How a VPN Can Protect You from Cyber Threats

What is a VPN?

A virtual private network gives you online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network from a public Internet connection. VPNs mask your Internet protocol (IP) address so your online actions are virtually untraceable. Most importantly, VPN services establish secure and encrypted connections, guaranteed to provide greater privacy than even a secured Wi-Fi hotspot.

Why you need a VPN

Think about all the times you’ve been on the go, reading emails while in line at the coffee shop, or checking your bank account while waiting at the doctor’s office. Unless you were logged into a private Wi-Fi network that required a password, any data transmitted during your online session was likely vulnerable to eavesdropping by strangers using the same network.

The encryption and anonymity that a VPN provides protect all of your online activities: sending emails, shopping online, or paying bills. VPNs also help keep your Web browsing anonymous.

How does a VPN work?

VPNs work by encrypting the internet data that’s exchanged between your device and the VPN server and routing your internet traffic through a network of remote servers managed by the VPN service provider. This prevents third parties from snooping on the data you send and receive and conceals your online activity behind a virtual IP address, helping you to keep your identity, location, and browsing activity hidden.

Beyond security

VPNs essentially create a data tunnel between your local network and an exit node in another location, which could be thousands of miles away, making it seem as if you’re in another place. This benefit makes VPNs valuable for people who live in countries that censor access to specific websites. It will also allow you to continue enjoying your favorite apps and websites from anywhere in the world, as if you were at home.

How a VPN Protects You from Cyber Threats

1. Data Encryption
   A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, creating a secure tunnel between your device and the VPN server. This encryption prevents hackers and other malicious actors from intercepting your data, even on unsecured networks like public Wi-Fi. 
2. IP Address Masking
   By masking your real IP address, a VPN makes it difficult for websites and cybercriminals to track your online activities or determine your physical location. This enhances your privacy and helps protect against targeted attacks.
3. Protection on Public Wi-Fi
   Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, making them prime targets for cyberattacks. A VPN secures your connection on these networks, shielding your data from potential eavesdroppers and man-in-the-middle attacks. 
4. Bypassing Geo-Restrictions and Censorship
   VPNs allow you to access content that may be restricted or censored in your region by routing your connection through servers in different locations. This is particularly useful for accessing streaming services or information in areas with internet censorship.
5. Enhanced Online Anonymity
   Some VPNs offer features like Double VPN and IP Rotation, which add extra layers of anonymity by routing your traffic through multiple servers and frequently changing your IP address. This makes it more challenging for trackers and cybercriminals to monitor your online behavior.

How to choose a VPN

Here are some questions to ask when you’re choosing a VPN provider.

1. Do they respect your privacy? The point of using a VPN is to protect your privacy, so your VPN provider must respect your privacy, too. They should have a no-log policy, which means that they never track or log your online activities.
2. Do they run the most current protocol? OpenVPN provides stronger security than other protocols, such as PPTP.
3. Do they set data limits? Depending on your Internet usage, bandwidth may be a large deciding factor for you. Make sure their services match your needs by checking to see if you’ll get full, unmetered bandwidth without data limits. Remember, some packages may not cost you money, but you’ll be subjected to frequent advertisements instead.
4. Where are the servers located? Decide which server locations are important to you. If you want to appear as if you’re accessing the Web from a certain locale, make sure there’s a server in that country.
5. Will you be able to set up VPN access on multiple devices? If you are like the average consumer, you use between three and five devices. Ideally, you’d be able to use the VPN on all of them at the same time.
6. What happens if the VPN goes down? Be sure that your provider implements a kill switch system in the event of failure. This means that your connection would automatically be locked down and would not default to an unsecured Internet connection if something goes wrong.

There are many points to consider when you’re choosing a VPN, so do your homework to make sure you’re getting the best fit for your needs. Regardless of which provider you choose, rest assured that any good VPN will provide far more security, privacy, and anonymity online than any public Wi-Fi hotspot ever could.

In summary, a VPN is a valuable tool for safeguarding your online activities against various cyber threats. However, it should be part of a broader cybersecurity strategy that includes other protective measures.

CyberGuard Internet Security keeps your digital life protected. It blocks viruses and malware, secures your emails and personal files, protects your passwords and webcam from hackers, and makes sure you can shop and bank online with total peace of mind.