Virtual Private Networks or more popularly referred to as VPNs, allow users to stay safe and secure throughout their digital journey as long as they are using them. It protects the user’s identity by concealing it.
By enabling anonymity, it allows the users to browse without any geopolitical restrictions, ultimately reducing the chances of theft, and online threats of loss of any confidential information while using public networks or visiting any online platform. It even encrypts the complete online sessions by any VPN user, making any online place as safe as any baking site.
Initially, VPNs were only used by businesses for secure transferring of data but over time it has been adopted by the majority of online users to have a safe and protective experience online. VPNs have become popular over time but are often misunderstood. There are many misconceptions reared to VPNs that may stop people from using them to add an extra layer to their privacy and security defenses.
In this article, we are particularly going to debunk the misconceptions and myths related to VPN technology. So, let’s get your facts right:
1. VPNs make your internet connection sluggish
This is one of the most common VPN-related misconceptions. The speed of your internet connection depends on your ISP and the amount of data consumption at one time. It has nothing to do with the VPN and if you’re constantly facing a noticeable slower internet connection while using VPN, then you must consider switching your ISP. We recommend you look into AT&T Internet plans if you want a steady connection that delivers consistently fast speed.
Once you switch your internet service to a reliable and fast internet connection like AT&T, you’ll find a noticeable change in your internet performance even with the VPN on.
2. VPNs are for those who have something confidential to protect
Every person has their unique set of information and we do not want to see any of our data circulating anywhere online. No matter how much time we spend online, post our best pictures, write everything cautiously, and share as much information as we want, privacy is precious to all and is a fundamental human right.
Invasion of privacy is no more restricted to personal media or conversations. It can harm monetarily as well if someone gets access to confidential information. This includes banking or financial data, business or trade secrets, emails, or misuse of electrical signatures; anything that can cause irreversible repercussions.
VPN is as essential for everyone as it is for any big business or bank. Since stealing is harmful to everyone irrespective of the quantity, protection from the invasion of privacy is also valid for all.
3. VPNs are free of cost and we don’t need to pay for them
Everybody loves buying things at deals or discounted prices, and anything free sounds like the best deal of all. However, anything that comes without any charges is not the best of all and is of very high quality and VPNs are no different.
Also, free versions are always limited and hardly give complete access to fundamental services, which is why we see premium versions providing all-inclusive services once you pay for them. A good VPN provides you with additional and more advantageous features to get the best out of it.
4. VPNs are too technical for the masses
If this is being referred to as setting up a VPN from the scratch as OpenVPN, then perhaps the answer is, yes. It could be a technical task and quite technical for most of us. However, if we are referring to using commercial VPN technologies, then this is not too far from the fact.
The latest VPN services are pretty much self-explanatory like any other software or online platform we can think of and use frequently. All you have to do is pay for the VPN subscription, download the VPN app or plugin whichever you signed up for and start using it.
5. VPNs are for privacy geeks
VPN technology does provide a reasonable standard mask for privacy and security, something just anyone can conveniently afford. When it comes to privacy concerns, one does not always have to visit an unsafe website or access something sensitive to fall into the trap. For instance, if you are using any public Wi-Fi hotspot, you can potentially face a cyberattack unless you are using a reliable VPN.
6. VPN gives you a license to illegal online activities
If any of us is allowed, we’d surely want to be invisible to the rest of the world for a certain time or maybe an indefinite amount of time. Most people might exploit this opportunity but when it comes to masking your identity and hiding behind anonymity using VPN technology, things are different. If someone does anything heinous over the internet, the other side can be smart enough to decode your VPN.
Also, even if someone downloads any software be it anti-virus or any application via VPN if the file contains a virus or is infected, VPN cannot protect you. Hence, VPN does not give a license of differentiating between right and wrong nor bearing the consequences of any such acts.
Wrapping it up
People often start believing things that they hear too often, but it’s your responsibility to educate yourself on facts. We hope this article helped you in knowing and a better understanding of VPNs. Its limitations and uses. So consider investing in a good VPN service today and secure your online experience to the max.
