VPNs are excellent for protecting online privacy and breaking down international boundaries. However, this does not mean that they are all impervious to hacking and intrusion attempts.
What exactly is VPN encryption?
VPNs encrypt the information shared while connecting to keep your data private. This entails employing a protocol, such as OpenVPN, L2TP, or PPTP. The differences between these vary – but they all serve the same process to ensure that your data remains unreadable.
How Can A VPN Be Attacked?
Despite encryption, VPN servers are vulnerable to malware and hacking attempts. DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks, for example, can effectively take servers offline in large numbers.
They may also be vulnerable to code-cracking. However, this is both costly and time-consuming for the hacker, making it unlikely.
If the service logs data, this poses a greater risk to it’s users. You are naturally compromised if your VPN logs your activity and an attacker brings down their servers (and steals the data).
CISA and the FBI have frequently warned users and businesses to be on the lookout for vulnerabilities in that allow attackers to take complete control of the software and targeted devices.
What Should You Do If Your VPN Is Hacked?
If your’s is the victim of a cyberattack, you must immediately discontinue use of the service. Furthermore, you must ensure that it is completely removed from your devices – you never know what is running in the background.
Conclusion
VPNs are excellent at shielding you and your data from prying eyes. Unfortunately, everyone, everywhere, may be vulnerable to hacking.
To read our blog on “Microsoft’s Edge browser will now have a free built-in VPN,” click here
