VPN is a technology that encrypts your internet traffic on unsecured networks to protect your privacy. Every time you try to connect to the Internet, you expose yourself to hackers & cyber criminals. They could steal your personal information, web browsing history, or payment details.
So, if you are looking to protect yourself online and want a safer experience, you might have chosen to use a VPN.
What will a VPN hide?
Every time you log into the Internet, somebody on the network can see everything you do. Your ISP is likely trustworthy, but it still may share browsing history with advertisers, the government, cybercriminals, or other parties.
Hackers could get into your ISP and steal your personal or work data.
Hiding your browsing data from ISPs is not always easy. All the more so if you’re living in a country that doesn’t have an established virtual private network culture like ours.
How does a VPN protect your privacy?
A VPN can hide your IP address by routing it through a remote server controlled by your VPN host.
When you use a virtual private network, your browser’s data is stored on the virtual private network server instead of your ISP. This makes it impossible for a third party to view what websites you visit or what information you enter. A virtual private network works kind of like a filter that scrambles or encodes your data. It makes it unreadable to pry eyes, even if they’re using a snooping tool.
Regardless of whether someone got their hands on this data, they wouldn’t be able to do anything with it.
Why free VPNs can not fully secure your privacy?
Nowadays, there are plenty of free VPNs, but some of them will keep logs. I would recommend you a paid service instead.
These usually fall into two categories: connection logs and activity logs. Connection logs can put your online security at risk if someone breaks in, but these are confined to your connection with the Internet. On the other hand, activity logs can have much more information about you and may contain sensitive information.
Free VPNs retain logs which we will discuss in detail lower in the article. Keep your privacy protected by using logs for your Internet, phone, and other sensitive data.
Generally, most well-known VPN services claim to have a “no-log” policy. Unfortunately, this cannot be easy to prove.
Can VPNs also protect from Cyber threats?
Many people mistakenly believe that VPNs are just like antivirus software. In reality, they don’t work the same way.
Although they mask your IP and encrypt your internet history, that is all they can do.
They don’t protect you 100% of the time—for example, if you visit phishing websites or download malicious files.
When using a VPN, there’s still the risk of stuff like:
- Trojans
- Bots
- Malware
- Spyware
- Virus
If you don’t use a VPN and your device gets infected with any of these, it could severely damage it. A free VPN is even worse for internet security as their encryption schemes are usually not as strong. For maximum security, it’s recommended that you pay for a VPN service and use antivirus software with it.
Unfortunately, some VPNs might be infected with viruses, according to a study by the ICSI Networking and Security Group. Some VPNs come with a risk, as some were found to contain malware. In our analysis, 38% of them had some element of infection.
Paid VPN services can provide healthier and more efficient browsing and minor complications, so they are not always the wiser choice. On the other hand, free VPNs usually have many drawbacks that make them a poor choice.
Do you know free VPN providers monitor your internet activities?
One of the top reasons you should use a VPN is probably to protect your privacy when browsing the Internet. That’s why 72% of free VPNs have third-party monitoring software built right in, said vpnMentor. These trackers usually collect information about your online activity to show you personalized ads.
Free VPNs are in the business of collecting your information, not providing privacy. With secure VPN, you can always be sure that you’re giving data to the right person and being compensated for it.
Some VPNs do sell your information, while others do not. Watch out for this when you decide which VPN to subscribe to. Malicious advertising has been on the rise, especially in free VPNs. This makes sense because free VPNs can’t (ideally) make money off their users, unlike paid VPNs.
Is it free? If so, then the product is you. Remember this when agreeing to the terms and conditions or accepting free software from an unknown source. It’s important to note that not all paid VPNs use trackers.
Some premium plans offer more privacy than others; it all depends on how much you’re willing to spend.
Do VPNs provide full control on Privacy?
Both the government trackers and your ISP can see whether you’re on a VPN, given the data they collect and their ease in detecting it.
Here’s how governments can prosecute individuals for using VPNs:
If you relocate to one of these countries or travel there frequently, you can use a VPN.
So when traveling to an area where VPN usage might be restricted, make sure you choose a reasonably priced service that provides good anonymity.
There are a lot of reasons why you should consider using a virtual private network, one of which is that it protects your privacy. And you can always make an encrypted virtual private network on your own if you need to protect anything specific.
Some countries where virtual private networks have been banned include North Korea, China, Iran, Turkey, and Russia.
For those of you who travel for work or live as a digital nomad, be aware that using your virtual private network in these countries (namely China, Oman, Belarus, and Turkmenistan) could result in a jail sentence.
However, if you’re using a virtual private network in your country, things get more complicated.
It is important to remember that while the government can trace you using a virtual private network, they will not be able to find what you’re doing online, your internet history, or your current IP address.
Your virtual private network will always encrypt your data unless the virtual private network provider is given a warrant and court order to release your personal information. Your ISP, or any other similar parties, might see some of your data for specific legal purposes.
While some virtual private networks hosted in certain countries may offer better privacy protection, it’s definite that free virtual private networks won’t hesitate to disclose your personal information.
What a best VPN should provide to protect privacy?
If you want to keep your privacy, the virtual private network service you use should have these three components:
1. Encryption of Records
A virtual private network is a system where all your Internet browsing data is rerouted, encrypted, and secured. It means that the site you are visiting sees the IP address of the virtual private network server rather than your IP. This ensures privacy since it hides any traces of your identity. To prevent an attacker from spying on what sites you have visited, it blocks cookies and Internet history too.
Encrypting your cookies helps to keep your information safe from third parties. Your information, like personal data, financial data, and any other sensitive content sent to the websites that you never want to form a trail back to you, is protected.
2. Emergency switches
In case the virtual private network connection suddenly stops working; the connection’s protection also disappears.
A good virtual private network will notice that your computer has been inactive for a while and close matching programs based on your settings, thereby preventing the exposure of sensitive data.
3. Host Nation
This could be a significant threat to your privacy and is worth being aware of.
So If you have to pick a free virtual private network provider, make sure it’s hosted in a country with strong privacy laws, such as Switzerland and Germany.
But anything you do, always try to avoid the “five eyes” countries (the US, the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia).
Protect your privacy by selecting a Secure VPN Provider
Protect your connections and internet browsing data with a trusted virtual private network provider who can maintain the highest level of security.
The most important part of choosing a virtual private network is checking the permissions & privacy policies. Some VPNs offer a “zero log” policy, and others have advanced features such as military-grade encryption; others may have access to data from third parties. The only way to know is by reading all the fine print!
If you can’t afford a virtual private network subscription, then be sure to check the privacy policy first to know what data is being recorded and where it ends up. If you’re browsing the Internet and have private information, ensure your free virtual private network keeps that safe for you.
Using a virtual private network will require some network permissions, but if they want extra permissions like reading the phone’s status or identity, it may be best to choose a different service.
This type of access can put your personal information at grave risk.
They could also share your browsing history with third-party institutions, such as marketing companies.
That’s it for now! Be sure to look for a reputable virtual private network provider that suits your needs.
So, if you are looking to protect yourself online and want a safer experience, you might have chosen to use a virtual private network.