With growing digital dependency, concerns about internet privacy and access have captivated users worldwide. In Türkiye, this interest has intensified due to restrictions on platforms like Wattpad, Roblox, and Instagram, leading many to turn to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and Domain Name System (DNS) modifications. These tools offer ways to bypass geo-restrictions and protect personal information. However, while they provide significant benefits, they also come with substantial risks, especially when not used judiciously.
What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network is a program that provides one with secure and encrypted access to another network via the Internet. At a closer use at home, VPNs are used to enable access to regionally restricted sites, keeping browsing activity secluded from prying eyes using free Wi-Fi, and to ensure paramount online privacy and anonymity. It simply encrypts all your internet traffic and passes it through an intermediary server, located wherever you so desire. In the process, this masks your IP address and, therefore, your location, making it seem like you're accessing the web from a different server.
What is DNS?
The Domain Name System can be considered the telephone book of the internet. It translates humanly memorable domain names, such as www.example.com into IP addresses used by computers for routing networks. By changing the DNS settings, it's possible to circumvent some censorship technologies by merely re-routing the connection through a different DNS server.
Why Do People Use VPNs and DNS Modifications?
People use VPNs and DNS modifications for a variety of reasons, which include: bypassing geo-restrictions for access on content limited by geographical location on streaming services and social media platforms; enhanced privacy against hackers, especially those using public Wi-Fi; avoiding censorship by either the government or corporations in order to access information without restrictions; and making secure connections that keep sensitive data from interception.
VPN and DNS Usage in Türkiye
VPNs and DNS modifying are extensively used methods in Türkiye because the government imposes restrictions on many websites and social media services. That is the main reason why users turn to the usage of these tools - in order to be able to continue accessing international services and to be able to protect their online privacy. Türkiye ranks fourth among the countries using VPN (TrtHaber), with the first points being taken by Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. Türkiye has a history of internet censorship, and authorities have, at frequent times, blocked access to some websites and social media platforms. This is normally done in the name of national security, prevention of misinformation, or even quelling political dissent. Popular sites to have faced temporary bans include YouTube, Twitter, and Wikipedia, prompting members of the public to find alternative ways of accessing these sites. Right now Instagram has been blocked in Türkiye since August 2nd, resulting in a surprisingly increase of VPN usage. However, people’s urgency to access Instagram has led them to use VPN and DNS without much care and knowledge which caused many to come face to face with security risks.
Concerns Associated with VPN Usage
Despite the convenience, VPNs hold high threats, especially the use of free services. Most of the free VPN service providers do not have strong security features, which might be exposing the users to the following data threats:
Data collection: Most, if not all, VPN services usually do some form of data collection from users and sell it to third parties. This data could be in the form of browsing history, IP address, or even personal details such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, payment information, and physical addresses..
Malware: In free VPN apps, there might be some laced with malware, which will infect your device and lead to information breaches, amongst other insecurities.
Unstable Security: Many VPNs do not have a strong manner of encryption; thus, there is a possibility for people to intercept your data.
Logging Policies: There are VPNs logging user activities that could be subpoenaed or result in a data leak.
One of the more striking examples of these risks is last year's case when more than 360 million user records were stolen during a data breach of a popular free VPN service. The stolen data includes email addresses, original IP addresses, geographical location records, and details about visited websites. Moreover, we have already commented on cases of such breaches in order to make it clear what dangers applying to uneliable VPN services imply and how important it is to select providers carefully.
Risks of DNS Changes
Changing DNS settings can also expose users to various risks:
Data Interception: Untrusted DNS servers can log your browsing activity and sell it to advertisers or other third parties.
Phishing Attacks: Rogue DNS servers can take you to spoofed sites designed for the theft of your personal information, e.g., login details and credit card information.
Distribution of Malwares: Some of the rogue DNS can take an individual to sites that may be hostiles where the chances of one's device getting infected become very high.
Minimizing the risks
To minimize the risks associated with VPN and DNS usage, consider the following measures:
Using Trusted Providers: Choose to contract those VPN and DNS services that have a favorable reputation and whose privacy policies are transparent. Avoid those free services as they are mostly accompanied by costs that are usually hidden from the users.
Read Reviews: Check user reviews and expert evaluations for the authenticity of the service.
Use Encryption: See to it that this VPN service implements strong encryption protocols for protecting your data.
Update Regularly: Keep your software, including VPN and antivirus programs, updated to counteract the latest threats.
Monitor Activity: Take a closer look at your settings of your connection regularly, as well as network activity for any suspicious behavior.
Some of trustable VPNs:
Express VPN
NordVPN
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Proton VPN
Surfshark
VPNs and DNS make powerful privacy maintaining tools while affording the ability to unblock restricted content; however, they proportionally have several risks that they bring with them, especially when one is not using reliable services. With awareness and precautions on how to use such technologies, users are sure to guard their security and privacy when online. It is important to be aware and vigilant in keeping up with the tools we use to have a secure experience on the internet.
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