Going out for the day to do some work in a cafe and grab a coffee can be quite an enjoyable pastime until you realise the dangers which lie in using public networks and wifi. When it comes to online privacy and security, a VPN is an essential tool. By encrypting your web traffic and routing it through a VPN server, you can make sure that your data is safe from prying eyes.
What is a VPN?
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is like a secure tunnel connecting two or more devices. A VPN can be used to protect your privacy, security, and online identity. Especially when using public networks, your personal information is vulnerable to hackers looking to steal your data. Hackers can now even download voice commands you have made from your computer, using these to manipulate your voice. Outside of being used for privacy, businesses often use VPNs to allow remote workers to connect to the company's network securely.
Protect Privacy
One of the biggest benefits of using a Virtual Private Network is that it makes it incredibly difficult for anyone to hack into your system or steal your data. Privacy is never given online; it is often taken. Advertisers, social media networks, and countless third parties are often tracking your movements online through the use of cookies you innocently connect with daily. These cookies learn about you through your searches and internet history, feeding this data back to advertisers. A VPN obscures your digital footprint to cookies, meaning they can no longer track and learn about you as a consumer.
Data Protection
In today's society, we should think carefully about our data with the utmost caution. Of course, if you're using a VPN, you'll no doubt see cyber security as a major priority. So it's important to make sure all of your security processes and software are up to date.
It helps you remain anonymous online, so you won't leave a trace when browsing the web on public networks. Additionally, a VPN hides your real IP address, making it difficult for websites and advertisers to track your online activity. This is especially important if you’re using public Wi-Fi, as it makes it more difficult for others on the same network to snoop on your web traffic.
Access more content
As an added bonus, a VPN can help bypass local geo-restrictions and censorship, allowing you to access websites and content that would otherwise be unavailable. A VPN allows you to ‘locate’ yourself to be anywhere in the world, so you can choose to be based in New York and have access to American content that is typically unavailable to a UK audience.
Of course, if you're using a VPN, you'll no doubt see cyber security as a major priority. So it's important to ensure all of your security processes and software are current.
A VPN is an important tool for keeping your web activity private and secure, and many subscription options are available. Some VPNs are free and offer a lite service, whilst others charge a monthly fee. When choosing a VPN, it’s important to consider your needs and find a reputable provider with a strong privacy policy. One of the best things about using a VPN is that you simply have to turn on your laptop, open the VPN application, and it works its magic by itself.