In short, a virtual private network (VPN) can defend you from hackers because it makes tracking you impossible. It routes your internet traffic through a VPN server, where it is encoded and distorted.
Have you ever been hacked? I have, and it’s a horrible feeling. Even though I only lost an old Runescape account, I was a child, and it was important to me.
Consider losing bank details to hackers instead of a game account. Is it a nightmare? Indeed. However, with privacy tools such as a VPN, you can often avoid this.
A VPN, on the other hand, cannot prevent you from being malware-infested or snapping on malicious websites, but it can prevent you from a few specific hacking techniques. Let’s look into it, shall we?
Will a VPN defend me from hackers when I’m using public Wi-Fi?
Yes, in some cases. But first, let’s return to that Runescape account. I must admit that a VPN wouldn’t have helped in that situation. Why? Since I gave away my password in exchange for a bogus promise of in-game currency. Nothing could protect your account if you do this.
A VPN, on the other hand, would have been helpful if someone was looking for my credentials on public Wi-Fi.
Yes, a VPN protects you when using public Wi-Fi networks. Free Wi-Fi may appear to be a boon, but its dangers are real.
In assertion, if your device is unsecured, hackers can intercept the signals as they travel from your device to the router. They can also set up ridiculous routers to steal your data, known as a fictitious WAP (Wireless Access Point) attack, and then use public Wi-Fi to infect your device with malware.
All of this is defeated by a VPN’s simple encryption. A VPN scrambles your data using algorithms, rendering it challenging to read to anyone who may wish to hear in on your connection.
Can a VPN protect me from home hackers?
Yes, and trying to protect your home from hackers is becoming increasingly important daily.
As you may be aware, the days of the personal computer being the only internet-connected device in the home are long gone. We now have smartphones (which are frequently hacked), home assistants like Alexa, intelligent fridges, Roombas, and other devices. Unfortunately, every open internet connection provides an additional opportunity for hackers to gain access to your home.
Vulnerabilities exist in savvy baby cams, stereos, and even photo frames. Hackers can take advantage of them if they recognise your IP address. They may use it to mount an attack and install malware into your devices that protect your personal data and pinpoint your exact location in the world.
But suppose you could conceal your IP address? A VPN does this as part of its regular operations. With a VPN enabled, you will no longer be transmitting your IP address, which is the digital equivalent of your home address.
How does a VPN keep me safe from hackers?
A VPN does two things to safeguard you from hackers:
1) Encryption: A VPN creates a secure tunnel over the internet between two devices and authenticates your data. Before the data is sent to the VPN server, it is anonymized on your device. It is then decrypted and sent to its online target.
AES 256-bit encryption is used by leading VPNs such as Surfshark. The details are a little complex, but in brief, it helps make your data challenging to crack.
Though technically possible, decrypting that data would take hackers decades.
2) IP masking: Think of your IP address as a virtual zip code. It can sometimes even point to your physical address for those who want to find you.
CONCLUSION:
When you utilise a VPN, nevertheless, you connect to a VPN server before going online. This implies that all of your internet activities are now identified by the server’s IP address rather than your own. Your valid IP address remains hidden.
As a result, hackers cannot identify your location, track down your network, or crack it in order to access your data or interfere with your IoT devices.
As you can see, a VPN is an excellent way to secure your devices and make them much more difficult for hackers to crack.
We hope that all your questions have been answered by reading our article. If you still have questions about your safety with VPNs, feel free to comment below. We would love to help you out in any way. Thank you for reading.
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