Cocoon

[idaho]

What Is Cocoon?

Cocoon is an all-in-one plugin that makes everything you do online secure, virus-free and private. Without Cocoon websites and hackers have access to your computer to leave cookies or infect it with viruses and malware. You even get protection on open Wi-Fi access points.

Cocoon makes the Web a better place by eliminating viruses, putting an end to spam, protecting your privacy and keeping your browsing all in one place.

Privacy

Cocoon protects your privacy letting websites and advertisers see only Cocoon computers, not your computer. Your privacy is protected from companies compiling data based on your browsing history and selling it to the highest bidder.

Security

When you log into Cocoon, you use our computers to browse the web, not yours. Your computer is protected while Cocoon blocks viruses and malicious software, stopping viruses from ever reaching your computer.

No Spam

Part of Cocoon protecting your privacy is protecting you from spam. Why should you give your email address to every website that asks for it (or keep track of multiple email accounts)? Cocoon let's you create email addresses on the fly and lets you easily manage or delete them.

Portability

Cocoon lets your online experience go with you from computer to computer. When you log into Cocoon, you always have access to your previous browsing history. Never again will you have to try to remember what that website was you visited on another computer, or have your login info for a website saved only on your work computer not your home computer.

Cocoon is only supported by Firefox version 3.6.3 or newer, under Windows 7, XP and Vista, Mac OS X.4 or newer, and most modern Linux systems.

Price-FREE
Source: https://getcocoon.com/
WOT-green http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/getcocoon.com

[Bearcat]

Thanks for the heads up idaho. This look like an interesting concept.

[Alboguy]

Very interesting share idao! I was playing around a bit and from what I'm seeing it's kinda like a cloud-based VPN service. I'm still trying to figure out how this works. Thanks for sharing!

[LunarWolf]

So is it a VPN? It sounds like one. IMO, it sounds like a VPN + DNS service.

[leofelix]

It looks interesting at a first glance
thank you

[Raymond]

I'm not sure if it's a VPN because it only uses addon for Firefox.

[Ceyfer √]

I'm not sure if it's a VPN because it only uses addon for Firefox.

As far as I know it's a hybrid one. Like what you've said it is technically another "All-In-One Privacy Extension for Firefox," which is taking advantage of SaaS platform and putting more controls, security and fluidity during online session.

Some interesting notes:

Private Browsing mode on Steroids

Whenever you're logged into Cocoon, it turns on Private Browsing mode and stores your browsing history on its servers instead of on your computer. That way, you can view your history as normal, but only if you're logged in, thus keeping your history safe from prying eyes using your machine. Cocoon also provides an on-the-fly disposable email address creator, keeping the spam out of your mail email inbox.

All your personal browsing data is stored in the cloud and encrypted, so only the user can access it, and you can view it only over a secure connection. This is similar to how LastPass functions. All your interactions with the Web are opt-in, not opt-out, so that your privacy gets elevated above all other concerns.

Technical limitations

Since you're browsing remotely, threats like cross-site scripting attacks and drive-by downloads are blocked. You are still vulnerable to social engineering, however, and short of full-frontal lobotomies, there's little to be done about that besides education and awareness.

Server Security

Today, our servers are housed in a tier 3 secure facility. Our servers run SE Linux, which is the Linux that was modified by the NSA to increase security and compartmentalization. Because we run Linux, we are not vulnerable to Windows-based viruses. Because we run SE Linux we are not vulnerable to any currently known linux-based attack. We believe that our servers are extremely secure.

Issue with Google Toolbar

Cocoon doesn't work with the Google toolbar because of the competing interests of Google search and Cocoon's emphasis on privacy

Other benefits

One of the side benefits of this, said Bermant, is that Netflix users will be able to watch streaming content from outside the United States since Cocoon's servers are in the U.S., and Netflix blocks streaming content to IP addresses that indicate a non-U.S. server.

References:

• -ttp://lifehacker.com/5730534/cocoon-is-an-all+in+one-privacy-extension-for-firefox-and-weve-got-beta-invites
• -ttp://ivebeenmugged.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/04/get-cocoon.html
• -ttp://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-20051064-12.html

Quite interesting, isn't it?

[LunarWolf]

If it isn't a VPN, then how does it do the following :

-When you log into Cocoon everything you do is encrypted.
-Cocoon's encryption even protects you from hackers at open WiFi access points such as coffee shops and airports.

It sounds like a VPN to me.

[Neo]

sounds interesting. looks like VPN to me too

[Raymond]

After testing Cocoon, logging in to Cocoon with the extension installed will route all connections to 209.234.185.69 port 443.
Take note of the port 443, which is why everything is encrypted.
Just like logging in to a secured website with SSL, such as Maybank2u, everything is encrypted... Or searching in Google with SSL which will prevent your search terms and search results pages from being intercepted by a third party.

Read more about it here: http://www.google.com/support/websea...er=173733&rd=1

I am not sure if this would classify Cocoon as VPN...