Many people use VPNs to enhance their security and privacy online. While these services are often pitched towards people who travel a lot or work in industries where privacy is important, VPNs are perfect for everyday use.
A virtual private network adds an added layer of protection to your online activities by building an encrypted tunnel between anyone who tries to spy on you and your traffic. VPNs are perfect for when you are out and about, using public wifi networks. A virtual private network can also protect your privacy at home, and it may also let you access geo-locked streaming content.
Since many of us are spending more time at home than we use to, it is more crucial than ever to know when to use a VPN at home. TechNinjaPro is going to let you know why do you need a VPN at home in 2021.
- What is the purpose of a VPN?
- What a VPN Can’t Do?
- Risks at Home
- Do I need a VPN at home?
- Why do I use a VPN at home?
- Do I need a VPN on my mobile phone?
- Do I need a VPN for my corporation?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of a VPN?
The most important purpose of a virtual private network is to hide your online browsing activity. Virtual private networks are often used to defend against hackers and snoops on public wifi networks, but they are also useful for hiding your browsing activity, IP address, and personal information on any public network, even at home.
The more online our lives become, the more likely our privacy and security are at risk. From your internet service providers to businesses collecting information to monetize or sell to hackers looking to steal your important information for malicious purposes, some might be watching or tracking your online activity anytime you go online.
A virtual private network helps you browse securely and safely by encrypting your connection and hiding your location. TechNinjaPro would not dig in too deeply here, but you should check out our detailed blogs on VPN and how to set up a VPN.
What a VPN Can’t Do?
For a virtual private network to be helpful, it is important to know its limitations. Its main purpose is to guard your online browsing activity and make it impossible for observers to trace online activities back to you.
Even with a virtual private network, advertisers may still be able to gather data about you. TechNinjaPro also recommends using antivirus softwares on your devices which enable two-factor authentication wherever it is available.
Risks at Home
For the most part, we can be confident that our home networks are safe and secure. It is doubtful that a bad guy broke in, replaced your router, and then waited for the good stuff to roll in. Hackers need more than one successful hit to make an attack worthwhile. They hit again and again to achieve as much data from as many victims as possible. Unless you live above an airport, it is improbable that there is enough foot traffic in your home to justify an attack.
Do I need a VPN at home?
A virtual private network is less required at home than in public because your home network includes security protection like a password and username to sign in. But various people still use a VPN at home to stop online tracking or stream certain types of content.
On an unprotected public network, hackers can easily intercept anything you receive and send. While most web traffic is pretty uninteresting, it could include important information like your credit card numbers, login credentials, or bank account details. Hackers cast broad bets, which is why the free internet at the public place poses a higher risk.
By comparison, home internet networks are much safer. It is much likely that an attacker can walk in and join your network. Plus, if you take all the steps to guard your home network, including changing the default name and password. Using a VPN service at home for protection against attackers is probably not one of your top priorities.
But, even at home, a virtual private network can help guard you against various types of privacy risks. Your online browsing activity can be tracked anytime you visit a site or open an online application. Businesses collect data about you to enhance their products or show your targeted ads based on your browsing activity. A virtual private network can strengthen your anonymity and help hide you from trackers.
VPN adds an added layer of protection and makes it harder for attackers and trackers to see what you are doing since they would not find your IP address.
Why do I use a VPN at home?
Using a virtual private network at home is as essential as having an antivirus installed for protection. The key purpose of a VPN is privacy and security. However, the flexibility of a VPN cannot be denied.
Here are some other best ways you can use a VPN for home:
1. Defend yourself against hackers
In 2021, most of your valuable possessions possibly exist digitally. For hackers, your identity and financial details are desirable assets. One of the finest ways to guard yourself is with a VPN.
Using a virtual private network makes it harder for hackers to access your critical information. Even if they target your system with router hacks, they would not be able to decrypt your information.
2. Bypass geo-restrictions
A reputable VPN will maintain servers worldwide. That means you can funnel your information through an IP address in another country, bypassing any local internet restrictions. If you are based in Europe, for example, but want to watch a sport streaming exclusively in the United States, you need the best virtual private network for streaming. When you join a US server, your system will appear under a US IP address, giving you access to geo-restricted websites. VPNs provide a complete global internet experience.
3. Maintain private privacy
Everyone has a right to protection and privacy in the real world and online. But there is no shortage of people and businesses who would like to get a look at your online activity. Many internet service providers are legally allowed to sell your information to advertisers, corporations, research bodies, and government departments.
A virtual private network provides you control of your internet security and privacy. When you switch it on, even your internet service provider would not be able to track you. If you are tired of corporations buying your activity information, it might be the best time to get a VPN.
4. VPNs can make online sharing more protected
When you share files with an important person, you do not want a tracker spying on the transfer. Poor VPNs do not provide efficient P2P file sharing, but premium VPN services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN do. Your download and upload will be safe from cyber attackers with excellent encryption protocols and a strict zero-logs policy.
5. Defend your devices
A VPN can defend your camera and other devices. An unsecured camera is a treasure trove for particularly cruel cyberattackers. Other devices like IoT doorbells, appliances, or baby monitors can also remain vulnerable if your browser is unprotected. Set up a VPN directly on your router to defend devices in your home.
Note: We strongly recommend using a virtual private network both at home and elsewhere for all the reasons we have mentioned above. With just clicks, you can improve your online security and protect your information.
Do I need a VPN on my mobile phone?
Mobile phones are as tempting to trackers as computers and are sometimes apt to target wifi snooping. And if you use the network auto-connect function on your phone, you should be careful when outside your home.
A public network is a hunting ground for cyberattackers, as it often has no privacy and security features and leaves user data vulnerable. If you lose your phone coverage, your device may auto-connect to the nearest public network, putting you in danger. That is why VPN provides easy-to-use mobile apps for a wide range of operating system.
Do I need a VPN for my corporation?
Hackers often steal valuable information by targeting devices of employees within a business. Whether you are running a corporation or working for a big firm, a VPN can be invaluable.
The risks are only getting worse. As remote working spreads, hackers are taking benefits of unprotected home routers and devices. If you use one device for both work activities and leisure, a VPN is the best way to add that added layer of security and privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should select a virtual private network based on your own definite requirements and what you plan to use it for. For example, if you need to access streaming sites, look for a vast server network and fast connection speeds. But no matter where your main concerns lie, ensure you select a VPN that is user-friendly, reputable, and secure enough to entrust it with your information.
Yes, VPN services are not just for when you are traveling or using some public network. When connected to your home network, your IP address is easily accessible and visible to others. That is why you should always use a VPN service to shield your activity and location.
No, a VPN service hides your internet activity from your internet service provider. Your internet service provider will see some data like the time you connected and the amount of data you are sending or receiving, but it would not be able to see the sites you visit, the files your download, or anything else you do online.
So, do I really need a VPN?
The answer to using a VPN totally depends on your needs. Most people would not need to secure their private networks from hackers, but there are many good reasons to use VPNs.
If you use a public network a lot, worry about your internet service provider and other parties snooping on your internet browsing activity, or need to access streaming content from somewhere in the world, a VPN can help. On the other hand, if low internet speed frustrates you, this might not be the tool for you. But it is worth researching what the speed impacts actually are. For instance, selecting a VPN service that provides a broad range of server locations can ensure that you do not need to compromise speed and security.