Cybercrimes today have skyrocketed immensely. With this, the dire need for cybersecurity measures is crucial, especially if you’re browsing the internet aimlessly for hours. Most of the websites you visit are not always secure and often put various trackers in place. Other than that, these very websites often steal, store and share user data.
This is only the tip of the iceberg. There’s so much to take note off, which brings us to the question of whether or not you really need a VPN software for online security.
Is a VPN secure?
Before jumping into whether a VPN is secure, you first need to understand what a VPN is and what it does. A VPN is short for Virtual Private Network. It’s a security software designed to secure your internet connection. To do that, it allows users to connect to its virtual servers and pass all data through a secure encrypted tunnel and to the final destination.
There are many more perks to using a VPN, for instance, changing your IP address. A VPN allows you to access local content while traveling or living abroad. For example, you will be able to access the US Netflix library while in the UK.
So, is a VPN secure?
Yes, and no.
For the yes half of it, a VPN allows you to secure yourself while browsing the internet. It shields your physical IP address from spies and from your internet service provider (ISP.) You ISP often tracks every single thing you do online, which can at times violate your privacy. By doing that, it can slow down speeds and bandwidth.
Other than that, it’s best to use within countries that enforce harsh surveillance and censorship laws – stripping away all online freedom.
But is a VPN completely secure? No.
Why? Well, when we talk about how secure a VPN is, there is always that 5% or 10% chance of it not working effectively. For starters, we cannot say that every VPN is secure because it truly isn’t. A couple top-grade VPNs like ExpressVPN or NordVPN are some of the most reliable, but compare it to an unknown provider you just picked off the Play or Apple Store then you might encounter issues.
The same applies to free VPNs, they’re not safe to use.
Do you need a VPN for online security?
Yes, but only if the provider you choose is reliable enough. For this reason, ExpressVPN even though expensive, is ranked as one of the best VPNs today. Its super-fast servers can get you access across numerous blocked and censored content. Plus, with the ExpressVPN no logs policy and privacy/security features, it truly is a great choice! You can even test it out on your own.
Other than that, there are only a few other reliable providers that you could consider, but make sure you do a little research before settling.
Here is why a VPN is great for online security:
1. Protection from your internet service provider
Your ISP often throttles speed and bandwidth, most of which ruins your experience online. Other than that, they actively collect your data and sell it to third parties.
2. Online protection while using a public Wi-Fi
Most of us connect to unknown or public Wi-Fi sources without knowing. A VPN will help secure this connection to make sure no hackers take hold of your device while using the VPN.
3. Secures you while using unknown apps
As mentioned, there are some apps that aren’t secure and often come with online threats like viruses or other kinds of malware. A VPN can help lower these risks, securing both device and data.
4. Allows you to safely access geo-restricted or blocked content while on the go
There are circumstances that once you travel outside your country, you won’t be able to access particular streaming services nor access any local banking apps. With a VPN, and with connection to a particular server, you’ll be able to access it once again.
5. Work securely from anywhere in the world
While we all know that most of the taskforce has managed to work remotely, online security can get a little difficult to maintain without your IT team. With that said, VPNs are among some of the best security tools for remote workers.
Conclusion – do you need a VPN for online security?
There’s no rule that you need one, but it surely does help boost overall online security. It allows you to bypass ISP and government surveillance or throttling, allows safe access to the best services, protects your device and data from external threats and so much more.