Why is a VPN Important when connecting to Public WiFi?

by ddos · Published · Updated

A VPN is a superb service that allows you to connect to a network without using your real IP address. In the early days of VPNs, large companies used them to send and receive data and resources throughout their business, to help avoid cyberattacks. Nowadays it is very common for the average user to use a VPN to help boost their security settings.

Some people also run VPNs to help them gain access to blocked websites. Movie streaming sites, news websites, etc. are often blocked so people cannot log on to the sites unless they are in that specific country. A VPN allows you to bypass geo-blocked pages. If you run a quilty VPN service, you’ll notice you have a long list of servers located in countries and cities throughout the world.

There are plenty of VPN clients available looking for new customers. Fortune Lords has published a fantastic review providing information on the best free VPNs available on the market.

Are Public WiFi networks safe to use?

Nowadays, you can find public WiFi networks in lots of places. Even airplanes, trains, libraries, and restaurants offer their guests the option to join their public WiFi. Cities and towns sometimes supply public WiFi spots. Places like Mumbai have a wide range of public WiFi spots, around  500 in total, free for people to join their networks.

The idea of offering people a free internet connection is fantastic, however, studies show that 25% of these networks are unsecured. If you have ever logged on to a network that doesn’t require a username or password, then this network is unsecured. Most of these ‘’open’’ networks have an unencrypted network, which allows cyber criminals easy access to the device you are using. Hackers often target open networks in an attempt to gain private data from other users on it. Becoming a victim of a cyberattack can cause serious problems. Here are a few things these hackers are looking for:

  • Private data
  • Resources
  • Passwords
  • Usernames
  • Bank Details
  • Credit Card numbers
  • Identification such as driving license, work ID, Passport images
  • Personal photographs that are stored on your device

Governments and authorities throughout the world are warning people about the threat of cyberattacks. It is not uncommon for a hacker to steal all the finances in their victim’s bank account, steal their identity, or hold their victims to ransom in exchange for their personal data. Lots of people assume that the people at risk are those who connect to a network using a computer, however, cyberattacks on mobile devices are extremely common with the figures constantly rising.

Why Running a VPN while on a Public Network is Essential

This information can be very scary news to the average internet user. However, you don’t have to avoid using a public Wi-Fi network. A few simple adjustments can allow you to log on to the internet without the fear of a cyberattack.

The leading way to help you boost your security settings while connecting to public WiFi is by running a VPN. Third parties will not be able to gain access to your real IP address as the VPN will mask it, and replace it with a new IP address provided by the VPN server.

Without running a VPN, a cybercriminal with little experience should easily be able to access your device while you are connected to public WiFi. There is a large number of programs and data available online that explain how to get into another person’s device while on a public network. Using a reliable VPN will reduce the likelihood of you becoming a victim of a cybercrime. There are lots of free trials available for some of the best VPN providers in the world, however, it is advised that you stay away from using a free VPN in the long run. Sometimes these programs can cause further risk to you while online and sometimes can cause a slow internet connection.

Summary

The amount of cyberattacks around the world is increasing each year. In the first half of 2019, the United Kingdom reported over 260 million cyberattacks. That works out to approximately 800 cyber attacks per hour.

Anti-virus software and a VPN are critical programs to help reduce the risk of losing all your sensitive data to one of these cybercriminals. Finding these criminals is an uphill struggle for authorities, as they are very hard to track down and are often located on the other side of the world. Purchasing a quilty VPN from a reputable company can have major benefits to those wanting to secure their private data.