How do VPNs help secure data?

Encryption is a way of scrambling data so that only authorized parties can understand the information. It takes readable data and alters it so that it appears random to attackers or anyone else who intercepts it. In this way, encryption is like a "secret code."

A VPN works by establishing encrypted connections between devices. All devices that connect to the VPN set up encryption keys, and these keys are used to encode and decode all information sent between them.

The effect of this encryption is that VPN connections remain private even if they stretch across public Internet infrastructure. Imagine John is shopping online from his hotel room. Now suppose that a criminal has secretly infiltrated the hotel’s network infrastructure and is monitoring all data passing through (sort of like tapping a telephone line). John’s data is still secure because of the VPN. All the criminal can see is the encrypted version of the data.

When you make a transaction or when you need to send or receive sensitive information, a VPN will enhance your security.