Good morning! We’ve all made it through to the 7th Monday of the year. Congratulations.

First off, a reminder about our great news from last week. If you didn’t catch it, we’re partnering with FlashRouters to bring you flashed routers pre-configured to your FoxyProxy account! 

This means you can do all the things you use FoxyProxy for with any device connected to your home router, INCLUDING streaming things like the BBC iPlayer to your Chromecast or Roku.

Pretty exciting, eh? We thought so, too.

As always, here are some other cool/interesting things from through the week. Enjoy!

Why DOES your iPhone brick when set to 1970?  It’s not because it’s trying to travel back in time to the glory days of soft rock (we totally would if we could). This guy explains just what’s going on in your iPhone’s brain.

THINGMAKER MAKE THINGS FOR YOU.  The fabulously named Thingmaker is a new 3D printer designed to make toys at a pretty reasonable price. Time to get fancy with those RPG dice deigns.

PC Makers have decided what you’ll want for 2016  The Register asked Dell, Lenovo, and HP what they think buyers will be looking for this year. The answer? Shrinkage.

Instead of a conspiracy theory, you’re getting some glorious 1970’s soft rock. We couldn’t decide between James Taylor and Neil Diamond, so you get both.
You’re welcome. 

How much would you love to watch the BBC iPlayer on any device in your home, at any time, without having to configure anything?

Then have we got some news for you! FoxyProxy has partnered with FlashRouters  to provide you with wifi routers that are pre-configured to work with your FoxyProxy account! Exciting, isn’t it?

So what does this mean for a FoxyProxy user? Watch BBC iplayer on any device, at any time without configuring it. All devices using the wifi router automatically use your proxy or VPN. No need to configure your phones, laptops, tablets, PCs, and smart TVs. 

Here’s how it works. You select which wifi router you want (as low as $169), go through checkout, and then you are prompted to provide your FoxyProxy username, password, and server (details we give you when you purchase a FoxyProxy account.)

FlashRouters configures the router, then mails it to the customer. The customer plugs it in and, with zero setup, all devices that use that wifi connection are now “FoxyProxy-ified.” (including things like ChromeCast and Roku!)

So how are we able to do this? You’re probably familiar with all the firmware, bloatware, and other things which come pre-installed on many devices including TVs, computers, and phones. Wireless routers are no different. FlashRouters takes that pre-installed software and replaces it with their own custom programs. Replacing that software is called (wait for it…) “Flashing.”

FlashRouters buys off-the-shelf wifi routers, then “flashes” them with 1 of 2 open-source alternatives: Tomato Shibby or DD-WRT.  Why do they replace the manufacturer’s firmware with Tomato or DD-WRT? A few reasons:

1. Manufacturer firmware is usually just powerful enough to let you do simple things.

Router manufacturers make most of their products for non-technical users, making them simple and easy to use for the average customer, but also thereby limiting the potential of what they can really do.

Tomato and DD-WRT are much more feature-packed, and support things like VPN, increase your wireless coverage, monitor your bandwidth allocation, and keep your network as secure as humanly possible.

By using Tomato’s Advanced QoS (Quality of Service), you can even determine which of your online activities is given the most bandwidth (gaming and movie streaming can take top priority in order to avoid annoying freezes, stalls, etc), along with many other benefits. 

And DD-WRT transforms a retail, personal-class router into a powerful, multi-use, business-class router. With DD-WRT, a router’s enterprise potential can be unlocked at a home user’s price.

2. They are open-source.

So you know exactly what it’s doing. Thousands of eyes have written and reviewed the software, unlike the proprietary software that comes with wifi routers. This means there’s a much higher chance that your factory-loaded router is, or can be, compromised in some way.

There have been many cases of governments (US, China, just to name two) planting back-doors into router and networking software. In some cases, the company may be cooperating with its government, but in other cases the government physically intercepts and tampers with networking devices.

