What is VPN, why does Parliamentary Committee wants to ban it and how it will affect you

VPN (Virtual Private Network) is an internet tool that helps easily create a private network while you are connected to a less secured public or your home internet connection. Its primary job is to encrypt network traffic and mask your IP address and location. VPNs are used so that third-party trackers, your Internet Service Provider (ISP), websites, malware, spyware, and other parties cannot identify what data you download and upload on your device. Also, no one can track your IP address, location or see what you are doing online using a VPN. Even if a hacker manages to get hold of your online session, it would be encrypted.

VPNs are one of the most crucial aspects of securing corporate data. Most companies, especially due to work-from-home circumstances, use VPN services to prevent hackers from intercepting official data and files, including crucial admin passwords. The use of VPN is the first line of defense for any corporate connection to the internet. Without VPNs, competitors can use third-party trackers and target important employees online to extract confidential business data.

Even when you are not doing your office work, using VPNs help you keep your passwords of online banking, social media, email, etc., safe. There are network tracking tools that are easily available that can let anyone know exactly what you are doing online and even intercept your online traffic to carry out frauds. VPN services prevent these trackers.

When you buy a new broadband connection from any ISPs in India like Jio, Airtel, BSNL, etc., your data and online activity can be easily tracked by the ISP. The ISP owns the connection, the modem/router that you use at your home, and they can even reset your internet configuration remotely. The ISP has the capability to throttle speeds to some websites or can slow some down as well. It can deny access to certain websites and can track your browsing history to show relevant ads. VPN is the only tool that is easily available that can help you keep ISPs at bay.

Governments worldwide tend to block access to certain movies, social media handles, games, and other types of content, including pornography, by forcing ISP to follow regulations. VPNs give internet users globally access to content that the government doesn’t want them to see. VPNs give users a choice. Also, VPN helps people access shows, sports streaming channels, news, etc., that may be locally available in only some countries due to licensing regulations.

Public Wi-Fi available at railway stations, cyber cafes, coffee shops, restaurants, etc., can be a gold mine for cybercrime and stalkers. Public networks can be used to plant malware on your device, track your location, steal passwords, perform remote attacks to gain admin rights of your device, record video/audio secretly, and steal your identity to perform fraud. VPN prevents these risks by simply making you anonymous online by hiding your IP address, source of network traffic, and internet browsing session.