Can you use a VPN on your mobile?

"Virtual Private Network (VPN)" (CC BY 2.0) by Infosec Images

Back in July 2018, PC Magazine published an article stating that everyone should be using a VPN, whether it be at home, at the office or on their mobile device. We couldn’t agree more, especially if you are regularly connecting to free Wi-Fi in public spaces using your mobile device, so here we’ll be looking at how you can install a VPN on your smartphone and why it’s critically important that you do.

What Is A VPN?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are used to create secure, encrypted internet connections that cannot be viewed by third-parties such as hackers, internet service providers (ISPs) and the government. Usually, when you request to load a website on your device, that request is bounced all over the world throughout your internet connection to servers before being returned to you. This leaves you open to threats, so VPNs were created to ensure your internet connection is completely private and secure.

Why Should You Install A Mobile VPN?

Chances are that, at some point in your life, you’ve connected to a public Wi-Fi, completely unaware of how risky that can be. According to cyber security experts Norton, public hotspots have numerous holes in their security which can allow anyone with cybercrime in mind to access them and see user data. This can include passwords, banking details, photographs and anything else on the device you’ve used to connect to the public Wi-Fi. The situation becomes even direr if you have multiple devices connected together, as this allows hackers to get into all of your devices.

With A VPN installed, however, you can use that public Wi-Fi with no worries. When you connect to that public hotspot to stream movies, do a bit of online shopping or even look at your bank details, your requests are encrypted and sent straight to a VPN server. Upon receiving your request, it is encrypted again and sent back to your mobile. There’s no way for third-parties to view what you requested, see your data or get into your device as it is all completely secure within a private network.

Connecting To A Mobile VPN App

The first step is choosing a VPN app, which can be quite a tricky process if you’re new to the world of VPN services. Start researching by visiting sites that specialise in VPN products and services like Best Online Reviews, reading other customer reviews and searching for specific apps that meet your needs. Some of the top-rated options include Avira Phantom VPN and NordVPN, though there are plenty to choose from. Just make sure you opt for a service with a reliable, trustworthy reputation as not every service is created equal.

Once your app of choice is installed, it will likely give you a set of instructions along with a VPN symbol (much like a key) that indicates you are connected. That’s usually it and you will only receive alerts when your connection is not completely private.

By using a mobile VPN, you shut down any possibility of people looking at your internet connections, getting your data and overall just making your life miserable by hacking into your smartphone. Of course, you can make all of your internet devices stronger by ensuring you have strong passwords and updating your anti-virus protection software as regularly as possible. Be smart about how you access the internet and your personal information will remain safe.