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Security Awareness

The document discusses VPNs and how they can protect online privacy by creating an encrypted tunnel for internet activity. It provides an overview of how VPNs work and key points to consider when selecting a VPN provider such as logging practices, the company location, available servers, compatibility, and avoiding free services.

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Himawan Reinaldy
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286 views2 pages

Security Awareness

The document discusses VPNs and how they can protect online privacy by creating an encrypted tunnel for internet activity. It provides an overview of how VPNs work and key points to consider when selecting a VPN provider such as logging practices, the company location, available servers, compatibility, and avoiding free services.

Uploaded by

Himawan Reinaldy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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National

Cyber Security
Awareness
Month
October
2019

The Monthly Security Awareness Newsletter for Everyone

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

Overview
You may find yourself needing to use public Wi-Fi for Internet access when you are away from home, such as when you
are at your local restaurant or coffee shop, or when you are traveling at a hotel or airport. But how secure are these
public networks and who is watching or recording what you are doing online? Perhaps you do not even trust your ISP
(Internet Service Provider) at home and want to be sure they can’t monitor what you do online. Protect your online
activities and privacy with something called a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN is a technology that creates a private,
encrypted tunnel for your online activity making it much more difficult for anyone to watch or monitor what you are
doing online. In addition, a VPN helps hide your location, making it much harder for websites you visit to determine
where you are located.

How Does It Work?


A VPN works by creating a private, encrypted tunnel to a VPN provider that you select. All your online activity goes
through this tunnel, then leaves your VPN provider’s network to your intended destination. For example, if you’re based
in Tampa, Florida and you connect to a VPN server in Munich, Germany, any website you connect to will think you are
connecting from Munich, Germany. A VPN is simple to use. The first step is finding a VPN provider you trust and then
creating an account with them (this usually requires you purchasing their service). Once you have an account, you
download, install, and configure their VPN software. Once installed and configured, you connect to the Internet as you
always do. The VPN software will silently create your encrypted tunnel and start protecting your privacy without you even
realizing it.

Selecting a VPN Provider


Your online activities are only as secure and private as your VPN provider. Be sure to select one that you can trust. Here
are key points when selecting a VPN service provider:

Logging: Look for a service which does not keep any logs and focuses on privacy. If your VPN service provider does not
collect any logs, it is much harder for anyone to go back and see what you have done online.
Where the Company is Based: Different VPN providers are based in different countries. Be sure you select a VPN provider
that is based in a country that has strong privacy laws. VPN providers located in countries that have very few or weak
privacy laws may be forced to give up information they collect on you.

Servers: Look for a VPN service that has the servers located in the countries or cities you need. Some VPN providers have
thousands of servers and locations across the globe. Do you have a need to make your connections appear like they are
coming from a specific country? Can the VPN provider provide that?

www.sans.org/security-awareness
Compatibility: Look for services that work across different computers and mobile devices. For example, you may use a
Windows laptop, a tablet, and an iPhone. You’ll want a VPN service that will work on all those devices.

Avoid Free: Be very cautious of “free” VPN services; how are they making money and staying in business? Free services
may collect and sell your information.

A VPN is a fantastic way to help protect your online privacy. However, a VPN does nothing to secure your computer,
devices, or online accounts. Even if you are using a VPN, be sure you always follow basic security steps, including
ensuring your devices are updated, using a screen lock, and using strong, unique passwords for all your accounts.

Subscribe to OUCH! and receive the latest security tips in your email every month – sans.org/ouch.

Do you think you’ve got what it takes to get into the cyber security industry? Or are you looking to improve your existing
skillset? Training with SANS helps you achieve your goals. Level Up with SANS today! sans.org/Level-Up-Ouch

Guest Editor
Phil Johnsey (@peakreflections) is an IT professional at Palm Beach County experienced in
security, forensics, and auditing. He is SANS certified in digital forensics, security essentials,
and a member of the OUCH! Community Review Board. His passion is making security simple
for others.

Resources
Making Passwords Simple: https://www.sans.org/u/Sd8
Securing Your Mobile Devices: https://www.sans.org/u/Sdd
Stop Malware: https://www.sans.org/u/Sdi

OUCH! is published by SANS Security Awareness and is distributed under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 license. You are free to share or
distribute this newsletter as long as you do not sell or modify it. Editorial Board: Walt Scrivens, Phil Hoffman, Alan Waggoner, Cheryl Conley.

© SANS Institute 2019


www.sans.org/security-awareness

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