With the current pandemic, most people are staying home and practicing social distancing. During this time, people still need to work or study, often from their own laptops and Wi-Fi networks. Although you’re physically safe at home and virus-free, are you virtually safe as well? Your Internet should be secure to use for work purposes, and the best way to improve online security is by creating a virtual private network (VPN) and turning it on every time you use your Internet connection.
What You Need to Know About VPNs
VPNs lets you create a secure or private connection enabling you to send and receive data through your public connection as though it is a public one. According to an Online Trust Alliance Report, 93 percent of data breaches would have been avoided through adequate efforts of data security. A VPN secures your internet connection and browsing history, so you’re breach-free.
Do I Need a VPN?
Did you realize that your IPS or internet service provider has access to everything that you use the internet connection for? Even though they are not actively spying on you every minute, some of them create anonymous browsing lists and sell them to companies that make money off it. Having a VPN hides your browser activity and allows you to access sites while hiding your IP or Internet location.
Benefits of a VPN
A few benefits of using a VPN include:
- Protects you in Public WiFi– You won’t always be at home, and when you’re at your favorite coffee shop or restaurant, you will need to use their WiFi. A WPA2 password wouldn’t stop a hacker from getting in and forcing their way into your device. Added security, such as a VPN, will encrypt all your communication and prevent a hacker from making his way into your device.
- Keeps You Safe as a Remote Student or Employee– With the current situation, there is no other option but to work and study from home. Accessing your companies/schools data put their network at risk of being attacked since there’s no protection from your end. They will more than likely ask you to use a VPN before accessing any of their records and resources, and now you know why.
- Gives you a Sense of Privacy– As human beings, we all appreciate having our privacy. Nobody enjoys knowing that someone is snooping around and has access to your browser history. You might feel at ease knowing that your data is safe and that you can do what you want without prying eyes.
- Safety for Online Banking– Everybody loves the convenience of safe online banking, and everybody wants their banking details to be kept private. However, it wouldn’t seem like a good idea anymore if your banking details were stolen because of an unsecured internet connection. A VPN adds an extra touch of security to your online banking so that you are free from malicious cybercrimes.
Disadvantages of Using a VPN
There are few common disadvantages of having a VPN, and these include:
- Possibility of a slow Internet connection or a broken connection
- Blocked websites or application that depend on your provider
Although there are minor disadvantages of using a VPN, there are trusted providers that are authorized and trusted to keep your data safe without hampering your Internet connection. A trusted VPN provider should not have these issues frequently.
How Much Does a VPN Cost?
Free options are available, but they lack the security and assurance of privacy as compared to a paid solution. They also come with the annoying ads that you are stuck with, and they will not be able to keep a large number of user’s internet secure. The fees are charged every month on a subscription basis, and they can start as low as $7 per month. There are also premium plans that are available with extra security and encryption to keep you as safe as possible. There are plenty of providers, but check out a review of McAfee Safe Connect if you’re interested.
Choosing the Right VPN
Although there are plenty of free options online to choose from, there’s nothing like the peace of mind that you get from an authorized, paid VPN provider. When selecting a VPN provider, there are a few features that you should keep in mind, such as an affordable price, excellent connectivity, and a good server location.
Address Your Needs
Once you figure out that you need a VPN, get started on your research to choose one that is trusted to keep your security intact. Although a VPN comes at a cost, it’s worth the price of keeping your data safe and away from people with malicious intent.
