If you browse the internet without any protection, you will find many dangers lurking around, that could cause harm to your device or place your data at risk of being stolen. Using a VPN helps to protect your computer or mobile phone, while making sure that your private information remains so. Here are the features that enable you to go on the internet with more security, when using a VPN.
What does a VPN do?
When you download a secure VPN and use it to browse on the internet, it encrypts your data and online browsing history, which protects you from hackers and ISPs. The level of security will depend on the quality of the provider, so make sure that the one you use has been on the market for a while, such as Cyberghost, for example. It will ensure your privacy online, so that no one is able to track you, as you move from one website to another. It does so through the following features:
HIDES YOUR IP ADDRESS
That is the first task of a VPN: To disguise your Internet Protocol (IP) address, so that no one can track your movements online. This feature also serves to prevent your IP location from being leaked. However, not, all providers will actively prevent this from happening, so make sure that yours does.
PROTECTS AGAINST THE COLLECTION OF YOUR DATA
To keep your privacy, the VPN ensures that the data referring to you, on the internet, are not being collected or logged. It applies to login credentials, downloaded files as well as for global searches and roaming history. This is what protects you, even if a thief is able to enter into the VPN.
PROVIDES A KILL SWITCH
For some reason, it may happen that the VPN connection doesn’t hold and stops working. This would normally transfer you directly to your regular IP address. However, the best VPNs on the market come with a kill switch, which will automatically close certain programs, when this happens, to protect your anonymity.
USES A HIGHLY SECURE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
To ensure that no one can use your VPN, instead of you, they offer a multi-factor authentication to their users (MFA). When you get onto your VPN, it will ask you for a username and a password. Then, it will send you a message on your mobile phone, with a secret code, which you will have to enter to prove that it is you, providing again an extra layer of protection.
What are VPNs used for?
Now that you know what a VPN does to make your connection secure, here is how it actually works, once activated.
When you use a VPN, it creates an encrypted tunnel between the computer and a remote server, located outside of your home. It can be in the same country, or any other you may chose (according to the VPN servers location offered by your provider). Now, any website you may visit will not see your true IP address anymore. That is what protects you from the dangers of the internet, including cybercriminals, theft and data identity and abusive advertising.
Individuals use a VPN for different reasons than companies. The first ones usually want their identity protected, so they can roam the web, without being tracked by companies and other spying individuals, whomever they may be. It is also a great way from them to be protected, whenever their devices use a public Wi-fi connection. Many people also use a VPN, to access regional content to which they do not have access to, from their real location.
When it comes to businesses, the first reason why the install a VPN on their computers, is to provide a secure access to the servers, for all its employees, including the ones working away from the main office. This is the first and most utilized tool, to protect company data.
More Security
If you already have a VPN installed on your computer, you should know that you still need more protection to roam the web. They were not created to solve all the security issues you may face online. If you haven’t done so yet, think about installing a firewall software as well as an antivirus protection. Any hole left unplugged will be an easy access for those that want to cause you harm. If you keep that in mind, you will act upon it and feel better when navigating the web.