If you recently faced a cyberattack, you most likely understand the pain of realizing your data has been compromised. You may also not easily forget the expenses made in trying to recover your hacked information. The truth is while some attacks are carried out by expert hackers, others could have been easily avoided by taking proper steps. And with growing concerns about online security, internet users are encouraged to adopt tips from cybersecurity experts on staying safe online.
One of the cheapest means of protecting yourself on the web is through the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Using this software safeguards your information by hiding the IP address of your device and ensuring your data is encrypted. Your online identity is thus hidden and you have the freedom to surf anonymously. In this text, we have discussed some important benefits you get by using a VPN each time you browse.
- You Enjoy Security even with Public Wi-Fi Networks
Public WiFi comes with its conveniences but this could be to the detriment of your security. During that period in which you respond to emails or look through social media via a free connection at the airport, your activity may be tracked by someone else.
Using a VPN in such circumstances is important. Your identity is kept hidden, and private information on your device is inaccessible to any third parties. You can check out questions to ask while choosing a VPN to subscribe to.
- Your Data Is Protected from Your Internet Service Providers
A personal or home Wi-Fi is definitely more secure than a public one, but your online activities are not totally hidden. The Internet Service Provider (ISP) you subscribe to has access to all your online data.
Your ISP is tracking every website you visit and with what device you browse. While this shouldn’t ordinarily bother you, your data could be collected and sold to advertisers without your consent. And this is risky in situations where a data breach occurs, as your data could fall into the wrong hands. With the help of a VPN however, your IP address is obscured from your network providers giving you anonymity while surfing the web.
- You Can Access Content in Any Place From Anywhere
One of the most common uses of VPNs today is the ability to access content not originally offered in your location. When you use a VPN, rather than your internet connection is sent to a hosted server, they side-step your ISP. Subscribers then have the freedom to relocate and connect to servers located in other parts of the world.
Gamers and streamers can testify to this as it becomes easy to access sites in other countries. You may want to stream certain movies only available in the USA, and in such situations, all you need is a VPN server in the country.
The same applies to online gaming and gambling. Some locations may block access. For example, in SE Asia, namely, the Philippines not all gambling is accessible. Nevertheless, with a VPN, you have plenty more options. To assist, platforms check for the best betting sites in the Philippines, advise on how to use VPNs, check for the best bonuses and even provide comprehensive reviews of each operator.
- Multiple Devices Are Protected
Another perk is they can be linked to multiple devices. Most VPN companies run weekly, monthly, or yearly protection plans that permit you to link your devices. Thus, when you subscribe to a single VPN plan, you not only protect your PC, but you can also link it to your smartphone and other compatible devices.
- Your Data Is Kept Private from the Apps You Use
You may have noticed that most apps and internet services constantly request some permissions. While granting these permissions may seem harmless, you may be giving more access than you know about or intend to.
Not too long ago, there was a Facebook data breach and the media giants were called out for how they made use of users’ data. This was a major eye-opener to how one’s behavior on the internet could be exploited by social media sites. However, VPNs stop websites and apps from attributing your internet footprints to your ISPs.
