The Technical Side of VPNs: What Makes Them Secure?

We live a huge portion of our lives online. It’s a place where we perform sensitive financial transactions, search for remedies to health issues, and express our personal opinions. As we do all of these things online, we’re exposing ourselves. Our transactions are highly valuable data for advertisers and hackers.

Much of the internet isn’t secure, as evidenced by the countless reports of scams and hacks in the news today. Clearly, we’re knee-deep in dangerous ground here. But we needn’t be.

Are VPNs a Worthy Shield?

Understanding the threat we internet users face is crucial, but so is acting against it. How do we protect ourselves? You can use a variety of tools, such as proxy servers and VPNs, and these are widely available to the public.

Like all things, there are good VPNs and substandard ones. Picking the best requires a look at the related technology, configurations, and providers. This piece focuses on the technical aspects of a VPN and explains why they lend a hand to security.

Encryption

Why does it mean to encrypt something? Let’s simplify things. Remember those puzzles with codes and ciphers you used to solve as a kid? Well, that’s encryption at play.

A VPN’s encryption system is far from child’s play, though. IKEv2/IPSec and WireGuard are two protocols you’ll commonly find in reputable VPNs. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with 256-bit keys is another term you’ll hear. These are all secure protocols regularly put in place by security agencies and governments.

Encrypted data is unreadable without a cipher. Therefore, when you use a VPN, you have a leg up over data eavesdroppers, hackers, and ISPs.

IP Masking

If you’re familiar with proxy servers, you’ll relish this point. VPNs, too, mask your IP address. Your traffic, when it flows through a VPN, will show its IP address instead of your actual one. So, if you select a VPN located in China, for example, an IP in Beijing may identify as the source of your traffic.

As you can see, IP masking doesn’t just give you increased privacy. It also allows you to break down those pesky geographical roadblocks. Try putting this into practice the next time you visit China and want to hop onto Google or Facebook. Simply log on using a US VPN and overcome those restrictions put in place by the Chinese government.

IP masking also removes yourself as a target. By using another IP, you’ll escape the reach of advertisers who hunger for data on your online activities. Cybercriminals won’t be able to perform targeted hacks and DDoS attacks without knowing your actual IP address.

Kill Switch Activation

Steven Seagal starred in a movie once called Kill Switch. This piece might not have been a Rotten Tomatoes favorite. However, it highlighted a fundamental idea – the ability to shut a system down for security or control reasons. Today, you’ll find kill switches on computers, vehicles, machinery, and more.

A VPN’s kill switch works with the same idea. It blocks internet traffic upon the disruption of a VPN connection. This means that no data flows without the protective features of the VPN. Anyone who values anonymity will find this aspect invaluable, notably journalists and activists. The same applies to companies dealing with sensitive data. They will do anything to prevent data leaks that will destroy one’s good name and standing. Another situation where a kill switch comes into good use is in free or shared Wi-Fi environments like airports and coffee shops.

No-Log Policy

Reputable VPN providers such as CometVPN have a zero-log policy. This commitment is a crucial step toward maintaining user trust. At its core, the policy prevents a provider from collecting and storing data, such as user information and traffic and connection logs.

Consider this: the websites you visit and your other online activities should remain private. Governments, advertisers, and hackers will take steps to overextend their reach, but there’s no reason for these third parties to access this data. When a VPN provider implements a no-log policy, they won’t be able to do so because the data won’t exist anyway. In countries with oppressive internet policies, this commitment is a mark of trust and freedom.

Take That Crucial Step for Extra Security Today

Before you read this article, you might have held the opinion that VPNs were only for companies dealing with sensitive data. Now that we’re at the concluding point of this piece, you understand how precious this tool is to the masses. A VPN will not only increase your security but will anonymize your transactions. Use it. After all, your data is yours and yours alone.

Cover : Photo by thomas vanhaecht: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-white-mask-in-black-crew-neck-shirt-and-blue-zip-up-jacket-infront-graffiti-wall-92129/