Why is it Important to use a VPN?
In today's digital age you may frequently hear the advice, "Use a VPN!" While it's often associated with accessing geo-restricted content or bypassing censorship these are just a small part of the picture. There are far more critical reasons why using a VPN is essential. In today's digital age you may frequently hear the advice, "Use a VPN!" While it's often associated with accessing geo-restricted content or bypassing censorship these are just a small part of the picture. There are far more critical reasons why using a VPN is essential.
Let’s explore the real reasons why you should consider using a VPN. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about watching TV series.
For those who like to read more about the topic, can read the details in the last section.
Cybersecurity Risks and Why VPNs Matter
Cyberattacks are an increasing threat, especially in business environments. To safeguard sensitive data many companies provide VPNs to their employees. As mentioned earlier, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your network traffic, making it almost impossible for hackers to extract useful information. When combined with HTTPS, the protection is even stronger, securing both your data and communications.
NOTE
Always use your company VPN when working remotely, especially when handling sensitive information or when you’re on public networks (e.g., airports, internet cafes).
What is HTTPS and how to use it?
HTTPS
Simply put, HTTPSecure is a highly secure and encrypted method of transmitting data over the internet.
How to use HTTPS
If you want to use HTTPS as a security measure, there are two strategies you can consider:
The padlock 🔒
The padlock icon in your browser indicates that the website you’re visiting is using HTTPS. This means your connection is secure, and your data is protected from prying eyes. Alternatively, you can check if the website's URL begins with https:// rather than http://.
TIP
Can’t see "http" or "https" in your URL? Modern browsers often hide it, but if you copy and paste the URL into a text editor, you can easily check.
The plugin 🧩
With the plugin method, you install an extension into your browser that forces websites to use HTTPS. This ensures that sites supporting both HTTP and HTTPS will always use HTTPS, providing additional security for your connection.
Keep in mind that some websites don’t support HTTPS, in these cases the plugin won’t work. This method requires you to be aware of the sites you visit and their security practices. Be especially cautious if a trusted site suddenly fails to use HTTPS.
To install such a plugin, visit your browser’s plugin store and search for “HTTPS”.
WARNING
Always consult with your IT department before installing any plugins, as they are third-party software.
Conclusion
As we've seen a VPN is not just about hiding your location; it is a crucial tool for protecting your data on the internet. When combined with HTTPS, which is thankfully more common nowadays, it creates a safe environment for your network traffic.
While a VPN encrypts all your network traffic, HTTPS is designed specifically for web traffic in your browser. Even when you're not using a browser, a VPN remains a valuable safety mechanism—particularly when you are connected to an insecure network or working remotely.
Overall, the best approach is to implement the good practices mentioned above while also connecting to a VPN. This way, a hacker monitoring your network won’t even know which websites you’re visiting, let alone the data you’re transmitting.
How to Choose the Right VPN
When selecting a VPN, there are several factors to consider. Here are some key points to help you make an informed decision:
- Use reputable VPN providers with a proven track record of protecting user privacy.
- Avoid free providers (remember, nothing is truly free).
- Ensure that the VPN provider does not keep logs.
The Details... (Optional)
For those who stayed or like to peek behind the curtain, here are the details. We're starting with HTTPS because it’s easier to understand this way.
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)
With HTTPS, the content of your web traffic is encrypted, preventing unauthorized access to your data. This ensures that sensitive information, such as login credentials and financial details, remains secure while being transmitted over the internet. Only the sender and the receiver can decrypt the data.
While this is a great security measure, it’s important to remember that HTTPS only secures web traffic. Other types of network traffic, such as email or file sharing, are not protected by HTTPS. Even with HTTPS, a hacker can see the websites you visit and try to attack you in other ways. This is where a VPN comes into play—but before we get to that, let’s use a simple analogy to explain HTTPS.
Imagine a postman who carries your letter. Instead of a fragile, easily opened envelope, he carries a secure, tamper-proof safe. This is essentially what HTTPS does for your web traffic. The only visible information about the contents is that it exists—nothing more, nothing less. However, as the analogy shows, the postman can still be followed, and his destination can be revealed.
NOTE
HTTPS doesn’t protect you from the website itself; it only protects the data in transit. If the website is malicious, HTTPS won’t keep you safe.
VPN Encryption
When paired with a VPN, which encrypts all your network traffic, it becomes nearly impossible for hackers to gain useful information. A VPN creates a secure tunnel for your internet connection, masking your IP address and making your online activity virtually invisible to outsiders. In this scenario, the only information a hacker can gather is that you are using a VPN—nothing more.
To extend our previous example, imagine that the postman doesn’t ride his bicycle on dark streets anymore. Instead, he uses a secret underground tunnel that only he knows about, making it impossible for anyone to track him. This is what a VPN does for your internet connection.
The Takeaway
If you follow the guidelines mentioned in this article, a hacker monitoring your network will only see encrypted communication with the VPN server, without any indication of the specific websites or services you're accessing. Additionally, by enforcing HTTPS, even the VPN provider won’t see the contents of your traffic.
This combination significantly enhances your online privacy and security, ensuring a safer browsing experience and reducing your vulnerability to cyber threats.
If you’re feeling inspired to purchase a VPN right now, hold on just one more minute and read our guide on how to choose the right VPN.