It’s true! Here are some examples:

FlashRouters has selected 4 devices for you to focus on, but any of the devices on their website can be pre-configured for FoxyProxy.

You can shop these routers HERE.

Happy Monday to you all!

It’s the fifth Monday of the year. Only 47 more to go, but hang in there. We can do this.

Good news, rugby fans! The Six Nations Championship starts this weekend. If you want to make sure you catch all the matches as they happen, we can help. We have rock solid UK, France, and Italy proxy and VPN servers which will do the trick.

If doing it yourself is more your style, we have numerous free software downloads to help you keep up with all the action.

And now for the roundup of interesting/weird/useful things! 

Netflix continues to not think things through  Netflix is moving forward with its plans for global streaming domination by announcing plans to introduce more local content, as well as bending to censorship laws in order to please restrictive governments. How they think that this won’t draw even more people using proxies and VPNs to view content isn’t really explained.

This is not a fox   The Maned Wolf looks like an awesome long legged fox, which is why I’m sharing this, but it’s not. It’s not even a real wolf. What is it? YOU DECIDE.

The US and the EU are knee deep in privacy negotiations  In case you forgot about that whole Safe Harbor debacle, the negotiations are still going strong, and could have big ramifications if they go south.

Tech experts tell the Government to chill already  Real live tech experts are telling the Government to quit the scaremongering over encryption and get a damned grip already.

NASA has given us a 360 Mars Viewer  Now you, too, can look for aliens on Mars!

Speaking of aliens on Mars, here’s a 100% true video of evidence which totally isn’t just a bunch of rocks.

We have some happy news! Fast VPN Service has chosen to list FoxyProxy as one of their World’s Leading Fast VPN Service Providers of 2016. We’re proud to remain on top of the game after 10 years of in the business and honored by their award.

Fast VPN Service is a well-known service review site whose aim is to provide for their users the latest reviews and ratings on different VPN providers. They cover many different areas, such as fastest VPN, VPN for torrenting, and more. They are constantly searching out and testing the best VPN connections worldwide to give their users the best experience possible.

They’ve reviewed and tested FoxyProxy and, based on our impressive performance, have listed us as one of their World’s Leading Fast VPN Service Providers of 2016.

Fox Fact: The Kit Fox is the smallest fox found in North America

Good morning! Congratulations, you’ve all made it to the fourth Monday of 2016. So far, so good.

We want to take a minute and remind you all that we’re doing some maintenance tomorrow.  We’ll be greasing the wheels, checking the tubes, and oiling the gears.

So tomorrow, Tuesday the 26th January at 20:00 UTC, all services will be down for maintenance. This includes all VPN and proxy service, as well as the website and support. The downtime may be as much as 3 hours, but is likely to be much shorter!

On Thursday the 28th, our support will be down, starting at 20:00 UTC, with downtime possibly as much as 3 hours, but likely to be much shorter. 

Here’s a handy UTC time zone converter so you know just when this will happen.

And now for your Monday Morning Procrastination! 

Cortana doesn’t like it when you break a promise  In a not at all creepy, invasive, or uncomfortable move, Microsoft will start rolling out its new Commitments feature. Cortana, the Windows 10 digital assistant with the soothing voice, will scan your emails and remind you to keep the promises you make to others.

Are you still digging out from the US blizzard? Here’s some great stuff to watch if you’re still snowed in or if you’ve convinced your boss that you can’t get into work. Not snowed in? Watch anyway!

And speaking of watching things Here’s a site that lets you search the global Netflix library. Happy hunting, and you know where to find us when you need a proxy for that awesome new thing you want to watch.

Did you know that the US Blizzard was geoengineered by the HAARP program? Now you do. 

Good morning, everyone! We’ve made it to the third Monday of the year. It’s been a rough one so far, in some regards.

Your blogatrix is still reeling about David Bowie, to be honest.

