Wazzup Pilipinas!
Nowadays, it seems that internet security is one of the only things people are talking about. Whether it’s thousands of people having their credit card information stolen or other types of massive privacy breaches, cybersecurity seems to be one of the hottest issues in the news.
If you’re a traveler, you’re at an even higher risk of facing security issues. This is because when we travel, we’re often using public Wi-Fi hotspots, which are significantly less secure than our home-based, password protected networks.
Public Wi-Fi networks are more dangerous because they provide internet access to dozens (sometimes hundreds) of internet users at the same time. Theoretically, this means that anybody using the same network could gain access to your unencrypted data as you surf the net.
Leaving your data unencrypted means that things such as your internet cookies, credit card numbers, usernames, and passwords could potentially be nabbed by any malicious person using the same Wi-Fi network as you.
Protect Yourself with a Virtual Private Network
Fortunately, using a VPN, or a Virtual Private Network, can protect you while using public Wi-Fi hotspots. Not only does a VPN protect your valuable information, but it also allows you to circumvent geographical internet filters.
This means that websites which are banned, or simply unavailable in certain regions, can still be accessed simply by connecting to a VPN. In other words, you can still access sites like Netflix or Hulu when traveling overseas.
Now, you might be wondering how to choose the best VPN while traveling. But there are so many types of VPN plans and providers that it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which one is best for you.
Fortunately, we’ve come up with a list of a few critical factors to consider when choosing a VPN for travel.
Quick Installation and Ease of Use
Installing and using a VPN shouldn’t be a very complicated process. This means that whether you’re using Mac, iOS, Windows, or Android, installing one shouldn’t be any harder than downloading the program and running the installer.
With most VPNs, you will be asked to sign up for an account before being able to complete the installation process. Next, the installer will likely ask you a few simple questions, such as whether you’d like the VPN to connect automatically or manually.
In most cases, it’s best to simply use the default options at first, and then if you wish, you can go back and change your preferences later on.
No Added Fees or Restrictions for Multiple Connections
When traveling, it’s a good idea to look for a VPN by reviews and
comparisons.
Remember that everything from your laptop, phone, and tablet are all at equal risk when using an insecure Wi-Fi connection. Therefore, it can be extremely inconveniencing if you have to disconnect one device every time you want to switch to another.
With that in mind, make sure that the VPN you choose allows you to connect several devices at the same time, without charging any extra fees.
Use a VPN That Works in Many Different Countries
Not all VPNs are designed the same, and while one might work while you’re visiting Spain, it might not work when you cross the border into France.
We recommend using a VPN that uses the OpenVPN protocol. It’s also a good idea to read a VPN’s user reviews to see if it works in countries such as China or Russia. These countries’ governments are notorious for blocking VPNs, therefore, if you can find one that works there, it will likely work anywhere else that you go.
Look for a VPN That Connects Automatically
It might sound obvious, but a VPN won’t protect your data if you forget to connect to it. But, when your flights been delayed 12 hours, you haven’t slept since Tuesday and you’re suddenly coming down with a cold, forgetting to connect to your VPN can be an easy mistake to make.
Therefore, we recommend looking for a VPN that connects automatically as soon as your device connects to a public Wi-Fi network. Making sure that your VPN auto-connects mean that even when you’ve got a thousand other things on your mind, your data will still be protected without you even thinking about it.
Choose a VPN With Fast Download Speeds
Typically, when you use a VPN, your connection will already be slowed down a bit because your data needs to pass through a secondary server before reaching its destination. This speed can, of course, be affected by several other factors such as bandwidth restrictions, your distance for the server, as well as how many other people are using the network.
However, it’s a good idea to choose a VPN that is known for having fast download/upload speeds. For this, we always recommend using a trial version first, before deciding if a VPN is worth paying for. It’s also a good idea to read its reviews to see what other users have to say about its speed.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
