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Virtual Private Network
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Debunking Common Myths About VPNs






Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are important tools for online privacy, but they’re often misunderstood. Here, we clear up the top five myths to help you understand what VPNs can and can’t do for your digital security.

Myth 1: All VPNs Steal Your Data

Many people worry that VPNs are just a cover for collecting data. While some free VPNs do sell user data to advertisers, many trustworthy VPNs don't. These reputable VPNs are regularly audited by independent firms like KPMG or Deloitte to prove they don’t keep logs of your activity. For example, Private Internet Access has defended its no-log policy in court. Always choose VPNs that have passed these audits to ensure your data is safe.

Myth 2: Government Surveillance Makes VPNs Useless

Some think that because the government monitors internet traffic, using a VPN is pointless. While governments do have surveillance capabilities, VPNs still add a strong layer of protection. They encrypt your data, making it much harder for anyone, including government agencies, to intercept or read it without a warrant. Despite efforts to crack encryption, modern protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 are still secure. Therefore, VPNs are essential for maintaining privacy even in the face of government surveillance.

Myth 3: Quantum Computing Will Break VPNs Soon

There’s a fear that quantum computers will soon break all encryption, making VPNs useless. While quantum computing is a future threat, practical quantum computers are still many years away. Researchers are already working on new types of encryption that can resist quantum attacks. Even though there’s a risk that stored encrypted data could be decrypted in the future, the vast amount of data on the internet makes it impractical for anyone to capture everything. Using a VPN with future-proof protocols can help protect your data against these risks.

Myth 4: VPNs Make You Completely Anonymous Online

VPNs do a great job of hiding your IP address, but they don’t make you completely anonymous. If you share personal information on social media or allow tracking cookies, your identity can still be exposed. For full privacy, use VPNs along with other tools like script blockers, ad blockers, and services that delete your data from marketing databases. By combining these tools and being careful online, you can greatly reduce your digital footprint.

Myth 5: Tor Is Better Than a VPN

The Tor Browser offers high privacy by routing your traffic through multiple servers, but this also slows down your internet speed. Tor’s known exit nodes can be blocked by websites. In contrast, good VPNs invest in high-quality servers, providing faster speeds and reliable access to content that’s blocked in your region. While Tor is great for absolute privacy, VPNs are better for everyday use, where speed and reliability are important.

Misunderstandings about VPNs often come from unreliable services giving the whole industry a bad name. By choosing well-reviewed and audited VPNs, you can significantly boost your online privacy and security. VPNs protect you from hackers, marketers, and surveillance, making your internet experience safer and more private. Clearing up these myths helps you make better decisions about using digital privacy tools.

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Everything You Need To Know About VPN

 


In an era where our daily lives intertwine with the digital world, the internet becomes both a companion and a potential threat, understanding the role of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is key to safeguarding your online experience. Whether you're working remotely, enjoying a coffee shop's Wi-Fi, or travelling, a VPN functions as a dependable safeguard against potential security risks.


What is a VPN? 

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is your online security guard. Its purpose is to create a secure, private tunnel over the internet, encrypting your data and protecting it from prying eyes. This extra layer of security is especially crucial given the internet's initial design prioritising data transfer reliability over privacy.


How does it work? 

Imagine your computer wanting to visit a website like ZDNET. Instead of sending unprotected data, a VPN encrypts it and sends it through a secure tunnel to a VPN server. This server then decrypts the information, establishing a safe connection between your device and the destination, ensuring your data remains confidential.

There are two main types of VPNs. Corporate VPNs connect private networks within the same organisation over the internet, securing data transmission. Consumer VPNs, offered as a service, protect your data transmission to the provider's data centre, enhancing security, especially on public Wi-Fi.


When should you use a VPN? 

Whenever you're away from your secure home or office network and using public Wi-Fi, a VPN is your go-to. It adds an extra layer of protection against potential snoopers on open networks, especially when accessing services with personal information.

Choosing the right VPN service matters. While free VPNs exist, they often come with privacy risks. Some are even set up by malicious entities to harvest personal data. Opting for a reputable paid VPN service is a safer choice.

However, a VPN does not serve as an infallible solution for privacy. While it secures your connection, it does not have the capability to prevent websites from tracking your activities. Users are advised to maintain vigilance regarding potential privacy infringements that may extend beyond the scope of the VPN.


Concerned about your computer slowing down? 

Advancements in CPU performance have effectively mitigated the impact of data encryption and decryption processes. However, network performance remains susceptible to the quality of public Wi-Fi and the geographical location of the VPN server. 

