Virtual Private Networks enable a wide range of benefits, from enhanced security of data to allowing businesses to operate more effectively. VPNs serve purposes for a range of users and if you think it is only businesses that should use them, you are wrong. With cyber crime at an all time high, it is imperative that everyone accessing the internet does so as securely as possible.
So next time you hook up onto a public WiFi connection, ask yourself how safe you think you are. Public WiFi allows you to share a network with multiple other users and with that comes a large amount of risk. If you are accessing your bank account or any other sensitive data, you are in real danger of being compromised by cyber criminals.
A report by CNBC revealed that 60% of consumers thought that their information is safe when they use a public internet. Through this same report, a large section believed that the security is al taken care of by the websites that they access or the WiFI provider. The truth of the matter is that if you access an insecure internet connection then you are at real danger of having your information accessed.
The report might surprise and even alarm many people who have been using public WiFi frequently for high risk activity like bank transfers or online shopping. Many people who are aware of the level of risk choose not to use public WiFi but as recommended by the CNBC report, using a VPN is another good way of preventing security breaches.
If you are concerned about your online security, you can find out more information about the best VPNs that are available through reputable technology sources like PCmag.com.
Not sure what a VPN actually is?
Don’t worry, you don’t have to be an IT expert to understand the way that VPNs work. You can get a good quality VPN service from downloading an app or going direct to a VPN service provider to ask for the best solution for your internet usage.
A VPN essentially encrypts data to keep it secure and also makes access anonymous to control privacy. If you like to use public WiFi then it is a good idea to cover yourself by getting a good VPN solution in place. You may have heard VPNs referred to as ‘tunnels’ and this is a good way to understand how it works. The tunnel effectively connects and protects anything in between the two points. The points here are the connecting device and the server.
So as you can see, VPN is far more than a requirement for businesses. Everybody who browses the internet and accesses personal information needs to understand the security risks that they are vulnerable to. A VPN can be fairly cheap to set up and could save you a lot of money and worry over the long term. If you are not thinking about getting a VPN then you should at least be more savvy about the sites and information that you are accessing or sharing when on a public WiFi. Ask yourself if you would be happy for the details you are viewing to be printed off and circulated to people who know who to use the information for criminal behaviour. It is exactly the same concept online, you are basically sharing your information with any hackers that are easily able to get access to it.
It has never been more important to keep your data secure and quite simply, VPNs are one of the best ways to protect yourself from cyber criminals.