Introduction
The digital era we’re all a part of has offered a lot of convenience for users. Instead of dragging yourself out of your house to go shopping, you can do it online from the comfort of your home. And while that’s all well and good, the digital landscape has also become a scary place. Suppose you don’t have the appropriate security measures in place. In that case, a cybercriminal can easily intercept your data and steal your personal information online, such as your login credentials and credit card information.
Unfortunately, cybercriminals have become competent in stealing users’ data, doing it so sneakily that it’s too late by the time they’re caught. Luckily, there are various ways to prevent this, including using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN masks your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, keeping you safe and secure from malicious actors and preventing your sensitive data from being intercepted and deciphered. But are VPNs the only solution to thwart online threats? Keep reading as we explore the answer to this critical question.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A VPN?
There are various benefits of using a VPN. Let’s go over them:
1) Enhanced Security & Privacy
Since VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, they make your data more secure and protect it from potential hackers and malicious actors, especially when using a public network. VPNs also hide your IP address and mask your online activities from your ISP and other third parties, safeguarding your privacy and anonymity.
2) Bypassing Geolocation Restrictions
VPNs allow you to bypass geolocation restrictions, quickly access geo-restricted content, and evade heavy censorship. You can easily connect to a server from another location and gain access to geo-restricted streaming services and other censored content. If you’re in a country with heavy censorship, you can also gain access to all the major social media platforms restricted or censored in your country.
3) Security On Public Networks
VPNs allow you to use the internet safely and securely when using a cafe, hotel, or airport public WiFi network. Public networks are the most susceptible and vulnerable to cyberattacks, so it’s a good idea to connect to a VPN when using a public network. This allows you to use the internet on a public network with the guarantee that the VPN encrypts your data and is not prone to be intercepted by malicious actors.
4) Remote Access
VPNs allow companies to work remotely and securely. They enable secure remote access to internal networks for individuals working remotely or businesses with offices scattered in many locations, ensuring that data transmission is encrypted and secure.
5) Safe Torrenting & P2P Sharing
VPNs allow secure torrenting and peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing by masking your IP address and encrypting your sensitive data, reducing the risk of legal issues and exposure to Malware infections. VPNs also allow you to be anonymous online, making it harder for ISPs, malicious actors, and other third parties to track your online activities.
Which Cyberattacks Do VPNs Help Protect Against?
Although VPNs can’t protect you from every single online threat out there, there are several where they can help protect you against some common cyber threats, which include:
1) Man In The Middle Attacks: VPNs encrypt the data transmitted between your device and the VPN server, preventing attackers from intercepting and eavesdropping your communications.
2) DDoS Attacks: VPNs can also help prevent DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks. Since a VPN hides your IP address and the attacker will not be aware of your IP address, they will not be able to target you with a DDoS Attack.
3) DNS Spoofing: VPNs also help mitigate DNS (Domain Name System) spoofing attacks. Encrypting your DNS queries prevents attackers from redirecting your internet traffic to malicious websites.
4) Data Interception: VPNs prevent malicious actors from intercepting sensitive data like passwords, credit card numbers, and other personal information, even using unsecured networks like public WiFi.
5) Malware Infections: While VPNs can’t perform how antiviruses perform, they add an extra layer of security by encrypting the data and preventing Malware from intercepting sensitive and confidential information that spreads through insecure networks.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Reliable VPN
When choosing a VPN, there are several factors that you’ll have to consider. The most significant things that you’ll have to take into consideration include:
1) Security Features and Privacy Policy
Opting for VPNs that offer a vast range of security features is crucial. AstrillVPN is your go-to VPN provider with excellent security features, including solid encryption protocols like OpenVPN and Wireguard and other robust encryption protocols like AES-256. It also has additional security features like a Kill Switch feature and DNS leak protection to keep your online activities safe and secure and cannot be tracked.
AstrillVPN also adheres to a strict No-Logs policy, which means that the VPN provider does not keep a record of or store your data or keep track of your online activities when you’re using the VPN. A reliable VPN must have a No-logs policy.
2) Extensive Server Locations
The VPN provider should also have an extensive range of server locations in many different countries. This allows users to bypass geolocation restrictions and censorship, as they can easily connect to a server from another country. It also enhances their gaming experience because if they are experiencing lags, they can easily switch to a server that’s not overloaded with users and is closer to the physical location of the game server.
3) Speed & Performance
Test the VPN provider’s speed and performance by checking their reviews online or trying a free trial to see how it works. A VPN that has high-speed servers and minimum impact on the internet speed is crucial to have. This is especially important if you’re streaming or online gaming.
4) Customer Support
The VPN provider should offer excellent customer support. They should be available 24/7 to cater to the customers’ needs and answer any customer queries promptly. They should have the technical expertise to help customers out and multiple modes of communication through which the customers can contact them. These modes of communication include phone, live chat, and email.
Are VPNs The Only Way To Enhance Online Privacy & Security?
Although VPNs are valuable tools to enhance online privacy, since they encrypt your data and ensure malicious actors can’t intercept your sensitive data, they aren’t the only way to defeat online threats. It would help to use VPNs alongside other security measures, such as reliable antivirus software.
That’s because VPNs cannot protect you against cyber threats like Malware, Ransomware, Trojans, worms, and Spyware. Investing in reliable antivirus software will enable you to protect your devices and data from cyber threats since they will scan for any emerging threats in real time. Once they detect any threats, they immediately remove them from your device.
Conclusion
Although VPNs are essential to boost your online privacy and security and take it to the next level, they must be combined with other privacy and security tools like Antivirus software to protect against cyberattacks like Malware, phishing attempts, trojans, and spyware. By combining these two, your privacy and security will be boosted to new heights, and you will not have to worry about cybercrimes ever again.
