VPNs are valuable tools for boosting online privacy and security. But misconceptions about them may prevent people from adding this layer of protection to their devices.
Here are 10 common VPN myths to be aware of so that you can get the most out of this useful technology. They include: – No, it’s not possible to remain completely anonymous online.
VPNs are for technical people
VPNs are a vital tool in the battle against cyberattacks. They encrypt your data, obscuring the information that hackers use to steal personal or sensitive business information.
Most VPN carrier companies offer intuitive and consumer-pleasing applications that can be established on diverse devices with a click of a button. A VPN can also speed up your Internet connection by connecting you to servers that are close to you, rather than those on the other side of the world.
However, a VPN is not a magic bullet. It can’t stop hackers from sniffing out your IP address, and it doesn’t protect you from malware or other types of online attacks that you invite in on your own. That’s why a VPN is just one component of your cybersecurity arsenal. You still need an antivirus program and a firewall, too.
They make you invisible online
When you use a VPN, your IP address is masked. This hides your online activity from your ISP, government surveillance agencies and advertisers. However, according to Reddit users, VPNs aren’t magic privacy saviours that will protect you from every cyber threat.
They are only useful if you take other steps to secure your Internet connections. For example, it’s important to keep a clean browser and avoid clicking suspicious links.
Additionally, if you type personal information into websites like your email address, passwords or city name a VPN can’t hide this from website owners. They will still be able to identify you and profile you with ads. However, VPNs do make it more difficult for them to do so. This is because a VPN reroutes your connection to different servers and encrypts your data. This imposes a slight delay on your Web browsing speed.
They don’t protect you from IP address attacks
Many cyber attacks are aimed at your IP address. Hackers can sniff the unsecured data transfers and steal sensitive information like credit card details or login credentials. Using a VPN prevents them from seeing this information as it gets encrypted by your provider and sent to their servers.
This is especially true when you’re connected to public Wi-Fi networks as they are notoriously susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks. A VPN also protects you from online tracking by encrypting the traffic between your device and a website.
However, websites and apps still know your rough physical location based on the IP address of your device. This is because your VPN server is located in a country that is a member of the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or Fourteen Eyes intelligence agreements. This can be exploited in DDoS attacks aimed at overloading and crashing services.
They offer no shield for your privacy on public Wi-Fi
When you use public Wi-Fi without a VPN, your data can be intercepted by hackers. They can track your web activities, identify your location and capture sensitive information like passwords or usernames. They can also scan for weaknesses on your device or launch denial-of-service attacks.
When using a VPN, all your data will be encrypted and tunneled through an alternate server. This prevents online surveillance software from extracting your passwords or other sensitive information from websites that don’t follow good cybersecurity practices.
While a VPN makes it impossible for hackers to spy on your browsing, it won’t stop them from hacking into your online accounts or stealing your credit card details. This is why it’s important to take additional security measures on your computer or smartphone.
They don’t speed up your Internet connection
A VPN may have some impact on your Internet speed, but it’s not enough to make a noticeable difference. The main reason for slow Internet connection speeds is due to the geographic distance between your location and the servers you’re connecting to.
Another factor that can affect your Internet speed is the amount of data your device consumes. VPNs can help you avoid data throttling by making it impossible for your ISP to see how much data you’re using. You can also try running a speed test to check whether your ISP’s claims match up with reality. If you don’t get good results, try rebooting your router or switching to a wired Ethernet connection. Also, it’s a good idea to check if your security software is causing slow connections by temporarily disabling it. This can sometimes improve performance on older devices.
They don’t protect your privacy on public Wi-Fi
As cybercrime increases, more and more people are realizing the importance of digital privacy. They want to be able to use public Wi-Fi without worrying about hackers intercepting their data, or they might need to access work networks remotely.
This is why VPNs are becoming more popular, with companies like Surfshark offering free trials and a money-back guarantee. However, many misconceptions about VPNs are floating around out there, and they could be stopping people from adding a useful layer of security to their digital defenses. One of the most common myths is that VPNs don’t protect your privacy on public Wi-Fi. But that’s not true, as a VPN will actually help you stay safe by encrypting your data and hiding your real IP address from sniffers. This is crucial for keeping you safe from a MITM attack, such as an evil twin hack.
If you use public Wi-Fi without a VPN, your Internet traffic is like an open conversation – anyone can hear it. This makes your information vulnerable to hackers and data snoopers. They can monitor your browsing activity to see what you’re interested in, track your movements online, and sell this data to a variety of entities.
A good VPN will encrypt your Internet traffic, making it impossible for anyone to intercept it. Some VPNs will also offer malware protection, which can prevent hackers from exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities on public Wi-Fi networks to infect your devices with spyware or ransomware. However, these measures aren’t foolproof. Hackers can still bypass them by exploiting human error or through social engineering scams (like stealing passwords from emails or chat room conversations).
Public Wi-Fi connections can expose you to cyber criminals who steal valuable data like account information and credit card numbers. With a VPN, however, your data will be encrypted and protected by the VPN, making it more difficult for hackers to intercept that information.
Even if you don’t do anything illegal, your privacy is important. Every time you go online, your digital activity leaves behind traces that can be collected by entities ranging from your ISP to data brokers.
A VPN can also help you get better deals on online shopping by blocking geo-filtering – the practice of adjusting prices based on your location or purchasing habits. This can save you a lot of money. Especially for those who shop often, it’s worth using a VPN. It helps avoid price discrimination, as well as inflated shipping fees.
While VPNs can bolster your security, they’re not a silver bullet. Hackers can still get in, whether it’s through public WiFi or careless website logins. Ransomware is one of the most deadly contemporary hacking tools, and it can cripple an entire nation’s healthcare system or halt private business operations until a hefty ransom payment is made.
While VPNs hide your data from snoopers, they can’t stop hackers from scanning your devices for vulnerabilities or using the information they already have about you to target you with malware or execute denial-of-service attacks. You also need to take care with your passwords, install anti-malware software, use two-factor authentication, and keep your operating systems and apps updated. This is a good reason to read the privacy policies of every VPN service you consider. Many “no-logs” VPNs actually keep a lot of data, even if they promise not to share it with third parties.
Even though VPNs are a popular way to add a layer of security and privacy to your online habits, they’re often misunderstood. Some people think they’re only for torrenting or circumventing regional content restrictions, while others believe a VPN will make them invisible online.
A VPN works by scrambling your data into code that’s incomprehensible to anyone trying to eavesdrop on your connection. This helps keep your sensitive information safe from hackers, cybercriminals, and ISPs.
However, it’s important to remember that a VPN doesn’t protect against viruses, malware, phishing attacks or other cybersecurity incidents. Cybercriminals are getting savvier every day, so it’s crucial to have multiple layers of defense. This includes using a cybersecurity software with anti-virus features and keeping up with updates. Also, don’t forget about social engineering scams like phishing emails and catfishing. These are a common way for hackers to extract passwords and other confidential information.
