Introduction, what is a VPN?
In 2023, as technology has progressed, there is a dire need to keep yourself safe and secure from the hazards you have to confront while using the internet. Most of us are familiar with a VPN (Virtual Private Network) as we have used it at least once in a lifetime. At the same time, we only consider it as a tool used to unblock the sites that are not accessible, but it is just one aspect of the whole job that a VPN does.
A VPN protects your privacy and personal data while using the internet. This service establishes a secure connection to the internet and creates a virtual/ digital tunnel to keep you safe from hackers and other cybercriminals.
After connecting to a VPN network, you become anonymous and can use the internet easily without the fear of being tracked because your IP address and location are changed. You can easily access blocked websites that are banned in your region. Using a VPN also keeps you safe while using the internet on public Wi-Fi because such unsecured connection is more vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
- How does a VPN work?
When you start using the internet, your IP address is used to interact with other devices online. Your location, search history, info, and device identity are easy to track. But after using a VPN, your actual IP address is changed, and you are assigned a different address through a VPN server that is not traceable.
- Using a VPN:
Using a virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best and cheapest ways to protect your company from cyber security risks. It is a tunneling service that creates a secure private network over public network. Here, at https://surfshark.com/learn/what-is-vpn, you will get to know what exactly a VPN is and how businesses can use it to secure themselves from data breaches, viruses, malwares, and other cyber threats.
- 8 reasons to use a VPN:
In this era of technology, it is essential to use a VPN to hide your identity and keep yourself safe from different hazards. People worldwide use VPNs on their smartphones, laptops, and other devices for many reasons.
Are you still feeling confused and want to know and understand the advantages of a VPN? Here are the top 8 reasons you should start using a VPN in 2023.
- Keep your privacy
A VPN is the best source for your online privacy. After connecting to a VPN network, no one can track you through your Internet service provider, and the content of your web traffic is accessed through a new safe IP address.
- Access the content
You can easily access restricted internet content through a VPN connection. It hides your identity by masking your IP address and assigning you a new one. You can use a VPN to access content that may be restricted in your geographical location. This can be a great way to support freedom of speech and access educational materials. It also helps you to research on any topic you are interested in.
- Secure public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is risky because through an unsecured network cybercriminals can access your activity and steal your information. Sometimes it is necessary to send or receive e-mails and use your social media accounts on public Wi-Fi, like in a coffee shop or at the airport. Using a VPN on public Wi-Fi is always preferable to keep yourself safe from tracking and stealing your data.
- Safe online shopping
While buying things online, you need to provide details like email address, cell phone number, home delivery address, payment details, etc. If you are not using a secure internet server, anyone can steal and use your personal information.
Using a VPN while online shopping will hide your location from snoopers, and they won’t be able to track your location. So it is recommended to use a secure VPN connection when you are shopping online.
- Safe downloading
Not everything is legal to download or upload in every region. You may have to face many legal issues while downloading some kind of data, but you can easily download or upload anything with the help of a VPN. We are not advocating any illegal activity, but we are advising you to stay safe and secure while downloading anything on your device.
- Secure internet banking
Due to technological advancement, internet banking has brought ease into our lives. But at the same time, our bank accounts may be at risk of hackers accessing our personal information and doing online money frauds using our bank account.
Using a VPN while making online transactions through your bank account will keep your data and account details undisclosed. It will add an extra layer of encryption to your internet banking because even your bank can not track you due to VPN.
- No censorship
Today, we can easily access any news or information that has just happened in the world. However, at the same time, different governments, organizations, or people may try to limit users’ access to specific content on the internet due to their political interests or religious beliefs.
You will not experience any kind of censorship after using a VPN because you will get choose your online location depending on your needs. If any specific application or website is blocked in your area, you can unblock it easily by changing your location on the VPN.
- Protection from hackers
Hackers are a real threat to internet users and can quickly and conveniently get remote access to your device with the help of an IP address. Similarly, your smartphone, TV, CCTV, and other devices are in danger if connected through Wi-Fi.
Using a VPN will hide your IP address, which is the easiest and safest way of hiding your identity.
- FAQ’s:
- Do I need a VPN on my phone?
Yes, just like other devices connected to the internet, your phone also needs a VPN to keep it safe from cybercriminals and malicious attacks. You can also hide your browsing data from your internet service provider, wireless carrier, and government and enjoy the internet without censorship.
- Is a VPN suitable for home use as well?
The main advantage of using a VPN is to keep your identity and data safe. So it is mainly used on public Wi-Fi networks, but you can still use it at home. It will help you eliminate online advertisements, quickly sell your data, and access blocked content.
- Does the average internet user need a VPN?
VPN is a helpful tool, and every user on the internet can get many advantages with the help of it. It is advisable to use a VPN whenever you go online to get a better internet security.
- Conclusion:
A Virtual Private Network, also known as VPN, is one the best tools to keep you safe from many dangers associated with the internet. You can easily hide from hackers and attackers that can harm your reputation or cause you financial losses by stealing your personal information.
You can quickly secure your data and browsing history using a good VPN, which will give you a sense of freedom. A VPN also helps to overcome censorship, or demographic content blocking. Overall, using a VPN can be a great addition to your cybersecurity arsenal.
