Updated: 1/14/24
As a general rule, you ALWAYS want to ENCRYPT as much communications as possible.
VPN -- (Virtual Private Network): Creates a virtual "encrypted" tunnel thru the Internet, which both hides and keeps your data secure always!! -- Hides your IP and replaces it with one of your choice. This way, you Surf Anonymously! -- Gain access to censored or Geo-restricted content from all around the world! -- Protects you from Hackers, Cyber Scams, Bank Account thefts, Phishing Email Fraud, Snooping/Surveillance, Main-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks!
There a few ways to "protect" yourself online, but one of the BEST & EASIEST WAYS, is to utilize a "Paid" VPN Service. Whether you're on a Laptop, Desktop/PC, Tablet, IPhone or Android Smartphone, ALWAYS use a VPN!
Why, you ask? Because a VPN connection, ENCRYPTS ALL of your Data Communications. So you can browse/surf the Internet "Safe & Securely", without the ability of ANYONE "SPYING" on you.
What can my VPN see?
When you connect to a VPN, the VPN provider can see the same kind of data that your ISP could when not using a VPN, including your real IP address and the websites you visit. Your data is encrypted between your device and the VPN server, but the VPN server decrypts the data as it leaves the VPN tunnel from your drive, and encrypts it as it enters the VPN tunnel to your device.
This means that your VPN service can see your unencrypted internet traffic. However, this is not a major concern, as almost all websites and other internet resources use HTTPS, the encryption standard that secures the internet.
HTTPS prevents both ISPs and VPNs from seeing the contents of your data and what you do on websites — including the individual web pages you visit (for example, with HTTPS, your VPN and ISP would see that you’re visiting proton.me, but not that you’re reading this blog post). HTTPS also prevents your ISP and VPN from seeing any data you enter on a web page (such as banking or payment details or your login credentials).
This is NOT a question of "having something to hide", it's about "VALUING and PROTECTING YOUR PRIVACY ONLINE" in today's Digital World, which we all have a Constitutional Right to have and expect !!
VPNs and targeted surveillance
VPN services might not be required to keep logs of their users’ historic internet activity, but all VPNs are subject to legally binding court orders (and similar legal instruments). Courts can order VPNs to start logging In almost every country (Switzerland being a notable exception). This is why I use Proton VPN.
These court orders can usually only apply to named individuals and can’t be used for mass surveillance purposes or to target entire groups of people. But they can be used, for example, by the police to collect evidence on a named suspect.
When served a legally-binding court order, VPNs have no option but to comply. Usually, this means they will start logging the browsing history of the named individual from the moment they receive the court order.
Of course, genuine no-logs VPN services (like Proton VPN), won’t be able to hand over historic browsing activity from before the court order because such logs don’t exist.
Proton VPN is a no-logs VPN. They are physically based in Geneva, Switzerland. Switzerland has among the strongest privacy laws in the world, and VPN services are not subject to mandatory logging laws.
Under Swiss law, we can’t be required to start logging any of our users’ online activities.
FACT: It is becoming increasingly simpler to HIJACK and STEAL DATA and Information from "insecure" connections. Unless you utilize a VPN Service, and you access the internet through Public WiFi Hotspots, Shared Internet Routers, Company/Business or even at home through your very own Internet Service Provider (ISP), your Data, Files and Privacy ARE ALWAYS AT RISK !!
Additionally, "Secure & Anonymous" browsing helps prevent "Data Mining", (which advertisers use to TARGET you for Ads/Marketing), which keeps your data and identity secret. Privacy is very important in this era, when websites are able to paint clear pictures of who you are and learn which websites you visit very easily with publicly available information.
NEVER use a Public WiFi Access/Hotspot without using a VPN to Protect you! Hackers are "notorious" for "stealing" user's data while utilizing FREE Public Wifi Hotspots (ex: Starbucks, Libraries, Internet Cafes, Hotels, anywhere that offers FREE WiFi, etc
/// WORD OF CAUTION ///
Your Local Internet Service Provider (ISP) can "Track":
-- ALL of your Internet Activity
-- What you Up and Download
-- What Websites your visit
-- What you Search and When
-- Who you Email and Instant Message
-- What you "Stream", (YouTube, NetFlix, Hulu, Torrents, etc.)
A VPN Protects you from the following:
- Identity Theft
- Hacker Activity
- Packet Sniffing from Hackers
- Public WiFi Snooping/Spying
- Local ISP Tracking, Throttling & Snooping
- NSA/CIA/FBI & Government Surveillance
- Corporate and Business Surveillance & Monitoring ALWAYS look for any VPN that utilizes Zero-Knowledge and End-to-End Encryption (e2ee).
Reference: End-to-End Encryption
BENEFITS from using a "Paid" VPN Service:
- Anonymous Browsing
- Access Geo-Blocked Content
- Truly "Secure" Online Banking
- Increase Privacy and Security
- Bypass Restrictive Networks and Censorship
- Replace your IP address with one that isn't tied to your physical location.
Recommended Top 2 "Paid" Off-Shore VPN Services:
- NordVPN - Visit their Website
- ProtonVPN - Visit their Website
*** FREE vs PAID VPN Service ***
FREE VPN:
- ZERO Customer Support
- Lower Level Encryption
- Often Bans HTTPS Browsing
- Uses Basic "Insecure" Protocols
- Unstable Connections and Slow Speeds
- They SELL your information to 3rd Party Advertisers
- Inserts JAVA or Scripts into your Computer for Advertisers
PAID VPN:
- High Level Encryption
- 24/7 Customer Support
- Premium Customer Service
- Stable and Fast Connections
- Much More Bandwidth (Usually Unlimited)
- Multi/Device Use (Android/IPhone/Tablets/PCs)
- Large Numbers of Servers in Multiple Locations (Worldwide)
Word of Caution:
In today's digital online-world, there are many websites, that actually PREVENT the use of VPNs (unfortunately), if that's the case, then its a sign that, that company or site might be collecting your data and selling it. Another cause is that there are countries like (China, India, etc.) that restrict and monitor the use of VPN Traffic by Law-enforcement and are monitoring any and all internet activity, based on their own Privacy Laws (or lack thereof).