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When you go online, you dish up the most intimate details about yourself. Your online activity is silently tracked by your browser and internet service provider (ISP) and shared with advertisers and third-party trackers. It’s big business online, but you don’t have to be a part of it if you use a VPN.
What do I need protecting from?
Using a search engine can disclose personal information about you, like your location, medical issues, financial information, employment status, sexuality, and religious beliefs. All of this information can be collected, stored, and assigned to your identity. It’s also a lot easier for hackers to intercept unsecured traffic and steal pieces of your identity to commit fraud.
Since your traffic is unencrypted online, it’s left wide open for trackers and hackers to spy on. Most of your apps don’t encrypt your traffic either, and even if they claim to, the protocols they use might not be enough to fully secure you, especially if security isn’t their forte.
Will a private browsing tab protect me?
Private browsing modes simply make sure that your search history isn’t left on the device. Your activity can still be seen by your browser company, ISP, university, or the government, and it doesn’t secure you against attacks. In fact, Google recently came under fire for spying on users’ behaviour, sorting them into groups, and sharing that with tracking agencies – all while in Incognito mode! Your “Private” browsing history is also stored in the device’s DNS cache, which is easy to uncover for anyone who knows how.
Why a VPN is the best protection online
If you use a good VPN with a strict no-logs policy, you won’t have to worry about being tracked online. That’s because a VPN hides your traffic by sending all of your online activity through the VPN’s encrypted servers instead of the unencrypted ones owned by your ISP.
With 5,200+ servers optimized for speed in 59 countries, NordVPN has an impressive speed rate, so your connection won’t be slowed down. Here are some of their best features:
- Next-generation encryption
- A strict no-logs policy
- Great value starting at less than £3 /mo
- 24/7 customer support
- Ability to use it on up to 6 devices simultaneously (smartphones, laptops, PCs, AndroidTV, and tablets)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
NordVPN encrypts the online traffic of your entire device, so you can take back your privacy and go online without worrying about tech giants crafting an insanely intricate profile on you. You can try their 2-year plan with 68% now and receive a gift of extra service time on top.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.