8 VPN Facts – You Should Know About

29 June 2018

With the increasing technology, the need to secure the data is also greater than ever. Users seek the best way to enhance their level of online privacy. There are several ways by which you can protect your data and online activities but using VPN services is the most reliable one.

But, do you know everything about the VPN services you are using? If not, we have collected some facts about what you should know if you are using their services or you still have to try the services.

VPN Providers Track and Store Your Data :

Although VPN providers promise never to monitor your data, they still track and keep most of your data. They know what you’re doing on the internet and whatnot. However, this information is not hidden by the users as it is mentioned under the provider’s terms and agreement.

There is a myth that they hand over your information to government authorities but this is false. They keep your data to determine if there are any glitches in the network and to improve the service later on.

VPC Doesn’t Make You Entirely Anonymous :

Yes, this, in fact, is true that you are not completely anonymous with VPN. Even though they guarantee to conceal your identity, it is not anonymous. Yes, it will prevent others from landing on your IP address, but you are not unidentified as they keep your information at the time you sign up for VPN. It could be your payment details, email address or IP address.

However, apart from this, you are totally safe with VPN as they don’t reveal your details to third parties.

VPN Assure You Online Privacy :

Even though your identity is not concealed with VPN, it ensures you full online privacy. VPN service can help in hiding your online activities from government agencies and cybercriminals. When you browse using VPN service, the traffic will go through an encrypted and private tunnel.

So, with a VPN, no one can know about your online activities.

VPN May Increase Your Internet Speed :

We all think that VPNs decrease our internet speed. But, it‘s not true. It sometimes also increases internet speed. This is because encrypted VPNs prevent the ISP from throttling websites. Which means it prevents ISP from separating the web traffic into high and low-speed tunnels forcing them to route the traffic as promised by advertised speed. If you want the best VPN for China, you can check it out here.

Many VPN Providers Don’t Have Their Own Network :

Many people think that VPN has to run their own servers to provide service. But, they don’t. Some companies rent servers and set up VPN servers to sell to customers. This lets them have more time to focus on main functions to help improve their services as the servers will be maintained by hosting companies.

However, this doesn’t affect your security or online privacy. So, you are well protected with a VPN.

You Can Access Blocked Content with VPN :

While browsing, we all have faced a situation where at times certain ISPs block users from accessing some websites. Even some sites and governments block the content.

However, with VPN there is no such problem. Not only there are no such restrictions with VPN and you are provided with the full content, and they will also let you download the blocked content easily.

Being Hacked Is Still a Possibility :

You can never save yourself from being hacked when the hackers are incredibly creative nowadays. However, VPN offers the utmost security that makes it almost impossible to hack. With VPN encryption, you are very safe. So, it would be suitable to use a VPN than not.

VPN Is Untraceable :

A VPN and a firewall are similar except you can’t trace a VPN. It uses tunnel encryption to protect your information that travels between servers and make it harder for things like a virus to reach your computer. VPN will protect your network by being untraceable while firewall will protect through sifting.

On Ending Note :

VPNs are a great tool to enhance your online security. So, VPN is a must-have tool in today’s world if you want to keep yourself safe online. But, you need to know all about VPNs first to decide which one is the best for you as there are different types.

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Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

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Best Practices For Visual Regression Testing On Cloud

