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Can a VPN protect you against cybercrime?

VPN
Picture credits: Stefan Coders/Pexels

The answer to this question is yes, it can, but not how it is advertised. VPNs are usually advertised as the only pill you need to take to fix cybercrime, and that’s very far from the truth. The thing is, there’s no single fix to cybercrime, especially since cybercrime itself is ever-evolving as technology breaks new ground. So, while VPNs play a major part in protecting you against cybercrime, there are still some vulnerabilities that need to be patched up. 

What are these vulnerabilities? While Alexandar Stevanovic has reviewed many VPNs on the market, the question of what they actually do still remains. These, coupled with how much of a threat cybercrime actually is are interesting questions, and here are the answers. 

What exactly are VPNs?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and it basically works like a filter or tunnel between your internet-ready device and the private servers of your VPN service provider. It masks your IP address. This way, all your data is routed through this VPN server, keeping out third parties, even your internet service provider, from accessing the data you are sending and receiving online. 

There are several types of VPNs; these are:

Site-to-site VPN

A site-to-site VPN is a type of virtual private network that connects networks instead of devices across a distance and allows these networks to share data as if they were on the same local network. This way, sensitive data remains protected during transfer. It is a scalable and cost-effective option for corporations with satellite devices in different geographical areas. 

Remote Access VPN

Remote access VPN is what most people think about when they hear VPN. Instead of connecting networks, the user connects their internet-ready device (computer or mobile phone) to a VPN client to access a private network from their remote location. These are common with remote workers; it allows them access to company resources on the go without compromise. 

Cloud VPN

Cloud VPN allows users to securely connect to the company’s cloud-based resources. It is designed to integrate with cloud service providers like Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and many others. 

Double VPN

Double VPN is not so much a type as a configuration. It occurs when data passes through two VPN clients before it is sent or received successfully. This makes the data transfer more secure but can significantly slow down the transfer speeds. It is handy when highly sensitive information is being managed.

Cyberthreats the average internet user is exposed to

Now that we have a great idea of what VPNs do, let us have a look at the threats they are believed to be able to keep at base. These include but are not limited to the following: 

Malware

Malware is any type of code designed to harm your computer. It can be anything from Ransomware that locks the user’s device until the attacker is paid a ransom to spyware that infiltrates the user’s device to collect information like login data, credit card information, and other sensitive data or a Trojan horse that tricks the user by appearing useful before creating a backdoor for the attacker to access user data. 

Social engineering and phishing

Social engineering, also known as human hacking, occurs when attackers manipulate the target into revealing sensitive information. Phishing is the most common form of social engineering, and it occurs when cybercriminals use fraudulent texts, messages, emails, or phone calls to trick users into giving up sensitive data. 

Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks

Man-in-the-middle attacks usually compromise unsecured connections. When users connect to free Wi-Fi at the airport or malls, anyone can piggyback on their connection and access the data being shared. 

Denial of Service (DoS) attack and distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack

The difference between a DoS and DDoS attack is that the former uses one device to overwhelm the target, rendering it unusable for as long as the attack persists, while the latter achieves the same result but uses multiple devices operating on different networks to create a botnet.

VPNs: What they can and can’t protect against

Suppose you choose the best VPN service provider; what kind of coverage should you expect, and what’s beyond the scope of your VPN service provider? Let’s find out:

What it can do?

The following are what you should expect when you choose a reliable VPN service provider:

1. Data encryption: This is the most basic and straightforward expectation from a VPN service. With the use of IPsec or SSL/TLS encryption protocols, our choice VPN provider should be able to keep your data private by providing encryption keys to decode and encode data shared between your device and its server. 

2. IP address masking: VPNs mask your IP address as they route your data through their dedicated servers. This makes it challenging for cybercriminals online to track you or figure out your location, protecting you from DDos or location-based attacks. 

3. Secure Connections: VPNs create a tunnel between your device and its server, keeping cybercriminals out. This is super handy when you are connecting to a public Wi-Fi network and significantly reduces your chances of being compromised by Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks.  

4. Avoid Tracking or Surveillance: For users who want to navigate the web incognito, a reliable VPN service is a quality resource. It reduces your online footprint and the odds of being tracked by government agencies, ISPs, or cybercriminals, allowing users to access geo-restricted sites. 

What it can’t do

VPNs are a technological marvel, as evidenced by how much protection they offer, but there’s a limit to what they can do. Here are some of them:

1. They can not protect users against malware: VPNs should not be confused with Antivirus or Animalware. A VPN service will not notify you, nor can it stop you from clicking and accidentally downloading a virus. Consequently, if you use a VPN service without a reliable antivirus or antimalware software, you leave yourself and your data vulnerable to viruses, trojans, and other malware attacks. 

2. They can not defend against social engineering or human hacking: Choosing the right VPN service can not protect you from social engineering or human hacking. It can not keep spam mail out of your inbox, nor can it detect deep fakes or phishing websites. While AI is already being adopted to protect against these types of cybercrimes, one way you can keep yourself safe from phishing is by being security conscious, visiting only reputable sites, and asking for clarification from verified sources. 

3. Privacy concerns with some VPN service providers: It’s important to note that while your data is hidden from ISPs and cybercriminals, the VPN company can access it. So it is crucial that you choose one that has a no-log policy, that is, it does not save your data on its servers. 

Conclusion

There is no doubt that choosing the right VPN makes for a secure online experience, but the sheer number of cyber threats on the internet means that you need more than just a VPN service. By itself, you leave yourself vulnerable to hacks that it was not designed to detect or prevent, but coupled with the right antivirus and antimalware software and a security-conscious outlook, the world is your safe and secure oyster. 

This article is part of a partnership. For partnering opportunities, contact [email protected] or [email protected].

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