A secure connection, also known as a Virtual Private Network (VPN), protects you when you use public networks. It encrypts your internet traffic and hides your personal data, making it harder for outsiders to steal it or track your online activities. A secure connection encrypts data in real time.
A secure connection masks your IP address by rerouting it through a specially configured remote server operated by a separate provider. As a result, the secure connection server you are using becomes the source of your data. Your ISP and other third parties cannot see which websites you visit or what data you send and receive. A secure connection acts as a filter, turning all sent and received information into gibberish. Even if it falls into the hands of criminals, they won't be able to use it.
A secure connection masks your internet traffic and prevents outsiders from accessing it. Unencrypted data can be viewed by anyone with network access and the desire to see it. A secure connection prevents hackers and cybercriminals from decrypting your data.
Reliable encryption. Data can only be viewed with an encryption key. Without it, it would take a computer years to decrypt the code using a brute-force attack. A secure connection also hides your online activities even on public networks.
Location masking. A secure connection essentially acts as a proxy. Since location data comes from a server in another country, it is impossible to determine your actual whereabouts. Moreover, most secure connection services do not keep user activity logs. Some providers record your activity but do not share this data with third parties. This means no one will ever be able to trace your online actions.
Secure data transfer. When working remotely, you may need access to important files on a corporate network. For security reasons, working with such data requires a protected connection. A secure connection provides access to the network by connecting to private servers and using encryption methods to prevent any data leaks.
When you connect to the internet, your ISP establishes the connection. In doing so, it tracks you via your IP address. Since your traffic passes through the ISP's servers, they can see all your online activities.
Your ISP might seem trustworthy. But that doesn't mean they won't share your search history with advertisers, the police, the government, or other third parties. ISPs can also fall victim to cyberattacks: if they are hacked, your personal data could end up in the hands of criminals.
All this is especially relevant if you regularly use public Wi-Fi networks. You might not even realize that someone is monitoring your activities and could steal your passwords, personal data, payment information, and virtually your entire digital life!
A secure connection can perform one or more tasks. At the same time, it must be protected against hacking itself. A comprehensive solution of this kind should include the following features:
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Throughout the history of the internet, people have sought to protect and encrypt data about their online activities. The US Department of Defense was involved in projects to encrypt online communications as early as the 1960s.
These projects led to the creation of ARPANET — a packet-switching network that, in turn, led to the development of the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and IP (Internet Protocol) protocols.
The TCP/IP model consisted of four layers: link layer, internet layer, transport layer, and application layer. The internet layer involved connecting local networks and devices to a universal network — and this is where the vulnerability of user data became apparent. In 1993, a team of specialists from Columbia University and Bell Labs managed to create the first version of a modern VPN called swIPe.
A year later, Wei Xu developed IPSec — an internet security protocol that authenticates and encrypts transmitted data packets. Then, in 1996, a Microsoft employee named Gurdeep Singh-Pall created the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol, or PPTP.
While Singh-Pall was working on his protocol, the popularity of the internet was growing, and with it, the need for ready-made, high-tech security systems. At that time, antivirus software was already effectively protecting users' computers from malware and spyware. But users and corporations had already begun looking for a data encryption solution that would hide their online activities.
The first virtual private networks appeared in the early 2000s, but they were typically used only by companies. However, following numerous cyber incidents in the early 2010s, the consumer market for secure connections began to grow.
According to GlobalWebIndex, between 2016 and 2018, the number of VPN users worldwide more than quadrupled. In Thailand, Indonesia, China, and other countries where internet activity is subject to restrictions and censorship, one in five users uses a secure connection. In the US, UK, and Germany, the percentage of secure connection users is lower, but still significant (around 5%) and steadily growing.
A secure connection encrypts your activity. It can only be decrypted using a key that only your computer and the secure connection service have. Your ISP won't know where you are connecting to the internet from. Secure connection services use different types of encryption, but the process usually consists of three stages.
There are many different types of secure connections, but you only need to know the three main ones.
Not all employees are provided with corporate laptops for remote work from home. When self-isolation was introduced due to the coronavirus in the spring of 2020, many companies faced a shortage of equipment for their staff. In such cases, companies often had to resort to SSL secure connections. Integrating this service usually requires specific hardware.
To log into a corporate account, you will need an HTML5-compatible browser. Such browsers are usually compatible with almost any operating system. You will need to enter a username and password to access the data.
This type of connection effectively masks private internal networks (intranets), providing users of these networks with mutual access to resources.
A site-to-site secure connection is suitable for companies with multiple offices, each with its own local area network (LAN) connected to a wide area network (WAN). It is also used if you have two separate intranet networks that need to exchange data without giving users of one network direct access to the other.
These connections are mainly used in large enterprises. They are complex to set up and less flexible than SSL VPNs. However, they are the most effective at protecting data exchange between and within large corporate departments.
Connecting to the internet via a secure connection client is similar to connecting a home computer to a work network using a cable. An employee connects to the corporate network from a home device via a secure connection and works as if they were in the office. But first, they need to install and configure the secure connection client on the device.
It connects the user to the internet not through the ISP, but directly through the secure connection provider. This significantly reduces the tunneling phase of the secure connection. As a result, instead of creating an encrypted tunnel to mask an existing connection, the VPN automatically encrypts the data before it is sent to the user.
