There are limitless opportunities that abound on the internet and the fact that it is an interconnection of several computers on networks makes access to information quite easy. However, there are limits to what can be done on the internet – for several reasons. A Virtual Private Network, popularly known as a VPN, creates an encrypted connection from a device to another network over the internet. VPNs work by rerouting all internet traffic from the host device to the connecting network and accessing all the benefits such as – bypassing internet censorship and gaining remote access to local network resources. Essentially, a VPN connects a PC, laptop, smartphone or any connecting device to another server on the internet and then allows the device to access the internet to make use of the internet connection of the server.
Reasons to Use a VPN
Generally, people use VPNs for privacy and security reasons, and to overcome firewalls and geo-blocks. With regards to privacy and security, opt to use a VPN to protect themselves on a public network where hackers and snoopers could easily attack them in a Man-In-The-Middle attack and spy on their traffic and steal their account credentials. When it comes to overcoming firewalls and geo-restrictions, a VPN helps by changing the ’ virtual location and IP address to jump over any regional or institutional blocks. A great example would be using an Amazon Prime VPN to access shows that are not available in the user’s country. VPNs were not as popular as they are now because they were mostly used to access a different network from a remote location. A typical example of this is accessing a business network from home. This is still one of the uses of VPNs but the primary reason behind its recent popularity is cybersecurity concerns.
The menacing cybersecurity threats that have emanated in the past couple of years have put not only businesses but individuals on high alert, particularly when using the internet. These threats are becoming more sophisticated and involve the use of techniques such as phishing, malware, even machine learning, and artificial intelligence to commit deeply rooted and highly dangerous attacks on assets and data of individuals, organizations, and governments. Internet of Things (IoT), which has made computing more pervasive and personal has obviously taken the world by storm with the amazing feats achieved by the stakeholders in this industry.
However delightful, the cybersecurity challenges faced by the manufacturers and consumers of this sector are not in any way mild. IoT deals with data – which apparently is the “new gold” – making the information of IoT device an enticing prey to malicious elements who either obtain these data for personal use or to sell them off to a high bidder.
Checklist for Choosing a VPN Software
Depending on the user’s needs – either to mask/change their internet location or to access geo-restricted sites, VPNs offer different services and have different perks but outlined below are a couple of points to note when choosing a VPN:
- Multi-platform support: It is important to choose a VPN provider that supports all devices, and operating systems used on phones, tablets, and PC. This way, the subscriber can share and manage his/her subscription across all devices and not have to purchase different subscription plans from different providers.
- No ads: Try to avoid VPNs that support showing of ads in their applications. More often than not, these applications are constantly collecting user activity and preferences. A typical example of this is the Onavo Protect App which was collecting the smartphone activity of its and was removed from Apple’s App Store for this reason. Hence, it would be best to get a no-log, no-ad VPN that does not store your data, since all your internet traffic passes through their servers.
- Additional Features: Although optional, it would also be good to get a VPN that offers additional services like ad-blocking in browsers and password storage. A lot of VPN providers have incorporated these services to their package and it would be nice to get one that offers these extra perks.
It is not a bad idea to get a VPN even when they might seem unnecessary. Think of a VPN as the curtains to your house. Once they are not in use, anyone can see through the window but once you need some privacy, all you need do is draw the curtains and you’re home free. With a VPN, all that’s required is the click of a button.
