Portal Login | Search
Cybersafe October 25, 2020

Virtual Private Network

Many people have subscribed themselves to having online lives thanks to the way the technology has developed over the years. Facets of their social life, private life and work life are slowly migrating to online platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and even Google. If the credentials connected to those platforms are ever stolen, it could result in big repercussions for the account owners. Those who use unsecured networks are twice as vulnerable to hacker activity.

 

Fortunately, as much as the hacking scene has evolved, so have the measures to protect against their attacks.  

 

The use of a virtual private network (VPN) has recently begun to increase as more and more people become aware of its role in cybersecurity. VPN gives users online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network from a public internet connection. The IP address being used is hidden from prying eyes, which also means any actions taken online are kept under wraps. VPN services also establish secure and encrypted connections to provide greater privacy.

 

Think about it this way: all the times when you’ve read emails at a coffee shop, checked your online bank account or when you’ve simply been online are times you were vulnerable to hacking. Unless you were making use of a private Wi-Fi network that requires a password, data being transmitted while connected is free for viewing by strangers, including hackers.

The things that VPNs can keep safe from prying eyes makes a long list. Here are a few of them

 

  1. Browsing history – It’s a good idea to keep your browsing history a secret, even from those who aren’t hackers. The information that can be taken from that can be used to take advantage of you. For example, you could be searching for something to buy online. The online shopping sites can take note of that and advertise related items you want, but they may much more expensive than they should be.

 

  1. IP address and location – Anyone who tracks your IP address can see what you’ve searched and where you were when you were searching. It makes it easier to find out where you are, even if it may not be where you live.

 

  1. Devices – Since a VPN can keep prying eyes away from your online activity, it can also protect your devices from cybercriminal activity. Whether you work on you a laptop, phone or tablet, a VPN makes sure that what data you receive or send won’t end up in the hands of a hacker.

Of course, while VPN has proven itself to be secure, everyone should still be cautious of their browsing habits. Just as security measures become more advanced and sophisticated, so too do the techniques of hackers.

 

This article is part of the Banker’s Association of the Philippines’ (BAP) #CyberSafe campaign, where the BAP aims to promote awareness in cybersecurity. The campaign will upload new posts tackling common web security questions and issues, on Wednesdays and Sundays every week.

For more content on cybersecurity, visit the BAP Official YouTube channel.