Mobile phones are the most popular among other network devices because of convenience. They are also preferred by most users because a phone is like a personal computer in your pockets that can be used anywhere, anytime. There are over millions of mobile phone users in the world with Android and iOS being the most popular devices in the market. In the US alone, over 50% of the population uses iPhones. iPhones are considered secure and are famous for their enhanced device security. However, they aren’t capable of keeping you fully protected and securing your data from third parties. If you are an avid public Wi-Fi user, the security risks become even bigger. That is why top security researchers recommend using a VPN for your iPhone. VPN for iPhone – Virtual Private Network keeps your online identity secure and private.
If you are not sure why you need a VPN for your iPhone, then this guide is dedicated to you. Let’s take a look at some of the most overlooked reasons why you must use a VPN on your iPhone in this digital age.
Increasing Smartphone Malware Attacks
Did you know, according to Cybersecurity Ventures, losses from cyberattacks are expected to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025? This is more than the damage from natural disasters.
The threat is tenfold for smartphone users, including iPhones. Smartphones are an easy target for cyberattacks, like malware, trojans, spyware, ransomware, adware, and phishing, because most people ignore protecting their devices.
You must have an antivirus or malware installed on your laptop, but most of the time, people feel their iPhones don’t need similar protection.
That is far from true. In the past few years, hackers have been injecting malware and trojans into apps on the App Store and Google Play Store. These apps usually include games, wallpaper apps, and utility apps. After getting App Permissions on iPhone, malware can act as an SMS spammer, credit card stealer, and spyware.
It can further lead to identity theft and financial loss. These apps also contain invisible trackers and can track your online activities. These types of trackers and malware work in the background and even register you for paid services without your approval.
Increased Data Security Risks over Public Wi-Fi
Smartphones are not restricted to voice calling and texting. From browsing to online banking, and streaming, iPhones are like mini computers in your hand. Unfortunately, this convenience has provided hackers with a large target base.
Most people are unaware of the risks posed by public Wi-Fi networks. If you are a frequent visitor to coffee shops and restaurants during work, you need to be very careful regarding your data security.
Public Wi-Fi is open networks that are sometimes not even protected by a password. Hundreds of people are usually connected to these unsecured networks, making them an easy target for hackers to steal personal information. This information includes:
- Login details
- Personal information
- Financial information
- Pictures
As your traffic is unencrypted, anyone can get their hands on data on your iPhone and can intercept it.
Importance of an iPhone VPN
Now that we have discussed some important reasons for using an iPhone VPN that you may have overlooked, let’s take a look at what a VPN can do for you.
A virtual private network encrypts all data on your iPhone. Everything you do online on your smartphone gets encrypted. This way, anyone who even tries to eavesdrop will not make sense of the information because it would be encrypted.
When you are using a VPN, you can connect to a server that is located in a different country, and it will mask your real IP address. In the process, your online iPhone traffic will get redirected through a VPN server and pass through a VPN tunnel that is encrypted.
Most VPN services use 256-bit AES encryption, which is similar to the one used by military agencies to store sensitive information. It is immune to brute force attacks.
So, with the VPN enabled on your iPhone, you can enjoy coffee in your favorite shop and do online banking, shopping, and more without the risk of data theft.
Even if someone does steal your information on public Wi-Fi when you are using a VPN, it will be worthless to them. Why? Because they cannot decrypt the data so they cannot get your passwords, credit card information, and other sensitive information.
Although primarily used for security, VPNs offer another benefit to users – you can also bypass online censorship and restrictions. Censorship is quite common these days, and governments have blocked websites and platforms that are not deemed legal in their jurisdiction. Some common examples are torrent sites, streaming websites, gambling sites, etc.
However, with the help of a VPN, you can easily evade censorship and access any website you want from anywhere. You can even bypass geo-restrictions on streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and many more.
Conclusion
We hope by now you understand the risks posed by unprotected iPhones and other smartphones. If you think iOS software updates are enough to protect your data, you are risking your data to cyberattacks and malware.
iPhones cannot encrypt your data and protect them against hackers. That is why it is critical to use a VPN for iPhone and protect your devices and have a secure connection to the internet.
