Do you ever access the Internet using public WiFi? Most of us do at one time or another at the library, the coffee shop, a hotel or other public place. Public networks can be convenient, but the downside is that you never know who might see your data. One way to keep your data safe from prying eyes when using an unfamiliar Internet connection is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN securely encrypts the entire path from your computer to the VPN provider. When used with https, your data is secure as it travels between your computer and a remote computer, such as an email server, ecommerce site or financial institution. In addition to protecting private data, such as passwords and financial information, there are other reasons to use a VPN, such as these suggested by Mashable:
- When you are traveling internationally, a VPN may allow you to access websites and streaming services that you may legitimately access in your home country, but are blocked in the country you are visiting
- Employees working remotely can access internal company networks without sacrificing security
- Political dissidents in repressive countries need the privacy afforded by a VPN
There are both free and paid VPN solutions available. PCWorld ranked the best VPNs of 2018, and that list is a good place to start. Mozilla recommends asking the following questions when choosing a provider.
- What kind of data, if any, does the VPN provider collect about your browsing?
- How long does it keep this data?
- Are there any restrictions?
- Where are the VPN servers?
- How do you pay for the VPN service?
“Free” VPN services come with hidden costs, such as a lack of resources or even identity theft, so knowing what the VPN does with your data is important. And that last question is important because paying through an anonymous service such as Bitcoin provides more privacy than paying with a credit card or PayPal. VPNs do not have to be complicated or expensive, and they can keep your data safe from identity thieves and other bad guys.
