Smartphones have completely opened up our connectivity. Where laptops allowed us to stay online while we sipped espresso in the local café, the sleek designs and portability of smartphones allow us to manage our lives anywhere. With an app for every aspect of our lives, these pocket sized personal assistants have long since surpassed the expectation of a standard cell phone, and have become as common as the old household landline.
With more and more people trading their bulkier gadgets for slim, all-encompassing smartphones, the market has sprung wide open, with software and apps to help you stay connected on the go, and Wi-Fi networks on every corner.
The issue here of course, is security. Since everyone uses smartphones for just about everything, the hackers and cybercriminals of the world have declared open season on unsuspecting users. Fraud and identity theft have quickly skyrocketed to the tops of the charts as the number one crimes in the world.
With surprising ease, hackers are able to see users on a public network and do everything from access their personal information to swipe their login credentials – often without the victim being any the wiser. Public Wi-Fi networks definitely pose the greatest threat, but any network or server has the potential to be infiltrated.
VPNs: Effortless, Unbeatable Security
While most smartphones come with at least some degree of security software, and settings that can be adjusted depending your own preferences, these measures do little to deter even a novice hacker. The best way to protect your connection and personal information is by installing VPN software onto your smartphone.
For those that may be unfamiliar with the term, VPN stands for virtual private network. Essentially, it’s a service provided by a company for a monthly fee that allows you to access a server through an encrypted tunnel. The service also provides you with an IP address, and blocks your real one.
The Perks: An Encrypted Tunnel
With the encrypted tunnel, you have a connection that’s almost impossible to break into, over a secure server in a location of your choice. Most VPNs offer the strongest encryption available – military grade 256 bit – that will keep even the strongest malware and phishing attempts at bay. Better yet, most VPNs offer you options to even turn down your security, if you prefer to optimize your connection for speed (since encryption can often slow down a connection).
IP Address Blocking
What’s more is the IP address blocking gives you a truly anonymous connection, making it extremely difficult for even government surveillance agencies to monitor your online activities. Users in countries with extreme internet censorship can also use this feature to trick servers into thinking their somewhere else, getting them access to any content they want.
Another useful application of the IP address blocking aspect of a VPN is that you can use it to get the American versions of streaming services like Netflix, which has more titles and better selection than others.
Versatility
One of the best things about private networks is that you can often have not only an iOS or Android VPN service for your smartphone but also on other devices. While every company is different, some of the best VPNs are compatible with every major operating system, so you can use them on anything from an Android phone to a Windows desktop. Be sure to check and see which operating systems your VPN is compatible with before completing a purchase.
Anyone Can Use a VPN
While the terminology may seem technical, most VPNs are incredibly easy to use. Some may require you to manually configure connections and enter server locations, but for the most part it’s as simple as downloading and installing the application or software.
Not only are they really easy to use, but since this is a paid service, most VPNs offer customer support. If you do wind up having difficulties, there should be a support page built right into the app, so you can request help right away. The bottom line is, VPNs are not something you need to be intimidated by – it truly is software anyone can use.
VPNs are Cheap
If you use a smartphone, I get it, you’re already paying a phone bill that’s at least $70 per line. The last thing you want to do is incur an additional expense for that phone. However, if you regularly use your phone to access sensitive personal information, it’s well worth the money. Most VPNs cost less than $15 a month, and there are many that are in the $5 per month range too.
If you’re using public networks at all, don’t be a cheapskate – it’s not worth the risk. Use a VPN.
Get Everyone Protected
If you’re not the only one in your household with a smartphone, it’s worth noting that most VPNs allow at least two simultaneous connections. This means you can use the same account on more than one device at a time without having to pay additional fees. The number of simultaneous connections you get can vary greatly, so be sure to check with the company you’re looking into to make sure there are enough to go around.
I don’t think most people would be willing to sacrifice their smartphone usage just because of the security threats, and I don’t blame them. Smartphones are tools that allow us to stay totally connected, totally on top of our finances, and even totally goof off, in addition to just being a phone.
You can have your cake and eat it too though, there’s no need to choose between convenience and security. Using a VPN on your smartphone is just good thinking, and it can save you from some seriously nasty privacy issues. Don’t even take the chance always use a VPN on your smartphone.
