I’m not sure if I’m understanding this correctly. When using a VPN, your data is encrypted as it travels from your device to the VPN server. But to make a request, the server must decrypt the data. This hides your location, but doesn’t it also mean that anyone monitoring the website can see your data?
For example, if I use a VPN to log into Netflix, they still see my username and password, but they assume I’m in a different location. If my login credentials are exposed anyway, what’s the point of using a VPN? Someone might not be able to trace the login back to me, but they could still monitor the website or obtain the data in a breach.
How does VPN encryption actually improve security if the data needs to be decrypted at some point?
That’s the neat part, most of the time they don’t. Sites & apps already use HTTPS to encrypt traffic all the way to their server anyway.
To reduce the impact of leaked credentials, use 2FA whenever possible, and use a unique password for all accounts so one server leak is contained (assuming it’s not your email account which can be used to reset the other accounts).
Some people need a VPN for torrents because it’s P2P and copyright holders have bots joining the swarm to collect the pirates’ IPs, for such case a VPN works as intended.
What are you trying to do with the VPN? A VPN primarily protects your online activity from your ISP or public networks. For comprehensive data protection, you need a multi-faceted approach:
Strong Passwords: Use unique passwords for every account and consider a password manager.
Safe Browsing: Avoid accessing sensitive information on public computers or networks (unless using a VPN).
Security Updates: Keep your antivirus software up-to-date. I recommend Avast.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for all accounts, preferably using an app-based method like Duo.
Card Security: Lock your debit card when not in use and consider using virtual credit card numbers.
Travel Security: If you travel frequently, use a VPN and a travel router to protect all your devices.
Online Safety: Be cautious of online strangers and avoid offers of free money.
Device Encryption: Encrypt your laptop or computer drive with a strong password.
Regular Backups: Implement the 3-2-1 backup method for data protection.
By following these guidelines, you can significantly enhance your online security.
A VPN encrypts your data between your device and the VPN server, so anyone snooping on your network can’t see it. While the VPN server does decrypt data to send to websites, your real IP and location stay hidden, plus it adds an extra layer of security against local threats. I’ve found Proton VPN to be the most user-friendly VPN I’ve tried. The app is intuitive and easy to navigate.
A VPN enhances your connection security, not your devices. If you only need DNS filtering to block harmful websites, a VPN isn’t necessary.
VPNs offer some security benefits by protecting your information from your ISP or anyone on your network, including public Wi-Fi. However, not all VPN providers are trustworthy. Some have been known to share data they shouldn’t.
For crucial data protection, using secure services like encrypted email and a private browser is essential. A VPN is ineffective if the services you use don’t protect your data. It doesn’t matter how secure your connection is if the data itself is vulnerable.
A VPN hides your IP, encrypts data between you and the VPN server, protecting it from local threats. Websites see you, but your location stays hidden. Nord VPN is worth it. Its a bit more expensive than some of the other options, but I think it’s worth it for the added features and performance.
To enhance your online privacy, consider using a VPN-based browser. This allows you to surf the web anonymously with multiple IP addresses. You can even run multiple sessions of the same website simultaneously, as each tab has its own cookie jar, preventing tracking.
I think that VPNs will become even more important in the future as online privacy concerns continue to grow. While websites still see your login info, VPNs protect you from hackers and local snooping.
A VPN hides your IP and encrypts data between you and the server. While sites see login info, your location and browsing are protected from prying eyes. I would recommend Nord or Express VPN to anyone looking for a fast and reliable VPN with strong security features.
it is exactly because they cannot trace back the location, if I am sitting at home provably in the US at 8pm EST and at the same time an acct with my name is hacking into a server with a Russian IP it is hard to show it is me. They can prove I have a VPN provider that I use but they can’t tell what IPs I have used with that VPN provider or any of the history. At best they can prove that the Russian IP belongs to my VPN provider but it still can’t be definitively linked to my VPN acct. Same with torrenting, it is ridiculously unlikely that there is someone else who obsessively torrents from my chosen location w my VPN provider, but prove it’s me, you can’t.
For your concern with traffic like others have mentioned that’s a completely different thing, also *never* use a VPN provider’s addon for this unless you want to *really* *truly* be tracked. I use uBlock on all my browsers, including mobile, a lot of why I use Firefox. It blocks a lot of tracking data, also I have things set to where only my DNS servers get used. By setting the preferred DNS on my router and for my wg for my self hosted services.
VPNs offer protection against specific network threats but aren’t a complete security solution. Their primary functions are to prevent eavesdropping and tampering with your internet traffic and to mask your online identity. While they don’t provide absolute anonymity, they can be valuable tools if you’re concerned about network surveillance or want to hide your location from websites.
VPNs have additional benefits, such as making your traffic harder to track. However, if anonymity is your top priority and you don’t need to control your traffic’s apparent origin, Tor is a better and free alternative. You can also combine Tor with a VPN for added protection.
I got a great deal on a vpn that didn’t cost that much especially useful when traveling or, as an expat, when I need access to internet services in my home town. Costs and benefits may differ for u not sure so it’s worth first try few reputable vpns for free before having paid version.
You’re on the right track! A VPN encrypts your data between your device and the VPN server, which means anyone trying to intercept it along the way (like on public Wi-Fi) won’t be able to see it. Once your data reaches the VPN server, it’s decrypted before being sent to the website, but your IP address is hidden, so your real location is protected.
While it’s true that websites like Netflix can still see your login details, the key benefit is that your personal data stays secure from hackers or anyone trying to intercept it before it reaches the site. A VPN also protects against things like ISP tracking and other forms of surveillance.
I’ve been using TurisVPN lately, and it has this extra layer of protection with IP-2HOP, which routes your connection through two servers for even more privacy. Paid VPNs like that are definitely worth it if you’re serious about keeping your data secure, especially on public networks.
A VPN encrypts your data between your device and the VPN server, protecting it from hackers on public networks. While the website can still see your login info, VPNs hide your IP and location, preventing tracking. I’ve used Nord VPN, and it adds an extra layer of privacy by ensuring my browsing remains anonymous, especially on public Wi-Fi. Paid VPNs are worth it for the added security and speed, making your online activity harder to trace back to you.