Does A VPN Protect You On Public WiFi?

Investing in a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is the most effective way to enhance privacy. VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and mask your IP address, ensuring that third parties like your ISP (Internet Service Provider), advertisers, and malicious actors cannot intercept sensitive and confidential data. All of your data gets routed through a secure VPN tunnel. Public WiFi is the most vulnerable to cyber-attacks and interception, so if you don’t have the proper security measures, your data can easily get compromised by malicious actors who hack into your accounts. That’s why you must use a VPN to help prevent these issues.

Keep reading if you’re wondering how using a VPN on public WiFi can protect your data and what threats the VPN can protect you from. We will explore these aspects in detail, including what factors you must consider when choosing a VPN provider when using public WiFi. So, if you’re ready, let’s begin, shall we?

Why Should I Use A VPN When Using Public WiFi?

For many reasons, it would help if you used a VPN on a public network. A study showed that almost half of Americans think public networks are safe and don’t require any precautions. However, this is an ignorant approach, as failure to apply security measures can compromise your sensitive and confidential data. Therefore, some of the primary reasons for using a VPN include:

• Public WiFi networks are unsecured, making it easy for malicious actors to intercept sensitive and confidential information. Since VPNs encrypt internet traffic, sensitive data is protected from prying eyes.
• Public networks are breeding grounds for hackers and data snoopers to monitor your online activities. VPNs mask your IP address, preventing third parties from tracking your online activities.
• There’s a risk of Man-in-the-Middle attacks on public networks, where attackers can intercept communication between your device and the network. VPNs create a secure and encrypted tunnel, which makes it challenging for attackers to gain unauthorized access to your data.
• Cybercriminals can sometimes set up fake WiFi hotspots in public places to trick users into connecting. Once the user connects to the rogue hotspots, thinking they’re legitimate, their data is captured, and security is compromised.
• Using a VPN on public WiFi also offers security across all devices. Many people use multiple devices, such as smartphones and tablets, in a public setting (such as a cafe or airport). VPNs protect all your devices from interception and ensure you can safely use them.

What Are The Common Threats On Public Networks That VPNs Can Protect Me From?

Does VPN protect you on public WiFi? It most certainly does. Here are some common online threats VPNs can protect you from when you’re on a public network.

1) Man In The Middle Attacks

Man In The Middle Attacks are used to intercept and alter the communications between two parties. The attacker inserts themselves in the middle, gaining valuable information like passwords and other sensitive and private conversations. Public networks are the ideal breeding grounds for Man In The Middle Attacks because the attacker pretends to be a network administrator. They can reroute vulnerable users to a fake website to gain unauthorized access to more data or infect their devices with viruses.

Since VPNs offer advanced encryption for all online traffic, cybercriminals aren’t able to use Man In The Middle attacks for cyber espionage. They will see unreadable data they won’t understand, making VPNs one of the most effective tools to prevent Man In The Middle attacks.

2) Evil Twin Attacks

You can literally rename routers to anything you want. Evil twins are fake WiFi hotspots that replicate and pretend to be actual public WiFi networks in the area. For example, if you’re walking into Taco Bell and see two connections named “Taco Bell” or “Taco Bell-123,” you might believe both are legitimate networks. In reality, one of them has been set up by a hacker so that they can steal your sensitive and confidential data.

3) Malware Attacks

Malware attacks like Ransomware attacks are some of the most dangerous ways malicious hackers can gain unauthorized access to your data and compromise all your devices. They compromise your devices and data and only agree to let it go until you pay a handsome amount. Hackers can use Man In The Middle attacks or Evil Twin attacks to inject the user’s devices with Malware like Ransomware. VPNs can help prevent malware attacks, therefore protecting your devices.

4) Unauthorized Account Takeover

Hackers can use public wifi networks to steal your account credentials or redirect users to a mirror website replicating a legitimate website. Once you are tricked into logging into the mirror website, the hacker can steal your passwords and other sensitive credentials. Hackers find it valuable to hack into your online accounts and steal all of your information, which they can use for identity theft or to steal your financial information.

VPNs can help prevent unauthorized account takeovers since they reroute all internet traffic through a secure and encrypted VPN tunnel. This makes it impossible for malicious actors to infiltrate your online accounts and steal passwords to compromise sensitive and confidential data. VPNs also block access to mirrored and fake websites so you don’t fall victim to them and compromise your data.

How To Use AstrillVPN To Protect Yourself When Using Public WiFi?

