OK, I’m actually writing this diary because I saw a deal online (no, i’m not affiliated with the link, it’s just a deal) But since we’ve had a couple of security-related diaries up, here’s a really short one on VPNs.
If you aren’t really familiar with networking, that’s OK, but basically, you probably already know that when you are online, unless you use some form of encryption, your data is visible. The easy and basic first layer of this is an HTTPS Connection in your browser. This gives security to what is happening inside the connection (to your bank for example).
But to get that initial secure connection, you depend on the security of your network. At your home, this is no issue. You can generally depend on your Service provider to not hack and steal your data. Of course, they still capture where you go, and are subject to warrants by federal agencies, etc. So you have some limited exposure, but this is fine for most people.
But once you head out onto a public network, all bets are off. Public sites are under far less control, can you data can be further exposed. From Lifehacker:
Sure, You May Be Alone, But That Doesn't Mean No One's Watching
If you're the only one in the coffee shop and you live in a small town, you're probably the only person on that network. That said, there's nothing stopping someone in the parking lot from pulling up to use the free Wi-Fi, or anyone in any of the buildings nearby hopping on to the coffee shop wireless to save some bandwidth or see what other people are doing. Just because it seems like you're the only person in the area doesn't mean you're the only person on the network, and this is especially true for larger places like libraries, airports, hotels, or convention centers with one large network that spans the entire area. Is your local coffee shop or favorite bookstore a haunt for black hats? Probably not—but it doesn't take a skilled hand to sit on a wireless network for giggles and pull down as many packets as they have time to collect.
So the easier way to add an extra layer of security is to Use a VPN, or a Virtual Private Network. Lifehacker again:
What Is a VPN?
Put simply, a Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is a group of computers (or discrete networks) networked together over a public network—namely, the internet. Businesses use VPNs to connect remote datacenters, and individuals can use VPNs to get access to network resources when they're not physically on the same LAN (local area network), or as a method for securing and encrypting their communications when they're using an untrusted public network.
When you connect to a VPN, you usually launch a VPN client on your computer (or click a link on a special website), log in with your credentials, and your computer exchanges trusted keys with a far away server. Once both computers have verified each other as authentic, all of your internet communication is encrypted and secured from eavesdropping.
SO… If, for example, you use public WiFi a lot, or are particularly uninterested in your ISP knowing where you browse, or happen to live in a country about to install a proto-facist as an executive, this might be of interest.
Here’s a bit more data:
A great article for more detail: lifehacker.com/…
A much nerdier site (home to a very good podcast, Security Now!) www.grc.com/...
Here’s the deal if you are interested (Lifetime VPN for ~$40): digitaloffers.androidcentral.com/…
That’s it. Hope this is helpful.