How Does a VPN Guarantee Privacy?
It’s difficult to imagine a world without the internet. It’s used to communicate with the office. People use the internet to find a place to eat or a recipe to try. Even in casual conversation, people use the internet to check facts. While the internet can enrich lives, it can also create havoc. Cybercriminals are always lurking in the background, and advertising spam never seems to end. There is a way to keep hackers at bay and reduce the amount of unsolicited spam — establishing a virtual private network (VPN) connection.
Without a VPN connection, a device connects to the internet through an internet service provider (ISP). These telecommunication businesses provide the router used to connect to a server and the internet. Every device associated with the router gets an IP address. The IP address is how a request and response are tied together.
The IP addresses are visible to ISPs and anyone with basic hacking skills. Most ISPs record internet activity. These records may not have been of concern in the past, but with the end of net neutrality, those records are no longer private. Before 2018, ISPs were prohibited from collecting and selling their customers’ browsing histories. In 2018, the law expired, making it possible for ISPs to collect and sell data to any interested party. What is done online is no longer private. That’s where virtual private network (VPN) software can help.
What is a VPN?
A virtual private network or VPN provides a secure connection between a device and a VPN server. The connection uses secure protocols and encrypted data to ensure as much privacy as possible. Without a visible IP address, it’s impossible to track internet activity. Typically, a VPN client is installed on the device connecting to the internet via the VPN server. When the client is active, it establishes a secure connection with the VPN server and then runs in the background, ensuring that every internet exchange is secure.
For example, you’re at your favorite coffee shop or sitting in an airport between flights. You’d like to check on online order or look for a place to eat once you’re at your destination. You know it’s risky using a public WiFi. With a VPN connection, using the internet over a public network protects your privacy and data.
When you activate the VPN client on your device, it establishes a secure connection to the VPN server. This connection acts as a tunnel on the public network. All traffic going through the tunnel is encrypted, including IP addresses. At this point, no outside entity can record or see your online activities.
What Makes a VPN Secure?
Not all VPNs share the same level of security. That’s why it’s crucial that you read the fine print when selecting a VPN connection. A trustworthy provider will ensure a high level of protection by implementing the following features:
- Protects against leaks
- Maintains a no-log VPN
- Offers a kill switch
- Uses strong encryption
If a provider supports these features, the VPN connection is better secured and your privacy protected.
Protects Against Leaks
When a leak happens, the IP address is exposed, and anyone can monitor activity. A VPN provider should protect against these leaks, which can occur at the DNS or IP address level. Making sure the VPN connection is using the latest secure protocols such as IKEv2 is one way to minimize possible IP leaks.
When a website name is typed into a browser, the ISP has to look up the name to find its corresponding IP address before the request can be sent. This look-up table is called the Domain Name System or DNS. With a VPN connection, the request should go to the VPN server. Without protection against DNS leaks, the request could accidentally go to the ISP, leaving the transit information exposed.
Maintains a No-log VPN
A no-log VPN means the network does not record or log information sent through the VPN tunnel. It doesn’t save data on who, what, when, and where of a user’s search history. With a no-log VPN, privacy is protected. Even if hackers were able to penetrate a VPN, there would be no log files to steal.
Offers a Kill Switch
If a VPN connection drops, internet access defaults to a regular connection. A kill switch will automatically quit programs if an unstable or intermittent connection is detected. This feature reduces the chance of private or sensitive information being exposed.
Uses Strong Encryption
Data encryption can occur in multiple ways. The most secure as used by the U.S. government is the AES-256 standard. The length of the encryption key makes it virtually impossible to break. Combining strong encryption with secure VPN protocols such as IKEv2 creates a safe environment for transmitting data over the internet.
What Guarantees Privacy?
Privacy guarantees are as good as the VPN software and the company behind it. The more security features, the more secure the connection. The more reputable the company, the better protection. Be sure the VPN provider and software has the technology and security know-how to protect your privacy and your data.