In this era of the internet, e-commerce arises and blooms as an inevitable trend. Online shopping cannot be easier with tons of choices within a few clicks. At the same time, scams and cybercrimes also emerge to fraud and make illegal profits. Internet users should be aware of them and applying prevention methods, one of them is a VPN.
How hackers steal your information
Unlike traditional shopping which you directly work with the seller, online shopping requires you to provide certain information such as name, address, phone number, and credit card to confirm your order. Unfortunately, they are also what hackers are looking for.
At a low level, these unpleasant guys just want to sell your information to potential buyers like companies or other online sellers. But at a higher level, hackers can take advantage of them to lure you into scams or even directly steal money from your account.
Cybercriminals can stage many scenarios to draw in unaware users. Below are some examples:
- Setting a rogue network: They create a replica version of a public network or make it like an extension of the original one. In public venues like a coffee shop or airport, you can easily fall into this trap. If you log in the fake one then sorry, you are now under their dirty hands.
- Man-in-the-middle attack (MITM): This is another approach, in this way, hackers can alter the communication between front and endpoint, says you and your seller. In fact, they have already infiltrated and become a mediator receiving and transmitting data. You can keep interacting without knowing that all your data has been redirected.
Why a VPN?
The idea is using a tool that keeps all valuable content away from bad guys and nothing can compare with a VPN in terms of simplicity. But what is a VPN? A VPN or Virtual Private Network as its full name is a security method that encrypts all of your data before being transmitted and only the intended receiver can decrypt it. By consulting this guide at VPNInfo, you will understand how to use VPNs and get the most out of your service provider. It is also an excellent and trustworthy source to consult when in doubt about which one is the best option for you to focus on privacy, unlocking streaming abroad or security.
You use a unique key to lock a chest of data before sending it, and that chest can only be open by that key. As a result, even if the hackers somehow get the chest, they have no key to open it, and your data inside is still safe and sound. That’s how a VPN works.
Another advantage of a VPN is anonymity. When using a VPN, you can freely choose a server from any country that the VPN service provider offers. That means now you have a totally new IP address, become a faceless man and no one knows where you come from. Therefore, cybercriminals cannot track you since there is no trace left.
Other benefits of a VPN
Have you ever felt that somebody is watching your activities on the internet? You search for a topic then the relevant advertisements keep spamming in your browser. This can be helpful at first, but it soon becomes annoying.
All sellers want to know their customers’ habits and interests so they are likely to ask you to share your cookies i.e your browsing history for the better service in return. This action can leave many holes in security with tons of data vulnerable to hackers.
By using a VPN, you can get rid of these irritating issues. Your information can neither be touched by the curious sellers nor internet sniffers since you have a new identity and at the same time, your data is encrypted.
Another benefit of using a VPN when shopping online is that you can have a cheaper price for certain services. As aforementioned, sellers always want your browser cookies to know about you. With the information you unconsciously give, they can determine and offer prices based on your shopping habits and mostly, your location.
You can try using a VPN to set IP to a third world country and recheck the price, you may have a much better deal. This tip fits with international services like buying flight tickets, renting cars, renting hotel rooms, or even buying video games.
The rise of e-commerce has narrowed the space between customers and suppliers but also put trading medium at the risk of infiltration. As a helpful network security tool, a VPN can be an ideal option to set a barrier between you and cybercriminals.
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