Boosting Student Privacy and Security: The Benefits of VPNs

Every aspect of our daily lives is increasingly migrating online. In this digital age, students rely on the web for all their academic pursuits and personal affairs. But what attracts billions of daily users also attracts predators looking to prey on the vulnerable and exploit weak points in security. Forget your house being robbed or getting mugged on the street. Internet-based crime is the new everyday evil.

Cybercrime has been on a steep rise over the past decade, with the US leading the charge in cybercrime density. Online criminals are constantly coming up with more ingenious and inventive ways of deception. A never-ending cat-and-mouse game is underway between hackers and security providers, where one is never more than a step ahead of the other. This back-and-forth one-upping means students – the core user base of the internet – are in the constant crosshairs of relentless hackers. They always need to remain alert and keep plugging security vulnerabilities. Let’s see how VPNs can help you fend off online threats.

Venture Online in a Stealthy Tank

Shove that door in the face of hackers, trackers, and, if you’re a conspiracy theorist, government spies. When connected to a VPN, all data transfers are encrypted. So, even if someone intercepts your data, they won’t be able to decipher it. This is especially important for students who use public Wi-Fi on campus and leach onto the coffee shop network when outside to conserve data. VPNs make the network connection private, turning you into a stealth aircraft equivalent of a web surfer. They know you are there but can’t lock onto you.

Equip Yourself with a Master Key

As a matter of fact, VPN is not just for denying others access to your data. It’s also for giving you one to otherwise restricted areas. We have all come across those frustrating region restrictions that stop your web flow dead in its tracks. Students, of all people, most often encounter cases where they are unable to access the content because it is restricted in their region or by campus Wi-Fi.

Is the new app not available in your region? Have no fear! VPN to your rescue. Did your campus restrict access to online writing tools? Worry not; flip that VPN switch and access WritingUniverse to your heart’s content. Your roommate’s ‘’documents’’ got stolen, and you’re worried about your own sensitive data? VPN.

It hides your location and encrypts your connection, so destination websites have no clue who you are, where you are located, or what Wi-Fi you are using, and readily display their content. It’s a master key of sorts that locks the door to your data and simultaneously opens doors for you to access closed websites.

Keep Your Favorite Type of Toothpaste to Yourself

There is a growing fear within society regarding online profiling. Every website you visit, whose photo you liked, how long you lingered on a particular section of a webpage, and so on, is being tracked, logged, and fed into an algorithm. This algorithm builds and progressively refines your virtual profile, which will help companies identify your interests and preferences to direct targeted ads, suggestions, and recommendations your way. A lot of people feel understandably worried about this non-consensual and undeclared mass-gathering of data and are looking for ways to minimize online exposure. VPN allows you to surf the web incognito, much like the private mode on your browser.

Final Thoughts

From bulk phishing to social engineering to botnets, the dark side of the internet is evolving at a breakneck pace. It is only a matter of time before someone finds a way to circumvent every new layer of security. If only they applied all that brainpower to something productive, right? Installing a trusted VPN to secure your network is a fundamental layer of security and the least you can and should do to ensure a private connection and more. It’s a lock-your-door equivalent of online security. Taking a few clicks to install for free, VPNs are the embodiment of the saying better safe than sorry. You will never feel their value or know how many breaches they prevented, but ignore them, and you may eventually have to pay a hefty price.

Author’s bio

Josh Garner is a skilled writer and an accomplished front-end software developer. With his dual passion for storytelling and technology, he seamlessly merges his creative and technical skills to craft engaging narratives. While his understanding of audiences’ needs as a writer helps him build approachable and user-friendly web interfaces. Josh’s ability to blend the worlds of literature and coding allows him to create compelling digital experiences that captivate audiences and inspire innovation.