People are using the internet for anything from shopping to watching their favorite shows, and it has become important to secure online activities. One of the crucial aspects of online security is to encrypt the internet connection.
Encryption helps protect your data from prying eyes and any kind of cyber threats which means that your online experience remains safe and secure.
Here you will learn about multiple ways to encrypt your internet connection that can help you in a secure browsing experience.
Virtual Private Networks or VPN
Virtual Private Networks which are commonly known as VPNs are powerful tools to encrypt your internet connection. They create a secure tunnel between a remote server and your device which results in encrypting all your data that passes through it. Here are the ways to set up and use a VPN for secure browsing.
Setting Up A VPN
- You must go for a well-established VPN provider with a strong reputation for security and privacy. A good Android VPN can help you if you have an Android device, but if you are using an iPhone or any other operating system then make sure it is compatible with them also.
- On your device, download a good VPN.
- Launch the VPN application and connect to the server location that you want, for example, the United States. The VPN will encrypt your internet traffic and make it much harder for anyone to intercept or monitor your online activities.
Benefits Of Using A VPN
- VPN encrypts your internet connection and protects your data from hackers, cybercriminals, and even your internet service provider (ISP).
- It makes your IP address and makes it hard for websites to track your online behavior and location.
- VPNs allow you to access geo-restricted content by connecting you to servers in different countries.
- When using a public WIFI network, such as in a coffee shop or airport, a good VPN adds an extra layer of security and keeps your data private.
- In multiple regions, there is internet censorship, but with a VPN users can easily bypass restrictions and access the blocked websites and services.
Challenges
While VPNs offer strong security, they have their challenges also,
Cost: Premium VPN services often need a subscription fee, though there are many available with a free version that comes with limitations of services.
Speed: They may slightly slow down the internet connection because of the encryption process and the distance to the VPN server.
Choosing The Right VPN: Keep in mind that not every VPN is designed like the other, so it is also essential for you to research carefully and select a reputable provider.
Secure Socket Layer (SSL) And HTTPS
SSL and HTTPS are the encryption protocols that are used to secure data that is being transmitted between the website and browser of the users. When you see “https:/” in the URL of the website and a padlock in the address bar of the browser, it represents a secure connection.
Here is how SSL and HTTPS work,
How SSL And HTPPS Work?
- When you visit an HTTPS-enabled website, the browser and the server establish a secure connection through the process which is known as a handshake. During this handshake, they exchange the encryption keys.
- Once the secure connection is established, all data exchanges between the browser and the website are encrypted. It makes sure that even if the data gets intercepted, it will remain unintelligible to unauthorized parties.
Benefits Of SSL And HTTPS
- HTTPS makes sure that the data you send and receive from the websites remain unchanged and safe.
- It verifies the identity of the website and prevents man-in-the-middle attacks.
- Google gives the preferences to the websites in the search engine that have HTPPS-enables which makes it essential for the website owners.
Challenges
While HTTPS is widely adapted but websites, challenges still exist,
Mixed Content: Some websites might have mixed content which means they have both secure (HTTPS) and non-secure (HTTP) elements and it can weaken the security.
SSL Certificate Renewal: Website owners must renew their SSL certificates regularly as the expired certificate leads to security warnings for visitors.
Encryption DNS
DNS (Domain Name System) is accountable for translating any human-readable domain names into IP addresses. Although DNS queries are typically unencrypted, the Encrypted DNS often known as the DNS-over HTTPS (DoH), adds an extra layer of security to this process.
How DNS-Over-HTTPS Work?
- When you use the DoH, the DNS queries are encrypted before they leave your device which makes it challenging for the ISPs or any malicious actors to intercept or manipulate them.
- DoH sends your encrypted DNS send any query to a trusted DNS resolver which then resolves the domain and sends back the encrypted response. The process keeps your DNS requests confidential.
Benefits Of DNS-Over-HTTPS
- DoH prevents the ISPs from monitoring and logging your DNS queries and enhances your online privacy.
- It protects against DNS spoofing and manipulation to ensure that you reach legitimate websites.
Challenges
Although DNS-over-HTTPS offers security and privacy benefits, some challenges remain,
Configuration: Enabling DoH might require manual configuration in some applications and devices.
Compatibility: Not every DNS server or application supports DoH at the moment and it can lead to inconsistent usage.
Conclusion
So, these are the ways to encrypt your internet connection and enjoy safe and secure internet browsing. When you will use these tips; you ensure that there is a very low chance of the third to infiltrate your online experience.
