If you are worried about keeping your online data secure but, at the same time, don’t want to sacrifice speed and access to your local content, VPN split tunneling is for you.
Many people believe that Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are only for big businesses and companies.
Though this statement could be true, it is also known that everyone can greatly benefit from using a VPN.
Nowadays, our most sensitive data is exposed to the internet. We are used to using apps and devices for our daily tasks. Even though this is great for helping, it also increases the risk and possibility of suffering a hacker attack.
The last few years have seen an alarming rise in the cost of breaches People are working from home, and companies and everyday users made common security mistakes.
These mistakes made the cyber-attack area much bigger, and unfortunately, in 2024, these cyber statistics continue to increase.
What Exactly is VPN Split Tunneling?
VPN split tunneling is a feature that most VPN providers offer that allows you to choose which internet traffic goes through your VPN and which does not.
When you use a VPN what normally will happen is that all your online traffic would be encrypted and routed through a safe server.
And even though this is great, some people rather choose when to use these services and when it’s okay to regularly surf the internet.
How Does It Work?
Imagine, for example, you’re working remotely while traveling, and you want to access, let’s say… a local streaming service.
Without split tunneling, all your traffic would be routed through your VPN and this could block access to region-restricted content or make your connection slower depending on where your VPN is routed and your VPN provider’s speed.
With split tunneling, you can send specific traffic, like your local streaming service, directly through your internet provider.
Meanwhile, sensitive traffic, such as your emails or work documents, can stay encrypted through the VPN.
To sum up, it’s like getting the best of both worlds: security and speed on demand.
Why You Need VPN Split Tunneling in 2024
You might be asking yourself, “Why is VPN split tunneling so important now?” and that’s a valid doubt.
The truth is that our digital environments are becoming more complex each day. Only for 2024, there have been over 35 billion known breach incidents globally.
Security has become a must-have for everyone using the internet and not only for those managing big accounts.
In the end, choosing tools to protect yourself is a personal decision, but hopefully, you will protect your sensitive info. Here’s why VPN split tunneling should be on your radar:
1. It Can Keep Speed and Performance
If you’ve ever used VPNs, you could have experienced slowdowns. If you send all your traffic through the VPN, you could unintentionally and logically clog your connection.
Split tunneling prevents this by allowing less sensitive data to bypass the VPN, which keeps your connection fast for the tasks that don’t require added security.
2. It Can Help You Access Region-Restricted Content
If you’re traveling abroad or just trying to access local services, VPN split tunneling can help.
It allows you to browse your favorite local websites, access streaming services, and even perform banking operations without dealing with annoying region restrictions.
3. It Will Protect Your Sensitive Data
With split tunneling, you can ensure that your financial transactions, work documents, and personal emails remain encrypted, especially when using open and public wifis.
Did you know that hackers usually use weak open Wi-Fi and internet connections?
According to a Forbes article, 43% of people have had their data compromised when accessing public Wifi, even if they didn’t know at the beginning.
Unfortunately, data can easily be cracked through Wi-Fi networks, but VPNs can help in these situations.
4. Reduce Bandwidth Usage
Sending all your traffic through a VPN uses more bandwidth.
If you have limited data on your internet plan, split tunneling can help you save bandwidth by ensuring only the most essential traffic goes through the VPN.
5. Simplify Online Security Management
You don’t have to constantly turn your VPN on and off. With split tunneling, you set it up once and forget about it.
The VPN will automatically handle your traffic based on your rules, simplifying your security management and giving you peace of mind.
Conclusion
In the new risky online environment, not using a VPN can be compared to not having an antivirus installed when the internet first came out.
Hackers rely on normal and inexperienced people to steal their sensitive data at any time.
There are many security measures you can adopt to your daily life that will make your information hard to corrupt.
VPNs are one of them, and split tunneling is an excellent option for those not 100% convinced of encrypting all their information through this service.
