Privacy is not dead, it just costs more

It’s not impossible to have a little privacy when you’re on the grid. It takes a little money, a little work and a lot of vigilance. In some cases, it also requires a VPN.

Do not use unsecure, suspect or unknown hotspots.

Virtual Private Networks are not new; large scale companies have been using them for years. VPNs allow remote team members securely log in to company network servers. I’ve heard that a VPN scrambles your data between two points. I like to say that puts your data in a costume so that it can move about undetected.

Either way, the effect is that it keeps your data private.

Why VPNs

The primary purpose of a VPN is to keep us safe from malware, targeted ads, criminals and shady ISPs that sell our data. VPN’s can also be used to circumvent geo-restrictions and government censorships.

A VPN is particularly helpful when travelling, and by travelling, I mean away from your trusted home network. Whether you’re travelling internationally, or to your corner coffee shop, a VPN is recommended.

Let me reiterate that you should not be using unsecure, suspect or unknown hotspots.

But be careful, not all VPNs provide the same level of protection. Like other tech, they can help or harm or both at the same time. And to add insult to injury, fake VPNs masquerading as legit services can be devastating.

Best VPNs

The best VPNs are fast, secure, cost-effective, easy to use and have access to multiple servers all across the world. And the best doesn’t come free.

Free VPNs may limit your connections, your data or your access to servers. And, they could just be fake.

Some popular services include Private Internet Access, Cyber Ghost, Express VPN, Norton Secure VPN or VPNUnlimited. Prepare to spend anywhere from US$30 to US$100 per month for a reliable service. You could pay with a credit card, but using a disposable, prepaid card or bitcoin would help maintain your anonymity.

VPN Features

Even with the best service, expect a slightly slower browsing experience. Also, some sites, including some banking and financial services sites, don’t support access through a VPN. Netflix has been pretty aggressive about restricting their platform to VPN users.

For the most security, it is recommended that you install your selected VPN service provider on all your devices – smartphones, tablets and laptops. Usually, IoT devices are unable to benefit from VPNs. Bummer.

If you are truly serious about maintaining your online privacy, up your game by combining your VPN with the Tor browser, robust anti-virus software, unique passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) where available.

Sounds like too much work? Sounds like you’re ok with being hacked, targeted and exploited. This is the price we pay for privacy.