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“VPNs encrypt your data while online, scrambling it so that strangers can’t read it,” Norton describes it. VPNs encrypt data that is sent from your device, which means a hacker attempting to snoop and collect data packets being transferred on the network will be effectively locked out quite relevant on public Wi-Fi networks. This could be true for certain video streaming apps, but that shouldn’t be the deciding factor in your VPN upgrade. The spinoff from this functionality is that you can manually choose a global location, which could open access to additional content on some apps and websites, which may otherwise be region locked. By removing those identifiers and potentially changing your displayed location, you maintain your privacy. 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. First, your IP (internet protocol) address is hidden and instead, websites and services you access see another IP. The McAfee 2022 Global Trends Study suggests “71% of consumers addressed their security and privacy risks by using new tools on their devices, such as VPN, antivirus apps, firewalls, credit monitoring services, so on and so forth.”īut how is this secure tunnel made? There are multiple layers to it. There seems to be a greater understanding of online threats among consumers. If your phone or laptop connects with multiple (often unknown) networks as you travel or hop from one meeting to the other, you should be providing a safe tunnel for your data. Also, if you choose from among the options wisely, they are not very expensive too.īut why should you use a VPN on your phone or laptop? For many reasons. They are simpler to use on your smartphone, tablet, and laptop than one can imagine.
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The solution to this is using a virtual private network (VPN). They can then be used to steal personal data of unsuspecting users and also spread malware.
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Any Wi-Fi network, particularly those that haven’t been secured properly, is quite prone to being hacked. While we all want to access Wi-Fi at coffee shops, airports, hotels, we do not often realise the risks that come with it.
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