A virtual private network or a VPN is a robust weapon for online security. Staying secure online prevents you from cyber threats and hackers from stealing your data. Nothing other than a VPN keeps you safe and anonymous effectively online.
However, this technology also has certain limitations. While it’s a powerful tool to conceal many things online, it’s not an ideal shield. In this post, we will throw light on what a VPN can hide and what it cannot.
1. VPN HIDES Your IP Address
An internet protocol address is a distinctive address that identifies your device on the internet. If a hacker knows it, they can check your online activities. Cybercriminals also use the IP address for malicious activities.
How Does a VPN Hide Your IP Address?
A VPN disguises the IP address by rerouting the traffic. It reroutes the traffic via one of its servers. So, no hacker can monitor your browsing activity.
2. VPN HIDES Your Search History
When you use a streaming service like Firestick without a VPN, your ISP can easily see each and every website you visit. This happens because whatever websites you request access for goes through the servers of your ISP. Only after that does it reach the desired place.
How Does a VPN Hide Your Search History?
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic. It routes it through its own server. So, your online activities are not visible to your ISP. All they can see is that you have linked to a VPN.
3. VPN HIDES Your Geolocation
Right from the moment you start surfing online, companies track your location for their own purposes. If you browse without a VPN, any website can see your region through your IP address. When your location is visible, you also cannot access content restricted to specific streaming platforms.
How Does a VPN Hide Your Geolocation?
A VPN hides your geolocation by hiding your IP address. With a VPN, you do not use your real IP address, containing data about your actual location. Instead, a VPN gives you a new IP address.
4. VPN HIDES Your PII
PII means Personally Identifiable Information. It includes your name, email ID, mobile number, and address of your residence. If it is known by a threat actor, they can exploit you for malicious purposes.
How Does a VPN Hide Your PII?
A VPN encrypts every single bit of your information before it gets to the server. It makes it extremely hard for anyone to get this information. Even those with access to a server cannot gain this data about you.
5. VPN DOES NOT HIDE Your Media Access Control Address
A VPN technology cannot camouflage the MAC or your device’s media access control addresss. It is a distinct address that every device on the network has. As the VPN cannot hide it, this address can be employed to track your account activities.
6. VPN DOES NOT HIDE Your Account Behaviour
After installing a VPN, you can browse different platforms on a streaming device like Firestick or Roku. Many of them are those that you couldn’t browse earlier. But these platforms can notice your activity on your account. Online services can still know what you do when you use them. So, your online behavior is not fully camouflaged with a VPN.
7. VPN DOES NOT HIDE You from Online Threats
Undoubtedly, a VPN makes you invisible online. But that does not mean that your device is safe from online threats. So, for instance, if you are surfing without an antivirus on your Firestick or PC, the risk for viruses increases. VPNs route you through untrustworthy networks. Without an antivirus, your device can become a victim of malicious software.
Put up a Strong Digital Defence with the Best VPN Options
Now you know the role of VPN in protecting you online. Today, there are various VPNs available for every streaming device, like Firestick, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and more. But you must choose one that helps you escape online surveillance, bypass geo-restrictions, and have multiple servers.
One of the most common streaming devices worldwide are the Amazon Fire TV devices. They let you access major streaming applications easily. Luckily, there are many VPN options for Firestick users that provide robust security and high-speed connectivity. VPNs for this streaming device also have over a thousand servers spanning different countries and locations. Here are the best VPN services you can consider.
- ExpressVPN
- IPVanish
- Private Internet Access (PIA)
- CyberGhost
- SurfShark
Concluding Words
A VPN is an absolute must-have tool if you want to make your browsing experience more secure. It effectively helps you stream content from across the world while maintaining your privacy. However, it is still essential to know about the things over which even the best VPN has no control. When you know about the capabilities of a VPN in its entirety, you can use it in the most effective manner.