This type of connection is gaining popularity, especially among providers of unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. It encrypts data throughout the entire chain between the client and the secure connection provider, preventing outsiders from intercepting traffic. It also blocks ISPs from accessing any data that is unencrypted for some reason.
The advantages of this type of secure connection include higher efficiency and universal access to company resources. If you have the right phone equipment, for example, you can connect to it, put on your headphones, and work as if you were in the office. Clients won't even notice you are working from home.
Before setting up a secure connection, you should familiarize yourself with the different types of VPN installations.
Installing a secure connection requires a client. Essentially, it is a standalone software program configured to meet the requirements of the user or organization. When setting up the secure connection, the end device opens a secure communication channel and connects to another device, creating an encrypted tunnel. At this stage, in corporate networks, the user usually enters a password provided by the company or installs a corresponding certificate. The password or certificate is needed for the firewall to recognize the connection as authorized. The employee then logs into the system using their personal credentials.
Secure connection extensions are available for most browsers, such as Google Chrome and Firefox. Some browsers, like Opera, already have a built-in secure connection. Extensions allow users to quickly enable and configure VPN settings online. However, in this case, you are only protected within that specific browser. Data exchange in other browsers and applications (e.g., online games) is not encrypted.
Despite their limited scope, extensions are a suitable additional layer of protection for users who rarely use the internet. Nevertheless, such connections are more vulnerable to hacking. Furthermore, it is important to choose extensions carefully, as data hunters may use fake ones. Malicious actors collect users' personal data to build a sort of profile (similar to what marketers do). You then start encountering ads online specifically targeted at you.
If you have multiple devices connected to the same network, it is easier to install a secure connection on your router than to configure it on each device individually. This is especially relevant for internet-connected devices with complex setups, such as Smart TVs. With such a network, you can even stream geo-restricted content on your home theater system.
A router secure connection is easy to install, provides constant protection, and prevents data leaks when insecure devices are connected. However, if the router lacks a user interface, managing the connection can be difficult. It may also block incoming connections.
A corporate virtual private network is a solution tailored to a company's requirements, requiring configuration and support. The secure connection is set up for you by the IT department. Ordinary users do not have administrator rights over the secure connection, and the company keeps a record of all actions and transmitted data. This reduces the risk of potential information leaks. The main advantage of a corporate VPN is completely secure access to the company's intranet and servers, including for remote employees with their own internet connections.
Yes, there are secure connection services for smartphones and other internet-connected devices. A secure connection is essential if you store payment information and other personal data on your mobile device or simply use it to browse the web. Developers of secure connection services often offer mobile solutions — you can download a free trial of Kaspersky Secure Connection.
It is important to remember that a secure connection is not a full-fledged antivirus. It hides your IP address and encrypts your data, but it will not stop external attacks on your device. Only an antivirus, such as Kaspersky Premium, can help with that. A secure connection alone does not protect you from Trojans, viruses, bots, and other malware.
If such programs get onto your device, they will be able to steal or damage your data regardless of whether you have a secure connection set up or not. Therefore, it should be used in tandem with a comprehensive antivirus solution — this guarantees maximum protection.
It is important to choose a provider you can trust. Your ISP won't be able to track your traffic, but the secure connection provider will have access to it. If they are hacked, you will suffer too. Choose a reliable provider that not only maintains the confidentiality of your actions but also ensures maximum data protection.
As mentioned earlier, secure connections are available for Android smartphones and iPhones. Fortunately, they are very easy to use. The standard steps are described below.
But remember: the security of the connection is determined by the provider's policy regarding the use and storage of data. A virtual private network routes your data to its servers, which act on the internet on your behalf. If logs are kept on these servers, you need to understand their purpose. Reliable providers usually prioritize the confidentiality of your data. Therefore, you should use solutions from trusted vendors, such as Kaspersky Secure Connection.
Remember that only data transmitted over the internet is encrypted. If the connection does not use a cellular network or Wi-Fi to transmit data, the information is transmitted outside the internet. A secure connection does not encrypt regular voice calls or text messages.
A virtual private network provides a secure connection between you and the internet. With it, your data is transmitted through an encrypted virtual tunnel. It masks your IP address, hiding your actual location from other users. A secure connection is also protected against external attacks. Only you have access to the data in the encrypted tunnel; no one else has the key. A secure connection allows you to view regional content from anywhere in the world. Some video services do not work in all countries. Access to them can be obtained thanks to a secure connection. Kaspersky solutions are available for both Windows-based PCs and Mac devices.
There are also many providers offering secure connection services for smartphones, which anonymize your mobile traffic. However, remember that these apps only protect and anonymize data transmitted over the internet. A secure connection does not protect you from cyberattacks, Trojans, viruses, and other malware. Also remember that it is important to use a reliable antivirus.
Other articles about secure connections (virtual private networks)
A VPN creates an encrypted connection between your device and a remote server. Your internet traffic passes through this secure tunnel. It hides your IP address and makes it difficult for third parties to monitor your online activity.
VPNs are legal in many countries and are widely used by individuals and companies to enhance online privacy and security. In some countries, VPN usage is restricted or regulated, so it is important to check local laws where you live or travel.
A VPN encrypts your connection, hides your IP address, and helps protect your personal data on public and private networks. It also improves online privacy.
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