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Cybercriminals were quick to take credit for the disruption of daily life caused by the global Covid pandemic. In recent years, they have introduced more cyberattacks and online scams than ever before, which is why many users have started a VPN. to protect yourself online.
A VPN, or virtual personal network, is a popular tool that secures your connection to the network and allows you to surf the net anonymously. This is because a VPN allows you to use a different IP address than the one provided by your online internet service provider. (ISP). Also, by converting the location of the servers when you’re connected to a VPN, you can make it look like you’re in another state or even another country.
While many users stay connected to their VPN at all times for added online security, it can also have negative effects, as this report from New York’s WHEC illustrates.
New York State has long attempted to crack down on scammers seeking unemployment benefits to which they are not entitled. Unemployment insurance fraud is a very serious matter, and sadly, many innocent New Yorkers are no longer able to get their benefits after logging into the state Department of Labor (DOL) while connected to a VPN.
WHEC spoke with Elena Rodriguez, who tried to recertify her online, but ended up stopping her bills due to the fact that the DOL thought she was out of the country. Rodriguez provided more important points about the situation, saying:
“That night I won anything that said ‘we see you’re in Romania’, it was as expected what you’re talking about. . . and then I found out that my VPN was enabled. I was only given the VPN for added security because I heard that cyber threats were expanding at the time, so I thought I was proactive and wise and was doing all that. Not for a moment did I think I could show that I am not in the country.
Using a VPN while running from home (opens in a new tab) is an extra step other people can take to protect their connections and protect their privacy, however, in this case, it ended up doing more harm than good. While Rodriguez deserves to have his VPN disabled when he visited the NYSDOL website, he wouldn’t have encountered any problems if he had been connected to a server in New York instead of a server in Romania. You typically see higher speeds and lower latency when connecting to a closer VPN server. to your actual location than to a server farther away or in some other country.
Other New Yorkers have also experienced this factor over the past two years, which is why a NYSDOL spokesperson explained that users deserve to disable their VPN when they visit their site, saying:
“During this crisis, we have stopped thousands of fraudulent jobless claims, and one of our most productive teams is flagging applications that appear to come from the U. S. U. S. for further review. ” systems to disable those facilities before applying for benefits or submitting weekly certifications. “
Of course, in addition to following those tips, it’s also imperative to make sure you’re signing up for a decent VPN in the first place. If you’re subscribed to a reputable plan, it’s invariably much less difficult to allow you to access and disconnect VPN connectivity, as and when it’s convenient for you. The smart quality VPNs out there are also much easier to install and configure. If you’re migrating from a loose package, you’ll probably find that the difference is considerable.
In terms of opting for the right VPN plan, its features are many and varied. As always, it’s a smart concept to stick to the maximum known calls. They have a proven track record and can offer much more for the money. In this regard, head over to ExpressVPN (opens in a new tab), NordVPN (opens in a new tab), or Surfshark (opens in a new tab) to call just 3 of the top players in the VPN market.
Selecting the software of your choice is also pretty straightforward, it’s definitely worth thinking about why you want your VPN, before subscribing to a subscription. It actually revolves around what you spend most of your time doing, like streaming content or playing games. You may just want to protect yourself while online, while covering your footprints and thus improving your online protection profile.
There are a few key questions to keep in mind when signing up for a VPN. You may need a provider with many places that can help you connect to platforms that employ a variety of devices. You’ll also need to choose one that provides more than one attachment if you have a family where there are multiple devices. Similarly, anyone who likes to stream videos or TV will need to get a VPN that can unblock access to Netflix or iPlayer.
Next, take a look at the features that come with the VPN packages you’re considering. All big-name names have facilities for backing up software. Even if you’re an experienced VPN user, there can be occasional technical challenges to deal with. Knowing that your VPN provider is you when, or if, the challenge occurs can offer you valuable peace of mind.
Lastly, while everyone is looking for cost these days, it’s expensive to compare other VPNs for their cost rather than the diversity of features. If you need to turn on and everything works, it’s wise to spend a little more on your VPN, as you do on everything else. Choose the right package and you will also have the security of this visitor support, in case the connection does not turn out to be as undeniable as you expected.
Via WHEC (opens in a new tab)
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After working with the TechRadar Pro team for the past few years, Anthony is now the network and security editor at Tom’s Guide, where he covers everything from knowledge gaps and ransomware gangs to the most productive way to cover your entire home or business with Wi-Fi. . When you’re not typing, you may find him playing with PCs and game consoles, handling cables, and upgrading his smart home.
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