amp;ei=QxgwT-_iL6vRiAK0z42rCg&amp;ved=0CAYQFjAB&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;usg=AFQjCNEiJuHCNp5g63BlTM1XSvKU09R21g">uTorrent client version 3.0 and higher</a> so you'll need to upgrade if you haven't already.

Stay tuned.

<em>jared@zeropaid.com | @jaredmoya</em>

&nbsp;
<h3>&gt;&gt;<a href="http://www.utorrent.com/utorrent-control">Download uTorrent Control </a></h3>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98697/utorrent-control-official-browser-plugin-for-remote-download-control/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98697/utorrent-control-official-browser-plugin-for-remote-download-control/</feedburner:origLink></item>
		<item>
		<title>Fight Back: Speak Out Against ACTA, Sign the Petition</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/zeropaid/~3/r_kDEt8149k/</link>
		<comments>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98671/fight-back-speak-out-against-acta-sign-thepetition/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:21:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jon Kaykin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[acta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[europe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[internet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[privacy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.zeropaid.com/?p=98671</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="200" height="200" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/ACTA-200x200.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="ACTA" title="ACTA" /></p><strong>Learn more about the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement and sign the petition against it.</strong>

If you don't know what the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is please see this:

[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoW26CwhcR8[/embed]

ACTA can be more dangerous than SOPA and PIPA and can potentially create new legal standards of intellectual property enforcement, meaning that Internet distribution and information technology would be highly monitored and constantly reported to law enforcement agencies. We must not let this bill pass,  we must continue to preserve the freedoms granted to us by the Constitution.

Please sign the below petitions and speak out against this bill, stand up and protest while we still have that freedom.

Learn <a href="http://bit.ly/xk4cA0" target="_blank">how to act against</a> ACTA.

<strong>Petitions - </strong>
<ul>
	<li>U.S. anti-ACTA White House Petition: <a href="https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/end-acta-and-protect-our-right-privacy-internet/MwfSVNBK" target="_blank">sign it</a></li>
	<li>Canada - Petition: <a href="http://www.petitiononlinecanada.com/petition/canadians-against-bill-c11-the-copyright-modernization-act/362" target="_blank">sign it</a></li>
	<li>Canada - Take 1 minute to send a letter contesting Bill C-11: <a href="http://www.ccer.ca/canadians-only-please/" target="_blank">here </a></li>
	<li>Ireland - anti-SOPAIreland Petition: <a href="http://stopsopaireland.com/" target="_blank">sign it</a></li>
	<li>Poland - ACTA Referendum: <a href="http://referendumacta.pl/" target="_blank">here</a></li>
	<li>Global anti-ACTA Petition: <a href="https://secure.avaaz.org/en/eu_save_the_internet/" target="_blank">sign it</a></li>
</ul>
<strong>Attend a local Protest - </strong>
<ul>
	<li>Pan-European Map of anti-ACTA protests: <a href="http://www.mediarp.pl/acta/punkty-acta" target="_blank">here</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/224881707600941/" target="_blank">Denmark </a></li>
	<li>Netherlands (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/366916189988648/" target="_blank">Amsterdam</a>)</li>
	<li>Czech Republic (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/265567480176630/" target="_blank">Prague</a>)</li>
	<li>England (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/170835693019760/" target="_blank">London</a>)</li>
