With the increasing digitalization of society, more and more areas of life are shifting to the Internet and thus, targeted by criminals. The time you spend online, especially on public Wi-Fi network, makes you the target of hackers who aim to access your data and passwords. A “Virtual Private Network”- an abbreviation for VPN service – helps to minimize these security risks. With a VPN service you can establish an encrypted network connection that helps to protect your personal identity, your data and your online activity. The connection runs through the servers of the VPN provider and can work with any internet-enabled device.
How does a VPN work?
Each of your devices can be identified on the Internet by its unique IP address. When you connect to the internet and you open a website, your personal IP address will be sent to the server in order to process the request. The data obtained in this way can be used to create a user’s profile that includes your location and allows conclusions to be drawn about your interests.
An encrypted VPN connection will help to cover your tracks on the internet. To establish such a connection, many VPN providers offer VPN clients for all common operating systems. This software allows you to connect to the VPN provider’s virtual private network. Then, if you go to a website, the IP address of your computer is no longer transmitted, but the IP address of the server of your VPN Provider and your request will be sent back to this server. The VPN service takes on the role of an intermediary between your device and the website. Communication is encrypted and protects your identity before the curious eyes of third parties. A VPN service is often referred to as a VPN tunnel through which your data is running and cannot even be seen by your internet provider. Therefore, a VPN service allows you to move completely anonymously on the internet.
Why do I need a VPN?
With an unencrypted connection via the servers of your Internet provider (ISP), your IP address and your surfing behavior can be viewed at any time. It doesn’t mean that your ISP does this in practice, but it is within the realm of possibilities. Additionally, there is a risk that cyber criminals hack Internet providers and websites to steal your private and personal data. Moreover, a public wireless also (WLAN) poses a risk. If it has been hacked by strangers and the encrypted network traffic is recorded, there is a risk of losing your data, passwords and in the worst case your entire digital identity. Therefore, using a VPN service adds extra security to surf the Internet by protecting your data and your privacy through encryption. Your search queries also stay with it private.
The importance of a VPN service stands out particularly in the case of the so-called phishing emails. In this fraud mask scammers create deceptively real e-mails that, for example, address your online shopping habits. If you click on the links of these e-mails, malware threatens to encrypt your system, which can only be reversed by paying a ransom. In this case a VPN service can be useful by making it difficult for criminals to collect your personal data. Therefore, risk of phishing emails is then minimized.
To conclude, if it is important for you to hide your location, to encrypt your activity online and you value anonymity, then we suggest you to have a look for a good VPN provider like Nord VPN