Visual regression testing is the software testing process that is used to test your software application by visually finding any error or malfunctioning in the user experience. Visual regression testing ensures that an application or website maintains its intended look and behavior. It confirms the absence of any unplanned alterations to its visual design or functionality. This procedure entails comparing a reference version of the application or website and its current version, aiming to identify any visual disparities. Visual regression testing in a Cloud-based platform is the latest trend in the field of software testing and automation testing. It has various advantages, such as it increases the testing scope, costs less, and it increases testing flexibility. In this article, you will see the concepts of visual regression testing on the cloud, best practices for it, and many such things. What is Visual Regression Testing Visual regression testing evaluates the impact of code changes on the user experience by comparing screenshots before and after execution. It's also recognized as visual snapshot tests or visual testing, and its primary objective is to uphold visual consistency following updates. The Function Of The Visual Regression Testing Visual testing validates the suitability of an application's user interface in terms of its visual attributes. This quality assurance process aims to confirm the accurate display of content and data on the application's front end. In case you're not acquainted with the concept of Regression testing, its purpose is to ensure that any modifications made to the software do not disrupt any previously functioning elements. In the context of visuals, this testing guarantees that alterations to the software do not lead to style-related problems. The true capability of visual regression testing can be leveraged with Cloud-based AI-powered test orchestration and execution platforms like LambdaTest. It allows the running of visual testing across a large farm of 3000+ real device and OS combinations. This helps to ensure cross platforms compatibility on the visual appearance and interface of the software applications. Features Offered By The Cloud-Based Ai-Powered Test Orchestration And Execution Platform - Lambdatest For Robust Visual Regression Testing Are As Follows: This section discusses the features which are offered by the test orchestration and the execution platform. Execute Selenium and Cypress tests across a range of programming languages, such as Java, NodeJS, C#, Python, and StoryBook. This empowers the delivery of flawlessly designed applications across almost any browser or device. Employ Mis-match Ignore feature of SmartUI's Status Bar so that you can tackle the complexities of visual differentiations. This capability allows testers to crop the status bar out from the screenshots. Leveraging the high-end technique of image processing, it accurately detects and eliminates the status bar. This facilitates the analysis of essential UI components with due focus. Effortlessly install, set up, and execute the LambdaTest NPM package. This enables the direct implementation of the JS scriptsStorybook via our NPM CLI. Conduct regression testing, the visual ones for your mobile apps on genuine devices. Assure visual uniformity with precise pixel-to-pixel comparisons against your reference point, encompassing various screen sizes, resolutions, and layouts. Best Practices for Visual Regression Testing on Cloud Let us see the practices a tester must follow while performing visual regression testing on a cloud-based platform like LambdaTest. Following these practices during the test automation will make your software application visually more powerful and efficient. 1. Tool Selection: Choosing the appropriate tool to perform visual regression testing on the LambdaTest is one of the most important and essential steps in moving ahead of the testing process. Various parameters should be kept in mind during the tool selection for testing automation, such as the software type, compatibility aspects, resolution, etc. LambdaTest integrates with various tools like Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, and others, using which you can perform visual regression testing. 2. Consistent Environment: Never forget to create a conducive setup that will facilitate cloud-based visual regression testing. The interface provided by using these environments allows you to examine the visual outcomes and input received during the testing process. The testing team has the ability to pause the visual regression testing procedure and make the necessary corrections. The team conducting the testing should also maintain resource isolation for the environment. It aids in preventing any type of intervention during automation testing, which increases the effectiveness and productivity of cloud-based visual regression testing. 3. Isolation And External Factors: Remember that the isolated environment should not be affected by any external factors. They include network latency or fluctuations, system updates, or background processes running on the testing machine. These factors may lead to visual error and malfunctioning of the software application. External influences can potentially introduce visual errors and cause malfunctions in the software application. Ensuring a controlled environment by addressing the factors safeguards the accuracy of the testing results. All the screenshots and visual reports of the testing process will be saved in that specific folder. This will help to perform visual comparisons effectively. 4. Scriptless Test Cases Visual regression testing on the cloud platform using scriptless test cases is the best approach. Since numerous cloud-based AI tools are available, test automation can be utilized to develop test cases simultaneously. It is because the testing scope of a programmed test case is limited. But using AI technologies offered by LambdaTest for test case design opens up possibilities for the testing team to consistently cover the testing scope. It will perform visual testing against some test cases, and again, it will recreate the test cases according to the previous result and analysis. This practice will bring the best visual result for your software application. 5. Documentation Of Visual Test Cases Documentation is a very effective and important practice in any software testing process. In visual regression testing, you need to test and verify the components visually, and here it is important to mark down your observations, bugs, and analysis and work on them accordingly. For your visual regression tests performed in LambdaTest, you should create clear and succinct test cases and descriptions. You should also include comments or annotations to describe the aim and scope of your baselines and screenshots. Additionally, you should preserve and maintain your screenshots and baselines using a version control system or a cloud-based service. Sharing and communicating with the client will help you understand their demand and make the best possible result. 6. Updating The Baseline Updating the baseline is a very crucial step in the visual regression testing process when performed in LambdaTest. It consists of the practice of taking the feedback result and analyzing them. If the result is considerable, you can approve this update in the baseline. And if you think that it is not worth consideration, you can simply reject them. But you need to mention all these in the baseline. It is because this will help you in the future because you can see all your testing logs in the baseline. Mention the changes that were done intentionally, their reasons, and such things. It will also help all the team members have an overview of the changes that are going on in the software testing process. 6. Optimize Testing Coverage And Scope Always remember to prioritize the testing scope for each component, specifically when executing visual regression testing in cloud platforms like LambdaTest. The high-priority components must be paid more attention, and they should be executed with high precision. Use the concept of full-page and component-based screenshots to compare the changes visually by the testing team. Using this practice in visual regression testing will help achieve a better UI experience and enhance the testing results. You can use some advanced features like custom attributes. These attributes help find the elements separately during visual regression testing. Also, you can use the trigger events and DOM concept. These will help to perform the screenshot comparison effectively. 7. Performing Parallel Testing Apart from this, you can leverage parallel test execution in performing visual regression testing in LambdaTest. Executing parallel testing is what makes visual regression testing productive and effective, though, along with those other factors. 8. Learn From Failure It is the final practice that all testers must follow to perform visual regression testing on the cloud and during test automation. Learn from your previous failure. Document the mistakes that you have made previously. Write down the tool feedback and in which specific tool you got some issues performing the testing process. And learn from these highlights. Make your testing goal and work on your failures. This will bring the best result for your software application. Also, it will help in the overall development of the organization as well as the individual tester. You should follow These best practices while performing visual regression testing on the cloud. Conclusion Visual regression testing is mainly used to find any kind of visual malfunctioning and errors in the software. Visual inconsistency is one of the major reasons that lead to decreased number of users of a product. Some of the best practices that every testing team should follow to perform visual regression testing using the cloud are the selection of appropriate tools, using documentation, using AI-based test cases, etc. Various tools can be used to automate testing and perform visual regression testing on the cloud, such as LambdaTest. Hope you get an understanding of the best practices for visual regression testing using the cloud and their various aspects after reading this article. Read Also: Benefits of Cloud-Based Quality Management Systems Mobile Testing With Appium On Lambdatest The Best WordPress Plugins For Marketers