	<li>England (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/235327719883390/" target="_blank">Nottingham</a>)</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/284626631593223/" target="_blank">Ireland</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/358922057468176/" target="_blank">France</a></li>
	<li>Scotland (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/375858179095979/" target="_blank">Glasgow</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/338799346153966/" target="_blank">Berlin</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/212489055513027/" target="_blank">Bremerhaven</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/360437973983925/" target="_blank">Hanover</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/337175779649566/" target="_blank">Hamburg</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/169154469860540/" target="_blank">Mainz</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/310027772381359/" target="_blank">Minden</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/117215651734097/" target="_blank">Munich</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/368640866495001/" target="_blank">Trier</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="http://www.akv-r.de/2012/01/30/demoaufruf-acta-ad-acta/" target="_blank">Regensburg</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/144489442335635/" target="_blank">Stuttgart</a>)</li>
	<li>Sweden (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/332489143440319/" target="_blank">Stockholm</a>)</li>
	<li>Sweden (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/239284842817072/" target="_blank">Helsingborg</a>)</li>
	<li>Sweden (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/243895365687129/" target="_blank">Goteborg</a>)</li>
	<li>Poland (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/308132032565777/" target="_blank">Gdansk</a>)</li>
	<li>Poland (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/125579864229927/" target="_blank">Wroclaw</a>)</li>
	<li>Poland (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/174724099301513/" target="_blank">Katowice</a>)</li>
	<li>Poland (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/215317315225357/" target="_blank">Krakow</a>)</li>
	<li>Poland (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/256392994434523/" target="_blank">Bialystok</a>)</li>
	<li>Poland (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/280653448656301/" target="_blank">Szczecin</a>)</li>
	<li>Poland (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/136075406511048/" target="_blank">Lodz</a>)</li>
	<li>Poland (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/212620175499352/" target="_blank">Bydgoszcz</a>)</li>
	<li>Italy (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/270343909700151/" target="_blank">Porto Vecchio</a>)</li>
	<li>Portugal (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/176371262470010/" target="_blank">online</a>)</li>
	<li>Malta (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/372841852732565/" target="_blank">Valletta</a>)</li>
	<li>Slovenia (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/242732285801564/" target="_blank">Ljubljana</a>)</li>
	<li>Bulgaria (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/246513398758312/" target="_blank">Sofia</a>)</li>
	<li>Romania (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/305136589533613/%20" target="_blank">Bucharest</a>)</li>
	<li>Romania (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/178989628875856/" target="_blank">Bucharest</a>)</li>
	<li>Romania (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/318417421533389/" target="_blank">Cluj</a>)</li>
	<li>Romania (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/339815396050868/" target="_blank">Timisoara</a>)</li>
	<li>Latvia (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/114172405371886/" target="_blank">Riga</a>)</li>
	<li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Austria-is-against-ACTA/116136291842011?skip_nax_wizard=true" target="_blank">Austria</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Stand up, Speak out. Learn more about ACTA <a href="http://bit.ly/yNaZ6Q" target="_blank">here</a>.

