Are you using a VPN right now? Do you need to be using one right now? These are great questions that are often asked but not as often answered. First, we need to establish what a VPN is. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is an easy to use and essential tool for protecting your privacy and increasing your information security on the Internet. Essentially, it connects two computers securely and privately on the internet. A VPN is designed to provide a secure, encrypted tunnel to transmit the data between the remote user and the company network. The information transmitted between the two locations via the encrypted tunnel is secured and cannot be read by anyone else because the system contains several elements to secure both the company's private network and the public network VPNs add an extra layer of security and privacy to both private and public networks such as Wi-Fi hotspots.
Encryption locks data in a layer of unbreakable code. With this in place, your information becomes unreadable to third parties, including cyber criminals, government agencies, and ISPs. No one can see what you’re downloading, or which websites you’re visiting with a VPN in place. With a VPN, you also gain access to virtual, non-local IP addresses. This effectively makes you invisible online, as no one can tell where you’re really located or who you are. Both of these features work together to provide online security on any device you use. When they do their job, you can stay safe no matter where you are, how you connect to the internet, nor what you do online.
Why should you start using one right now? When you are browsing the Internet, you can never be sure if someone is snooping your data, especially when accessing public Wi-Fi hotspots which are usually unprotected and not secure. A VPN helps you do your online work through a secure tunnel, so hackers can't have access to your precious data.
As time has progressed, the advantages of using a VPN have become more widely recognized – by companies, organizations, and now, individuals. Initially, companies and organizations started using VPNs to communicate confidentially over public networks. From hiding the identity of top executives to protecting general employee data, corporations have reaping the benefits of VPN for a long time. In addition, VPNs are an excellent option for remote workers and organizations with global offices and partners to share data in a private manner. Beyond the scope of companies and organizations, personal users can now use a VPN to increase their internet presence’ security and privacy, to access more streaming channels and other similar services everywhere, and to protect their identity anywhere on the Internet.