Cybersecurity Expert Dr. Ahmet Şenol, an Assistant Professor, made important evaluations on the advantages and potential risks of VPN (Virtual Private Network) technology in terms of security and privacy rights. He stated, “Since VPN connections use secure encryption mechanisms, intermediaries can only see encrypted communication, and because this encryption cannot be deciphered in a reasonable time (it takes years), it is considered secure. If the VPN service is obtained from a reliable source and set up correctly, secure communication can be ensured.”

Dr. Ahmet Şenol, who is also the Head of the Department for the Cybersecurity Master’s Program at Üsküdar University, shared further insights on the advantages and risks of VPN technology.

VPN is Also Used to Access Restricted Addresses

Dr. Şenol highlighted that VPN is one of the preferred technologies for ensuring secure communication over the insecure internet. He added, “It is also a method used to access restricted addresses or banned applications. The ability to connect to sites and applications restricted by the government or content provider, while keeping the identity of the user hidden, is one of the reasons VPN is used. To give a concrete example, a person in Turkey can connect to a banned site as if connecting from a location in the Netherlands via a VPN, and since the site is not banned in the Netherlands, access is granted.”

Dr. Ahmet Şenol, an Assistant Professor and Cybersecurity Expert, explained that VPN technology also enables individuals to connect to their office networks from home and access local network resources. “In another use case of VPN, individuals can connect to their organization’s network via VPN from home, as if they are physically in the office. This allows them to send print jobs to the office printer, use shared folders, and benefit from the resources of the corporate network. For example, a university student unable to download an article from home can connect to the university’s VPN and access the article through the university’s library agreements, as if they were physically on campus,” he explained.

Choose a VPN from a Reliable Source!

Dr. Şenol also mentioned that banks use VPN technology to securely connect their branches over untrusted internet infrastructure. “VPN connections use secure encryption mechanisms, so intermediaries can only see encrypted communication, and since this encryption cannot be cracked in a reasonable time (it would take years), it is considered secure. If the VPN service is obtained from a reliable source and the setup is done correctly, secure communication can be ensured,” he stated.

What Security Vulnerabilities Can Be Encountered While Using a VPN?

Dr. Şenol addressed potential security vulnerabilities with VPN use: “The company providing the VPN service can log your identity and the websites you visit. Another risk is that the encryption mechanism of the VPN provider’s application may be weak, allowing the communication to be intercepted and recorded once the encryption is broken. The VPN may be incorrectly configured, leading to the user or company mistakenly believing they are communicating securely when in fact they are not. If the VPN user code and password are obtained by someone else (due to social engineering or carelessness), foreign parties or attackers can infiltrate the corporate network.”

What Are the Potential Risks of Free VPN Services?

Dr. Şenol warned about the security risks of free VPN services: “The encryption mechanisms of free VPN services may be weak. They can log your real IP address along with the websites and addresses you visit. This information could be sold to advertising companies or intelligence units of oppressive governments. Some free VPN applications may contain malicious software that can send sensitive information from your computer to a third party or share your communication with others.”

What to Consider When Choosing a Secure VPN?

Dr. Şenol concluded by outlining the criteria for selecting a secure VPN: “Paid VPN services are generally considered more secure. It is advisable to choose VPN providers that claim they do not log communication traffic. The laws of the country where the VPN provider is based should strongly protect individual privacy. User reviews of VPN services can also be considered. Results from audits conducted by organizations that monitor VPN providers should be taken into account when selecting a VPN. VPNs using modern protocols such as OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, or WireGuard should be preferred. Providers with a large number of servers in many countries are also a good option.”

DOI Number: https://doi.org/10.32739/uha.id.57127