This is particularly true if there are vulnerabilities in your equipment or the VPN itself.
These attacks can compromise your privacy, steal sensitive information, or disrupt your online experience.
This is where theMan-in-the-Middle (MitM) attackcomes in.
This prevents hackers on a public or fake Wi-Fi internet from intercepting your data.
This means they cant read or alter sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details.
The goal is to overwhelm your resources like bandwidth or processing power causing the service to fail.
For example, hackers might target a popular website, causing it to crash and become inaccessible.
DDoS attacks can also target businesses, rendering their online services down and preventing customers from accessing them.
A VPN helps prevent DDoS attacks by masking your real IP address.
This makes it much harder for attackers to target your actual server or connection with a DDoS attack.
A VPN helps prevent DNS spoofing by encrypting your DNS requests and routing them through a secure server.
This feature ensures your DNS queries are always routed through the VPN server.
Remote hacking allows them to access your rig remotely, stealing sensitive information like passwords or payment details.
Cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks inject malicious scripts into websites, stealing credentials or tracking your activity remotely.
Hackers can also use packet sniffing to monitor and analyze internet activity on a data pipe.
Since these attacks exploit your trust, a VPN cant stop them.
Malware
Malwareis often spread through malicious downloads or infected links.
Social Engineering
Social engineering attacks manipulate people into revealing sensitive information through psychological tricks.
These attacks exploit human behavior, not technical vulnerabilities, so a VPN cant prevent them.
Insecure Websites
While a VPN encrypts your internet traffic, it doesnt make websites more secure.
If a website is compromised or contains vulnerabilities, a VPN cant prevent attacks that occur on those sites.
Implementing proper internal security measures and access control is critical to mitigate these risks.
This makes it much harder for hackers to access your accounts, even if they steal your password.
Some of thetop password managerson the market, includingDashlane, come with a built-in 2FA authenticator.
Keep Your Software Updated
Software updates often include important security patches.
Without them, your rig can remain vulnerable to known exploits.
Even with a VPN, outdated software can still leave your system exposed.
I recommend enabling automatic updates for your operating system and apps to patch any known security flaws.
Be Cautious With Emails & Links
Phishing attacks trick you into giving away sensitive information.
You also should be cautious when providing personal information, especially in unsolicited communications.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Weak or reused passwords are easy targets for hackers.
They may also use credential stuffing to exploit reused passwords across multiple sites.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Activities
Public Wi-Fi is risky because hackers can intercept your data.
If you must use public Wi-Fi, ensure your VPN is active first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you be hacked while using a VPN?
What does a VPN not protect you from?
A VPN doesnt protect against phishing attacks, malware, or software vulnerabilities.
Does a VPN protect your bank account?
A VPN can help protect your bank account by securing your internet connection and encrypting sensitive data.
This makes it more difficult for hackers to intercept your financial information, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.
However, a VPN alone wont protect your bank account from other threats, such as phishing or malware.
Its important toenable two-factor authentication (2FA) and use strong, unique passwordsfor added security.
What is the best VPN to protect against hackers?
Its also important touse other protective measures, such as antivirus software and a good password manager.
