Author Archives: J. Hawthorne

How to Change Proxy Settings in Internet Explorer (IE)

At times your access to the internet could be restricted due to firewalls at school or work. Governments and ISPs can sometimes try to limit your freedoms as well.

It’s an annoying circumstance but totally avoidable with a little tech know-how. Whatever your reason for opting to use a proxy server, plugging an IP address into Internet Explorer is a straightforward process.

It’s important to note that Microsoft has retired IE. It’s essentially outdated software. And it could be tricky to get it to work with your proxy server or VPN.

With that understood, let’s get started with configuring it.

Changing your Proxy Settings in IE, Step-by-Step

Step 1

Double-click on the Internet Explorer icon on your desktop or launch the application from the Start menu in Windows.

Step 2

Click on the cog icon at the top right of the window. Near the bottom of the contextual menu, you’ll see “Internet Options.” Click it.

Don’t see a cog? If you’re using an old version of IE, try this: Select “Tools” from the menu at the top of the screen then click “Internet Options.”

Step 3

Choose the “Connections” tab at the top of the “Internet Options” window.

Now click on the “LAN settings” or “Settings” button at the bottom right.

Step 4

Auto-detect Route

If you have configured Windows to use a VPN or use VPN software, this is the easiest option… if it works.

Check the box next to “Automatically detect settings” and see if it recognizes your system settings. If it does, you’re done!

Manual Route

To use a custom proxy, check the box next to “Use a proxy server for your LAN.” It’s under “Proxy server.”

This option will allow you the flexibility to add a port number, which in most cases is necessary when using a proxy from free lists.

Step 5

Copy and paste the server IP address in the text box next to “Address.” Now paste the Port number from the corresponding IP.

Step 6

Click on “OK.” Your proxy settings have now been modified. Load a web page to test if the proxy server is responsive.

Proxy Lists

A Few Tips for Newcomers

There are new sites showing up all the time that offer lists with free proxy servers. Unfortunately, many of the IP addresses are painfully slow or fail to work. Furthermore, easily-accessible lists have often been spoiled by spammers, so an IP address may not work because the site you are trying to view has banned the IP.

To save yourself the hassle of finding fresh, working proxies you may want to consider downloading Tor. It’s not a magic bullet either as the Tor network can be really slow at times. It works by creating a community in which users swap IPs. Setting it up on Internet Explorer is a hassle, while it’s super easy with Firefox so you may want to change your browser for tasks that require a proxy.

For the best speeds available, think about subscribing to a VPN service.

Goodbye to Internet Explorer Updates

Microsoft has stopped development for IE. And the company wants everyone to switch to Edge.

Since you’re reading this, you’re likely one of the people who doesn’t want to make the leap yet. After all, IE is a tried and true browser that many started their computing journey with. And it’s still preinstalled on many Windows machines.

For better performance when using a proxy server, it’s advisable that you use the final version: IE 11. Also, consider switching to a supported browser in the future as IE is no longer considered secure.

Note on Internet Explorer Versions

This tutorial was created for IE 11 users. If you’re using an older version and can’t find the proxy settings, consider upgrading your software.

Security Concerns

Never use a proxy server with a computer that doesn’t have virus protection. To be safe, download AVG Free or Trend Micro Internet Security and be sure to have the latest virus definitions.

How to Change Proxy Settings in Firefox

Is an ISP or institution blocking you from viewing online content? Yes, it’s frustrating. Thankfully you’re clever enough to know about proxies. The problem can be easily avoided by using a proxy server with your browser.

Firefox has basic proxy capabilities built right in. In the “Connection Settings” menu you can set up Firefox to auto-detect proxy settings used by your network, use system settings, or manually enter an IP address or domain name. Supported proxy server types include HTTP, HTTPS (SSL), and SOCKS (v4 or v5).

We’ll be looking at using both the automatic and manual options here.

Let’s get to the step-by-step instructions, shall we?

Step 1

Launch Firefox by double-clicking the Firefox icon on your desktop or by selecting it from the Start menu in Windows.

