HomeContributionsHow to Browse the Web Safely with a Free VPN for Chrome

How to Browse the Web Safely with a Free VPN for Chrome

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This article was contributed by Andrew Moore who works as a digital marketer and part-time writer for Planet VPN.

The Internet has deeply integrated into our daily lives. We read e-magazines, look for weekend entertainment, and work online. Check the active screen time on your smartphone and you’ll be surprised since we’ve stopped noticing how much time we spend online. At the same time, many users still don’t know the basic rules of online security. So let’s figure out how to make browsing safe and the role of free VPN for Chrome.

Man working at desk laptop on the internet via pexels

What is a VPN and How Does It Work?

A VPN stands for virtual private network. It is a security technology that has been widely used around the world since the late 90s of the last century. Developed for use in the corporate world, the technology has evolved and is now used in a variety of life spheres, from remote work to online gaming.

A VPN acts like a secret tunnel for your internet connection providing an extra layer of security. It safeguards your online transactions and interactions by encrypting your data and converting it into an unreadable code. Additionally, it creates a virtual private identity assigning you a new IP address and hiding your actual location.

When you install a free VPN for Chrome the VPN add-on is added to your browser panel automatically. Then you can select a remote server location and connect to the VPN Google Chrome extension. Your IP address will be immediately replaced with the IP address of the selected server, and all traffic will be encrypted.

A list of advantages of using a VPN with Chrome includes:

  • Improved confidentiality.
  • Enhanced security.
  • Anonymous surfing.
  • Safe and secure transactions.
  • Overcome Geo-Restrictions.
  • Safe public Wi-Fi usage.
  • Steer clear of targeted advertisements.
  • Defense against cybercriminals on unsecured networks.

Cybercrime Statistical Overlook

The main cybersecurity risks you face while browsing include:

  • Malicious pop-ups.

Criminalists frequently use pop-ups to infect PCs with malicious codes. Attackers may employ a pop-up that is impossible to shut, users could be forced to download malware or visit risky websites by the pop-up.

  • Malicious redirects.

Malicious redirection transfers a user from a secure website to a malicious one. The infected page may pose as a genuine website and ask for the user’s personal data, or it may utilize weaknesses in the operating system or browser to cause a drive-by download. It may also provide warnings or threats to fool users into downloading malware.

  • Phishing attacks.

One frequent and harmful browsing problem is phishing. Cybercriminals try to trick users into disclosing private information by building fake websites that imitate real ones.

  • Cookie hijacking.

Websites utilize cookies, which are little files stored on a user’s computer to track online activity and remember user preferences. Cybercriminals may take cookies and exploit them to access personal data.

  • Unsecured networks.

When connecting to public Wi-Fi hotspots, users should be aware of the risks of data loss. Sometimes such hotspots are specially created by cybercriminals to steal personal data from users who connect to such a network.

This is not an exhaustive list of risks that every user faces on the Internet, but it gives an understanding of the overall picture. Let’s take a look at cybersecurity in numbers.

  • 800000 cyberattacks occur annually, or one every 39 seconds on average.
  • 300000 new malware files are developed every day, with 92% of them being sent by email and having a 49-day detection window.
  • At any given time, 4.1 million websites have malware. It plays a key role in almost all types of cyberattacks, from DDoS to ransomware.
  • 66% of CIOs intend to expand cybersecurity spending.

Even a quick glance at cybersecurity statistics shows that the battle is growing. Companies are investing more and more in cybersecurity, and hackers are finding new ways to attack. At the individual level, you need to accept responsibility for protecting your personal data and follow at least the basic rules of safe behavior on the Internet.

Safe Browsing Tips

  1. Use a VPN

    We have described how the VPN works above. It is worth connecting to it every time you are online and installing a VPN on all your devices. This way, you mitigate the risk of connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks.

  2. Update your browser

    Installing the most recent updates for your browser enables you to take advantage of improved threat detection and popup blocker functionality. Your browser may get hacked if you neglect to update, allowing hackers to access your search history.

    It’s also important to update the extensions you use for your browser and remove the ones you no longer use. Outdated extensions are often used by attackers to gain access to your data.

    How to Stop Google Chrome from Blocking Downloads

  3. Avoid visiting websites without HTTPS

    The HyperText Transfer Protocol’s secure version, or HTTPS, encrypts data as it is sent between browsers and websites using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). Always make sure that the URL of the site you are going to visit begins with HTTPS.

  4. Block pop-ups

    You can block pop-ups in every browser. To do this for Chrome: Settings > Advanced > Content Settings > Pop-up and redirects > Turn on “Blocked under Pop-ups and redirects”.

  5. Regularly clear cookies and the web browser cache

    Every day, you visit tons of websites. Small pieces of code are created by these websites to collect data from your browser history.

    Minimize the amount of information third parties monitor and track. By cleaning your browser’s cache and cookies, the information automatically stored on your device when visiting new sites as well as any settings will be deleted.

    For Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security> Clear Browsing Data

  6. Password settings

    Always use strong passwords that avoid dates of birth, phone numbers, and simple sequences of numbers. Make it unique for every website. Use two-factor authentication whenever possible. And stop letting your browser store all your passwords, otherwise you can lose all your credentials at once.

    For Google Chrome: Settings > Passwords > Turn off Offer To Save Passwords

  7. Practice cyber hygiene

    Think about the links you click, the information you view, and the files you download. Understand the risks, refuse unnecessary online activity, and read privacy policies before agreeing to them. We do not urge you to stop browsing but only remind you that it is important to maintain information hygiene.

    By following simple rules, you can browse safely. Take your security and privacy into your hands and enjoy safe surfing.

About the author

Andrew Moore is a digital marketer at Planet VPN with 5+ years of experience in SEO and Internet marketing. He is experienced in the tech, travel, and lifestyle niches. Andrew is passionate about modern technologies, AI, and travel, so he periodically writes articles about related trends and news.

Last Updated on December 27, 2023 2:46 pm CET