It will not be wrong to say that the internet works as fuel in our lives these days. It is what keeps our personal and professional lives going. If we take a minute to think of all our daily activities that we seem to be performing over the internet, we will be surprised. From ordering our favorite food, watching an exciting TV show, taking regular online classes, video calling our loved ones, booking a ride, shopping from our favorite brands, submitting work reports, coordinating with work colleagues, you name it, every routine activity requires internet access to be done. With options like Time Warner Internet available in your vicinity, having access to a high-speed and consistent internet connection is no longer a concern. You have the most affordable internet plans available to match your connectivity needs.
Nowadays, the actual problem is internet privacy rather than speed. High-speed internet plans can be found in your area but the real issue is security. With the growing need and dependence of people on the internet, cybersecurity and privacy threats have risen. Hackers are coming with new strategies to invade the networks of users and steal confidential information. So, cybersecurity has to be given due attention and can no longer be considered a random occurrence. The fact is that cybercrimes have increased more than ever before.
Little do we realize that while we are traveling around, we usually do not hesitate to use the public Wi-Fi hotspots to carry on with our online activities on the go. It does seem convenient since we do not have to worry about internet access even when we are outside. But, have you ever thought, what if someone is watching over your online activity? What if someone sneaks into your device and steals information without you knowing? That is a genuine concern, especially while using public hotspots.
What is the solution, you ask? Well, the solution is easy to implement and works well to shield your online presence against any prying eyes. You can protect yourself by using a VPN or Virtual Private Network. What is a VPN, how does it work, and why is it so important? You will be able to find out in a while as you finish reading this post. Let’s get going!
What is a VPN and How Does it Operate?
A VPN works by generating an encrypted tunnel between your device and the remote server that is controlled by the VPN. Your internet traffic is directed through this tunnel to secure the data. When your internet traffic leaves the VPN server, the real IP address is disguised with a new location.
You can understand the value of a VPN by considering a small example. You might connect to the Wi-Fi at a mall or a bus stop without giving it a second thought. Since you cannot be sure whether that Wi-Fi network is secure or not, you won’t be able to figure out when a hacker sneaks up on you and unleashes an attack. Public hotspots are an ideal spot for hackers to easily find potential victims and attack their devices. So, while using a public hotspot, you and the hacker might be on the same network. You can imagine the havoc if an intruder succeeds to enter your device, steal personal credentials and misuse them to rob your online accounts and do more damage than you can think of.
Now, if you have a VPN and you connect to any such public hotspot, rest assured that you will not be visible to any hackers snooping around. This is how a VPN bodyguards your online presence.
Importance of a VPN
A VPN can help you conceal most of your information to ensure maximum internet privacy and protect you against any attackers.
Hides Browser History
Your internet service provider can find out your web history, so everything you do on the browser is exposed. Web browsers usually make use of this history for further reference. With a VPN, you can hide your browser history and also free yourself from any bothersome ads.
Hides IP Address
A VPN allows you to mask your actual IP address with a new one for maximum online security. This means you can search the web anonymously and mask your location.
Hides your Location for Better Streaming
You might have subscribed to a streaming service that might not be available in another country you are traveling to or you might want to access content that is restricted in your home country. In that case, a VPN allows you to break all such geographical barriers and select a remote server of your choice, so you can enjoy access to any content you want, no matter where you are located.
Protects against Cyber Thieves
By using an encrypted tunnel for the data sent or received on your device, a VPN keeps your personal information out of reach of cybercriminals. So, your device is no longer vulnerable to any intruders.
Final Thoughts
A VPN is important to save any of your personal information from being stolen. It helps you steer away from any cyber theft. By disguising your actual identity, a VPN protects your data and also enables better access to restricted content.