But in other news! You’ve all heard the rumblings about Netflix suddenly deciding that VPN and proxy usage is a no-no. Why did this happen? Who knows, but their announcement of expansion into 130 countries may have something to do with this. They have been under pressure from Hollywood for a while about restricting content and abiding by licensing agreements, so this move may be a way to placate the entertainment hand that feeds them while at the same time biting the other hand which feeds them; paying customers.

The question remains about how well they’ll be able to effectively ban the tech. But does Netflix actually WANT to do this? Or will it be making a show and a little bit of effort with the intent of quieting the folks pressuring them about international licensing? Netflix must be fully aware that the very international users it’s seeking to block account for a chunk of income it doesn’t want to lose.

Rest assured, dear foxes, that we’ll be playing this cat and mouse game to the fullest! FoxyProxy will be doing our best to stay ahead of the game to keep providing you with the service you need. We’ll be keeping a close on things as they develop.

And why not? Netflix is all part of the big conspiracy anyway.

Fact: Fennec Foxes are stackable for easy storage

Hello and good morning, readers. The first week of 2016 is down – only 51 more to go! By the way, 2016 is our 10th year in business. In Tech Years, that’s approximately 137 years. We’ve managed to do it by sticking with our ethics and striving to provide our customers with the best service we can give, and putting our free, open-source software out there for everyone.

This week’s weekly run-down has a bunch of good stuff! All useful, and entertaining. You’ll laugh, cry, maybe roll your eyes, possibly snicker.

Netflix has announced that it’s now live in 130 countries, which means there’s even more to binge watch. BOY it’s a good thing you know where to find awesome proxy and VPN service, isn’t it?

Speaking of Netflix:  This story about Netflix’s genre code system has been out and about on the web this week. Sadly, “Steamy Cult Movies” has only one entry (Surprisingly not Zardoz) but it’s Barbarella which is really all you need.

T Mobile caught red-handed throttling video  The EFF has shown that T Mobile is just indiscriminately throttling video streaming under the “Binge On Optimization” service it recently introduced. Not good, T Mobile. Not good at all. Maybe customers can throttle their payments?

Samsung is doing its part to bring on The Singularity   Smart fridges, smart ovens, smart houses, smart watches, you name it, Samsung wants to put a chip in it and give it a touch screen interface.

David Bowie has died  Died, or returned back to his galaxy of origin as I prefer to think. It’s not entirely FoxyProxy related, but we’ve all felt like a weirdo, outsider, other, haven’t we? And he was our Galactic Prince of the Other.

Good morning! The Earth has successfully hurtled around the sun once more, bringing us to the first Monday of 2016. Time to take off the pajamas and put pants back on for the first time in days. Let’s get back to it.

2015 was great at times, really very terrible at other times, and mediocre quite a lot. Next week we’re going to do a bit of a retrospective, but for now, here’s hoping 2016 is going to be a good one, a better one, for everyone.

Hey! Did you know that FoxyProxy was founded in 2006, making 2016 our 10th anniversary year! We’re pretty proud to have been in the game for so long, as a privately owned corporation in a business rife with fly-by-night companies and shady operators with less than stellar ethics.

Being is business for so long means we have a good understanding of what corporate customers need, as well. If you’re in the market for corporate proxy and VPN service, look no further. We can even work with you to come up with a custom package perfect for your needs.

Procrastination Time! Here are some good/interesting/strange things to fill your first Monday morning back at work, topped off as usual with another fantastic and 100% believable conspiracy for you folks to ponder.

The BBC got hit with a DDOS attack  The Beebs was down for a span of a few hours on   New Year’s eve. Everything seems to be back to normal for now, so we can all put the kettle on and relax until this whole thing blows over.

The NSA has finally gone to far for the US Congress  The many headed beast known as the US Congress was stirred from its holiday slumber by allegations that the NSA has been keeping tabs on conversations between Israel and various American politicians.