6 Unforgivable Heat Pump Installation Mistakes Everyone Should Avoid

Have you thought of acquiring a new heat pump? A heat pump enhances the energy production in your house. And, just the same way you take your time researching for the best model, Is how you need to go about as you look for the right technician. When you invest in a new heat pump, ensure you are more cautious while hiring an installer. If the installation is not done appropriately, the equipment may fail to function as expected. Reaching out to a professional installer is vital as you will be able to save extra cash on the expensive repairs. You can get high-quality air conditioning installation by checking out https://americanhomewater.com/ac-installation/. What are the must-know heat pump installation mistakes everyone should avoid? 1. Using Incorrect Furnace Size: Size is supposed to be of great importance in regards to an HVAC system with a heat pump not being an exception. Selecting a pump that's of the wrong size can lead to unwanted outcomes in your house. What can happen if it is very small or very big? For a smaller one, it will not switch on and off most of the time though you can still use it for some time to acquire the room temperatures you want. You can do this to enable it to deplete the extra energy. And when it's very large it will go through fast and short cycles. This will in turn exert more pressure towards the blower motor. Therefore having the wrong size of a heat pump will cause insufficient cooling or heating of your residence. This will in turn lead to irritating levels of humidity and unequal temperatures in the house. The pump can also get damaged unexpectedly apart from the rising electricity bills. When the blower motor breaks down, this leads to a ripple- effect which also impacts the remaining inner parts of the pump. There is a need for periodic repairs until it's time to do a complete replacement of the heat pump. ● How Can You Get The Right Size? You can acquire the right size if you work with a highly regarded technician dealing with heating and air conditioner repairs. The contractor will inspect your house and the system and then recommend the most ideal unit to replace it with. You’ll also get advice on the amount of conditioned air every room requires for heating and cooling. Before you get one, take note of the devices generating heat in your home, household members, and their preferred temperatures. Furthermore check your home's insulation, windows, residential square footage, and the local climate. You can opt for the pump ratings of its energy efficiency. 2. Malfunctioning Duct Installation Process: Did you know there are instances when the contractors have it rough while putting in place new ductwork? Some go to an extent of employing poor workmanship to undertake the role. They also utilize cheaper tools. Setting up the ducts incorrectly will leave gaps and cracks. At some point, there may be the use of a weak sealer like the tape rather than a long-lasting one. And in this instance, get ready to have an experience of the leaking ducts more sooner than you thought. For sure, this will raise the energy bills since the heated and cooled air gets cluttered. There are also issues related to humidity, more dust, and disturbing noise. 3. Opting For a Firm Without NATE Certified Technicians: Who can even think of contacting the wrong technician? Come to think of it, why should you choose an installer with the lowest proposal without getting more information about the certifications or a service provider? Before settling on one, confirm if they are NATE or MCSA certified, hence you will get quality services related to the installation process. Also consider examining whether the installer is experienced, currently training, or even ask for a reference for an equivalent job as the one you are offering. 4. Thermostat Installation In The Unwanted Spot: The area you position the thermostat is very important and it will influence how your HVAC will be operating. The most well-known fault of the installation of an air conditioner is placing the device in the wrong locale. This is why most of the conditioners do run extra hard as opposed to how they need to be functioning. Consider understanding where the thermostat will be properly placed. You can opt for a place where the sun shines less often or farther from the air vents. If you control its temperature a lot it will be more correct and the AC will function without any glitches. 5. Unsuitable Refrigerant Charge: Erroneous heat pump installation can lead to some refrigerant-based problems. And in case a unit is short of a refrigerant then it implies the technician did not add sufficient amounts in it. The leaks next to the seals may also be more noticeable. Especially on the sections, the refrigerant lines attach to the other elements. This is also due to wrong installation procedures. These circumstances show the heat pump is situated where there are bunches of tension, where the compressor is. This can cause a substantial rise in the cost of electricity. The low levels of the refrigerant can also deter the evaporator coil from heat absorption and therefore promote the freezing of moisture. The issue can be well dealt with by enabling the ice to melt or rubbing ice off. You need to contact your contractor to inspect the heat pump in case of any leaks and put in the additional refrigerants. 6. Devising a Poor drainage System: When the AC is running, there can be quite a considerable amount of moisture. In case this is not filtered the right way, it can affect the staff closer to it. There can be musty smells, mold growth, backed-up tubes, and damaged drywalls among others. Putting up bad drainage is often known to be among the major AC mistakes and some houses are experiencing these kinds of problems. In case of any queries regarding the drainage, always talk to a professional. This will help you confirm if all the things are well placed in response to the predictable subsequent years. Read Also: How To Save Money On Your Air Conditioning Costs This Summer AC Repair Austin: Tips on How to Choose an AC Unit Don’t Get Caught in a Heatwave: 5 Signs That Your AC Is About to Go Out

