While VPNs offer lot to internet users, people don’t realize there is more to them than meets the eye. Unblocking content doesn’t guarantee that a VPN would safeguard. If you are thinking of using a VPN for windows, but want to know about potential vulnerabilities, you are at the right place. Without further ado, let’s take a look at VPN vulnerabilities that internet users need to be wary of.
Zero Logs Policy
Most VPNs make many promises, but unlike reliable and trustworthy VPNs, they fail to offer a zero logs policy. A VPN with a zero-logs policy ensures that no information is misused without agreement. Additionally, it could also mean the VPN provider will not record more than the information it needs. For instance, a trustworthy VPN provider would strictly require the bare essentials to set up and maintain a VPN account. This includes information like the user’s name and email address.
A VPN that does not offer a zero logs policy is most likely misusing its users’ information without their approval. They could be selling their information or giving it to government agencies, which defeats the purpose of using a VPN in the first place. So, if you are looking for a VPN, make sure it offers a zero logs policy to ensure you are anonymous at all times. With a zero logs policy in place, even the VPN you opt for will not know your online activities.
Lack of Patching
Many apps and services have scheduled downtimes, but that is not the case with Virtual Private Network providers. Generally speaking, patching is a complex process, and it can take a little over a month to implement. When they do not give patching the required attention or resources, it leads to critical weaknesses that could even cause organizations to go under.
VPNs are Exploited as Entry Points
A VPN may not necessarily be a vulnerability, but it is often targeted by hackers for entry points to compromise individuals and organizations. The 2019 Airbus attack and several other instances have proven that Hackers could easily compromise VPNs to gain a steady footing to bring large corporations to their knees.
Surprisingly, VPNs have proven to be an attractive opportunity for hackers to gain access to internal networks of large corporations, allowing them to gain constant access to private and confidential data. Keeping this in mind, companies need to include VPNs into their threat model to prevent an unforeseen cybersecurity incident.
Protective Steps
Protective steps can prevent the vulnerabilities mentioned above to happen. Some significant steps to take into account to foolproof VPNs are as follows:
- For clientless implementations, implement Trust Models for SSL scenarios
- Incorporate Virtual Private Network as a part of the threat map for ongoing security monitoring
- Ensure high Virtual Private Network availability and redundancy, switching from continuous monitoring to patching
VPNs affect small businesses to large corporations, and many systems utilize VPNs of some sort for private communication over the internet. Today, critical tasks like smart grid switching to credit card transactions demand encrypted communications found in VPNs. Seeing how vital VPNs are, more attention should be given to their security to protect individuals and businesses alike.
What To Look In A VPN
On the flip side, individuals or businesses looking to take advantage of VPN services need to be smart about the VPN provider they opt for. Not all VPN providers offer the same services, security, and features. For this reason, and plenty of others, a couple of steps need to be taken to ensure the correct VPN provider has been chosen. Following are the steps to find the best VPN out there:
- Look for a VPN provider that has been around the longest. Those who have survived only succeeded because they met and exceeded their customers’ expectations.
- Give high preference with a zero logs policy and can be contacted easily via email or live chat at any time of the day.
- Ensure the VPN provider offers essential advanced security features like military-grade encryption, secure DNS, IPv6 Leak Protection, etc.
- Make it a point to go through reviews to understand how well a VPN caters to its users. Revies provide deep insight regarding service providers, thus making it easier to make an informed decision.
In conclusion, while a VPN may have vulnerabilities, it is a tool that internet users cannot do without these days. Individuals and businesses must take the necessary time to choose the right Virtual Private Network. Also implement appropriate contingencies to ensure hackers and cybercriminals do not compromise their devices, data, and so on.
