How Secure Is Your VPN? Do You Need It All the Time?

As cybercrime and online surveillance rates soar, it’s wise to approach the internet with caution and protect yourself wherever possible. That’s where a secure VPN comes in. It offers a virtual shield against prying eyes and a way to keep your data safe. But with so many VPNs out there and reports circulating of VPNs that are little more than malware, how do you know if your chosen provider is doing the job? Is your VPN as secure as it claims?

Have no fear. By the time you’ve finished reading this guide, you should be able to distinguish a secure VPN from a dodgy one and find the right VPN for your needs.

What Is a Secure VPN and What Happens When You Use One?

A secure VPN is a simple yet effective way to instantly enhance your online privacy and security. 

When you connect to a VPN, your device establishes a secure, encrypted connection to a VPN server. This server can be located anywhere in the world, depending on your VPN provider and server selection. All your internet traffic is then routed through this encrypted tunnel, encoding your data and making it unreadable to anyone who might intercept it. This way, no one can tamper with or eavesdrop on your browsing data, and only the recipient can decrypt it.

A secure VPN also hides your original IP address and location, and can even make it seem like you’re somewhere else entirely. This process makes it harder for anyone to track you online. It also ensures your ISP can’t see what you’re doing online, so can’t throttle your bandwidth or cap your speed based on your activities. This lets you browse, stream, or download without annoying buffering or lag. 

Ultimately, a secure VPN changes your location and protects your data. That’s more than can be said for many so-called VPNs, which, for all their advertising, do very little at all and might even be riskier than going without one. 

Unlike some free VPNs, a secure VPN is not a “Trojan horse” for malicious data harvesters or marketers. It doesn’t log, share, or sell your data to the highest bidder. What’s more, it won’t bombard you with ads or inject malware onto your device.

Instead, a secure VPN should abide by a strict no-logs policy, which means it won’t record any information about your VPN sessions. It should use the latest encryption methods to protect your information from data breaches and snoops, and have all it takes to let you browse the web privately and without restrictions.

Why Do You Need a Secure VPN?

A secure VPN always has a way of coming in handy. Say you’re at the airport and need to use its free Wi-Fi to check your bank account or do some last-minute online shopping for your trip. If you browse without a secure VPN, anyone else on that Wi-Fi network could potentially see everything you’re doing, from your passwords to your purchases. A secure VPN’s strong encryption keeps your data private and protected, even on open public Wi-Fi.

Here are some other good reasons to use a secure VPN:

• • You’re concerned about online privacy: In this age of digital surveillance, a secure VPN keeps your browsing habits and personal information private. 
  • You want to access homegrown content when traveling abroad: If you travel frequently and want to watch shows or access services from your home country, a secure VPN can help.
  • You’re concerned about censorship or blocking: If you need to bypass restrictions on your internet connection, a VPN can be useful.

How Do You Know If a VPN Is Secure?

A secure VPN is like a bank vault with multiple layers of protection. It has impenetrable walls and complex locks in the form of powerful encryption and authentication methods, and monitoring systems and policies to guard your data. With this in mind, let’s break down the key factors that contribute to making a VPN secure:

Encryption Methods

Strong encryption is the backbone of a secure VPN. It encodes your readable data into unreadable code. This makes it useless to anyone who might intercept it, including cybercriminals, snoops, or your ISP. 

All reputable VPNs encrypt your data as it travels between your device and the VPN server. However, some VPNs use more robust encryption methods than others. CyberGhost VPN uses the highest encryption grades available to protect you from cybercriminals when banking online or using public Wi-Fi.

Customizable VPN Protocols

The choice of VPN protocols available is another factor that can impact your level of security, connection stability, streaming performance, and more. Protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and WireGuard® are considered secure due to their robust encryption and authentication mechanisms. 

Data Logging and Privacy Policies

A trustworthy and secure VPN provider is open about its operations and committed to user privacy. A VPN’s data-logging policy tells you how it intends to maintain your privacy. A secure VPN adheres to a strict no-logs policy. This means it doesn’t track or store your online activities such as the websites you visit, the files you download, or your connection timestamps. 

Two independent audits of CyberGhost VPN confirm we don’t store any data that could identify you or your online activity.

Jurisdiction with Strong Privacy Laws

The country in which your VPN provider is based can impact your privacy. Some countries have mandatory data retention laws that require VPN providers to log and store information like your IP address and browsing history. 

That’s why you want to choose a VPN with headquarters in a country with strong privacy laws and a history of respecting user data. This ensures your information is handled responsibly and not subject to invasive surveillance. 

CyberGhost VPN is headquartered in privacy-friendly Romania, which means no government agency can make us hand over your data. 

Server Network

The quality and stability of your VPN provider’s server network can also impact its security. A large server network lets you connect to servers in many locations, giving you choice and freedom, and making it harder for anyone to track your online movements. 

CyberGhost VPN boasts a fleet of 10-Gbps servers in 100+ countries that transfer your data at lightning speeds. Ghosties enjoy a consistently stable VPN connection and unlimited bandwidth to use the internet freely and safely. They can access content from around the world, encrypt their traffic on unsecured Wi-Fi, stream securely, and bypass internet restrictions. 

Transparency

When a VPN provider is transparent about its operations, it lets users and independent security experts examine the code for potential vulnerabilities or backdoors. This transparency builds trust because users can verify that the VPN is doing what it claims to do and isn’t hiding any malicious activity. 

CyberGhost VPN publishes quarterly transparency reports in which we cover the number of data requests we receive from various legal authorities and copyright holders, to which we always answer with a definitive no! 

Once you understand the factors that contribute to VPN security, you can confidently select a provider that meets your needs and ensures your online safety and privacy.