Step 2

At the top-right of the Firefox window, you’ll see a hamburger icon. It looks like three dashes stacked on top of each other. Click the hamburger icon and then select “Options” from the dropdown menu.

Step 3

On the left, click on “General.” There’s a cog icon next to it.

Step 4

Scroll all the way to the bottom. Here you’ll see “Network Settings.” Click on the “Settings” button next to it.

Step 5

You’ve arrived at your destination. The “Connection Settings” window allows you to fully configure your proxy in Firefox.

Auto-detect Route

If you’re already using a proxy with your network or device you can auto-detect your proxy settings. Select the appropriate radio button and you’re done!

Manual Route

If you want to set up your proxy in Firefox only, click on the radio button next to “Manual proxy configuration.” The text boxes below will now become active, allowing you to enter a proxy server IP address or domain name.

Step 6

Copy and paste the server IP address or domain into the appropriate box. If you don’t know which type to choose start with HTTPS Proxy first as it’s commonly used and it’s secure.

Don’t assume you have selected the wrong type if it doesn’t work. Dead proxy servers are about as common as brown leaves on an autumn day.

Proxy Lists

Looking for free proxy servers to test? Try the lists on one of the sites below.

A Few Tips for Newcomers

There are slews of proxy sites popping up at the time. Annoyingly, many of the servers on free proxy lists are either painfully slow or don’t work. To make matters worse, public lists are abused by spammers, so these IP addresses could be already banned on the site you’re trying to view.

If you’re having trouble finding fresh proxies, consider using a Firefox add-on like FoxyProxy or Tor. Both automatically search for working proxies and offer more robust options than the native menus in Firefox. These solutions can also slow your browsing down to a crawl, so keep in mind that fast proxy servers aren’t free.

For best results, subscribe to a VPN service. Check out LetMeBy’s list of the top VPNs and choose from the best of the best.

Note on Firefox Versions

This guide is confirmed to work with Firefox 115.0. Mozilla typically doesn’t change the user interface substantially over time, so this method will likely be the ticket for a long while.

Security Concerns

Never use a proxy server with a machine that doesn’t have virus software installed. Protect yourself and your data by downloading something like AVG Free or Trend Micro Internet Security. Be sure to have the latest virus definitions as well.

Should You Use a VPN with a Router or Your Devices?

Many home routers have VPN features built-in. The question is, should you use them?

In years past, the ability to configure your router to use a VPN was seen as a premium feature. It was found in top-end models and routers for business exclusively. Since VPNs have become so popular for everyday use, it’s now easy to find VPN-ready home routers.

Tech writers often love the idea of using VPNs with routers. After all, why wouldn’t you want to skip installing VPN software on each device? To many, leveraging a VPN at the router level is an exciting option. It’s convenient, and in many ways, it’s easier to manage. However, it isn’t always the best approach.

Ways to Use Your VPN

First, let’s look at the alternatives. There are two primary ways to enable a VPN on your devices:

  1. Install VPN apps on each device and manage them individually
  2. Install a VPN on your router so that every device goes through a VPN

The purpose of this article is to walk you through the pros and cons of these two approaches so you can determine what works best for you.

You may opt to use a VPN extension with your web browser but that won’t be a focus here.

Lastly, have a look at LetMeBy’s top VPN picks if you’re researching the services out there.

Pros and Cons of Using a VPN with Your Router

Pros

1. No VPN Software is Required

By using your router to manage your VPN you save yourself time upfront.

Most households have tons of devices: from smart TVs and game consoles, to smartphones. And your router admin panel allows you to manage everything in one place. All devices are protected by the VPN whether that device supports VPN software or not.

2. Better for Parents and Families

If you have teens or elderly family members in the home, it allows you to protect their smartphones or laptops without interfering too much.

Family members may not see the importance of using a VPN, but they won’t protest if their device automatically connects to it.

Cons

1. It’s a One Size Fits All Solution

Whether it’s Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Dropbox, each online service has its own policy about VPNs. Sometimes VPNs are approved of, sometimes they’re tolerated, and sometimes the service won’t function with it enabled.

