5 Reasons To Use A VPN Right Now
As a cybersecurity tool, virtual private networks (VPNs) are fast becoming a go-to method for protecting ourselves from online threats. Whether it’s thieves targeting your personal information, your desire to access region-locked media, or simply trying to prevent websites from tracking you online, a VPN is a wonderful tool. A VPN uses a tunneling protocol that lets users anonymously browse the web on any device. VPNs can vary greatly, offering unique features, pricing, and capabilities depending on the service provider. A VPN is a great tool for protecting your privacy and anonymity when you’re online. Here are five reasons you should use one right now.
Privacy Protection
In this day and age, data compromise in privacy violations are just about everywhere. It seems like everyone in their brother wants to steal, buy, or sell your data. Your internet service provider isn’t supposed to sell your data either, but that doesn’t prevent them from doing so at times. It also doesn’t stop them from using it to serve you targeted ads or throttle your connection. The most egregious privacy violations can happen when an attacker steals your data. With the powerful encryption a VPN provides, you don’t need to worry about your data being compromised in this manner. Instead, all of your browsings is obscured and hidden while you’re online. This makes it easier to work in peace without having to worry about any type of hacking attempt. It’s one of the reasons VPNs are so popular for remote work and some office work these days, in addition to other online activities.
Stopping Hackers On Public Networks
If you like to do any kind of work in a public space or enjoy the atmosphere of a coffee shop (and a nice cup of dark roast while you work), then you’ve undoubtedly used public Wi-Fi at some point. But here’s the kicker: public Wi-Fi is incredibly insecure and can be a road to data theft and compromise. As the Federal Trade Commission actually points out, these networks are dangerous if you access unencrypted content or input your credentials into a suspicious site. Hackers can get your information and passwords, use them to impersonate you, and ultimately access your accounts. It’s not good. Using a VPN is safer than using a private connection on an unsecured network because it essentially manufactures a secure private layer through which you can browse. This makes it much safer to use a public network if you are on the go or doing work outside of your standard office/work areas.
Protect Your Passwords and Stop Throttling
Hackers want your passwords. The easier you make them crack, the more likely a hacker might be to steal yours. Using some password best practices can act as a mitigation method in this situation, as well as implementing multi-factor authentication. Best practices for passwords include making them longer, using a combination of symbols and numbers in addition to the letters, and considering passphrases. Oh, and don’t use the same passwords for multiple accounts. In addition to these best practices, adding a VPN to the mix can be an effective cyber security tool. Always remember that a VPN is not an antivirus or anti-malware tool, it simply assists with these functions. Protecting your passwords requires common sense as well as best practices and incorporating private browsing. Another issue people face sometimes with their internet service providers is bandwidth throttling. If your ISP decides that you are using too much bandwidth, they might decide to cut you off so to speak. With a VPN, you don’t have to worry about that as your bandwidth will remain the same while your traffic gets routed throughout different servers across the world.
Accessing Geo-Blocked Content
Have you ever tried to watch your favorite British comedy, anime show, or Indian film online only to find you can’t? That’s because of something known as geo-blocking. As the World Wide Web is connected, it has to conform to certain protocols. With those protocols there is a big difference between rights, licensing, and privileges when it comes to media. With a VPN, you can circumvent Geo-blocking and access restricted content from around the world. It’s just another of the many perks of using a VPN service.
Encrypting Online Activities
At the end of the day, VPN is the best way to protect yourself from prying eyes. Using a strong and secure VPN means your data is protected via advanced encryption techniques. These encryption protocols—point-to-point tunneling protocol, SSTP, L2TP, IPSec, IKEv2, AED, and more—keep you protected as you use the internet and are one of the best reasons to use a VPN today. A good VPN can also be used to cross multiple devices, which can prevent additional compromise due to shared accounts on those devices. For example, if you have an email account that you use on both your phone and computer, you don’t have to worry about risking it if you get on a public network or want to just keep it private. At the end of the day, incorporating a VPN into your online work and play is essential for ensuring the safety for your entire family.