Why You Still Need to Use VPN on iOS?

Mobile device

There is a widespread belief that one is secure when using the iOS mobile operating system. This is true, especially when comparing to Android or other mobile operating systems. However, even when using Apple devices, you still need to take a few steps to protect yourself.

Indeed, more and more people acknowledge this reality and look for the best iOS VPN they can find to enhance their security and privacy and their general user experience.

But what exactly makes iOS different, and in particular, more secure?

The closed nature of the iOS software.

The most important reason why iOS is considered more secure and with higher privacy comes down to how the software is created, maintained, and distributed.

Only one entity creates, maintains, and distributes the iOS software, and that is Apple Inc. Also, only devices by Apple (iPhones) use the iOS operating system. The company’s resulting close control makes it a little easier to watch out for vulnerabilities and quickly fix them when they are identified.

Besides, it is not easy for anyone outside the Apple company and its contractors to access, study, and change the backend software.

On the other hand, Android is open-source software, and that means every developer or company that wishes to can easily access the backend source code and change it. Even more, anyone can create hardware and proceed to customize the Android operating system for it.

The accessibility to Android backend software architecture allows hackers to study it and find vulnerabilities to exploit easily.

The problem is exacerbated further because different phone manufacturers carry out different core software implementations with little oversight. In the end, there are so many implementations for anyone to oversee safety standards efficiently.

The exit and entry of data is your weak point with iOS.

Nevertheless, you can become a victim of hacking and other forms of attacks while using iOS too. In particular, your devices can be compromised through phishing or data hijacked in transit to be used to steal from you.

While an attacker might struggle to take over your Apple device, for example, or plant malware to collect data for them, they can still monitor and collect the data as it gets in and out. This is especially possible when you are using a public internet connection such as WiFi.

Using this route, an attacker can collect as much information as possible to collect by exploiting vulnerabilities in the core software. They can easily get your passwords and personal identification numbers (PIN), which in turn they can use to access your digital wallets.

The risk for this kind of attack is always high with mobile devices, especially given that we use them on the go by default. You often forget to turn off the WiFi function on the phone, and you can’t tell how many open hotspots it is likely to connect with as you go about your business throughout the day.

Why You Still Need to Use VPN on iOS?

This is why you may need to consider using a VPN on your iOS device. This service encrypts the data that comes into and leaves your device so that whoever is watching cannot make sense of it.

a VPN redirects your encrypted data through a server located in a different location. The server assigns the communication from your device a different IP address from your original IP address before the data is decrypted and joins the internet. The new IP address makes it hard for others to keep track of your communication.

But preventing hackers from reading your data is not the only reason you may need to use a VPN on your iOS device. The service can also allow you to access content and platforms that you are blocked from accessing because of your location.

For example, you may be an American traveling through Europe, Africa, or Asia, and you need to use the Apple Netflix app. The platform might often block you from the content you like to watch while at home because of your new geographical locations.

With a VPN, you are likely to watch the content while on the move, and that is because the service provider will only see access from a US IP address.

It is important to point out that most platforms do not approve of VPNs, and often block them. They can easily tell you are using a VPN IP because you share it with many others or it keeps changing.

However, there is a way to avoid this, and that is by using a dedicated IP address. That means the VPN service company assigns you an IP address that only you use. They also make it constant, meaning they don’t change it unless you ask them.

Most VPN service providers have developed plans for the iOS operating system.

Jennifer Thomas
Jennifer Thomas is the Co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer at Cybers Guards. Prior to that, She was responsible for leading its Cyber Security Practice and Cyber Security Operations Center, which provided managed security services.