INTERNET UNLOCKED
dubai — The use of virtual private networks (VPN) in the UAE — which residents use to access entertainment and to communicate with people abroad among a host of other purposes — is among the highest in the world.
According to the Global Web Index, the UAE has been ranked among the top 10 countries in terms of VPN usage. Data showed that 25 per cent of residents use VPN, with 43 per cent motivated towards accessing “better entertainment content”.
According to the UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), there are no regulations that prevent the use of VPN technology by companies, institutions and banks to access their internal networks through the Internet.
VPNs are used as a way to ‘re-source’ network traffic from some unpredictable remote location — one that you don’t and can’t control Harish Chib, Vice-president for MEA at Sophos
However, business users can be held accountable, like the use of any other technology, if it has been misused. The TRA further urged to read the actual violation mentioned in the law.
“Using a false IP address or a third-party address by any other means for the purpose of committing a crime or prevents its discovery,” the law reads — and it’s important to understand the law correctly, along with the punishment that is exclusively linked to the mentioned fraudulent act and the intent to commit a crime or prevent its discovery.
Harish Chib, vice-president for the Middle East and Africa at Sophos, said demand for VPN services has been growing over the years and leading to increase in Internet usage as well as the increasing number of online threats.
He said VPN services are not always secure and it can slow down connections because the user’s network traffic takes two extra hops — out and back through the encrypted tunnel. Bilal Baig, tech lead
Loss of personal information or data can be inspected by unauthorised VPN providers Bilal Baig, Tech lead, MMEA and CIS, Trend Micro
for MMEA and CIS at Trend Micro, said loss of personal information or data — anything getting transferred on this channel — can be inspected by unauthorised VPN providers.
Baig also warned that users can get duped on using these services if online providers offer VPN services without proper check.
“The users can get exposed to malware and PII [personal identifiable information]. Respect the laws and do not use VPN other than required by work or for legitimate reasons. Have up-todate security on their devices,” he advised users.
The other major reasons that people use VPN for are to access social networks; a new service; keep anonymity while browsing; access restricted download/torrent sites; communicate with friends/ family abroad; and hide Web browsing from the government, according to the Global Web Index.
Among the most common virtual private networks that are used include HotSpot Shield, Ultrasurf VPN, Super VPN, VPN Proxy, CM Security VPN, Betternet VPN and Speed VPN.
M.Z. Awan, a Sharjah resident, said the most common usage of VPN is for voice and video calling apps because it improves voice and video quality and people can talk to their friends and relatives back home with ease.
Irfan M., a 28-year-old resident, is also a regular user of VPN to speak to his families. “We have installed a few these VPNs because sometimes one doesn’t works so we turn on the other also for the clarity of voice.”
According to to Baig, people use VPN for anything that will limit them from using the content not available locally. Users also use a private network to download copyrighted media but not limited to movies, songs, games, etc. He said consumers use VPN to bypass the geographical limitations on accessing the content not available within the country or not allowed. In the corporate world, a VPN is used to access intranet and internal company resources.
The study showed that VPN users are most likely to be young, male and from the middle-income group. “Virtual private networks are used as a way to ‘re-source’ network traffic from some unpredictable remote location — one that you don’t and can’t control — onto your home network. There is a high usage of VPN services as it gets your computer to encrypt all your network data — even if it’s already encrypted — before it leaves your laptop or phone, and sends scrambled stream of data back to your own network. It prevents data loss in transfer and works in any environment — 4G, hotspot and Wi-Fi,” said Chib.
With mounting cyber-threats, Dubai Police recently issued a warning about the dangers of using public Wi-Fi connections. They warned that cyber-criminals were taking advantage of unencrypted networks, cautioning the public from opening any link or attachment they received via e-mail or SMS from unknown or suspicious source. The UAE boasts one of the world’s highest Internet penetrations of 96 per cent.
Since privacy is not assured, Chib advised that the users must avoid using free VPN services and also beware of fake services. The UAE users should pick a VPN service that can protect their privacy and offer secure communications. “While using VPN, it is safer to stick to secure websites for sensitive work such as uploading documents or online banking,” he concluded.
Regionally, Saudi Arabia has the highest VPN usage at 29 per cent with 40 per cent of residents using virtual private network to “access better entertainment content.”