It goes without saying that the internet is not a safe place. Even though it has changed the course of how we live and is now inextricable from our day-to-day, the internet is beset with cybercriminals, hackers, and threats. No one is safe, and no one will be able to predict if and when they will be a victim of some form of cybersecurity attack.
If you regularly use the internet, the best thing to do is to make it a safer place for you to inhabit. This means taking some very necessary and specific steps to ensure that you will be unharmed as you jump from one site to another or switch from one web app to the next. Security is especially crucial for WordPress users, if you manage huge amounts of content on your site. More often than not, WordPress users store sensitive information on the site, too. As a site owner or manager, it is your responsibility to see to it that your data — and your customers’, in case you run a business site — will remain secure. As mentioned in our ‘5 Tips on How to Protect Your Internet Privacy in 2020’ post, one of the easiest ways to do that is by using a reliable VPN service.
What is a VPN?
To the uninitiated, a virtual private network (VPN) is an encrypted connection that renders you anonymous when you go online. Think of it as your digital invisibility cloak, your protection against anyone that could potentially harm you on the World Wide Web. Tech writer Zico Deng explains that when you switch it on, a VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between you and a server run by the VPN service of your choice. All your traffic is routed through the tunnel, resulting in your data being hidden and secure from prying eyes. Your traffic will then have the IP address of said server, therefore masking your identity and location as well.
Why do WordPress users need to use a VPN?
WordPress now powers 30% of all websites that exist on the internet. It is therefore not surprising that the platform is vulnerable to threats and attacks, considering how it is packed with information from businesses and organizations across the globe. Using a VPN with your WordPress site provides you with some peace of mind in knowing that you always have a secure connection when you log in to your website’s backend. It makes it virtually impossible for hackers and other cybercriminals to intercept your connection and push malicious code to your site or steal your data altogether. A VPN renders your data stream indecipherable to potential thieves, keeping your pertinent information safe and sound.
What to look for in a VPN
While it seems easy to gain access to a VPN service, it’s not exactly as simple as downloading your VPN of choice and connecting straightaway. This guide to the best tools for telecommuting by HP highlights how you should install updated security tools first. In doing this, you’re not only securing the data you have online, but you’re also protecting the files you have on your computer, too. And when it comes to picking a VPN, here are some things you should look for:
- Unparalleled security: Ideally, your VPN should have at least an ultra-secure 256-bit encryption to prevent anyone from ever getting hands on your data
- Massive capacity: CNET suggests that if you’re using a VPN for work or business, you should ensure that the service has enough capacity. After all, the last thing you want is to end up with a glitchy connection — or worse, get cut off — because you’ve used too much data.
- A no-logging policy: This bit is crucial as it ensures that none of your records are being kept anywhere, including your VPN’s servers.