Over 800,000 people get hacked every year, and the figure is constantly on the rise. Getting hacked can be a nerve-wracking experience, and the financial and emotional aftermath after getting hacked is usually a long-lasting one. VPNs are among the most effective cybersecurity tools currently available, and they can protect your privacy and a wide range of cyber threats. But how effective is it to protect you from hackers? Let’s find out in our in-depth analysis.
How does a VPN protect you?
The way a VPN works is by encrypting and directing your internet traffic through a secured VPN server. This masks your IP address, making it harder for other parties and snoopers to trace your online movie. While a VPN cannot protect you from all online hazards, it can assist you in some critical areas.
Malware: VPN for PC can’t detect or remove malware or viruses directly from your device. But the cleanweb feature allows VPNs to restrict malicious ads from popping up, reducing the chances of downloading the virus in the first place.
Cookie theft: When connected to a public network, hackers can steal your data using a technique called session hijacking. This allows them to see all your banking or social media credentials. This is why it is always recommended not to use any banking applications while you are on a public network and use a VPN at all times.
DDoS attacks: A VPN can also defend you from a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack. These attacks involve intentionally inflating traffic on a network, overwhelming servers, and disrupting websites. They’re sometimes utilized in online gaming communities to eject participants from games by overloading their networks and eliminating them from competitive matches. A VPN, on the other hand, masks your IP address, and without it, an attacker can’t launch a DDoS assault against your network.
Fake Wi-Fi hotspots: Hackers frequently put up bogus Wi-Fi hotspots with no passwords to get individuals into their network. Unless you utilize a VPN, such a hotspot puts your data in danger since it offers hackers access to everything you do.
Which cyber threats can a VPN not protect you against?
VPNs are quite beneficial, but you should be aware of their limitations. They can secure your information as it travels from your device to the VPN server and back. They won’t be able to stop hackers if they have direct access to your phone or are waiting for your data on the other side of the world.
VPNs are meant to safeguard your data while it travels to and from your device, but certain hacking attacks will breach those boundaries. VPNs will not protect you from simple human mistakes like clicking on a malicious link or using modded software.
Bottom line
It is essential to understand that a VPN does not replace your antivirus. They can be used alongside each other to provide you with an extra layer of security. But in 2022, when every 39 seconds a user falls victim to hacking, a VPN can be an effective tool to help you fight against them.
