How To Browse The Internet Safely With A VPN

Marc R.

CEO at 911Cyber | IT & Cybersecurity Architect

Published Mar 9, 2023

Welcome to CyberHygiene, our weekly newsletter, where we share tips and actionable data to help everyone stay safe online.

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1. What is a VPN and why should you use one?

A secure and private internet connection can be established using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) tool that encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address and location from ISPs and third-party trackers.

Not only does a VPN protect against phishing attacks and malware by blocking malicious websites, but it can also bypass regional restrictions, such as accessing blocked websites and streaming services.

Moreover, it allows individuals to access the internet freely without censorship in countries where governments censor or block certain online content.

By using a VPN, you can also avoid ISPs from throttling your internet connection when you are streaming videos or playing games online.

A VPN is an essential tool for anyone looking to protect their online privacy and security, bypass regional restrictions, and access online content freely and without fear of censorship.

2. What are the security and privacy threats associated with VPNs?

While VPNs can enhance online security and privacy, there are still some potential security and privacy threats that you should be aware of:

VPN providers may log your data. Many may claim to offer no-logs policies, but in reality, they may still log some user data such as IP addresses or connection times. This could potentially be used to track your activity and compromise your privacy.
A DNS leak occurs when a VPN fails to properly route DNS requests through the VPN tunnel, potentially revealing the user's true IP address and compromising privacy.
Using a VPN does not provide complete protection against malware and viruses. You should still use anti-virus software and exercise caution when downloading files from the internet.
Some VPN protocols may have vulnerabilities that could potentially be exploited by attackers to intercept or manipulate traffic.
Using a VPN may give you a false sense of security and lead you to engage in risky online behavior, such as downloading copyrighted material or sharing sensitive information.

3. How to browse the internet safely with a VPN?

4. How to choose the right VPN?

Look for a VPN that offers strong encryption, a no-logs policy, and other security features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection.
Look for VPNs that offer fast server speeds and a wide range of server locations to choose from. A good VPN should not significantly slow down your internet connection.
Consider the number of server locations offered by the VPN, and make sure that the VPN has servers in the countries that you need to connect to. This is important if you plan on using the VPN to access content that is geo-restricted.
The VPN should be easy to use and navigate, with a simple user interface and clear instructions.
Consider your budget and look for a VPN that offers a good balance of features and price. VPNs can range from free to several hundred dollars per year.
Look for a VPN provider that offers good customer support, with multiple channels for getting in touch like email, chat, or phone support.
It's also a good idea to read reviews and compare multiple VPNs before making a decision.