More and more Internet users are using VPNs, often for occasional needs. Should you leave your VPN disconnected the rest of the time? This is not recommended, and here's why.
The number of VPN users has been steadily increasing in recent years. According to a study published last year by ARCOM, the regulator of audiovisual and digital communications in France, 81% of French people have already heard of a VPN and around half of those surveyed have already used one.
The regularity of VPN use varies greatly from one user to another. The people who most often use them are motivated by security reasons, and in particular to protect their personal data. Indeed, VPNs are security tools in their own right. They allow you to ensure the confidentiality of the data you send and receive online.
VPN: should you stay connected all the time?
When we dig a little deeper into the profile of VPN users, we discover that they fall into different categories: those who wish to remain anonymous on the Internet, and in particular users of download and streaming platforms (both legal and illegal); Internet users who wish to unblock content subject to geolocation restrictions; or people who want to protect their banking transactions and other sensitive data, especially when they are not at home.
As you can see, VPNs are used for various reasons. But should you connect to them occasionally or all the time? The answer to this question logically follows from a related question: should you leave your antivirus enabled all the time or from time to time?
On PCs, the vast majority of users have an antivirus running permanently. This precaution is due to the fact that most users have already experienced inconveniences related to a virus or malware. But antiviruses do not protect against all forms of threats.
As we pointed out above, VPNs are now essential for 360° security. And because of this, it is recommended to stay connected as much as possible. Here are the reasons that justify this:
You remain anonymous
Even if you have nothing to hide, it is your absolute right to remain on the Internet by masking your real IP address. Indeed, all devices connected to the Internet (or groups of devices using the same network) have a unique IP address that makes them easy to identify.
By using a VPN, you change your IP address to another one. No website or online service, let alone a third party, can access your real IP. This also protects you against certain forms of threats, such as DDoS attacks that online gamers are familiar with.
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You benefit from total confidentiality
Once again, you have the right to a certain level of privacy on the Internet: no need to have anything to hide. It's even for security reasons. VPNs encrypt all the data you send and receive online.
In other words, no one (not even your ISP) can access the contents of your internet activities. This gives you increased privacy in all circumstances.
You're safe on public Wi-Fi
This is a measure that many internet users are now familiar with. For security reasons, you should always have a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi. It doesn't happen all the time, but keeping your VPN enabled at all times prevents you from experiencing inconvenience due to carelessness. Indeed, you can easily forget to activate your protection when necessary.
Secure your online transactions
As the ARCEP study notes, 70% of French people say they are concerned about the fate of their personal data on the Internet. This data obviously includes banking details. By encrypting your traffic, VPNs prevent any interception of your sensitive data. This applies both to your home network and external networks. It is therefore better to stay constantly protected.
Choosing the right VPN
Using a VPN is not enough to benefit from foolproof protection. While there are many VPNs on the market, not all of them are reliable. This is the case for some so-called free VPNs, which in reality exploit your personal data for commercial purposes. Additionally, the security standards used by these solutions are not always reliable.
If security is your priority, it's always better to opt for a paid VPN. There are a few that enjoy a solid reputation. This is the case with NordVPN, known worldwide for its purpose and the diversity of its servers (7,500 servers in 118 countries).
It's a fast VPN that offers strict privacy conditions. It's notably a No Log VPN. In other words, it doesn't store any data related to your online activities. In addition, NordVPN uses the most advanced security technologies: protocols, encryption, infrastructure, etc. It is available for around €3 per month.
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