Travel Technology: What is a VPN or Virtual Private Network?

VPN technology helps women stay safe from hackers

by Carolyn Ray

Welcome to our Travel Technology column, where I attempt to answer your questions about the mystifying, ever-changing and evolving world of technology. Having spent years working in the technology industry with IBM and other notable firms, I have always been an early adopter and feel qualified to share my personal experiences or find those who know more than me, which often includes our readers. I always encourage you to review other sources and consult with experts.

Topic of the week: What is a VPN or Virtual Private Network

One of the most frequent questions on our private Solo Travel Wisdom group is about staying connected while travelling.

Question: “When you travel do you use a VPN service? If yes, which one? I am not tech savvy at all but someone suggested with the way I travel and as much as I travel, I should get a VPN?” — Jady B.

Our take: While you may not need a Virtual Private Network all the time in your travels, it is essential when it comes to protecting your privacy and data when you travel. If you’re using public Wifi, particularly networks without a password, this is not secure. Hackers can get access to your phone or computer. Most VPN products can easily be turned on or off as needed.

No mobile phones or computers are immune to cyber threats. We recommend paid premium services over free VPN services, which can collect your data, flood you with ads and have limited functionality. Some of the companies that offer paid VPNs include Nord VPN, Express VPN, Norton Antivirus, and McAfee.

Editorial note: JourneyWoman may earn revenue from this article from the company mentioned if you choose to purchase their product, but there is no cost to you for this. Our perspective is informed by our readers and our personal experiences, not influenced by advertisers. We wouldn’t recommend a product we haven’t used ourselves and will state if an article of this type is paid for or sponsored by a company, which it is not in this case. Read our disclaimer here.

What is a VPN?

A VPN is short for Virtual Private Network. A VPN establishes a secure connection between you and the internet. All your data traffic then goes through an encrypted virtual tunnel. This disguises your IP address when you use the internet, making its location invisible to everyone.