The internet is an indispensable part of modern life, but with its convenience comes security risks from outside actors who want to track your every online move.

You may have heard that a virtual private network is one way to protect against these risks, but many internet users don’t fully understand the consequences of not using one. According to a recent CNET survey , less than half of Americans report using a VPN.

But spending time online without a VPN leaves your digital life vulnerable to myriad forms of digital prying. “It’s no different than driving a car without a seatbelt on,” especially if you’re using a lot of public Wi-Fi networks, says Fred Kwong , vice president and chief information security officer at DeVry University.

“[A] VPN is just a great way to help you hav

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