When using a public network, it’s good to keep yourself secure so that malicious actors aren’t able to intercept your data quickly. If you’re wondering how to use a VPN on public WiFi, then AstrillVPN has got you sorted. Here’s how you can use AstrillVPN to ensure that you remain protected while on a public network:

1. You first need to download AstrillVPN. You can do this directly from the website.

2. Choose the download link of the operating system you’re using.

3. Register for your AstrillVPN account and sign up.

4. Once you’ve gained your login credentials, connect to a server location of your preference.

5. You can also choose a different protocol that meets your needs and preferences.

6. Turn on the VPN connection and take your privacy and security to the next level.

Why Is AstrillVPN The Best Choice To Protect You On Public WiFi?

Now that the lingering question of whether is it safe to use public WiFi with a VPN has been answered with a definitive yes, there are various essential factors that you’ll need to consider when choosing a VPN to protect you from public WiFi. Here are some of the essential factors that you will need to consider and why AstrillVPN meets all of the criteria:

1) Excellent Security Features

It would help if you opted for a VPN provider that offers an extensive range of security features, as this is necessary when using a public network. AstrillVPN is your go-to VPN provider when you’re looking to take your privacy and security to the next level. It offers a Kill Switch feature, Smart Mode, DNS leak protection, and robust encryption protocols like Wireguard, OpenVPN StealthVPN, and AES 256 encryption. These security features will offer the ultimate protection when you’re on a public network.

2) No Logs Policy

Having a VPN with a No-Logging policy would also be preferable. AstrillVPN adheres to a strict No-Logging policy, meaning it does not record or store your information or data when using the VPN. Your online sessions, browsing history, and shared data are deleted as soon as you log out of the VPN provider. You can check AstrillVPN’s privacy policies, which offer more detailed insights into their No-Logging policy.

3) Connection Speeds

Opt for a VPN provider that offers fast and reliable connection speed. VPNs slow down your internet connection to some extent, but it shouldn’t be to the extent that it starts affecting your online activities. It will have a minimum impact on your internet connection while offering fast servers and stable performance. AstrillVPN offers impressive speeds of 200Mbps to 275Mbps and fast and reliable servers across many locations, so you’re all good to go and covered on that front.

4) Compatibility With Other Devices

You may use your laptop, phone, or tablet in a public setting such as a cafe, airport, or hotel. Therefore, you must opt for a VPN provider compatible with multiple devices and operating systems. AstrillVPN has covered you since it is compatible with iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, and MacOS. Another bonus? It offers five simultaneous connections, allowing you to secure multiple devices.

5) Good Number Of Servers

Opt for a VPN provider that offers a wide range of servers. This is important because the distance between the server and your physical location can impact speed. You can use servers that aren’t overloaded with users, which wouldn’t affect your internet connection. Luckily, AstrillVPN offers 300+ servers across 57+ countries, allowing you to have fast servers, but it will also help you bypass geolocation restrictions.

What Does A VPN Not Protect You From When Using Public WiFi?

So, what does a VPN on a public network not protect you from? Although VPNs are an effective privacy tool, they won’t be able to protect you from everything when you’re using public WiFi. Here are some things that it will not be able to protect you from:

1) Brute Force Attacks

Hackers use this password-hacking method called Brute Force attack to gain unauthorized access to your online accounts. Suppose you use simple and easily guessable passwords. In that case, malicious actors can break them more efficiently through automation software that targets accounts with the most common password and username combinations.

2) Malware and Viruses

Unfortunately, VPNs cannot protect you from viruses and malware once they infiltrate your device. They encrypt your data and prevent it from being intercepted by third parties, but once your device is infected with malware and other viruses, a VPN will not be able to stop it. For that, you must invest in reliable antivirus software to detect malware and viruses in real-time and remove them from your device.

3) Human Error

Cybersecurity software will not be able to protect you as efficiently if you don’t upgrade your cybersecurity practices. Hackers use tactics like social engineering scams to steal your passwords and other confidential data through emails and chatrooms. It would help to remain cautious and never share your personal data with unknown third parties.

4) Outdated Software

Software updates always include fixes for security vulnerabilities. If you don’t update your software on time, hackers can easily exploit these vulnerabilities, enabling them to bypass the VPN protection.

Can Public Networks Block A Virtual Private Network?

Yes, sometimes public networks can block you from accessing them with a VPN. Whichever party is hosting the connection has the freedom to choose the terms of use, so they can block them occasionally. However, if someone intentionally blocks you from using a VPN, then they generally do so so that they can track your online activities. If anyone is blocking your VPN connection, you can try to use a different VPN protocol, switch your VPN port, or connect to a different VPN server. While this may not always work, it will help you prevent local blocks.

Wrapping Up

You can always use a public network, provided you have adequate protection. Public networks are quite susceptible to cyber attacks, so you must invest in a VPN to prevent your sensitive and confidential data from getting intercepted by third parties. VPNs will enhance your online privacy and security and take it to the next level, so if you want to prevent hacking attempts and malicious actors from gaining unauthorized access to your data, then VPNs are an essential item you need in your security toolbox.

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