Should You Install a VPN for IoT Devices?
It’s said that with great power comes great responsibility. IoT devices have enabled us to control our environment like never before. From checking home CCTV while at work to giving voice commands – these are just some of the ever-growing possibilities.
Unfortunately, IoT is another way for cybercriminals to benefit from when breaking into just one of the devices that could literally open the door to your house. So is there a reliable way to protect your data and your home? It turns out a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help you out.
What is a VPN, and how it protects IoT devices?
In essence, VPN is a tool that helps establish a secure connection between you and the internet. When you connect to a VPN server, your traffic becomes encrypted with a bank-grade cipher. This way, no third party can see what you’re downloading or uploading.
Encryption solves the main IoT security problem. That’s because the biggest issue is someone intercepting the data you send and using it for their own purposes. And breaking a VPN cipher with a brute-force attack would take billions of years.
Moreover, the best VPN services hide your IP address, which can be used to determine your location and hack into your devices. Also, they would be immune to Denial of Service (DOS) attacks because it needs your real IP to work. What’s more, you can access geo-blocked sites and streaming platforms that may be unavailable in your country.
Hiding your IP enhances the privacy of IoT. Using a VPN means it’s virtually impossible to track you down because all attempts end with the IP of the VPN server. Therefore, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or your government can only see that you’re using a VPN, and that’s about it.
VPN as a home network protection
The lack of security in IoT devices is well known, and cybercriminals are always happy when they can attack them. However, your computer or smartphone can also become vulnerable due to the lack of protection. If there’s a way to control your IoT devices from your iPhone, someone can also take them over with malware disguised as some performance improvement app.
Luckily, one VPN account can make your entire home network safe. They allow multiple simultaneous connections that should be enough for all devices. What’s more, installing a VPN on a router means one connection is enough to protect every piece of hardware.
How to choose the best VPN for IoT
There are plenty of good and bad VPNs on the market, and separating one from the other requires some basic knowledge. Moreover, even some of the best providers might not offer everything for IoT security and privacy.
But before we move on, let’s address the question of costless providers. Most free VPNs don’t value your privacy and gladly sell the data to third parties. Moreover, some even inject malware into your devices, compromising the whole home network.
Even if that’s not the case, free VPNs for IoT are always slower. Their server selection is poor, and they are often overcrowded. And if the distance from you to the server is significant, you may be unable to use the service effectively.
Having this in mind, here’s what you should consider when picking the top IoT VPN:
- No-logs policy. Without one, there’s no way to know where your data will end up. Thus, we recommend getting a VPN with an audited no-logging policy.
- Tunneling protocol. IoT VPNs support more than one, but you should choose the option with WireGuard. Currently, it’s the fastest and safest protocol that won’t slow down your connection by much.
- Servers. You may want to connect to the closest VPN server for better performance. Chances are there are no options in your country. In such cases, a provider with servers nearby is recommended.
- Kill switch. An essential feature for any VPN, it disconnects you from the internet in case of VPN failure. Such things rarely happen to the best providers, but it’s better to be safe than leak your IP address.
- Device support. Look for a VPN that can be configured on a router. This way, you can protect the whole household, even if your IoT devices don’t support a VPN connection. Also, some providers sell pre-configured routers, saving you the hassle.
- Customer support. You don’t want to be left hanging when something goes awry. That’s why you should pick a VPN with 24/7 live chat. This will help you solve most problems in a matter of minutes.
- Price. Contrary to some other products, the best IoT VPNs aren’t always the priciest. Therefore, always consider the price-to-value ratio – adding a couple of bucks might not give you that much. In general, you shouldn’t be paying over $5/month when picking a long-term deal.
To sum up, choose the more reputable service if you can’t decide between two similar VPNs which offer all of the above. After all, you can’t buy a good name.
Bottom line
IoT devices are some of the least secure ones, and VPN is arguably the best way to protect them. What’s more, these services will secure the whole home network, including laptops and smartphones. And before you buy a VPN for IoT, check its no-logs policy, tunneling protocol, and device support, among other features.
The post Should You Install a VPN for IoT Devices? appeared first on Analytics Insight.
