7 Reasons to Secure Your Online Presence With a VPN
Do you want to protect your data and privacy on public Wi-Fi networks? VPNs keep your data encrypted so that even if you log into your online banking account from a coffee shop, hackers can’t spy on it.
Remote work soared during the Covid pandemic, and it’s an ongoing part of the modern business landscape. With a VPN, employees can bypass company firewalls to stay productive.
1. Secure Your Data
If you use a public Wi-Fi network, hackers and cybercriminals can spy on the information you send and receive. This can include your online search history, usernames and passwords, credit card details, and other personal data. A quality VPN helps to protect your devices and the data you send through them by rerouting your internet traffic via an encrypted server.
When you connect to a VPN, the information that passes through your device is scrambled, so third parties can’t see what you’re doing online. This means that you can stay safe on a public Wi-Fi connection and avoid identity theft by hiding your data.
A VPN also protects your online privacy by masking your IP address. This can prevent websites you visit from knowing your physical location and can even protect against “evil twin” attacks by hiding your browsing activity. It can also help you to avoid internet censorship by connecting to servers in countries other than your own, which can be useful if you want to access content that is only available in certain regions. Look for a provider that offers a large number of servers in a variety of locations around the world to maximise your flexibility.
2. Protect Your Privacy
Whether you’re at home or on the go, VPNs encrypt your data to keep hackers and others from spying on your online activity. This makes them a powerful tool for boosting your network security, especially on public Wi-Fi connections like those found in coffee shops and airports.
It’s no secret that your internet service provider (ISP) can track and sell your browsing data. That information may reveal details about your medical condition or the type of products you typically purchase. It can also lead to price discrimination, where products you use or search for are priced differently based on the info you’ve shared with the company.
A VPN can shield you from this kind of tracking by first routing your data through a server, then sending it to the internet. Most VPNs offer ad and malware blocking, too, so that you’re protected from unwanted content and attacks. The best VPNs for privacy have strict no-log policies, which means they won’t retain any of your sensitive information.
3. Access Geo-Restricted Content
Many entertainment sites restrict content based on your location. Whether you’re streaming US Netflix shows abroad, or trying to catch up on your favorite sports team from another country, geo-blocking can be a real pain in the ass. But you can bypass these restrictions with a VPN.
Your laptop, smartphone and other devices that connect to the internet have an IP address which contains information about your location. This is how your internet provider knows where you live and what services to provide. But your VPN can mask this information by connecting you to a server in a different part of the world.
A VPN encrypts your connection, keeping your data safe from prying eyes at work, school and public Wi-Fi. It also makes it possible to connect to servers in locations that aren’t blocked by content restrictions.
Depending on the VPN you choose, this can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Look for a VPN with multiple servers in the countries you want to access. For example, a VPN server having over 1000 servers in 200+ countries, including all the locations where geo-restricted content can be found is good. And its high speeds mean you can stream without lag. It also has a no-log policy and other features, such as a kill switch, adblocking and more.
4. Unblock Proxy Servers
If your company restricts certain websites, or if you’re in a country with strict content blocks, a VPN can help. A VPN offers the most comprehensive tool for bypassing geo-blocking and censorship, although there are other options as well, including Tor (which bounces your connection around a network of volunteer relays). Learn more about the best VPN on Reddit.
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, meaning it’s impossible for anyone to see what you’re searching for on the web or where you’re searching from. That’s important because, on public Wi-Fi, it’s easy for hackers and cybercriminals to eavesdrop on your online activity.
You’ll also be able to unblock proxy servers with a VPN, which can give you access to content that would otherwise be blocked by your school, workplace, or home Wi-Fi router. For example, Netflix’s collection of shows varies by region, so some people use VPNs to watch American TV while they’re overseas. The VPN makes it look as though you’re using a US IP address, which means you can stream from anywhere without worrying about being blocked by your employer or stifling your enjoyment of the vacation you worked so hard for. (Note that some content providers have started blocking known VPN IP addresses, so you might find some of your favorites are still restricted even with a VPN.
5. Avoid Internet Censorship
A VPN is a virtual private network that connects you to remote servers, providing an encrypted connection between your device and the Internet. This allows you to bypass filters and blockers that censor online content. While there is one global Internet, many governments attempt to impose geographic and political borders on it in an effort to control information and suppress viewpoints they find unfavorable.
Governments censor information primarily by blocking Web sites in whole or in part. They may also censor search engines to make sure they only return results they want you to see. Unfortunately, some Internet service providers (ISPs) and even software-makers work with undemocratic governments to implement their censorship regimes.
A VPN hides your connections from your local network and ISP, preventing them from accessing your browsing history and other data. This can be especially useful in countries that have abandoned net neutrality, allowing ISPs to slow down or block your connection based on what they think you’re doing online. It can also help you avoid online censorship by connecting to a server in a country that doesn’t censor Internet content. For instance, if your favorite streaming services are only available in certain regions, a VPN can make it look like you’re connecting from that region, unlocking their content.
6. Secure Your Connection on Public Wi-Fi
If you use public Wi-Fi to access the internet at work, home or a coffee shop, then you should definitely make sure you’re using a VPN. Without one, you could be leaving your data vulnerable to hackers and cybercriminals.
Public Wi-Fi connections are notoriously unsecure, making them prime targets for hackers and cybercriminals. They can eavesdrop on your web traffic, monitor what you’re doing and even steal your personal information, such as credit card or online banking details.
Many online services also keep track of your internet history to target you with ads, so a VPN can help to keep you anonymous and safe on public Wi-Fi. For example, if you’re searching for info about a medical condition, it may show up in your search history – and you don’t want that to be shared with your ISP or your insurance company.
A VPN can also encrypt your connection to a website, so attackers won’t be able to see what you’re doing or what you are downloading. This means that even if a website doesn’t have HTTPS, it will still be protected by the VPN. This makes it much harder for Man-in-the-Middle attacks and other security risks like phishing or SSL/TLS vulnerabilities.
7. Stay Anonymous
A VPN can help you stay anonymous on the web. It encrypts your data so that third parties can’t identify your activity, even if they have access to your IP address. While this doesn’t guarantee total anonymity online (even providers with no-logs policies can still track traffic in real-time), it does make you less identifiable to hackers and other cyber criminals.
Your IP address is the unique address that leads back to your device on the internet. It can be used to figure out what you’re looking for, where you’ve been, and other information about you. When you use a VPN, your IP address is replaced with one from the server you’re connected to. This makes it nearly impossible for someone to trace your online activity.
It also helps you avoid retargeted ads on sites you visit. For example, if you search for flights or hotels on a regular basis, your prices may start going up the next time you visit the site – that’s because companies are tracking your activity and using it to retarget ads at you. A VPN can stop this from happening by masking your location. For the best results, look for a service that offers servers in many different countries.
