Living in an interconnected world means technology and travel intertwine. It is impossible to travel without your smartphone or laptop connected to the Internet. You may need to use the GPS to find a restaurant or the popular sights of the destination. Or you might have to quickly send an email to your team to resolve project bottlenecks. And if you have become accustomed to working from anywhere instead of only your home or cafe, you most definitely need Internet on the go.
But connecting to public Wi-Fi networks on your travels can be risky. It could be inviting unwanted troubles, such as data breaches and leaks. Sometimes, data breaches may lead to financial losses, and almost always, they wreak havoc in the lives of the victims.
So, whether you are a digital nomad, an intrepid traveler, or a business professional jetting off to meetings, you need to be equipped with the right tools to up your cybersecurity game. In this guide, we will explore the use and future of VPNs during travel. Also, we will be touching upon the subject of using DuckDuckGo if you are not too thrilled about using a VPN or your travel destination prohibits its use.
Why Must Travelers Consider Using DuckDuckGo?
Before talking about VPNs, let us explore the use of DuckDuckGo and how it can help travelers who are not inclined towards using VPN.
DuckDuckGo is a search engine focused on privacy and doesn’t track its users, unlike Google. Hence, this is an excellent choice for travelers wanting to safeguard their privacy and security online. This search engine offers a number of useful features for travelers, such as:
- Blocks geolocation – The search engine blocks geolocation and prevents websites from tracking user location. Travelers wanting to keep their location private can use this search engine instead of Google.
- Tracking protection – The search engine blocks trackers from third-party websites so you can protect your privacy.
- HTTPS encryption – The privacy-focused search engine encrypts traffic between DuckDuckGo’s servers and your browser. This prevents your traffic from being intercepted by third parties.
So, is DuckDuckGo safe? The answer is yes. The search engine neither collects user’s personal information nor tracks its users. Hence, this search engine is a good choice for travelers. You can use this privacy-focused search engine with a VPN for the ultimate protection against online threats.
What is a VPN?
VPNs were initially designed to create secure connections within corporate networks. Since then, they have expanded their horizons. The reason for this is the increasing need for individuals to safeguard their online activities from snoopers and cybercriminals.
VPNs offer an encrypted tunnel for your data to pass through. The data is shielded from government surveillance, hackers, and your ISP. Thanks to VPNs’ ability to mask your online presence, it has emerged as powerful tools for enhancing security and preserving privacy.
What Factors are Shaping the Future of VPN Usage in Travel?
The factors shaping the future of VPN usage in travel are:
- Accentuated privacy features
VPN providers are offering augmented privacy features due to the growing emphasis on privacy, most VPN providers offer features like split tunneling, no-logs policy, and secure protocols. These are some standard security features that not only ensure digital security but also anonymity.
- Intuitive, user-friendly mobile applications
Smartphones and other mobile devices are an essential part of travel. VPN service providers are focusing on designing intuitive mobile applications to make it easier for travelers to stay safe and secure while on the go. You can connect to the server of your choice with a single tap, regardless of where you are in the world.
- Diversification of servers
VPN providers have diversified their server locations to cater to a global user base. This ensures that travelers can find a nearby server location for faster connections and better performance.
- Decentralization
Decentralized VPNs are based on blockchain technology, and they are quickly emerging as a solution to address concerns regarding centralized services. The decentralized networks make it difficult for a single entity to monitor or control the network.
- Hybrid solutions
Hybrid VPN solutions blend the benefits of VPNs with privacy tools, such as the Tor network. This is done to offer travelers a more comprehensive approach to Internet security.
What are the Trends in VPN Usage by Travelers?
The increasing use of mobile VPNs is one of the popular trends in VPN usage. Mobile VPNs are specifically designed to be used on tablets and smartphones. They offer the convenience of maintaining online security and anonymity while on the move. Also, they can be used anywhere in the world. Furthermore, mobile VPNs are designed to work smoothly on mobile networks so that their performance is unaffected.
The increased use of VPNs for streaming is another trend in VPN usage among travelers. Hulu, Netflix, and other popular streaming services are geo-blocked. This means that their content libraries are available in specific countries. Using VPN, travelers are able to bypass geo-restrictions and watch their favorite shows and movies anywhere in the world.
Innovations in VPN technology
The increasing innovations in VPN technology are making them much more secure and capable of thwarting cyber attacks. Some examples are given below:
- Cloud VPNs – These are hosted in the cloud and are much more reliable and scalable than conventional on-premise VPNs. They are easier to manage and save a lot of time and hassle for travelers.
- WireGuard – This is a VPN protocol that is much more secure and efficient than older protocols. This protocol is easier to implement and makes it possible to create VPNs for a broader range of platforms and devices.
- Zero-trust VPNs – These VPNs do not rely on the trust models. Instead, these VPNs authenticate devices and users on a per-access basis. This makes them much more resistant to attacks.
The Bottom Line
In the context of travel, the future of VPNs is filled with promise. VPN providers are racing to offer better security features and innovative solutions to make online browsing safer for travelers.
