As online crime figures continue to grow and government spying moves forward unabated, many people are becoming worried about their privacy and security. With the US Government striking down a set of privacy laws that were set to boost individual rights on the internet, things are getting pretty grim.
In recent years, VPNs have become more popular for personal use as individuals attempt to reclaim some sense of anonymity online. Given how many entities could be looking at your activity – governments, advertisers, your ISP and criminals – a VPN is one of many tools you can use to help protect yourself. VPNs can also be useful for circumventing censorship or accessing geo-restricted content.
A VPN can be excellent for helping you stay safe online, but you also need to be aware of the limitations. Unfortunately, VPNs aren’t some magic technology that immediately makes you impenetrable – they are merely something that enhances your security.
You also need to be aware that not all VPNs are created equal. In fact, the VPN industry is incredibly messy and the dodgy operators far outnumber the good. There is a huge disparity in the services and protection level that are on offer. This ranges from the free VPNs, which are poorly regarded, to the scammy companies that are just in it to make a buck, to the more trusted options that generally have good reputations. Finding a reliable VPN isn’t the end of the battle. You also have to set it up and use it properly.
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