Is your internet security (sécurité internet) at risk? Most of us use the internet every day but we never stop to think about our privacy. The internet is a huge web of different sites, servers, and people. All of these users are interacting with each other and if you don’t pay attention to your security, you could be exposing your financial accounts to other people on the internet.
Internet security
When you connect to the internet, you are connecting to a public network. The way servers and other people identify you is by your IP address. This is your virtual identity tag and it can be used to find out who you are and how you interact with the internet. This might not seem like a bad thing, and for the most part, businesses use this information to make your internet experience more personal – like by providing advertisements that match your search history. This is all legal and not considered an evasion of privacy, but what else can be done with your IP address?
The right people can find out a lot more than just your recent searches and this is where protecting your privacy (protection vie privée) comes into play. The best way to protect yourself when using the internet is by using a VPN. When you use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) you are first connecting to a server that changes your online IP address to a location of your choosing. This way, the next time someone tries to look up your IP address when you access the internet, all they will see is the VPNs IP address and location.
Using VPNs to protect your financial accounts
Now that you know how VPNs work, you might be able to see how useful they can be for protecting all of your financial information, not just your internet search history. Any online banking, private information, or passwords used at your computer are vulnerable if you are connected directly to the internet. By first using a VPN, you are ensuring that no one can see what you are doing and this includes what you are doing with your financial accounts.
Using a VPN is the only real way to protect your financial accounts, but they should also be paired with anti-virus and anti-malware software. VPNs provide external protection, ensuring that no one can see who you are or access your financial information. Anti-malware software is also useful because it protects your PC from the inside. If you mistakenly download malware, like keyloggers, your anti-malware software will be able to detect and prevent any attack which can also put your private information at jeopardy.
When it comes to using financial accounts on a device that is connected to the internet, you have to make sure you are secure by using all the necessary precautions. VPNs are easily found online and there are many reliable ones available. Not only should VPNs be used on your PC, but on any of your internet-connected devices, including tablets and smartphones.