Which Features Should a VPN Include?

A reputable VPN should come with a number of advanced features to make sure your online adventures stay private and secure. Here’s what you should look for in a VPN:

• • Kill switch: If you’re browsing the internet through a secure VPN tunnel, what happens if the tunnel collapses due to a patchy internet connection, for instance? Temporary disruptions can break the VPN connection, causing your data to leak. A kill switch acts as an emergency shut-off valve, instantly cutting off your internet traffic until the VPN connection is safely restored. This prevents your IP address, real location, and other data from being exposed to the open internet.
  • DNS leak protection: DNS is like the internet’s phone book. When you type in a website’s URL, your device sends a DNS request to a server to translate it into the website’s actual IP address (a series of characters and numerals). These requests typically go through your ISP’s DNS servers, which means your ISP can see and log your online activity. Choosing a VPN with DNS leak protection ensures your DNS requests always go through your VPN’s secure tunnel, preventing your ISP from seeing which websites you visit.
  • Fast VPN speeds: A fast VPN connection ensures you can browse, stream, and download without frustrating slowdowns. As far as your security is concerned, slow speeds might tempt you to turn off your VPN, leaving you vulnerable to threats.
  • Device compatibility: A solid VPN should be able to protect you across multiple devices, including your phone, tablet, computer, and all devices connected to your router. That way, you create an end-to-end shield against online threats.

• • Dedicated IP address: If other VPN users abuse a VPN IP address for spam or other malicious purposes, it might get blocklisted, affecting everyone who uses it. Instead of being shared between multiple users, a dedicated IP is exclusively yours and makes sure the actions of others don’t impact you. 
  • RAM-only servers: These servers store data in temporary memory or RAM that’s wiped clean with every reboot. This means even if someone hacks the server, they won’t find any records of your activity. RAM-only servers help VPN providers reinforce their no-logs policies. Since no data is stored on a physical disk, there’s also nothing to hand over to the authorities, ensuring your privacy.
  • Automatic Wi-Fi protection: Public Wi-Fi hotspots are typically unsecured, making them easy targets for cybercriminals. VPNs with an automatic Wi-Fi protection feature activate instantly whenever you connect to a public network, safeguarding your data.
  • 24/7 support: If you ever run into trouble or have questions, 24/7 support means you’ll always have someone to help you.

Do You Need a Secure VPN on Your Phone?

Having a VPN on your phone gives you peace of mind, knowing your information is safe, no matter where you are, or what network you’re using.  

After all, your phone is a treasure trove of personal information, including private photos, messages, and even financial information. Do you know how vulnerable all that data becomes when you connect to public Wi-Fi at a café or airport, for example?

Free Wi-Fi is convenient, but it’s also a playground for cybercriminals looking to snatch your passwords, bank details, or private pictures. A secure VPN encrypts your data, making it useless to anyone trying to snoop, including the Wi-Fi owner, who may be looking to sell your data. 

Even when using mobile data, your privacy isn’t guaranteed. Your ISP can still see your online activity and share it with the government and other third parties. A VPN keeps your browsing habits private. It’s like putting a privacy screen on your computer, but for your entire internet connection.

A VPN on your phone when traveling also lets you use the internet as if you were back home, so you can access your usual streaming libraries and media. 

Some VPNs go a step further and block pesky ads and trackers that follow you around online. This results in a cleaner, faster internet without those annoying interruptions or the feeling of being watched.

Does a Secure VPN Make You Untraceable?

Let’s be clear, complete online anonymity is nearly impossible. While a secure VPN can obscure your online identity, it’s a disguise, not a full-fledged invisibility cloak. You’re Superman, not Harry Potter. 

Here’s what a VPN can do to improve your online anonymity:

• • Conceal your IP address: Your IP address is like your online home address. A VPN masks your real IP address and replaces it with one from their server, making it appear like you’re browsing from a different location. This makes it much harder for websites and your ISP to track you or for advertisers to follow you around with targeted ads.
  • Encrypt your data: A VPN transforms your data into unreadable code. So, even if someone managed to intercept it, they wouldn’t be able to make sense of it. This protects you from third parties trying to steal your information.
  • Keep no logs: A reputable VPN won’t store any logs of your browsing activity. This means there’s no record of the websites you visit, the files you download, or anything else you do online.

A VPN can’t:

• • Prevent digital fingerprinting: Your browser and device can be identified based on unique characteristics like fonts, screen resolution, and plugins. This is called digital fingerprinting, and it can be used to track you, even when you have a VPN turned on. A VPN can stop your IP address from being added to your fingerprint, but it can’t offer full protection, unless you combine it with other strategies. 
  • Hide your activity from sites you’ve signed in to: While a VPN hides your IP address from websites, they can still track your activity, at least on their own sites, once you log in to their service. Let’s say you log into Facebook. Your VPN can successfully hide your IP address from Facebook, so they don’t know your physical location or the network you’re using. But, once you’re logged in, Facebook can track every action you take on their platform.
  • Protect against viruses, malware, or phishing: A VPN is not a replacement for a good antivirus software or safe browsing habits. It can’t stop you from accidentally clicking on malicious links or downloading infected files.

While a VPN is a powerful tool for enhancing your privacy, it’s not a magic bullet for complete anonymity and security. It’s one good measure in a multi-layered approach to online security. It’s like wearing a mask in a crowded room – you might not be invisible, but it’s a lot harder for someone to pick you out of the crowd. 

The Bottom Line

A secure VPN is an essential tool if you want to browse, shop, and connect online without worrying about who’s watching and taking notes. But it’s good to remember not all VPNs are the same. A truly secure VPN keeps its promises and gives you privacy, peace of mind, and the freedom to explore the internet on your own terms. 

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