Online safety and security are some of the terms we see mentioned a lot these days. That’s no surprise – the Internet has evolved a lot these days to the point that we’re addicted to it. We do everything online. Paying bills is as simple as a click, and so is having fun. But, just like in the real world, you have to take necessary steps and measures to protect yourself online as there are dangers lurking around each corner.
VPNs and firewalls are just some of the tools that help us do that. If you’re looking to bolster your online security and browse the web safer, read on below.
What’s a VPN?
Short for Virtual Private Network, VPN is a mechanism that creates a secure bridge between computing devices and a computer network. Most VPNs these days exist in the form of apps. More and more tech companies are building them into their browsers. Many people use VPNs to get services otherwise unavailable in their countries. What these apps do is change your IP address to one from a specified country so you can gain access to VIP casinos outside your country or another type of service.
VPNs can also be used to protect your data. By surfing through a proxy, malicious software or hackers won’t be able to see your ‘true’ IP address. In short, it’s tougher for them to get inside your network and steal data.
What’s a Firewall?
A firewall is a network security device that monitors traffic in and out of your network. It either allows or blocks traffic depending on its set of security rules. Unlike VPNs, firewalls are usually built into the mainframe of security systems. You also often get them as part of an antivirus program on your computer.
Most reputable websites these days use firewalls to block traffic from unknown or suspicious locations. That’s the case with online casinos. If it detects that you’re entering from an address with suspicious activity, you may need to complete extra security checks or be banned altogether.
How to Protect Your Data Online?
There are several ways to stay safe while browsing the web. It doesn’t matter if you’re paying bills, playing casino games, or simply surfing the web. Chances are you’ll enter personal data or financial information, and in order to keep them in check, you can do a lot.
First and foremost, investing in a good VPN is a must. It’ll allow you to surf the web protected without revealing your information to anyone. There are free VPNs you can also try, but their bandwidth is limited. Paid VPN programs have more locations to pick from and higher bandwidth, allowing you to surf the web with ease.
When logging in to your accounts, you should always use MFA if possible. Short for multi-factor authentication, it requires you to verify your identity every time you log in. So, for example, if you use your email to log in and have MFA on, it’ll need you to use another password, a code, or biometrics to confirm it’s really you logging in.
If you want to keep your passwords all in one spot without the fear of having them stolen, you can use a password manager. There are plenty of those available online, and their security has been updated a lot in the past few years. Many of them will also allow you to generate strong passwords and store them, meaning you don’t need to enter each one repeatedly every day. Oh, and while on the subject of passwords, it pays to use different ones for different websites. Using the same one over and over again makes you an easy target.
Updating your web browser is also a must if you want to stay safe online. Updates and patches are released constantly to fix vulnerabilities which might make you more liable to hacks.
While it’s a bit too much to take in for newcomers, completing all these steps will help you surf the web safely in the future. Protecting your data is a must, so don’t forget to take the necessary steps.
