Reasons why you need a VPN: A simple guide to get started

While we all want access to Wi-Fi and coffee shops, airports, hotels, we do not often realize the risks involved. Any Wi-Fi network, especially those that are not properly secured, is quite susceptible to being hacked. They can then be used to steal personal data of unsuspecting users and also spread malware.

The solution to this is to use a virtual private network (VPN). They are easier to use on your smartphone, tablet and laptop than you can imagine. Also, if you choose wisely among the options, they are also not very expensive.

But why should you use a VPN on your phone or laptop? For many reasons. If your phone or laptop connects to multiple (often unknown) networks as you travel or jump from one meeting to the next, you should provide a secure tunnel for your data.

There seems to be a greater understanding of online threats among consumers. The McAfee 2022 Global Trends study suggests “71% of consumers have addressed their security and privacy risks by using new tools on their devices, such as VPNs, antivirus apps, firewalls, credit monitoring services, and so on.”

Hide your identifier

But how is this safe tunnel made? There are different layers of it. First, your IP (Internet Protocol) address is hidden and instead, websites and services you are accessing see a different IP. Think of an IP address as your identifier, which in turn gives websites access to a trove of data that can be linked to your location, device and among others. By deleting these identifiers and potentially changing your display location, you are maintaining your privacy.

The spin-off of this feature is that you can manually select a global location, which could open up access to additional content on some apps and websites that might otherwise be blocked regionally. This might be true for some video streaming apps, but that should not be the deciding factor when upgrading your VPN.

Encrypt web traffic

VPNs encrypt data sent by your device, which means that a hacker attempting to snoop and collect data packets transmitted over the network is effectively blocked; very relevant on public Wi-Fi networks.

“VPNs encrypt your data while you are online, scrambling it so that strangers cannot read it,” Norton describes it.

Norton has the Secure VPN App ( ₹1,799 more per year) for Windows PCs, Macs, Android phones and iPhones. The VPN option is also part of the Norton 360 suite which includes antivirus, spyware and malware protection ( ₹799 and more per year).

“When you connect to a secure VPN server, your Internet traffic goes through an encrypted tunnel that no one can see, including hackers, governments, and your Internet service providers,” is how ExpressVPN, a popular VPN app, describes the encryption feature. ExpressVPN costs more than $ 6.67 per month, depending on the subscription period you pay.

VPN app or browser extension: big difference

You may find that the VPN app you choose is offered as an app for your PC, Mac or smartphone, or even as an extension available for your web browser. The latter only protects data and secure use of the web browser on which the extension is installed.

An app, when running in the background, protects and encrypts all browser traffic and any app installed on the device.

“Unlike an extension, a VPN app protects all traffic that leaves your device. When VPN is enabled on your computer, it will not only secure the data in your browser, but also other tools connected to the Internet,” NordVPN illustrates the difference.

That said, most VPNs have the option to split tunneling – you can select apps you do not want to be moved through the encrypted VPN route. This can be useful for instant messaging apps and video streaming platforms, which often struggle to work properly with VPNs that point to different geographical locations.