A VPN shields remote workers on public Wi-Fi by creating an encrypted connection that makes your data unreadable to anyone else on the network. This encryption prevents hackers from intercepting sensitive information like login credentials and confidential documents, even on completely unsecured networks.
Public Wi-Fi networks are notorious for "man-in-the-middle" attacks, where attackers position themselves between you and connection points to eavesdrop on transmitted data. A VPN's encrypted tunnel renders this attack method ineffective, as intercepted data appears as scrambled, unreadable code.
Beyond encryption, a VPN masks your
actual IP address, making it significantly harder for malicious actors to target your device specifically or track your online activities while connected to the public network.
Many public networks use outdated security protocols or no security at all. Some might even be fake hotspots created by attackers. A VPN provides consistent protection regardless of the network's own security measures, ensuring your work remains secure even on compromised Wi-Fi.
The VPN's
firewall (kill switch) feature adds another critical layer of protection by automatically cutting your internet connection if the VPN drops unexpectedly. This prevents accidental data exposure during momentary connection issues, which can be common on unreliable public networks.