Navigating Internet Restrictions: What You Need to Know About VPNs

Internet censorship is a growing concern in many parts of the world, including Mauritius. When access to popular social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok becomes restricted, many people wake up to find themselves cut off from important communication channels and sources of information as this was the case for many Mauritians today. Many Mauritians have and are turning to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass these blocks and maintain access to the global internet. While VPNs can be incredibly useful tools, it's crucial to understand how they work and the potential risks involved. My aim is to hopefully inform you so that you can be safe and also to learn from some of you who are incredibly talented (feel free to share how we can do even better).

What are VPNs and how they work in simple terms

In short it makes it appear as though you're browsing from another country, allowing you to access blocked websites and services. Here are a few key elements of a VPN

• Data Encryption: VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, making it unreadable to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and potential eavesdroppers.
• Server Routing: Your encrypted data is sent to a VPN server, which acts as an intermediary between you and the websites you visit.
• IP Address Masking: The VPN server assigns you a new IP address, making it appear as if you're browsing from a different location.
• Bypassing Restrictions: This process allows you to access websites and services that may be blocked in your country.

This in itself is pretty useful but can also be quite problematic.

VPNs Have Access to All Your Data,

Don't Trust it Blindly!

It's important not to trust VPNs blindly. Operating a VPN service incurs significant costs, including server maintenance, bandwidth, and security measures. It's unlikely that providers would offer these services for free out of sheer kindness. While VPNs can help hide your online activities from your ISP and government surveillance, they can see all your internet traffic themselves. This also introduce new risks:

Data Selling

Risk: Some VPNs, especially free ones, may sell your browsing data to advertisers or data brokers to generate revenue.
Implication: Your online habits become a commodity, compromising your privacy.

Intrusive Ads

Risk: You might experience unwanted ads injected into your browsing sessions.
Implication: These ads can be annoying and may also pose security risks.

Weak Security

Risk: Free VPN services may not invest in strong encryption, leaving you vulnerable to cyber threats.
Implication: Your data could be intercepted by malicious actors.

Trust Shift

Risk: You're shifting trust from your ISP to the VPN provider, who now has access to all your internet traffic.
Implication: If the VPN provider is untrustworthy, your data could be misused.

Do Your Homework Before Choosing a VPN

To ensure your privacy and security, consider the following steps when selecting a VPN:

Research the Provider

• Ownership: Find out who owns the VPN service. Some are owned by companies with questionable privacy practices or are subsidiaries of larger corporations with conflicting interests.
• Read the Privacy Policy
  • No-Logs Policy: Verify that the VPN does not keep logs of your activity.
  • Data Usage: Understand what data is collected and how it's used.
• Check the Jurisdiction
  • Privacy Laws: VPNs based in countries with strong privacy laws are generally more trustworthy.
  • Data Retention: Avoid VPNs in jurisdictions that require data retention or have surveillance agreements.

General Don'ts When Using VPNs

Don't Use Unverified Free VPNs

• Risk: They may compromise your data security by selling your information or lacking proper encryption.
• Advice: Opt for reputable paid services that invest in strong security measures and have a proven track record of protecting user privacy.

Don't Use Banking Apps or Access Sensitive Financial Information While Connected to Untrusted VPNs

Risk: Your financial data could be exposed to the VPN provider or intercepted by malicious actors.

Advice: Avoid conducting financial transactions or accessing sensitive accounts while connected to a VPN, especially free or unverified ones. Use your regular, secure network instead. As of now, in Mauritius there is no reason to use a free VPN to access online banking services such as Juice.

Don't Ignore the Privacy Policy

Risk: You might unknowingly agree to data collection or sharing practices that compromise your privacy.

Advice: Always read and understand the VPN's privacy policy to know how your data is handled. If it is tool long, use the following website that will give you a quick summary of what is in the privacy policy: https://www.tldrthis.com/

Don't Assume Complete Anonymity

Risk: VPNs enhance privacy but don't make you entirely anonymous online.

Advice: Combine VPN use with other security practices, such as using secure browsers, enabling two-factor authentication, and being cautious about the information you share online.

Let's choose to stay informed and make educated choices when it comes to your online privacy. Share this information with others who might benefit, and let's promote a safer, more open internet for everyone.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. The use of VPNs may be subject to local laws and regulations. Always ensure that your actions comply with the legal requirements in your jurisdiction. The author is not responsible for any misuse of the information provided.