A VPN helps to protect data from being viewed by attackers. Imagine an attacker on a public network trying to access company information. They would be prevented from accessing this information if they did not have the key (or login credentials) to unlock the VPN.
Encryption
In today’s digital age, data security is paramount. With the increasing number of cyber threats, protecting sensitive information is crucial. One effective tool for enhancing data security is a Virtual Private Network (VPN). But how does a VPN work?
According to experts, encryption protects the data you send and receive when you use a VPN. This scrambles the information so that it’s unreadable to anyone who doesn’t have the encryption key. This helps prevent cyber thieves from stealing and using your data to commit crimes in your name.
When you connect to a VPN, your device and the server swap encryption keys during a “handshake.” This happens almost instantly and is essential for ensuring that only your device and the VPN server can decrypt the information you send back and forth. Your search history can be viewed if you don’t use a VPN. This can be problematic when using public Wi-Fi to access your online banking or pay your credit card bill. But when you use a VPN, your search activity isn’t visible to anyone on the network.
Split Tunneling
Split tunneling separates network traffic into two paths. Standard, unencrypted data continues along the same path, while sensitive and secured data is routed through a VPN’s private network in an encrypted tunnel. This is a great option for businesses that balance speed and functionality with security and compliance requirements.
Using split tunneling allows you to define rules for what apps or websites should be sent through the VPN and what shouldn’t. The granular nature of these rules means that you can ensure sensitive, regulated data remains secure while general Internet browsing and other unsecured traffic are routed to the open Internet. This helps to reduce security risks and avoid data leaks while allowing employees to access their favorite sites, apps, and games without compromising productivity.
Some VPN services offer pre-configured app profiles that you can use to simplify the process. It’s important to regularly analyze and update these rules based on changing business needs, threats, and new technologies. You may also want to consider a solution that automatically updates and enforces routing rules across all devices to ensure your policies aren’t compromised by rogue apps or websites that bypass the VPN.
IP Address Masking
An internet user’s IP address is like their online calling card. It tells the web where a device is located, what pages it visits, and how much data it sends or receives. That’s why more users seek a way to leave a smaller digital trail.
VPNs can help with this. When you connect to a VPN, the provider creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the Internet. That tunnel’s endpoint is a server owned by the VPN service, which masks your real IP address. As a result, you can avoid internet snoopers, identity thieves, and other cybercriminals who can watch your every move online.
Another benefit of using a VPN is that it helps you access content restricted by geography. For example, if you want to see a sporting event only available in one country, a VPN allows you to connect through a server in the country where the event is happening. That way, the streaming service won’t know you’re not in your home country and will give you access. A good VPN will also include a kill switch, which disconnects your device from the Internet if its network connection fails. This feature ensures your protection even if your VPN connection is compromised. This helps to reduce the risk of identity theft and other cyber threats that can follow you if your VPN connection fails.
Access to Content That Is Only Available in Specific Regions
Your favorite streaming service or online shopping website may be unavailable when you travel. Often, this is due to contractual terms or regulations in other countries. A VPN can help to bypass these restrictions by allowing you to choose an IP address from a different region. This will make it appear to the content providers that you’re accessing their services from your home country.
Hackers can use your device’s IP address to learn about your Internet activity. They’ll likely know what you’ve searched, your current location, and other details about your activity.
The best premium VPNs offer a minimum of AES-256 encryption, considered nearly unbreakable by hackers. While a VPN can help to keep your data secure, you must follow basic cybersecurity best practices, such as clicking only verified links from trusted establishments. Also, updating your software regularly is essential, as security flaws are discovered in many applications. In addition, make sure that your firewall is enabled and up to date. This will help to protect your devices from a variety of threats.
