How can iOS devices be protected via VPN?
IOS devices have been known for being relatively secured and protected. However, as cybercrimes and cyber criminals have advanced as well in their strategies, IOS devices still face privacy issues. While it is true that your iPhone may have less chances of being breached, it does not mean that you have to be complacent about it.
If you wish your IOS devices to be protected all the time, you need more than one layer of security. Most antivirus software products for IOS devices protect you against malware but your IP address footprint can still be found. For this reason, you need a VPN.
What is VPN?
Virtual Private Network (VPN) establishes a secure, encrypted connection between your device and a private server, acting as your shield to hide your traffic to others. Therefore, using VPN allows you to send and receive data over the internet yet based on the encryption level of your connection, you still maintain the confidentiality of your data.
Importance of VPN in your IOS
You may ask, does my IOS devices really need a VPN?
Sure, this is a valid question since Apple provides end-to-end encryption for your data protection when you use any IOS devices.
So, if you ask again, do I really need VPN in my iPhone and other IOS devices? The answer is yes and here is a list on how your IOS devices can be protected via VPN.
Better security
Finding information these days have never been easy with the internet however, this is also the easiest way to be tracked and hacked online. Every time we click on a website, little pieces of embedded codes alongside cookies and trackers watch what you do and follow you around to capture information on what you browse to help serve you ads.
Because your data is kept and secure when you browse the internet while connected to VPN, your information is hidden from hackers. Nobody can see what data you access.
Allows you to change your IP address and spoof your location
Even vial information like your location, IP address and even your computer operating system can also be traced online when you are not careful.
VPN can help you disguise and hide your IP address and all your web traffic will originate from the IP address of the VPN server. It acts as a middleman between you and the activities you do online like visiting a website.
Ensure safe access to public Wi-Fi
There are times that you would be needing to connect to free and unsecured internet access. When you do, you expose yourself and all your information to someone who would want to snoop around your browsing and even what you are saying to other people on the internet. They will also have access to all your login credentials for websites. Worse is that they can steal your credit card details.
Having VPN in your IOS devices, will help you provide an additional layer of security against insecure websites and even with W-Fi networks with weak WEP encryption keys.
Encrypt your data
Encrypting your data is a nice way to help secure any necessary information that is shared between you and an internet server. As you do your online searches, email registration or sign up to a certain website, your data come in data packets with just plain, readable text. Anyone who is snooping on you will be able to juice out these information easily.
When your data is encrypted, no one can read your information as it becomes code and can only be read by the DNS server. A VPN provides additional protection in your IOS devices and helps you shy away from man-in-the-middle attacks.
Best practices in using VPN in your IOS devices
Be careful with the VPN you choose
As your additional line of defense between you and the internet, it is important to choose the right VPN for you. Learn to check reviews of different VPN service providers to know more about them. Not all VPNs are created equal and while some might provide you with the best protection you are looking for, some may just do nothing for you but instead inflict more harm. Find the VPN service that is not credible but also trustworthy.
Know what kind of access you need
Depending on what you use the internet for, get the right VPN based on your need. If you just want to get another layer of security for your home network, invest in a router with a built-in VPN server. If you need access to a remote network and you connect to your email almost every day, you need to invest in a VPN service.
As much as possible, do not use free VPN
Not all are created equal and not all free is essential. Though they also offer protection, free VPNs are usually slow and unreliable. Some free VPN providers generate revenue by using hidden tools and though they are not dangerous, they defeat the principle of VPNs.
Free VPNs do not provide optimum security and while you are able to save a few bucks, the risk of your data and your privacy is still high and definitely not worth it.
VPN should be compatible with your devices
Before investing and purchasing any VPN service, verify it is compatible with your device. Apple products such as iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch use L2TP/IPSec authentication while VPN services for your Mac should be able to connect to OpenVPN. It is best to get a VPN service that could offer both.
Calculate the data you will use
It is best to know the number of devices you need to be protected by your VPN before making any purchase, but it is also important to know how much data you will be using. Your VPN service should be able to provide the data you need without throttling.
Conclusion
While Apple does offer and provide a nice and decent level of security for all your IOS devices, it is not perfect. It comes with flaws and possibilities that you can still be hacked and still experience data breaching. This is where VPN service comes in handy. It is a fantastic tool to keep you protected and improve your internet security. It also provides you privacy as it spoofs your location. VPN allows you to be invisible online.So, is VPN important in your IOS devices? It is still a resounding YES.
John Ocampos is an Opera Singer by profession and a member of the Philippine Tenors. Ever since, Digital Marketing has always been his forte. He is the Founder of SEO-Guru, and the Managing Director of Tech Hacker. John is also the Strategic SEO and Influencer Marketing Manager of Softvire Australia - the leading software eCommerce company in Australia and Softvire New Zealand.