The Popularity of VPN Apps and Anonymous Browsing
Most of us spend a good portion of our days online, whether for work or in our free time. It is a valuable tool that keeps us all close together regardless of location. With that said, the online world is not all sunshine and rainbows. The increasing number of cyberattacks recorded in 2022 confirms that the internet is still a dangerous place, and learning how to protect your privacy and information is a must.
For instance, Twitter experienced a data leak in January 2022, but that information wasn’t publicized until the summer of that year. One hacker stole the data from 5.4 million users of that platform and tried to sell it on the dark web. The information he collected included personal information from celebrities too.
Our personal data is collected every time we browse the web or log into a website, but there is a way to get around this. People have been using tools like a VPN and Tor browser for years to increase their levels of privacy. And if you are worried about your connection slowing down, split tunneling should help you out.
VPN’s rise in popularity
Considering all the dangers the average internet user faces every single day, it is great that they are getting more interested in online security and privacy. If we look at the 2022 trends, VPN was a number one choice because users preferred its availability and straightforward setup. On the other hand, proxy servers aren’t as popular as they used to be. The use of the Tor browser is also on the decline.
So what is the reason behind the sudden VPN craze? Besides being capable of giving us access to geo-blocked content, VPN is easier to use than a Tor browser. Furthermore, quality VPN providers are competing with each other to provide users with what they need.
While some prefer VPN stand-alone clients, users often install a VPN as a browser extension. Just remember it will only keep you private on the browser that has the VPN extension. Do you want to use a VPN on your cell phone only? No problem! VPN apps are available for both Android and iOS devices. It is a must-have if you keep your financial and personal information on your phone.
Users who want to increase their cyber security on multiple internet-connected devices could consider getting a router VPN. Just make sure your router can support VPN and that you have access to its interface. You can secure your entire connection and be sure your information won’t find its way to the internet anytime soon.
Benefits of using VPN for private browsing
Now that you are ready to improve your online security, it is time to go over all the benefits of using a VPN. Some of these are probably the reasons why more and more users are signing up for this service.
Split tunneling
If you are worried about your internet speed while using a VPN, don’t be. While some VPNs might slow down your connection because they have to encrypt the data you send or receive, split tunneling is a useful option that allows you to use VPN on specific apps only.
As the name suggests, you will be splitting the connection in two and allowing the apps of your choice to connect to a VPN server. Split tunneling is especially useful for remote workers because they can access their company’s network using VPN but continue browsing the internet at a higher speed.
Being private
While it is impossible to be 100% anonymous on the internet, using a VPN while browsing comes with various benefits. For instance, your actual IP address will remain hidden, and your location will remain untraceable if your information is leaked. Therefore, hackers who are after user information will get your VPN’s IP address and not your own.
Protecting your data
VPN encrypts the information you send or receive and is the perfect tool for those who like online shopping. Even if your traffic is monitored by a third party, they won’t be able to steal your financial information, bank credentials, passwords, etc. This additional layer of protection is quite important today because most cybercriminals are after financial data.
No ISP tracking
Most internet service providers track your online activity and sometimes give it to advertisers without your knowledge. The regulations depend on your place of residence, but ISPs could give out your browsing data to advertisers. With a VPN, you can be sure that your browsing habits are not visible to your internet service provider and can’t be sold to anyone.
The availability of blocked apps
Some very popular apps, such as Facebook and Twitter, are not available in all countries around the world. So if you are a traveler and want to continue updating your friends and family about all the magnificent places you are visiting, using a VPN during your adventures is recommended. The service will keep you on your favorite social media platform regardless of the location.
Using public Wi-Fi
We have all been in a situation where we have to check something online, and the only available network is in a public place. While these are very convenient, open networks are also extremely dangerous because you never know who else might be using them at that time. Therefore, if you want to protect your data and keep browsing the internet privately, you should use VPN encryption. It is designed to keep your traffic secure, especially while using public Wi-Fi.
