Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
Introduction
A user using a hotspot in a cafe or accessing the Interent using public WiFi may find later on that their important logins, passwords, credit cards, debit cards, private emails and so on have been stolen! Freely available packet sniffing tools allow unscrupulous people to easily steal these details and more. In addition, the people running the network may be running tools that let them see exactly what you are doing. It is very easy to forget that public WiFi is not secure in any way at all. You should always assume that whatever you are doing is being watched by someone when using a hotspot!
What is a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?
Many people go on holiday, go travelling or go on business these days and they need constant access to the Internet. We know that this presents a serious security risk so what can people do? The best solution by far is to ensure that all communications between you and whatever websites you are using on a public network are encrypted. The solution is to use a Virtual Private Network service. This can be free as part of your mobile phone provider's service or your Internet Service Provider's service, or you may want to pay a few pounds a month and get a commercial VPN with lots of features.
What happens when you sign up is that you download and install some client software onto your devices, whether it is a laptop, tablet, phone or other device. When you go to a public hotspot and log on, the client software on your computer device makes contact with the VPN company and exchanges security keys, to verify to each other that you are authentic. Once this has been done, a secure 'tunnel' is set up between you and the VPN provider. All of your communications go up and down this tunnel and are encrypted. Anyone watching what you are doing will only ever get scrambled data, which cannot be read.
Other uses for a VPN
Apart from encrypting everything, the VPN service masks your IP address. This can be useful if you want to watch your favourite program on catch-up TV via the Internet whilst on holiday abroad as many catch-up providers only let you watch catch-up TV from the country or origin. It is also useful if you want to access sites that are banned by Governments. Many people in China, for example, use a VPN to get round sites censored by their Government.
No system is 100% secure
Of course, it is possible for the VPN service to intercept your communications if they wanted to. Companies and individuals who are concerned about this check carefully in the Terms and Conditions whether a VPN company logs communications. Most don't but the weak link in any 'secure' system are the employees, who could do something unauthorised or illegal if given an opportunity and reason!