<em>Jon@zeropaid.com <em>| @jkaykin</em></em>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img width="200" height="200" src="http://www.zeropaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/ACTA-200x200.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="ACTA" title="ACTA" /></p><strong>Learn more about the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement and sign the petition against it.</strong>

If you don't know what the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is please see this:

[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoW26CwhcR8[/embed]

ACTA can be more dangerous than SOPA and PIPA and can potentially create new legal standards of intellectual property enforcement, meaning that Internet distribution and information technology would be highly monitored and constantly reported to law enforcement agencies. We must not let this bill pass,  we must continue to preserve the freedoms granted to us by the Constitution.

Please sign the below petitions and speak out against this bill, stand up and protest while we still have that freedom.

Learn <a href="http://bit.ly/xk4cA0" target="_blank">how to act against</a> ACTA.

<strong>Petitions - </strong>
<ul>
	<li>U.S. anti-ACTA White House Petition: <a href="https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/end-acta-and-protect-our-right-privacy-internet/MwfSVNBK" target="_blank">sign it</a></li>
	<li>Canada - Petition: <a href="http://www.petitiononlinecanada.com/petition/canadians-against-bill-c11-the-copyright-modernization-act/362" target="_blank">sign it</a></li>
	<li>Canada - Take 1 minute to send a letter contesting Bill C-11: <a href="http://www.ccer.ca/canadians-only-please/" target="_blank">here </a></li>
	<li>Ireland - anti-SOPAIreland Petition: <a href="http://stopsopaireland.com/" target="_blank">sign it</a></li>
	<li>Poland - ACTA Referendum: <a href="http://referendumacta.pl/" target="_blank">here</a></li>
	<li>Global anti-ACTA Petition: <a href="https://secure.avaaz.org/en/eu_save_the_internet/" target="_blank">sign it</a></li>
</ul>
<strong>Attend a local Protest - </strong>
<ul>
	<li>Pan-European Map of anti-ACTA protests: <a href="http://www.mediarp.pl/acta/punkty-acta" target="_blank">here</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/224881707600941/" target="_blank">Denmark </a></li>
	<li>Netherlands (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/366916189988648/" target="_blank">Amsterdam</a>)</li>
	<li>Czech Republic (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/265567480176630/" target="_blank">Prague</a>)</li>
	<li>England (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/170835693019760/" target="_blank">London</a>)</li>
	<li>England (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/235327719883390/" target="_blank">Nottingham</a>)</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/284626631593223/" target="_blank">Ireland</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/358922057468176/" target="_blank">France</a></li>
	<li>Scotland (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/375858179095979/" target="_blank">Glasgow</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/338799346153966/" target="_blank">Berlin</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/212489055513027/" target="_blank">Bremerhaven</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/360437973983925/" target="_blank">Hanover</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/337175779649566/" target="_blank">Hamburg</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/169154469860540/" target="_blank">Mainz</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/310027772381359/" target="_blank">Minden</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/117215651734097/" target="_blank">Munich</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/368640866495001/" target="_blank">Trier</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="http://www.akv-r.de/2012/01/30/demoaufruf-acta-ad-acta/" target="_blank">Regensburg</a>)</li>
	<li>Germany (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/144489442335635/" target="_blank">Stuttgart</a>)</li>
	<li>Sweden (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/332489143440319/" target="_blank">Stockholm</a>)</li>
	<li>Sweden (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/239284842817072/" target="_blank">Helsingborg</a>)</li>
	<li>Sweden (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/243895365687129/" target="_blank">Goteborg</a>)</li>
	<li>Poland (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/308132032565777/" target="_blank">Gdansk</a>)</li>
	<li>Poland (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/125579864229927/" target="_blank">Wroclaw</a>)</li>
	<li>Poland (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/174724099301513/" target="_blank">Katowice</a>)</li>
	<li>Poland (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/215317315225357/" target="_blank">Krakow</a>)</li>
	<li>Poland (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/256392994434523/" target="_blank">Bialystok</a>)</li>
	<li>Poland (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/280653448656301/" target="_blank">Szczecin</a>)</li>
	<li>Poland (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/136075406511048/" target="_blank">Lodz</a>)</li>
	<li>Poland (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/212620175499352/" target="_blank">Bydgoszcz</a>)</li>
	<li>Italy (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/270343909700151/" target="_blank">Porto Vecchio</a>)</li>
	<li>Portugal (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/176371262470010/" target="_blank">online</a>)</li>
	<li>Malta (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/372841852732565/" target="_blank">Valletta</a>)</li>
	<li>Slovenia (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/242732285801564/" target="_blank">Ljubljana</a>)</li>
	<li>Bulgaria (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/246513398758312/" target="_blank">Sofia</a>)</li>
	<li>Romania (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/305136589533613/%20" target="_blank">Bucharest</a>)</li>
	<li>Romania (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/178989628875856/" target="_blank">Bucharest</a>)</li>
	<li>Romania (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/318417421533389/" target="_blank">Cluj</a>)</li>
	<li>Romania (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/339815396050868/" target="_blank">Timisoara</a>)</li>
	<li>Latvia (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/114172405371886/" target="_blank">Riga</a>)</li>
	<li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Austria-is-against-ACTA/116136291842011?skip_nax_wizard=true" target="_blank">Austria</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Stand up, Speak out. Learn more about ACTA <a href="http://bit.ly/yNaZ6Q" target="_blank">here</a>.

<em>Jon@zeropaid.com <em>| @jkaykin</em></em>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98671/fight-back-speak-out-against-acta-sign-thepetition/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		<feedburner:origLink>http://www.zeropaid.com/news/98671/fight-back-speak-out-against-acta-sign-thepetition/</feedburner:origLink></item>
	</channel>
</rss><!-- Performance optimized by W3 Total Cache. Learn more: http://www.w3-edge.com/wordpress-plugins/

Page Caching using disk: enhanced

Served from: www.zeropaid.com @ 2012-02-10 02:28:14 -->

