Encrypting Internet traffic is one of the important things you need to do in the booming era of technology 4.0. So what exactly do we have to do with this?
This is a specific but concise article that gives you a general overview of the different methods to learn how to encrypt internet connection effectively. With just 10 minutes of reading, you will learn all the essential concepts and tips to protect important information about you and your family.
What is encryption?
By definition, encrypting a message or a piece of information is meant to allow the information to flow only through trusted recipients. In a computer, algorithms will be designed to make your data undecipherable to anyone with intentions of illegal possession.
Why Should Encryption be a Must?
The following reasons should help you understand why you should encrypt your traffic:
- Unencrypted data is like paper documents. They can be stolen or intercepted by spies.
- People from internet service providers (ISP), cybercriminal groups, or even government agencies all have different purposes for accessing your data without asking for permission.
- Even if your profile is completely clean, the government can still track you for their reasons.
- ISPs can monitor users to track each person’s streaming or data usage frequency. Doing this may limit your bandwidth.
- Government agencies may be monitoring whether you are accessing restricted websites.
Read more: If Someone Has My Ip Address What Can They Do?
Data is also an asset like a house or a car because when someone has your information, they can make you spend money on things you don’t want or for other unhealthy reasons. Thus, encryption is the best protection for your privacy while you’re online.
How to Encrypt Internet Connection?
There are several ways that you can do to prevent stalkers from snooping on your data.
See also: What Is The Network Security Key?
Encryption with WPA2
Always check the wifi and router settings and note if the WPA2 encryption protocol is enabled. Plus, some other protocols are available like WEP and WPA, but they are all outdated and susceptible to attack by skilled hackers.
The procedure may differ between the type of router, but you will have to access its control panel by entering the browser’s IP address on your computer. You can find this IP by following the instructions on the Internet, then find the security settings for your router and select WPA2-PSK.
Finally, always remember to protect your network with a strong password. Although this only encrypts traffic on the local network, it is still an important step nonetheless.
Use Tor Browser
Tor Browser is capable of encrypting your traffic three times through three different hierarchical buttons. Each single node is maintained by an independent volunteer. Each person’s role is to remove a layer of encryption to prevent the outsiders from being able to see the entire message. Since these people do not know each other, it is less likely that anyone would capture the whole message.
However, the complexity of the process may have the side effect of slowing down your internet connection. Furthermore, this process is not really transparent since there is no inspection by the node maintainers.
The Tor Browser is best suited for those who prefer anonymity over personal privacy.
Use Browser Extensions
There are many extensions on the Internet that can help protect your browser from snoopers, like upgrading your HTTP connection to HTTPS or sending traffic through a proxy.
While choosing an extension, however, be wary of apps you find untrustworthy. Sometimes they may be tracking or gathering your information on their own.
Please read their privacy policies carefully and spend some time online researching them before making any decision.
Use End-to-end Encryption for Quick Texts
Many types of messaging apps on the market today use end-to-end encryption (E2EE). This type of encryption encrypts in many ways from sender to receiver and prevents outsiders from entering.
Those who text each other will receive a key necessary to decrypt the message. Only when there are enough two keys from both of them could you read the text.
However, not all IM services have E2EE, and some do not even have this type of encryption in their default settings. It’s better to choose a messaging service that respects privacy rather than having to spend the effort setting up this type of encryption.
Use Encrypted Email Services
Just like IM, private emails can also be encrypted using services that provide layers of security and anonymity. They will give you a temporary email address or send you ‘burner’ messages. This information will disappear automatically after a while.
Use a HTTPS
The HTTPS protocol is used by web servers to communicate with websites securely. They have TLS encryption methods and test the communicators to see if the data being sent is legitimate.
One thing to keep in mind is that not all websites use HTTPS. Though you can still enable it using another party’s browser and app settings.
Besides, the apps can only see that you have visited HTTPS sites but cannot know what you are doing there. Using this approach with the follow-up technique will be a strong combination and help optimize your network’s protection.
Use a Private Network
The most popular method today and argued as the most optimal is encrypting online traffic using a private network (VPN). With sophisticatedly designed algorithms, VPNs encrypt all of your traffic and hide your location by routing the traffic through remote servers, helping you browse the web safely and comfortably. Your network devices can also be protected by setting up a VPN router.
The best and most reliable VPN service is the paid one. You need to read their policies carefully and how they encrypt data before spending money.
Use NordLocker to Encrypt Offline Folders
While we all need to encrypt traffic when surfing online, it’s best to keep your data out of the Internet. Just like money stored in a safe or a bank is safer to be in the form of shares or virtual currency.
If you encrypt your personal information in sleep mode, it can’t be modified or even accessed by an intruder.
One service worth considering is NordLocker. It uses high-level cryptography, and the policy is easy enough to understand. Besides, it can encrypt files on your computer and data in the cloud or email at once. Of course, no utility can completely encrypt everything, but what you post online will be 100% protected.
See more: How to Cancel NordVPN Subscription Quickly and Effectively
Conclusion
With the increasing speed of cybercriminals, encrypting your internet connection is a fundamental step in ensuring secure access.
From all the tips above, now you have learned how to encrypt internet connection efficiently and prevent hackers, ISPs, and other snoopers from seeing your data. And it’s easy for anyone to set up!