Do you need  a VPN?

It seems that there are VPN advertisements or commercials everywhere now. Each one of them seems to promise similar things: data security, privacy, safety, and more. They also seem to include unsettling or scary information about data breaches, identify theft, and more. I would guess that you have seen at least one of these ads recently, and they have likely made you wonder if you need a VPN. 

I'm here to tell you that you probably don't need a VPN.

What is a VPN? 
In it's simplest form, a VPN encrypts and re-routes your internet connection through another server (which is hosted by the VPN provider). The purpose of this is to add an extra layer of encryption and privacy as you interact with the internet. 

VPNs are most commonly used by companies to restrict access to resources, connect secure networks between office sites/locations, and segment their networks. However, VPNs have gained popularity for consumers in recent years, as consumer focus on privacy has increased. 

What are the benefits?

Some of the main benefits of a VPN include: 

• Ensuring all internet traffic is encrypted.
• Making it harder to track online activity. 
• Routing traffic through another location or geography.
• Securely connecting remote resources together.

That sounds great, do I need one? 

VPNs undoubtedly provide security and privacy benefits. However, it is important to weigh the benefits against the cost. A good VPN service will cost money. It will also require some setup and configuration to operate properly. 

It's also important to remember that VPNs do not protect you from all cyber risks. Additionally, a VPN will not make you fully anonymous when online. For example, the VPN provider will have access to your website traffic, and sites like Facebook, TikTok, etc. can still monitor and track you if you login to them.

In reality, there are other, more affordable options that can better improve your online security. These include: 

• Enabling multi-factor authentication (read more).
• Only accessing sites using HTTPS. 
• Using anti-virus and anti-malware software.