Thus, enabling a VPN across your entire home network can make managing it with precision challenging. For example, if you want to disable the VPN to use a certain service, you’ll need to disable it across all devices via the router. And if other people in the house are using a device at the same time, they won’t be protected by the VPN.

2. Limited Access to the VPN’s Features

Routers with VPN features allow you to log in and use your VPN and that’s pretty much it.

If you want to change your IP address, switch to a different type of encryption, or see a map with all the available server locations marked on a map, you’ll need to access the VPN’s admin panel online.

3. Best for Tech Savvy Users

The software packaged with many routers such as Asus’ Merlin or DD-WRT makes it fairly painless to disable a VPN. It typically comes down to accessing the advanced settings and clicking a button.

Still, that means each user in your home will need access to the router settings. And you may not want to grant them that. Additionally, not everyone will be comfortable with drilling down into advanced settings. At the end of the day, this approach is best for tech savvy people.

Pros and Cons of Using a VPN App

Pros

1. Full Control of VPN on Each Device

There are so many scenarios in which it’s best to install VPN software on each device. Maybe you don’t want or need it on every device. Maybe you use a VPN for work exclusively and only need to install it on your laptop.

Leveraging software allows you to enable or disable the VPN on that device only. For example, if you want to watch Netflix on your home theater PC and need to turn off your VPN to continue, it makes sense to disable it on that one device rather than the entire network.

2. Access to Advanced Features and VPN User Interface

The top VPN services have amazing apps! They take something highly technical and make it look straightforward with a clean user interface.

It’s great to have access to a map that shows you where your VPN’s IP address is located. You can also change the IP, region, or country, easily from the app. None of that is possible when the VPN is configured at the router level, not to mention other advanced features.

Cons

1. More Apps and More Management Tasks

Each individual in a household typically has at least a few devices. And for efficiency’s sake, the fewer apps you need to install on them the better.

Installing VPN software is easy enough. And then you upgrade your phone, or have to reinstall your operating system on your PC. The time you spend managing software on several devices is often underestimated.

2. Not Ideal for Managing a Network for the Entire Family

If you handle the IT tasks in your family, you need to be able to manage as much of it as you can from one place.

Installing VPN software on each device is great if they’re all yours, but in situations where many devices in the home belong to family members, it’s nice to give them the benefits of a VPN without interfering with how they use their technology.

It’s Best to Use a VPN but It’s Not Always Practical

Most people use online services offered by major corporations every day. Some of our online activity is consequently tracked. It happens when we play online video games, when we check our email, and when we stream movies.

People naturally want as much online privacy as they can get. However, companies need to know certain things about their customers to operate. As a result, using a VPN with some online services isn’t always advisable.

Using a VPN can result in getting a message from an online service that tells you to disable it. Or the VPN can interfere with some of the functionality of apps.

Thus, it’s important that you can quickly and easily enable and disable your VPN.

Here are two examples of scenarios where you would want to turn off your VPN on the fly.

Netflix has cracked down on more than password-sharing. The video streaming services is also aware that people use VPNs to view content intended for countries different than their own. Some VPNs aren’t detected by Netflix. However, you could also get a message like this:

“You seem to be using a VPN or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again.”

Online games like Fortnite can also detect if you’re using a VPN and could ask you to turn it off to continue. The reason for this is its developer, Epic Games, needs to do everything it can to stop cheating in the game and to keep banned players out. Most people use VPNs to gain better online privacy but some gamers use VPNs to bend the rules.

Conclusion

When you have a router with VPN features it’s tempting to go in that direction. However, just as many people and households are better served by using VPN software instead.

Remind yourself that one approach isn’t better than the other when reviewing the pros and cons. It all comes down to your usage patterns and needs.

Check out LetMeBy’s roundup of the top VPN-ready routers. And if you want better online privacy on the road, see the roundup of the best mobile Wi-Fi routers.

Stopping Cheaters in Fortnite Is a Game of Whack-A-Mole

Ever gotten beaten by a player that never missed once in Fortnite? If you’re like most players, it happens too often.

It probably wasn’t a player with superhuman skills, or your imagination, or luck. Odds are you encountered an aim-botter. And it’s one of the most common ways players cheat in the game.

