How Important Is It To Have A VPN?

With privacy being breached due to internet hacking, there’s no doubt that the online world isn’t that safe after all.

A virtual private network (VPN) allows you to create a private network while on a public internet connection. It gives you both anonymity and online privacy. VPNs cast a shadow on your internet protocol (IP) address, which in turn makes sure your online activities remain virtually untraceable.

The most vital thing a VPN does is establish an encrypted and secured connection that provides much greater privacy as compared to a secured Wi-Fi hotspot. We’ll be sharing with you just how necessary it is to have VPN at home and the benefits of it.

Why Do You Need a VPN?

First and foremost, surfing the internet on an unsecured Wi-Fi network creates the possibility of your browsing habits and private information to be exposed. Especially, when it comes to making online transactions.

This is where the need for a VPN comes in. In fact, it should be on everyone’s list of priorities when you’re thinking about safeguarding your online information. Every day people’s online information is being hacked and further misused, so it’s inevitable for us to be concerned about the privacy and security of our online activities.

Stop for a second, and think about all the times when you were reading emails while at a coffee shop, or accessing your bank account while waiting next in line at the doctors, just how safe is it to provide private information on all these sites while on a public network?

Unless you were browsing via a private Wi-Fi network that requires a password, any form of data that was transmitted while your online session, is likely to become vulnerable to eavesdropping by people who had been using the same network.

In other words, the anonymity and encryption that a VPN provides protect all your online activities, and it further helps to keep your internet browsing anonymous.

What Does a VPN Hide?

A VPN helps in hiding information that could pose a risk to your privacy. Here are two of them:

Your Browsing History

The internet is one place where your footprints aren’t a secret. Both your web browser and internet service provider can easily track almost everything you do on the internet. Moreover, most of the websites you visit tend to keep your history. Web browsers are able to track your search history and link that information to your IP address.

Without a VPN, you’re automatically sharing your information and will eventually begin receiving targeted ads that will draw more attention to your condition. For example, if you’re planning for a vacation and searching for airline tickets online, travel sites would start displaying fares that aren’t exactly cheap.

This is just one isolated example. Be mindful that your internet service provider might be able to sell your browsing history. Hence, even the so-called private browsers might not be so private after all.

Your Location and IP Address

Anyone who manages to capture your IP address has the access to what you had been searching for on the internet, and where exactly where you were then. Technically, your IP address is like a return address on a letter. It’ll lead them back to the device you were using.

A VPN uses an IP address different from your actual one. This allows you to maintain your anonymity while searching the web, it keeps your privacy intact. Furthermore, you’ll also be protected from having browsing history gathered, sold, or viewed.

However, do keep in mind that your search history is still viewable if you’re using a public computer or a device provided by your school, company, or any other organization.

How Can a VPN Protect You Against Identity Theft?

Identity theft has become more and more common over the last few years, especially if you’re a celebrity or an influencer. Identity theft occurs when an individual steals your personal information online and uses it to do illegal online activities in your name.

A VPN is a great help in protecting yourself against any form of identity theft by protecting your data. It’ll establish an encrypted tunnel for any date that you’ve sent and received so that it’s out of reach for cyber thieves.

It doesn’t come as a surprise that the Wi-Fi on our smartphones is enabled at all times. This makes your device much more vulnerable than you can ever imagine. Everyday activities like banking, online shopping, and browsing can cause our information to be exposed, making you the next unfortunate target of cybercrime.

Let’s face it. No one can prevent identity theft. Certain security aspects such as data breach at an organization which you’re a part of are simply out of your control. But then again, a VPN can help protect the information you’ve been sending and receiving on your devices.

VPN and Wi-Fi Connections

It’s good to have a stable Wi-Fi network, especially if you’re using a hotspot. This is why we recommend opting for 1st Energy’s internet as they have a wide range of hotspots when you’re on the go, with no additional charges!

It’s advisable to have your VPN enabled at all times, as the protection it provides is one of the main benefits we get from VPN, and you should use it on every other device you use for your online activities.

Important Takeaway

We’ve established the importance of a VPN in today’s day and age, and how it affects our lives daily. From protecting your personal information to maintaining your anonymity, a VPN is a must.

If you want to remain safe in the online world, protect your data so that you have no regrets in the future.