In the wild wild west of cybersecurity-hacking, urban myths often lurk in the shadows, disguising themselves as saviours of your privacy and security. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have long been hailed as the guardians of our digital life. This is an urban myth passed on from friend-to-friend, family member-to-member with very few having an understanding of what VPNs are and how they work. So! It's time to reveal the truth: VPNs, while useful, come with limitations that can leave one vulnerable. Buckle up as we debunk the myths :
Myth #1: VPNs Shield You Completely: While VPNs can cloak your connection IP address but your browser is STILL exposed to threats from websites, even with a VPN. That's right, while the VPN might cloak your connection, the websites you visit can still sneak a peek at your online activities, putting your privacy at risk.
For complete anonymity, one needs a solution like SquareX that doesn't mess around. They offer users a disposable browser that guards you against all web threats that may enter your computer while you browse the web by using its unique isolation technology. Now, no matter what sites you visit they do not get access to enter your device
Myth #2: VPNs Keep Your Data Hidden: Many people do not know but data from websites can stick around in your browser cache, cookies and history, even when using a VPN.
This means that your private info could be lurking in the shadows, ready to be discovered by snoops and hackers. Putting you in potential risks to be a victim of cyber-attacks.
SquareX on the other hand gives you the power to 'burn' all your browsing history the moment you close the session or the browsing tab. With no data leftovers, there are no more hidden histories. It's a clean slate every time you close a disposable browser, leaving no trace of your online escapades.
Myth #3: VPNs Are All You Need for Incognito Mode VPNs often require you to use incognito mode and make you tiptoe around websites. This extra work is like having to put on armour just to stroll through your own digital neighbourhood.
SquareX gives you the armour to be invisible and protected at all times through their Disposable Browser. Which is believed to be more incognito than incognito itself. No extra steps needed Myth #4: VPNs Unlock All Websites: Blocked websites? Chrome and DNS providers can still rain on your parade, even if you're using a VPN. The gatekeepers of the internet sometimes refuse to let you in.
However with solutions like SquareX, YOU decide what you view. Access any website, even those blocked by Chrome or DNS restrictions. It's your internet, and they want you to be fearless online.
Myth #5: VPNs Protect Against Malware: VPNs do not protect your device and you from malicious documents and files you open. In fact these malware or nasty exploits can easily enter your device and make you vulnerable to potential attacks while using VPNs. For the very reason a lot of VPN users opt for antivirus software to detect malicious documents but since these software work on a probabilistic model, the users are very truly safe deciding to open an important file flagged to be malicious by antivirus
SquareX, however, doesn't believe in leaving anything to chance. So it offers users a Disposable File viewer that allows the user to open any file or document without the worry of malware or exploits entering their device. SquareX does this by following a deterministic model and says each file can be infected, so open it safely in the Disposable File viewer and never compromise your device’s security.
While VPNs can be a valuable tool, they are not foolproof solutions for privacy and anonymity as generally believed. Fortunately, users now have access to a suite of SquareX consumer security tools enabling users to experience safe and anonymous browsing, file opening, editing, and even secured downloading as they navigate in this dark digital world.