Fortnite Tops the List for the Most Cheaters

A recent study by Surfshark found that Fortnite has the biggest cheating problem out of any online game.

It looked at how many views videos about cheating have on YouTube. Fortnite was number one by a wide margin, followed by Overwatch and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

As much as it’s disconcerting for Fortnite players it’s also a testament of its incredible popularity. Fortnite is one of the biggest games in the world right now. And the more players, the higher the headcount of cheaters.

The Types of Hacks on Fortnite

The Fortnite cheats you often hear about from game journalists and frustrated players are aimbot and wallhack.

A website that sells Fortnite cheats stated its top hacks include “Aimbot, ESP, Wallhack, Radar Hack, Trigger Bot, No Recoil and more.” They are being sold for around $10.

Aimbot

Aimbot is a cheat that shows no mercy. Every shot hits its target. Players can run, duck, or jump to try to save themselves but their every movement is perfectly tracked. And the cheater’s opponents are blasted away without hesitation. In fact, aimbots are so precise that they can target parts of the body such as the head, neck, chest, or leg.

Wallhack aka ESP

Wallhack makes it impossible for players to hide and use the element of surprise to their advantage. It allows cheaters to see behind walls, structures, and parts of the terrain like mountains and boulders. It’s a devastating hack because Fortnite is all about building forts and using them in battle. Coupled with aimbot this puts cheaters in “god mode” so other players don’t stand a chance.

Epic Games Takes A Stand

So, is developer Epic Games dropping the ball? Although it can seem like it when emotions are riding high after getting blasted by an aim-botter, the company is actually pulling out all the stops to make it difficult for cheaters.

Community Coordinator Nathan Mooney had this to say on Fortnite’s official blog:

To start, addressing cheaters in Fortnite is the highest priority across Epic Games. We are constantly working against both the cheaters themselves and the cheat providers. And it’s ongoing, we’re exploring every measure to ensure these cheaters are removed and stay removed from Fortnite Battle Royale and the Epic ecosystem. We don’t want to give too many clues about what we’re doing, but we are rolling out tools and will continue to do so. Thousands have been banned and we have no plans to stop!

Note that he says it’s ongoing. The sad reality is every time Epic Games implements a new way to thwart cheating the Fortnite communities’ bad apples eventually figure out how to get around it.

In 2022 Epic rolled out new anti-cheat software called Byfron. And it made tampering with the game harder than ever.

Soon after, hackers voiced their irritation in a Discord server when it prevented them from accessing the game entirely:

“FN will be down for a while. Fortnite after three years has decided to add s**t that will make it hard to cheat,” one hacker said. “They have greatly protected things that we need to make a cheat.”

“Before this update nothing was protected, now everything is.”

Epic is now protecting Fortnite with three layers of anti-cheat software: EasyAntiCheat, Battle Eye, and Byfron.

Detecting the Cheaters

One of Epic’s latest moves is to remove players that use tools to conceal or alter their device’s hardware IDs. These hardware IDs are used to track the parts of a computer a player uses with Epic Games. Thus, anybody hiding it is in almost all cases banned from Fortnite or is up to no good.

Unfortunately, soft hacks are being replaced with hardware hacks to avoid being detected in the first place.

Some players are now using a device called Cronus Zen. It’s a new, advanced take on those old SNES controllers with turbo buttons. It acts as an emulator that can run custom mods for game controllers. The mods improve building and take aim assist to the next level.

Protecting Yourself with a VPN in Fortnite

Using a VPN is an effective way to preserve your online privacy and protect yourself from malicious players. It hides your IP address and by doing so it eliminates the possibility of other players using tools to find it.

The catch is Epic Games doesn’t recommend using a VPN in Fortnite. This is because players with banned IP addresses use VPNs to access the game.

You could get this popup message from Epic Games if you have a VPN enabled, “You were removed from the match due to internet lag, your IP or machine, VPN usage, or for cheating. We recommend not utilizing VPN or proxy services while attempting to play Fortnite.”

For many, the benefits outweigh the possibility of getting removed from matches. See LetMeBy’s reviews of the top VPNs to learn more.

