Users who surf online do not know the dangers that hide in the network: here are what they are and how to protect themselves
From the loss of their privacy, up to phishing and other cyber crimes: these are just some of the dangers related to the use of the network. Unfortunately, the majority of users ignore them and do not protect themselves in any way.
It is wrong to think that the only people exposed are children and young people, but in reality adults still have little knowledge of the web and can therefore fall into a trap. Moreover, often, even for work, you need to surf the web in complete anonymity. However, accessing the browser in “anonymous mode” is not enough to protect your privacy. VPN is definitely the best solution, because it allows you to surf the web in a totally safe way, remaining anonymous and preventing the servers from collecting any personal data. But what exactly is a VPN? Can it be used by everyone, even without exaggerated knowledge of computer science? And what exactly does it guarantee? Here are all the answers and solutions to protect yourself while using the Internet.
What are the risks of the network
Computer security, a raw nerve for the vast majority of users. Many people apparently are ready to recognize and counteract the dangers of the web, in reality they do not have the adequate preparation. To understand what is your level you can complete the National Privacy Test, a questionnaire created by NordVPN, a prestigious VPN service provider. It is a very useful tool that allows you to determine how prepared you are about the risks of the web.
But what are the fateful dangers that a user runs into when connecting to the Internet? According to data released by Safer Internet Day 2021, the most common are fake news, crimes related to sexting, then also revenge porn, cyberbullying, but also the theft of social accounts and subsequent blackmail to obtain money. The situation is particularly serious for young people, constantly connected to smartphones, often without any filter and protection.
What is a VPN and how does it work
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, a private and virtual network that allows you to encrypt web traffic and mask your IP address in order to protect your identity when you are connected to the Internet.
The VPN can be used through specific applications quickly and easily: just configure the app of your choice, log in with your credentials and then connect to the Internet normally.
In just a few steps, you can use a private channel (VPN tunnel) from any device (tablet, smartphone, PC, etc.) to connect to the web in total anonymity and security.
VPN: a technology suitable for everyone
The VPN is a tool suitable for everyone, from ordinary users to professionals.
For example, it is ideal when accessing a public Wi-Fi, generally less protected than a private one and more exposed to hacker attack. With a VPN, your identity is hidden and you surf anonymously, without risk.
But it is also suitable for home networks. In fact, it is a great solution when shopping online, sending messages, using a social. Every action we take is exposed and can be used by third parties: government agencies collect the data we enter, marketing agencies use it to better profile online campaigns, then there are even criminals who try to get at our bank data to perform ad hoc scams.
With a VPN all the operations performed online are completely protected. Of course, this tool is also useful on a professional level, in particular it is used by those who need to mask their location and manage sensitive data safely.
In short, the VPN is the perfect ally in this historical moment, so evolved but, at the same time, full of risks and dangers to know and prevent.