Todd NesnickIf you’ve heard about VPNs and know how they can help protect your privacy online but have you heard whether a VPN stops hackers in their tracks? The short answer is no, a VPN alone won’t prevent hackers from accessing your accounts or devices. However, a VPN does make you a less attractive target and helps reduce some risks.
When you connect to a public Wi-Fi network at the coffee shop or airport, a VPN encrypts all the data you send and receive. While not a cure-all, a VPN does provide an important layer of protection for the security-conscious internet user. A VPN can help give you more peace of mind the next time you log on at the local hotspot. Let’s dive in to learn about this more.
What Is a VPN and How Does It Work?
A VPN protects you by encrypting all the data sent between your device and the internet. It creates an encrypted tunnel for online traffic, hiding your activity and location.
A VPN service gives you access to proxy servers in locations around the world. When you connect to one of these servers, all your internet traffic is routed through it. Anyone snooping on your network won’t be able to see what you’re accessing or where you’re connecting from.
Using a VPN also masks your IP address, hiding it behind the IP address of the VPN server. This makes it appear that your internet traffic is coming from the VPN server. So if you’re in London but connect to a VPN server in New York, websites will think you’re accessing them from New York.
Anonymity and Privacy
A VPN provides an extra layer of anonymity and privacy for all your online activities like sending emails, shopping, banking, and messaging. It encrypts all the data leaving your device and decrypts it once it reaches the VPN server. So anyone trying to monitor your internet connection won’t be able to see what you’re doing.
Access Restricted Websites
Some websites and streaming services block access based on your location. A VPN covers these restrictions by making it appear like you’re accessing the internet from another country. So if you want to view content only available in the US, just connect to a US-based VPN server.
A VPN is an easy way to strengthen online security and privacy. But while it hides your internet activity and location, it won’t completely anonymize you or protect against advanced hacking techniques. For maximum protection, use a VPN with other privacy practices like using encrypted messaging apps and different passwords for your accounts.
Do VPNs Prevent Hacking and Cyberattacks?
Does a VPN protect you from hackers and cyberattacks? Not entirely. Here’s the deal:
A VPN hides your online activity and location, masking your IP address so that hackers or anyone else can’t see what websites you visit or steal your data. It also encrypts all the information you share with those sites. That prevents most casual snoopers and basic malware from accessing your data.
However, a VPN won’t stop targeted hacking attempts or advanced cyberattacks. Skilled hackers can still find ways to access your accounts or devices if they want to badly enough. A VPN also won’t prevent phishing emails or malicious apps that trick you into entering account info or downloading malware.
That said, a VPN does make you a less obvious target. Hackers and cybercriminals often go after the easiest victims, so encrypting your connection helps them move on to more vulnerable prey. A VPN prevents your internet service provider from seeing and potentially selling your browsing data.
While a VPN is not a foolproof shield against every hacking attempt, it significantly reduces your attack surface and helps anonymize your digital footprint. When combined with strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and general online safety practices, a VPN can be an important tool for defending against hackers and staying secure online.
Why Hackers Target Public Wi-Fi Networks?
Public Wi-Fi networks are a hacker’s paradise. When you connect to an unsecured network at a coffee shop, airport or other public place, you make yourself an easy target. Here’s why hackers love public Wi-Fi and what they can access:
- On public Wi-Fi, hackers can see everything you do online—the sites you visit, the information you enter, even the messages you send. They use packet sniffing tools to monitor network traffic and capture your online activity.
- If you access any accounts, make purchases or do online banking on public Wi-Fi, hackers can steal your login info, credit card numbers, social security number and more. Never enter any sensitive data on unsecured networks.
- If you connect to public Wi-Fi and access files on your laptop, the network share on your phone or a cloud storage service, hackers may be able to access those files. They can download or even encrypt your files for ransom.
- In a worst-case scenario, hackers can infiltrate your laptop, tablet or phone on public Wi-Fi and install malware, keylogging software or even completely take control of your device. Once they have access, they can continue to monitor your activity and steal data even after you leave the network.
How to Protect Yourself?
To avoid becoming a hacker’s next victim on public Wi-Fi, follow these tips:
- Use a virtual private network or VPN. A VPN encrypts all your online activity and hides your information from hackers on the web.
- Turn off file sharing and network discovery. Disable these options on your devices so hackers can’t access your files and see your device on the network.
- Use a mobile hotspot instead. Turn your phone into a personal Wi-Fi hotspot and connect your devices. Your cell carrier’s data network is encrypted.
- Be cautious about what information you enter. Never enter credit card numbers, account passwords or sensitive data on public Wi-Fi.
- Use two-factor authentication when available. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security for accounts like email, social media and banking.
How to Choose a VPN for Maximum Security?
Choosing a VPN is important if you want to maximize your online security and privacy. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Look for a VPN provider that does not log your online activity or connection data. A no-log policy means the VPN cannot store or share details like your IP address, websites visited or duration of your sessions.
- Consider using a VPN provider in a privacy-friendly country outside government data-sharing alliances. VPNs based in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are subject to data retention laws and agreements that require companies to share user information with government agencies upon request. Switzerland, Panama and Romania are good alternatives.
- Opt for a VPN that offers strong encryption like AES 256-bit to protect your data and various security protocols, including OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec and IKEv2 so you can choose based on your needs. Good VPN such as AstrillVPN uses 256-bit encryption, which is the highest level commercially available. This means your data is scrambled into bits of digital code that would take even the most powerful supercomputer thousands of years to crack.
- Look for additional features like an automatic kill switch, DNS leak prevention, split tunneling and obfuscation techniques. A kill switch will cut off internet access if your VPN connection drops to avoid exposing your data. DNS leak prevention and obfuscation help hide your VPN usage and location. Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps use the VPN.
- Consider a VPN that offers apps for all your devices – Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, routers, streaming devices, etc. That way you can secure your whole network and access geo-restricted streaming content on the go. Some top providers offer 5-7 simultaneous connections so you can share with family and friends.
Doing thorough research and choosing a VPN focused on security, privacy and performance is the best way to protect yourself from hackers and ensure peace of mind when using public Wi-Fi or accessing sensitive data online. A few dollars a month for a premium VPN service is a small price to pay for digital security in today’s connected world.
Conclusion
While a VPN can help hide your online activity and location, it’s not a silver bullet against hackers. You still need to practice safe computing by using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication when available, keeping software up to date, and being wary of phishing emails and malicious links. A VPN is a valuable tool, but no technology is foolproof. Staying vigilant and using common sense are still your best defenses. The internet may be dangerous, but with the proper precautions, you can surf safer and smarter. A VPN is a good start, but should only be one part of your cybersecurity strategy.