It’s said that with great power comes great responsibility. IoT devices have enabled us to control our environment like never before. From checking home CCTV while at work to giving voice commands – these are just some of the ever-growing possibilities.
Unfortunately, IoT is another way for cybercriminals to benefit from when breaking into just one of the devices that could literally open the door to your house. So is there a reliable way to protect your data and your home? It turns out a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help you out.
What is a VPN, and how it protects IoT devices?
In essence, VPN is a tool that helps establish a secure connection between you and the internet. When you connect to a VPN server, your traffic becomes encrypted with a bank-grade cipher. This way, no third party can see what you’re downloading or uploading.
Encryption solves the main IoT security problem. That’s because the biggest issue is someone intercepting the data you send and using it for their own purposes. And breaking a VPN cipher with a brute-force attack would take billions of years.
Moreover, the best VPN services hide your IP address, which can be used to determine your location and hack into your devices. Also, they would be immune to Denial of Service (DOS) attacks because it needs your real IP to work. What’s more, you can access geo-blocked sites and streaming platforms that may be unavailable in your country.
Hiding your IP enhances the privacy of IoT. Using a VPN means it’s virtually impossible to track you down because all attempts end with the IP of the VPN server. Therefore, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or your government can only see that you’re using a VPN, and that’s about it.
VPN as a home network protection
The lack of security in IoT devices is well known, and cybercriminals are always happy when they can attack them. However, your computer or smartphone can also become vulnerable due to the lack of protection. If there’s a way to control your IoT devices from your iPhone, someone can also take them over with malware disguised as some performance improvement app.
Luckily, one VPN account can make your entire home network safe. They allow multiple simultaneous connections that should be enough for all devices. What’s more, installing a VPN on a router means one connection is enough to protect every piece of hardware.
How to choose the best VPN for IoT
There are plenty of good and bad VPNs on the market, and separating one from the other requires some basic knowledge. Moreover, even some of the best providers might not offer everything for IoT security and privacy.
But before we move on, let’s address the question of costless providers. Most free VPNs don’t value your privacy and gladly sell the data to third parties. Moreover, some even inject malware into your devices, compromising the whole home network.
Even if that’s not the case, free VPNs for IoT are always slower. Their server selection is poor, and they are often overcrowded. And if the distance from you to the server is significant, you may be unable to use the service effectively.
Having this in mind, here’s what you should consider when picking the top IoT VPN:
- No-logs policy. Without one, there’s no way to know where your data will end up. Thus, we recommend getting a VPN with an audited no-logging policy.
- Tunneling protocol. IoT VPNs support more than one, but you should choose the option with WireGuard. Currently, it’s the fastest and safest protocol that won’t slow down your connection by much.
- Servers. You may want to connect to the closest VPN server for better performance. Chances are there are no options in your country. In such cases, a provider with servers nearby is recommended.
- Kill switch. An essential feature for any VPN, it disconnects you from the internet in case of VPN failure. Such things rarely happen to the best providers, but it’s better to be safe than leak your IP address.
- Device support. Look for a VPN that can be configured on a router. This way, you can protect the whole household, even if your IoT devices don’t support a VPN connection. Also, some providers sell pre-configured routers, saving you the hassle.
- Customer support. You don’t want to be left hanging when something goes awry. That’s why you should pick a VPN with 24/7 live chat. This will help you solve most problems in a matter of minutes.
- Price. Contrary to some other products, the best IoT VPNs aren’t always the priciest. Therefore, always consider the price-to-value ratio – adding a couple of bucks might not give you that much. In general, you shouldn’t be paying over $5/month when picking a long-term deal.
To sum up, choose the more reputable service if you can’t decide between two similar VPNs which offer all of the above. After all, you can’t buy a good name.
Bottom line
IoT devices are some of the least secure ones, and VPN is arguably the best way to protect them. What’s more, these services will secure the whole home network, including laptops and smartphones. And before you buy a VPN for IoT, check its no-logs policy, tunneling protocol, and device support, among other features.
The post Should You Install a VPN for IoT Devices? appeared first on Analytics Insight.
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