The internet is simply something we cannot conceivably live without. It gives us access to an entire world that we’ve become so dependent on. But the internet is also filled with hackers, snoops, and people who want to make financial gains at the expense of others.
A Virtual Private Network or VPN lets you browse privately and safely. Data travelling through that tunnel is encrypted, making it very difficult to intercept and read. But how does VPN protect you? Below are some of the reasons why a VPN is a must have tool when browsing online today.
A VPN Protects your web activity
A VPN hides your personal information. For starters, it will make your IP address invisible, blocks your location(s), and hides your browser history. This means you can safely browse the internet and stay anonymous. The VPN will take care of your internet activity – from links you clicked, keyword searches, website you visited, videos watched, and more.
With VPNs, websites will only see the IP of your remote VPN. This will disable websites from pinpointing your location while hiding your personal information.
Masks your IP address and physical address
VPNs hide your IP address. Your IP address contains a lot of information about you including your physical location at the moment (from country, state, city, and zip code), to your name, home address, contact information, and even your credit card numbers.
With VPNs, you will use the associated IP address of your VPN server rather than your own. This means when browsing online, you could appear to be connecting from a different place rather than your actual location.
Avoids cookies from travel and accommodation websites
Airlines and travel websites associate your IP address from your browsing activity. Thus, every time you visit a travel booking site and search for the best deals, their cookies will activate and lock you into a specific price.
Data from your computer will be sent to their website and they can see through your travel searches, as well as your travel history and home address. They can also use this information to bombard you with ads.
Using a VPN for Chrome or Firefox, or Internet Explorer will allow you to operate with an added level of security and anonymity online. When you visit your favourite travel and flight websites you’ll be able to get the best deals and save yourself from annoying targeted ads.
Hides your Geolocation
To map their traffic from different countries and cities around the world, websites use geolocation technology. Since you can hide your real location, you can bypass this technology.
This means you can access geo-restricted services. Streaming sites like YouTube, Netflix, or Hulu often limit access to specific videos and movies in their library in certain regions in the world. With VPN, you can watch movies, your favorite TV shows, or stream videos without any restrictions.
How secure is VPN?
Not all VPNs are made equal. A good VPN is transparent about its privacy policy, will not save your browsing history or logs, and will be proactive in fixing bugs and leaks. With that said, different VPNs have different features. It is your job to compare them thoroughly so you can identify the best one to use.
So how do you spot a good VPN?
Below are a few of the characteristics that you should keep an eye out for when you want to find the best VPN for your needs.
Reasonably priced
Expect to pay for a certain amount of money when you use a VPN, almost all offer monthly or annual subscription models and 14 day free trials. If it is free, then you can expect ads when using the service, and you should be wary about using free providers for quality and security reasons.
No-Log
The best VPN does not collect and save your login information in their network. Among the data that you need to protect are personal information, website activities, search history, download history, and more. You can completely stay anonymous and protected while surfing through the web.
When shopping for a VPN, make sure you look for this in their terms of service
Multi-factor authentication
Users must prove their identity in more than one method before being able to sign in and use their VPN account. This could be a password or a unique code sent through a text message. This process ensures the right person is using the account and makes it difficult for hackers to access it.
Kill switch
If you lose internet connection while using your VPN, your internet will automatically reroute you to regular connection. A VPN with a kill switch, on the other hand, will automatically cut off your browsing activity the second it detects a problem in your internet connection. This will protect you from potential risks of being exposed and greatly reduce chances of data leaks through sensitive programs.
