It’s important to protect your online security, particularly if you’re dealing with sensitive private information like your bank details, or if you’re using a public network. Surfing the web or transacting on an unsecured Wi-Fi network means you could be exposing your private information and browsing habits, so what can you do to protect yourself?
Virtual private networks (VPNs) are an invaluable tool for anyone concerned about their online privacy and security, but how do they work? If you want to learn more about virtual private networks and how they can increase your online security, read on for our brief guide.
What is a virtual private network?
A virtual private network (VPN) gives you online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network from a public internet connection. VPNs work to mask your IP address, which means that your online actions are virtually untraceable. VPNs also establish secure, encrypted connections, which offer more security than a secured Wi-Fi connection.
How does a VPN work?
VPNs use encryption to scramble data sent over a Wi-Fi network, which makes the data unreadable. They essentially create a ‘data tunnel’ between your local network and an exit node in another location, which makes your activity very difficult to trace. This is because the exit node could be thousands of miles away, so it makes it seem like you’re browsing from another location.
When you use a VPN, your search activity is associated with the VPN server’s IP address, not yours. This helps to keep online activity private because it’s very difficult to link your search activity to one exact VPN IP address.
What can a VPN hide?
It’s a good idea to use a VPN if you’re using a public network and they can hide a wide range of information that could put your privacy at risk. These include:
- Your IP address and location – Anyone who secures your IP address can access your search history and where you were located when you searched. VPNs use their own IP address so your IP address and location are protected.
- Your browsing history – Internet service providers and web browsers use increasingly sophisticated methods to track user’s search history and target ads towards them. This isn’t always welcome but a VPN can ensure that your browsing history stays private.
- Your devices – Many of us don’t think twice about using our tablet or smartphone to search the web in public. However, your devices aren’t always secure and they can be a target for cyber criminals. Using a VPN will protect the data you send and receive on your devices to keep them secure.
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