Stay secure on public Wi-Fi

Use a virtual private network to encrypt your traffic and hide where you are

If you want to keep data secure, you should use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This is a method by which internet-connected devices can encrypt communications when using an untrusted public network. A VPN encrypts the links between your device and a website’s server, so your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can’t see the websites you’ve visited.

This gives a level of anonymity over your IP address, as well as protection against hackers looking to gain access to your data, especially when you’re using a public Wi-Fi network – but be warned, if you’re using an unencrypted connection your details can still be vulnerable.

VPNs can also get around governmental blocks on the internet; in some countries, however, such as the United Arab Emirates, using a VPN is illegal. So, if you’re going to be traveling abroad, make sure you read up on local laws ahead of time so that you know where you stand – and stay up to date if you make repeat visits, in case encryption laws change.

There are many VPN tools. Hotspot Shield and the premium NordVPN are popular, the latter especially since it claims its US and Canada-based servers are fast enough for video streaming.

In this tutorial, though, you’ll learn about CyberGhost, which offers a service for iOS devices priced at $2.99 per month. The company publishes annual transparency reports; whichever VPN you choose, it’s vital that it’s with a company you trust – if you can justify it, go for a premium product.

As you’ll see in the walkthrough, trying out a VPN adds its configuration profile to your iOS device, which you can see in Settings > General > VPN. If you remove the CyberGhost app from your device, its configuration profile is removed along with it.