Private browsing and incognito modes in your web browsers do not encrypt your traffic as VPNs do. Third-party snoopers, like your employer, ISP, or government, can still see your browsing history.
Furthermore, your IP address can reveal your geographic location, allowing online streaming services to restrict content by region. This can result in price discrimination.
VPNs don’t guarantee private browsing.
Cyberattacks occur every 39 seconds, and if hackers get access to your computer, they can steal your private data. This could include passwords, credit card details, social security numbers, and identity. VPNs protect you from cyberattacks by masking your IP address and encrypting your internet traffic.
Now, do VPNs really work for private browsing? The main reason people choose to use a VPN is for privacy. They want to avoid tracking by marketers, ISPs, and cellular providers. VPNs help protect you from retargeting ads based on your online history and location.
However, you can’t guarantee 100% privacy using a VPN—the servers that someone owns a VPN use, and they have to make a profit somehow. Most of them do it by selling your personal information, including browsing history and digital identifiers.
People are more concerned about their privacy than ever before, and with good reason. Data breaches happen alarmingly, and a VPN can protect you from hackers. Baby boomers were more likely to start using a VPN because of this concern, and almost 1 in 4 did so to boost their overall online security. The rest cited reasons like wanting to avoid prying eyes on public Wi-Fi or bypassing restrictions (such as geo-blocking) on video streaming services. A VPN makes avoiding these restrictions easy and staying safe while enjoying your favorite content.
VPNs don’t hide your IP address.
Every internet connection has a unique set of numbers known as an IP address. These can reveal sensitive information about you, including your physical location. When you use a VPN, your device’s IP address is replaced by the IP address of the VPN server you connect to. This can trick websites and services into thinking you are in a different country (although ISPs still see the encrypted communication between your device and the VPN server).
This process, called geo-spoofing, can give you access to content that would otherwise be unavailable. For example, streaming services like Netflix vary their catalog based on your location. Using a VPN can make it appear that you’re connecting to the internet from Japan instead of the US, giving you access to a broader selection of movies and shows.
A VPN can also hide your browsing history from websites and apps that keep track of your activity. This can help you avoid being redirected to annoying advertising or unwelcome privacy policies. It can even allow you to bypass IP-based bans that some websites use to administer suspensions or revocations of service.
However, if you are on public Wi-Fi, your VPN cannot fully protect you from hackers or cybercriminals who might be monitoring the network. There are ways to leave a digital trail that even a VPN cannot protect you from, such as how your ISP tracks your online activities.
VPNs don’t protect your privacy.
Without a VPN, your internet browsing data is visible to anyone who wants it, including your cellular provider, advertising companies, and hackers. A VPN, on the other hand, encrypts your traffic, so nobody can see what you do online unless they have your login information.
VPNs also hide your IP address, one of the most critical aspects of being private online. Your IP address is like your physical street address in the virtual world: it reveals where you live and work, which websites and apps can then use to track your activity, and even give hackers the details needed to intercept your information or send you malware.
While nothing hides you completely – your Google account has information about you that a VPN cannot obfuscate – a robust VPN gets pretty close. Combined with other good cyber-hygiene and basic privacy settings, a VPN is an excellent tool for keeping yourself safe on public Wi-Fi or guaranteeing no one will spy on your VOIP calls at work.
Some people use VPNs to circumvent content restrictions, allowing them to access popular services like Netflix and Spotify with different prices in different regions. Others do so out of concern over data breaches or to protect themselves when using public Wi-Fi. Businesses do so to ensure their employees have the most secure connections possible while providing flexibility for remote workers and securing their business data.
VPNs don’t encrypt your traffic.
With the number of data breaches increasing, protecting online privacy has never been more critical. Unfortunately, many consumers are misguided in thinking a VPN will protect them from every cybersecurity threat. In this blog post, we will explore some of the biggest myths surrounding VPNs and explain why they aren’t the perfect solution to all of your online security concerns.
In reality, there are several ways that hackers can monitor your activity on the web, even when you’re using a VPN. For example, cookies, social media widgets, and other website tracking codes can reveal your location and further details to any malicious attacker that intercepts your traffic. VPNs can also expose your information to hackers if they don’t employ strong encryption standards.
Despite some of the misconceptions about VPNs, there are several legitimate uses for this type of technology. For example, they can help combat censorship in countries that block specific websites and services. They can also be used to spoof your GPS location, making it difficult for sites to determine your physical location.
When choosing a VPN, be sure to research providers carefully. The best services are transparent and offer detailed privacy policies. The worst rebadge existing adware-stuffed apps and ignore their customers’ needs. Moreover, free VPNs typically provide less robust protection than their paid counterparts, so be wary of the temptation to download a free VPN.
