Did you know that you can become a victim of identity theft? Or, did you know that when you connect to public Wi-Fi, all of your data (both online and offline) becomes visible to other people using the same hotspot? Yes, things like messages, e-mails, banking details, browsing history, current location, etc., are just some of the things prying eyes can see. Sounds horrifying, right?
But, what if we told you that there is a way to hide all of your data? And, that doing that is rather easy too? All you have to do is install a VPN app on your phone, or any other device you usually connect to a public Wi-Fi.
A VPN, or a virtual private network, works on preserving your security, privacy, and anonymity while being online. However, that is not all – VPNs have many more benefits that are useful for anybody who spends a lot of time on public hotspots. Thus, if you want to know more, keep on reading.
What is a VPN and How Does It Work?
Before we start explaining how VPN protects your privacy when using public Wi-Fi, let us first turn to basics. That is, let us first explain what a VPN is.
As previously said, this app allows you to browse the web freely, without worrying about your safety and anonymity. But, how does a VPN do all of this? It is rather simple. Namely, when you connect your smart device to a VPN, a data tunnel between your local network (public Wi-Fi) and an exit node (server) located somewhere far away is created. All your data, then, is sent through this tunnel making it seem as if you are located far away. By doing this, VPN changes your address, and thus, hides your location.
But, that is not all! VPNs also use encryption to, in a way, scramble all of your data (both online and offline) which is sent to that public Wi-Fi you have connected to. What this does is make it impossible for hackers and other prying eyes to get access to the data you have on your phone.
Hackers are always looking for accounts to breach, so they can steal valuable data and sell it. Big companies have a lot of tools at their disposal, such as CIAM (Customer Identity and Access Management) to manage digital identities and access to applications and systems. Individuals don’t need this level of security but they can benefit from using proxies.
Keep in mind that all the data previously mentioned like messages, e-mails, banking details, browsing history, your current location, etc. are all visible and easily accessible to anybody fond of eavesdropping. And, the only way to protect your data is by getting a VPN – you can buy one or try getting one of these top 5 free VPN networks. Whatever you decide to do, remember that only this app will allow you to browse the web freely and securely!
How Exactly Will VPN Help You?
As previously said, VPN can help you hide your online and offline activity! If this notion is not entirely clear to you yet, let us give you some examples of how this app can actually help you out.
- VPN hides your browsing history – Your Internet Service Provider (IPS) company, your web browser, and all the websites you visit track just about everything you do online. They keep track of your search history and then tie all that information to your IP address. You have probably noticed this before – you google something and, in a couple of minutes, you get tons of ads regarding the same thing. This is because your data was tracked and is now being used to help other companies make a profit.
- VPN hides your IP address and your current location – When you connect to public Wi-Fi, your IP address can be seen by anybody. And, anybody can see what you have been doing online as well as where you are currently. But, since VPN uses an IP address that is not yours, that is located somewhere far away, it makes it seem like you are far away too. As you can see, this app not only hides your online activity, but it also hides you!
- VPN bypasses geographic restrictions – Yes, primarily, this app is used to help you save your anonymity, but it has other purposes too! For instance, with a VPN app, you can gain access to sites that are restricted in your country. You can gain access to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, etc. And, that is not all – you will not only gain access to these sites, but you will get your subscription for the cheapest possible price too! The same thing applies for accommodation and airline ticket prices. With a VPN, you can get access to sites you couldn’t enter before and also the best possible prices for them.
How to Choose the Right VPN For Yourself?
It is needless to say that there are many various types of VPNs out there. So, when choosing one for yourself, think about the following questions:
- Is that VPN respecting your full privacy?
- Does it run by the most current protocol?
- Are there any data limits set?
- Where are the servers located?
- What is the price?
These are just some of the most basic questions to have in mind when choosing a VPN for yourself, for your family, or for your business. To mention once again – keep in mind that not all VPNs are the same! Some apps specialize for businesses, some for travelers, some for personal usage, etc. Thus, take everything into consideration before you make your decision. Think about your needs and your budget!
Speaking of budget, it is also important to mention that VPNs come at different prices. Some are also completely free! But, even though free VPN sounds tempting, ask yourself will that free VPN put your data at risk? The answer to that question, again, depends on your needs. However, we strongly advise you to invest in a good app if you want to have top-notch security while browsing the web, working, traveling, or just watching a movie.