Mark Zuckerberg wants to create Jarvis   A good deal of this is doable with already existing tech, though he wants to make it even more cohesive. An AI in charge of the house and data of Mark Zuckerberg? Here’s hoping he hammers home Asimov’s Three Laws.

A Biologist did an actual study on Zombie preparedness  And guess what? We’re doomed, which comes as no surprise at all. But…what about Werewolf preparedness?  

The iWatch is an Illuminati conspiracy to prepare us for Transhumanism.  Makes sense, right?

Fox Fact: some foxes have retractable claws, like cats. 

Happy Monday! It’s been an eventful week, and if you’re like me and the other millions of people out there, you went to see the new Star Wars. If you haven’t seen it yet I won’t spoil it for you, but I will give you the gentle reminder that when it releases to Netflix next year, Canada will be the only place with the Netflix streaming rights.

Of course, you could get around that by purchasing our Canadian proxy/VPN service, or downloading our free browser plug ins and software to do it yourself.

One of the cool stories out this week featured a new HTTP Error code which indicates that content has been blocked by a government agency. The code? 451. It’s a great use of a literary work, and most of us immediately grasp the significance of the numbers 451.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with it, Fahrenheit 451 is a book by Ray Bradbury, depicting a future where books are outlawed, and rather than putting out fires, Firemen are dispatched to burn books wherever they are found.

It’s a bit more complicated than that, but you get the idea.

It made me recall, though, reading about how Bradbury himself hated the fact that everyone assumed it was about government censorship, in the 1984 sense of the term. He’s quoted as saying that the book is about television replacing literature. At first, the people of his book voluntarily stopped reading and then eventually the state outlawed books altogether as a source of dangerous social deviance.

In the novel, books served to make people think too much. Books made the people turn off the TVs, stop listening to the state sponsored entertainment/news, discuss new ideas, and so forth. Television was used to divert attention away from anything that would cause societal disruption. Even the looming threat of war was an afterthought to those consumed by the comforting glow of the stories and entertainment fed through the TV.

So, keep reading. Use this magic information box called a computer to read whatever you can. Learn new and weird things. Talk about them. Discuss and debate things with people who think differently than you do. Don’t let governments or agencies or corporations distract you from the real world, and all those things that are so important.

Fox Facts: Foxes scream, and it’s actually a little disturbing. 

Good morning, Fox Fans. Another Monday is here, and that means another blog post from your favorite proxy providing party people.

We offer paid service to give you access to our top notch proxy and VPN servers, as well as a bunch of free downloads for you folks who like to do it yourself.  I want to also take a minute and re-direct you to our blog post from last week. Be refreshed by the concept of a company which actually sticks to its ethics!

As always, you can find us on Facebook and Twitter.

So what cool, weird, and/or fun things do I have lined up for you today? Keep reading and find out. It’s like a Choose Your Own Adventure, but with stories of varying importance instead of actual adventure.

The First Website launched 25 years ago at the CERN research facility. The creator is still actively working to protect the open web against censorship and attempts to crush net neutrality. See? Demon summoning isn’t all they’re up to at CERN.

The Dawn of Electronics saw some great art emerge The golden age of advertising, paired with the emergence of technology for the everyday consumer inspired a lot of great art. Excuse me while I order some prints.

Those fun Facebook quizzes eat your personal data  I know they’re temping. But resist! Do you really need to know your Star Wars name that badly? Is it so important to let Facebook choose your Patronus Spirit? Do you really need to know how long you would survive in Westeros? The answer to that last one is approximately four days.

Looking for some Retro-AltHistory Nostalgia Art?  Because I’m on an art kick this week, here is some lovely retro tech infused, alternate reality nostalgic art. Just click, it all works together.

Data Surveillance is nothing new  The UK has a national database system, born 15 years ago and named PRESTON, which has been recently revealed to be very Big Brother like in its methods. Doubleplus Bad.

AND FINALLY: Because I can’t resist. Here is proof of Facebook’s connection with The Illuminati. The proof lies in the hoodie, apparently.