Why Your 2019 Goal Should Be To Use A VPN
The importance of data security increases with each year that passes, which is why 2019 should be the year of exercising better cybersecurity practices. A little effort towards securing your data can go a long way toward preventing cyber threats like malware, identity theft, and account breaches. Learn more about how a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, can help you accomplish these goals.
VPNs for better data protection
Protecting your online activities may not seem like a serious threat. All those cat videos couldn’t possibly put you at risk. However, when you consider the personal data you access on a daily basis through banking portals and tax information, you may need to rethink your options. A VPN can help mask your online activities and keep your data safe from those who could do you harm.
What are VPNs?
Virtual Private Networks are the preferred method for being anonymous online. VPNs help you hide your original location and IP address by connecting to an additional server before connecting to the internet. Doing so creates a virtual shield between you, the World Wide Web, and anyone who might attempt to spy on your personal information. VPNs encrypt the data that passes through the server so that it becomes almost completely inaccessible to anyone else, including your internet service provider.
VPNs allow you to avoid public networks entirely to avoid wifi spoofing and other attacks. They are especially important when working from a public wifi spot to access sensitive documents, for example when connecting to internal networks from the airport or a coffee shop. VPNs prevent anyone who is sharing the public network from accessing the sensitive data you may be viewing. While there are other methods of securing your personal data, VPNs are typically the least expensive and the easiest to use on a daily basis.
How to get a VPN
Acquiring a VPN is quite simple, depending on the route you take and how DIY you consider yourself to be. You have the option of partnering with a VPN company to connect to the internet for a monthly fee. However, for those familiar with web hosting, it may be easier to use your VPS server as a VPN service. Also, if like us, you consider yourself to be a true techie – building your own is always much more fun.
Step 1: Lease a VPS
To get started, lease a VPS from VPS.NET for as little as $5 per month. Your VPS will act as a middle man between you and the internet, but can also be used for a variety of other exciting projects.
Step 2: Configure
We recommend using OpenVPN for your VPN services. However, there are many other open-source options for you to choose from. Detailed instructions on how to install OpenVPN can be found here, including Easy-RSA to generate certificates and keys for encryption services. Once your preferred VPN software is downloaded, you will need to establish a connection between your server and your machine. When the configuration is complete, you will easily be able to encrypt any data that passes from your local machine to your server and then out into the world.
Step 3: Enjoy secure connections
Rest easy knowing that your VPN, hosted by VPS.NET, is protecting your data from those who could use it for their own purposes. Also, be proud that you are doing your part to protect your data. Remember that our 24-hour expert support staff is available to answer any questions you may have.