VPN (Virtual Private Network) services have been growing in popularity among computer users in the home and workplace. But nowadays, with hackers, fraudsters and unwanted surveillance bodies ominously lurking around cyberspace, it’s also wise to utilize the robust security of a VPN on our mobile devices.
VPN, in short, is a service that provides a significantly more secure internet connection by using private, remotely located servers, meaning that all data passing between your device and the VPN server is encrypted, masking your true location in the process to provide anonymity.
People commonly use VPNs to work remotely, for reasons such as the need to protect sensitive data when connecting to a private business network via laptop. However, due to cell networks providing faster internet speeds outside of the home and developers creating highly intuitive mobile apps, the threat of data theft has risen sharply alongside this tech innovation.
Through smart devices, people are exchanging greater amounts of information-sensitive data than ever before as they manage emails, online shopping, social contacts, browser surfing, messages, and even online banking. Cyber criminals are aware that people are becoming increasingly attached to their smartphones and are seeking out an internet connection wherever they venture.
We all like to connect to public WiFi hotspots such as those conveniently provided by companies at high traffic areas like cafés, events and airport lounges. However, since these networks are often unsecured with no encryption, and sneaky fraudsters are known to operate imposter WiFi networks in these places, our data is at serious risk of being exploited.
VPNs can be installed across all mobile device platforms, such as Android and iPhone, to create a secure, encrypted internet environment, ending WiFi hotspot paranoia. If you often find yourself working on the move, reading emails and remotely accessing corporate files, wouldn’t you rather have the reassurance of knowing these private documents will actually remain private? This is where a VPN can also work wonders.
Furthermore, a VPN can fight in your corner by combating hackers looking to push malicious viruses in your direction. Ransomware, a vicious strain of malware that locks an individual’s device and demands a monetary ransom, was once thought to only affect desktop computers, but now poses a threat to mobile devices. For that reason, it’s best to remain untraceable, hence the reason to install a VPN.
Beyond security reasons, a VPN can also grant you access to geographically restricted content, such as international video streaming services and websites, because you’ll be able to select a server local to where the content is generated. Other advantages include increased bandwidth and lower latency (meaning, for example, faster video stream buffering) since VPN services use multiple internet connections.
