Ratchet your Geek up another notch!
A virtual private network (VPN) gives you online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network from a public internet connection. VPNs hide your internet protocol (IP) address so your online actions are untraceable. VPN services establish secure and encrypted connections to provide privacy greater than a secured WiFi hotspot. With the proliferation of WiFi hotspots, this security is a critical aspect of VPN.
VPN technology was originally developed to allow remote users at home or in a branch office to access corporate applications and data without compromising the security of the central data network. Security is protected not only by encrypted tunnels to pass the data, but through user authentication methods. If you use VPN you know all about the need for strong passwords.
What are the benefits of a VPN?
Why do you need VPN service?
- Surfing the web or transacting normal business when unsecured exposes your data to others using the same Internet connection. VPN protects your data by making it private and secure. WiFi is commonly available in coffee shops, stores, businesses, doctor’s office, friend’s homes. It is just as commonly not secure. If you don’t want to run the risk of making your online session vulnerable to online thieves with no respect for data privacy.
How does a VPN protect your IP address?
- They call it a “data tunnel” created between your local network and another location. What they actually mean is that your data is encrypted so that it is meaningless to anyone seeking to intercept. Scrambled data, deeply encrypted, provides the security of a very fine tunnel through which the data passes. Difficult to enter. Difficult to make sense of.
What does a VPN hide?
- Browsing history – The history of what sites you visit and what business you transacts has the convenience of remembered site interests. Return visits are welcomed. However, if you wish to keep such information from prying eyes, VPN will help to hide that.
- One example of the inconvenience of your browsing being known is airfare. If you are planning a trip in March and start searching for ticket prices in January, but don’t immediately purchase, you may find that the next time you check prices they are higher. The airline knows you’re travelling and will eventually make a purchase. So they are not motivated to show the best fares available.
- IP address location – Like a return address label on your envelope, your IP address identifies your location. The VPN protects against location identity. The VPN uses an IP address that is not your own, adding la layer of protection.
- Devices – The data on your device, whether desktop computer, laptop, tablet or even smart phone, is a target drawing the attention of cybercriminals. The VPN helps protect the data you send and receive on your device so hackers won’t be able to gain access and monitor your activity.
- Web activity – the proponents of internet freedom makes their strongest point when they envisage an Orwellian government surveilling the people under their control. Make your own decision about the freedom of the internet, but include the reality that without a VPN you have no protection against your internet service provider seeing your browsing history and IP address location.
How can VPN help protect against identity theft? By creating an encrypted tunnel for the data you send and receive, you protect critical financial and personal information from getting into the wrong hands.