Fax Over the Internet

Being able to send a document with a push of a button was groundbreaking in modern technology. Faxing became one of the quickest and easiest ways to send a document from one place to another. With snail mail being too slow and email not being secure, so that leaves us with the decade-old but always reliable fax. But who uses fax machines nowadays? You’d be surprised that even startups are still using a fax machine. But without a fax machine how am I going to send or receive a fax? Luckily for you, the internet provides a wide array of fax online setup and faxing over the internet like Hottelecom.biz. It’s easy, fast, and reliable, without that much effort. So how do you Fax over the internet? The process is simple. You send fax, using the internet connection at hand. It does not require you to have a physical fax machine. Unlike your typical fax machines which require a fax machine and a phone line connected to it, all you need is a network and a device to process and send the fax over the internet and an online faxing set-up and you’re good to go. So how do you get started? Step 1: The all-important internet: Of course, to be able to send a fax over the internet you would need the most key component, which is an internet connection. Step 2: A online faxing service: You can easily sign in to one of the numerous online fax service providers on the internet, A simple Google search will throw up multiple results. Go to the platform, check the credibility, and complete the signup process by entering your details. It is as simple as that. Step 3: Attaching your document(s) to your email or to a new fax message: This process is relatively simple and involves you adding the email to the fax. This is why you do not require a physical fax machine. A simple works just fine. E.g: 1xxxxxxxxxx@onlinefaxservice.com The issue here is the time taken by the software to convert the message or email into a fax. It depends on how big the message is. However, once it is sent, you will be notified in the same email id you had given at the time of signing up on the form. Advantages of Faxing online: So you know the what and the how, all you need is the why. Send fax anywhere and anytime - All you need is an internet connection, a computer or mobile phone, and your document and you can fax anywhere and anytime. Saves you money - Without the need for a fax machine, you could save a small amount of fortune for what you would have been paying for such as the equipment, the maintenance, the phone charges, and so on. It’s easy- Setting up and using it relieves you of the hassle. All you need is a mobile phone or a computer with an internet connection and you can be faxing online in no time. There is available software to aid you in this process too so there is no need to worry. It enables you to send a fax through only a mobile phone - Didn’t bring your laptop or no computer in sight? Use your mobile phone for your faxing needs. Many online faxing services provide mobile apps so you can fax them on the go. Making your phone camera as a scanner you would be able to scan documents and send them through your mobile phone. It keeps your files organized and on the go - Unlike the traditional way of faxing where you receive a ton of files printed on paper, how are you going to keep track of all these files if you’re having 10 faxes a month? With online faxing, it keeps all your documents in one app using cloud storage and on the go. Well, you can go for print and apply label systems to ensure better printing on your own. It can be a handy solution to uplift your document management process. You can do search results directly - Say goodbye to manually searching through all your documents in folders, cabinets, even in storage. You could find faxes in a matter of seconds with the help of the search bar on your computer or the mobile application. Online Faxing is easy, simple, and efficient. Use online faxing today and have efficiency in your own hands. Having online faxing would be an advantage to your business as it will help you check your faxes online and would help you keep things organized as well as having fewer paper trails. It will minimize expense and manpower to do so thus it is highly encouraged in our business now. We need to adapt to technology thus it will give so much advantage in our part. Read Also: Why You Need A Secure Wifi Connection In Shared Space How To Find The Best Check Printing Software

8 VPN Facts – You Should Know About

VPN Providers Track and Store Your Data :