Certain VPN services may impose limitations on usage, such as data caps or speed restrictions. These restrictions are often associated with free services. Therefore, opting for a dependable paid service that aligns with your specific requirements becomes imperative.

In the domain of online security, VPNs play a pivotal role. Whether safeguarding sensitive work data or ensuring privacy on public networks, a comprehensive understanding of VPN fundamentals empowers users to traverse the internet securely. It is advised to make informed choices, stay updated, and consider your VPN as a reliable tool for online protection.


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Which is Better: VPN or Microsoft Security Service Edge (SSE)?


In the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity threats, Microsoft has unveiled Microsoft Global safe Access, also known as Security Service Edge (SSE), serving as a ground-breaking solution for safe remote access. 

Designed to improve the connectivity between workplaces, cutting-edge technology provides a safe and convenient substitute for conventional VPNs. 

In response to the changing needs of network security, Microsoft has released Global Secure Access, which is presently in preview. Microsoft Entra Internet Access and Microsoft Entra Private Access are its two primary components. These elements combine network, identity, and endpoint access restrictions into a comprehensive solution when combined with Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps. This makes it possible to access any program or resource securely from anywhere.

Microsoft Entra Internet Access

This service secures access to Microsoft 365, SaaS, and public interest applications. It protect online users, devices, and data against online threats, offering top-level security and visibility. 

Its features involves:

  • Prevention of token replay with compliant network checks. 
  • Application of universal tenant restrictions. 
  • Enriched logs for enhanced security. 
  • Deployment alongside third-party SSE solutions. 
  • Protection of user access to the public internet through a cloud-delivered, identity-aware Secure Web Gateway (SWG).

Microsoft Entra Private Access

Whether working remotely or in an office, Microsoft Entra Private Access guarantees secure access to corporate and private resources for users. Without the need for a VPN, it increases access to any private resource, port, and protocol. Important characteristics consist of:

  • Zero Trust-based quick access to a range of IP addresses and/or FQDNs. 
  • Per-app access for TCP apps. 
  • Modernization of legacy app authentication. 
  • Seamless end-user experience with integration into existing third-party SSE solutions.

Security Security Edge (SSE) vs VPN 

To illustrate the differences between Security Service Edge (SSE) and Virtual Private Networks (VPN), below is a brief comparison:

Security Service Edge (SSE)

  • Definition: SSE is a comprehensive framework for cloud-based security that combines several security services. It is intended to safeguard user-accessed data, apps, and resources regardless of where they are located. 
  • Components: Includes services like Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Firewall as a Service (FWaaS). 
  • Security Approach: Emphasizes identification and context-based security. It ensures secure access based on user identification and context by operating under the principle of "never trust, always verify." 
  • Deployment: Cloud-native, offering global scalability and ease of deployment without the need for on-premise hardware. 
  • Access Control: Provides granular access control to applications and data, often integrating with existing identity management systems. 
  • User Experience: provides an unparalleled user experience because it does not need consumers to join a particular network. When it operates, it is transparent.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

  • Definition: VPN technology connects distant users to an organization's network by building a safe, encrypted tunnel across the internet. 
  • Components: Primarily consists of VPN client software and VPN servers. 
  • Security Approach: Encrypts data in transit from the user to the VPN server. Once users authenticate and establish a VPN connection, it starts to trust them. 
  • Deployment: Can be cloud-based or on-premise, often requires specific hardware and software setup. 
  • Access Control: Usually grant access to the entire network, which can be a security risk if not managed properly. 
  • User Experience: Since users must establish a VPN connection in order to access corporate resources, the user experience may be less effortless. Performance problems and slower connections may occasionally occur.

Key Differences

  • Security Scope: SSE provides much better and a range of security services than the primarily encryption-based VPN. 
  • Access Control: Whereas VPNs frequently allow for more extensive network access, SSE offers more context-based and granular access management. 
  • Deployment and Scalability: SSE is scalable and cloud-native by nature, whereas VPNs may have hardware and network capacity limitations. 
  • User Experience: Compared to VPNs, which need an active connection and might reduce internet speeds, SSE often provides a more transparent and frequently faster user experience.

Overall, while VPNs provide secure network access, SSC offers a rather accurate, flexible and contemporary approach to security, appropriate for cloud-based organizations and distant work scenarios. In summary, while VPNs are effective for secure network access, SSE offers a more comprehensive, flexible, and modern approach to security, especially suitable for cloud-based environments and remote work scenarios.  

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