Conclusion

Online multiplayer games will always have cheaters. They’ve been around since the early days in games like Doom and Unreal Tournament.

They’ve infested plenty of titles over the years such as the multiplayer in old versions of Call of Duty. Epic Games has a monumental task on its hands. But they’ll be willing to keep it up as long as Fortnite is a cash cow for Epic.

Your Private Data Could Be at Risk in Call of Duty. What to Do.

The Call of Duty franchise is so popular that it practically put online multiplayer on the map in first-person shooters.

Games like the rebooted Call of Duty: Modern Warfare have big maps that support over 100 players. It’s thrilling to compete with so many players and an amazing technical achievement, but it also has its risks.

There are over 22 main Call of Duty games in existence. On average at least one Call of Duty title is released every year. And since multiplayer is the highlight, all those titles create a maintenance challenge for its developers.

The reality is newer games get updates, and older games are abandoned. COD games that are no longer updated become breeding grounds for cheaters and malicious users.

Many players move to the newest versions of Call of Duty. But sometimes the community prefers to stick with their favorite version. And over time these older games become dodgier by the day in their multiplayer mode.

Fans Fix Black Ops III

By most people’s definition, Black Ops III [Amazon] is a modern game still worth playing but to its developer Treyarch, it’s old news.

Released in 2015, Black Ops III’s community is very much alive. And while it still receives some vulnerability patches and updates, the game is no longer a priority. Due to its long-lived popularity, it’s a real trap for COD fans.

TechCrunch dedicated a piece to how dangerous Black Ops III is and how gamers are taking action to fix it. Here’s why you should be concerned if you play it:

“The game has become infested with hackers. There are tons of security vulnerabilities which have a severe impact,” Maurice Heumann, one of the two hackers behind the effort to fix the game, told TechCrunch. “You can get hacked just by playing the game. Your data can be stolen and so much more.”

Maurice Heumann first created a modified version of Black Ops III to fix its bugs and is now working on his own version of the game’s launcher. His project can be found on GitHub here.

The downside is that by using this custom launcher players can’t interact with nearly everyone else using the official game.

Players like Heumann are also reporting bugs to the game’s publisher, Activision. The company has acknowledged some of these bug reports but largely hasn’t taken action on many of the bugs yet.

Activision has stated that it’s committed to continuing support of Black Ops III. However, players are wise to take precautions before playing as its flawed online security has been an ongoing issue.

How to Protect Yourself in Call of Duty

For most, the best thing to do is connect to Call of Duty games with a VPN.

Hackers in the game hone in on their target by using a tool to find the player’s IP address. And by using a VPN you replace your true IP with one supplied by a VPN service provider. Thus, malicious users can’t get any further if they aim to gain access to your private data.

Learn about the best VPNs by visiting this page.

Trick to Avoid Hackers in Call of Duty

Modern Warfare 2 [Amazon] pro player Gabriel Hamshaw, aka Aroma, shared his top tip for avoiding malicious users in Call of Duty.

As the lobby fills up note the handles of other players. If a hacker Is present simply leave the lobby to figurately or literally dodge a bullet.

It’s effective but of course is only feasible for dedicated COD players. You need to be able to spot them based on only their handle, and as there are so many it’s not like you can easily pull up a list of hackers.

Games with the Most Cheaters

If you’re considering trying a different FPS franchise to avoid cheaters in Call of Duty, think twice.

According to a recent study by Surfshark, Fortnite had the most cheaters followed by Overwatch and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. There are three Call of Duty games further down on the list: Call of Duty: Warzone, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.

Considering how active its community is, Call of Duty games actually fared better than many of the alternatives.

Conclusion

The multiplayer in Call of Duty is a blast to play. Unfortunately, competitive FPS games attract people with bad intentions. And they can potentially even access your private data by exploiting vulnerabilities in the game.

You’ll probably want to stay away from the multiplayer in old versions of Call of Duty that are no longer updated. Be on the lookout for hackers and cheaters, note their handles, and avoid them in future play sessions.

Additionally, don’t be an easy target. Use a VPN to hide your IP whenever you play online.