Is it safe to install a private VPN network app?
Being that I can’t get anymore updates on my ipad air2 will it be safer to install a private network app . VPN ?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Windows, Windows 6
Question marked as
For older devices, no longer benefiting from regular security updates, the risk of an unpatched security vulnerability being exploited obviously increases. If you are using your iPad with sensitive or personal data, or for financial transactions, you might be well advised to consider replacement of the iPad with a more recent (fully supported) model. Be aware that some websites, in particular banking and financial, may mandate use of a fully supported and updated computer.
As for the benefits of using a VPN, it might be helpful to gain a little understanding of how it can be used. Unless you comprehend precisely what a VPN can and can’t achieve in specific circumstances, reliance upon a VPN for added security is perhaps ill-advised - as it likely provides negligible overall benefit and needless complication for you.
Presumably you are not intending to access Corporate networks via a VPN Gateway. As such, all associated discussion in this regard can be set aside.
In most cases, a VPN only provides additional security and privacy for part of the communication path; it does not necessarily provide end-to-end security.
Insofar as public WiFi hotspots are concerned, where your internet traffic can be both easily monitored and potentially manipulated by bad/malicious actors, use of a properly configured reputable VPN service can be helpful - and is certainly recommended by knowledgable Infosec Professionals.
Public networks have a considerably higher risk profile than private networks - the latter, by design, being considerably more secure. Unknown to many, while much of your internet traffic is end-to-end encrypted, some protocols (e.g., DNS) are natively transmitted “in-clear”. Unencrypted protocols can leak considerable information about your device and your activities; not only can this traffic be intercepted and analysed by anyone that shares the same network, this traffic can be manipulated and altered. This is true regardless of the computer or its ability to be updated.
However, employing a correctly configured VPN ensures that all your traffic that is transmitted on the “untrusted” public networks cannot be monitored or manipulated.
Assuming that you are connecting to a commercial VPN Service, your VPN traffic will be protected as far as your VPN Provider's Gateway - where it will be delivered to (and traverse) the internet without benefit of the VPN. As such, when connecting to an untrusted public WiFi, all of your network traffic will be protected over the least-trustworthy public WiFi connection - but receive no additional protection from where your traffic exits the VPN at the Gateway.
It is when using untrusted WiFi networks that Commercial VPN Apps may have useful utility - but you must consider that your unencrypted network traffic remains visible to the VPN Provider. Choose your Provider with care - as not all are themselves trustworthy.
When selecting a Commercial VPN Provider, avoid "no-cost" VPN service providers. Consider that VPN services cost money to run. If you are not paying for the service, they are monetised either through mining your data - or are injecting unwanted advertising. With VPN services, it is perhaps true to say that you get what you pay for. Reputable service operators that are monetised through subscription should have no interest in your network traffic or data.
Of paid-for VPN service providers, there are many from which to choose - but do your research. Perhaps consider hide.me VPN - this being one of the more reliable (if less well known) Operators. Subscription plans are available from their website - and are appropriately priced for the service.
