Windows 10 has come a long way since its inception. Initially, people were not all that confident regarding Microsoft’s newest OS. But now, it has managed to reach 270 million monthly active users. In the beginning, and even now, Windows 10 has its security issues. Of course, users can find fixes, and they may even solve said issues for good, but new issues will continue to arise. So what are users supposed to do to avoid such instances? For one, they can use a Windows VPN to bolster their online security and anonymity. But is a VPN really that effective for Windows 10 users in 2020? Let’s find out.
Windows 10 Security Issues
Before getting into why you need a VPN for Windows 10, let’s assess some prominent Windows 10 security issues. It is only after such an assessment is made, that any user can determine whether a VPN, or any other tool for that matter, will be able to help them out in terms of privacy and security.
- In January 2020, Windows 10 had a security flaw so severe that the NSA had to disclose it to the general public. The bug could have left more than 900 million Windows 10 devices open to attack. The bug had to do with Microsoft’s mechanism regarding establishing secure web connections and verifying the legitimacy of software. Even though the verification check was not at fault, it could still be exploited by hackers and cybercriminals to remotely intercept private and confidential data or distribute malware.
- In February 2020, Microsoft was under heavy fire due its lacking QA processes for new Windows 10 updates it released to its users. A security update was recalled after it caused installation issues, system freezes, boot problems, and security warnings. The security update was supposed to address a problem with a third-party UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) boot manager that made Windows 10 devices vulnerable. To be more specific, it was supposed to revoke a Kaspersky UEFI bootloader that compromised Secure Boot. Secure Boot protects Windows 10 users from Trojans and viruses that could execute very early during the booting process, before the OS even kicks in.
- In March 2020, Microsoft stated hackers were exploiting a security vulnerability across all versions of Windows 10. There was no patch for the undisclosed security vulnerability at that time, and Microsoft claimed the security flaw was critical. It was claimed that the security flaw had something to do with how Windows 10 rendered fonts. Apparently, hackers could exploit the security flaw to trick users into accessing malicious documents and whatnot. Upon accessing the malicious file, the Windows 10 device could be attacked remotely using malware, like ransomware.
How a VPN can help with Windows 10 Security Issues
As can be seen above, and no matter how hard Microsoft tries, Windows 10 security issues will continue to exist. For this reason, and many others, a VPN can help Windows 10 users protect themselves from any and all threats. To put things into perspective, let’s examine how a VPN can do wonders for Windows 10 users that want to keep their privacy and security intact.
Remember, the only way Windows 10 users can remain safe, secure and anonymous with a VPN is if they find the best one out there. Stay clear of free VPNs, because they are the biggest security risk you can possibly think of. Think of it this way, if they are not making money from you, they are making it from elsewhere. They will most likely sell your information without your consent, which is why you will need to find a premium VPN service that guarantees a zero-logs policy.
Once you have found the best VPN out there, you will get access to numerous servers from different regions. How this helps you as a Windows 10 user is that when you connect to any one of these servers, your original IP address is replaced with a new one. This new IP address comes with advanced security features like Internet Kill Switch and Military Grade Encryption. Essentially, your internet traffic will be inaccessible. Nobody will be able to access your information, let alone misuse it without you authorization. In fact, not even your ISP will be able to monitor or track your online activities.
So even though Windows 10 may have vulnerabilities and security flaws, they will do you no harm as long as you are connected to a VPN server. You will get to enjoy impenetrable security and anonymity. It will actually be as though you are off the grid. Seeing how vital a VPN can be for Windows 10 users that want top notch security and privacy, it should not come as a surprise that Windows 10 does in fact come with built-in VPN support.
Note: If you do choose to take this route, and if you do come across Windows Tap issues, be sure to click here to resolve your problem.
Other Uses for Windows VPN
Apart from security and privacy, a Windows 10 VPN has a lot to offer. For starters, you can use it to access the internet in its entirety. Whether you want to access a block site or defeat censorship, a Windows VPN will be your best bet.
If you want to stream content, you will be pleased to know you can access content from different regions, which would otherwise be unavailable to you. So if there is a movie or TV show that you cannot access on a streaming platform, like Amazon Prime Video, all you need to do is to connect to a VPN server from a region where it is easily available. But that is not all, as long as you are connected to a VPN server, you will be able to overcome ISP throttling as well, which translates to a seamless streaming experience due to the lack of stuttering or buffering issues.
On the other hand, a VPN can be especially useful to users that want to save money. For instance, they can connect to a VPN server from a region where they can score some amazing deals on hotels or airfare. This way, they can also take advantage of the difference in exchange rates to buy something cheaper.
With a VPN by your side, the sky is the limit. It does not matter what you need a VPN for, it is no longer a luxury but a necessity in this day and age. So if you want to benefit from impenetrable security and privacy, a seamless streaming experience, and to save money, then a Windows VPN is a must!