If you don’t have a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on your laptop yet, better hurry and get one. You may not realize it, but your laptop is extremely vulnerable to all kinds of cyber threats: data breaches, malware, identity thefts, activity tracking – you name it. This mainly happens due to their mobile nature – laptops are especially convenient for remote working and staying online anytime we want, anywhere we are. Especially now that you can find free and fast Wi-Fi almost at every airport, hotel, cafe, and even a train.
And this is where they get you: hackers love unsecured public Wi-Fi networks as much as careless users who connect to them without blinking. The truth is, the second you take your laptop to a public place you put your sensitive data at risk. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical theft – hackers can easily intercept your communications and steal your data. Therefore, getting a reliable VPN for your laptop is critically important so you can keep your data safe no matter where you go.
Here’s why you need a VPN on your laptop
Chances are, you are already familiar with the definition of a VPN as the demand for this security tool has been growing steadily over the past couple of years. But if you have just started taking care of your online security and privacy, here’s a short reminder of what a VPN does, and when you may need it the most.
A VPN connects you to the Internet through an alternative path to the one provided by your ISP (Internet Service Provider). All the data traveling between your laptop and a VPN server is securely encrypted, so no hacker or another snooper can see it. What’s more, your IP address is replaced with the IP of the VPN server, which allows you to mask your actual location.
Here’s why you should be using a VPN:
- To stay safe on public Wi-Fi.
As you already know, connecting to public Wi-Fi hotspots with your laptop is never a good idea. These networks are usually poorly secured, making them a perfect target for hackers. If you use an unsecured network, even an inexperienced hacker can intercept your communications to steal your passwords, banking details, and other sensitive information.
When you connect to the Internet using a VPN, your data is encrypted, so you can safely connect your laptop even to an unsecured Wi-Fi hotspot
- Access content when traveling abroad.
Staying connected when traveling to countries that censor Internet can be difficult. Therefore, installing NordVPN on your laptop before getting on the plane may be a smart thing to do. If a website you want to access is blocked, all you need to do is simply connect to a VPN server. This will hide your IP address and allow you access any website you want.
- To browse securely and privately.
Many people are worried that advertisers, ISPs, and even their governments are monitoring their online activities. The right VPN can help you protect your privacy from prying eyes by hiding your IP address and encrypting your online communications. The only information visible to snoopers will be the IP address of the remote VPN server, which can be hundreds of kilometers away from your actual location.
The best VPN for laptop
Of course, a VPN isn’t a cure for all known laptop security problems, but it can help to protect your device from many kinds of cyber threats. When you use a reliable VPN with strong encryption, no snoopers can see or steal the data you transfer.
Not only does NordVPN secure your data with military-grade encryption, it also offers a bunch of additional security features, which will help you stay secure and private when browsing the Internet. For example, NordVPN’s CyberSec protects you from accessing malware-hosting websites, while the Kill Switch feature will protect your private data in case the VPN connection drops out.
What’s more, NordVPN allows you connecting to more than 3500 servers in 61 countries, which means not only more choices but also better connection speeds. To start encrypting your Internet traffic, simply tap the “Quick Connect” button, and a special algorithm will connect you to the best server available at the moment. And, if you wish to access the content you are used to watching at home, choose your home country from the map or the servers’ list.
What’s also great about NordVPN is the fact it allows you connecting up to 6 devices under one account, so you can secure not only your laptop, but also your tablets and smartphones.
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