Aislynn Gildea
The newest internet fad and what’s marketed as the new easiest way to keep your data and identity secure is by using an Internet VPN also known as a Virtual Private Network. VPNs create a new private network from a public internet connection. It masks your IP address so your online actions are essentially untraceable and they use a secure connection to provide more privacy.
A Blogpost from Sue Marquette Poremba gives a good example of the effectiveness of VPNs. Think of it as sending a payment to a company. You could easily send them cash but that might result in the wrong person receiving it and using the cash for themselves. Rather, you send them a check- writing a check increases security so that only one person or company can cash that check.
VPNs protect your browsing history, your IP address and location, your devices that are being used, and all of your web activity. Cyberthieves will go into your IP address to take your personal information and use your browsing history to steal passwords. VPNs protect people from hacking into all of your devices.
Most VPNs cost money, and it is recommended you use one of those rather than a free one so that they do not steal your information even further. In an article from Security.org, they rank the best VPNs of 2021. The best being ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and IPVanish.
Overall, one of the easiest and best ways to protect your identity online is by investing in a Virtual Private Network.
COMM2400 - Social Media Tools and Strategies 