VPNs and the Rise of Micro-Mobility: Staying Secure While Living Mobile
The ways of transportation are changing fast. Carpooling, booking online cabs from mobile applications for sharing a ride, renting cars, and bikes, is common. A good way when you are planning for a short trip, which results in saving your money, to avail these services, you can use their mobile applications. These apps work by tracking your location and the user’s network. A helpful option for users who commute daily; however, it comes with a risk, as users’ details are shared on the mobile application.
To keep your data and information secure on transportation apps, using VPNs is a reliable option. There was a time when VPNs were only used when people worked from home for another country, but now their usage has become common for the right reasons. Mainly, people use these apps when they are outside to book a ride, and use public networks for it, which isn’t safe at all. VPN is a great way to protect your data.
VPNs Have Grown Beyond the Workplace
The working of a VPN is simple; it encrypts the user’s internet traffic and blocks all unsafe data. When the IP address is changed, no one can track your online activities, and it blocks the access of third parties from tracking users’ online activities. These third parties can be websites that store users’ data to show them personalized Ads. Moreover, some cyber hackers can access data.
In the past, VPNs were most often used by professionals working outside of office networks. But now the dynamics are changing, and almost majority of people are using VPNs on their devices, including mobile phones, tablets, and computers. VPNs can also be connected to smart TVs now. It can be used for shopping from different brands or to use a banking application for making secure transactions. It is also commonly used by online casinos to make secure payments and protect users’ details.
According to Matt Bastock, Gambling Expert, many of the most secure online casino apps for Android and iOS now actively recommend VPN use to help players shield their activity on public networks, speed up mobile gameplay, and avoid geo-restrictions so players can enjoy thousands of games, fast payouts through flexible transaction methods, and a wide variety of generous bonuses while traveling. There was a survey to see how many people are coming towards the use of VPNs. The results showed that every three out of one person has having VPN on their phone, which they use often. The main reason is that people are becoming aware of the harm that comes from using public networks openly without connecting to a VPN.
The inclusion of VPN for micro mobility is something useful and does not fall out of the VPN trends. Since users need to use the application to unlock the vehicle they are going to use, payments are completed online, and location needs to be enabled. It’s all the personal data that users have to give before availing of the service. Sharing data online without thinking of data security can be a major risk. Each of these steps involves sensitive data. Without protection, that data can be exposed.
The Risk Landscape for Mobile Commuters
People who use short travel rides have to travel to different areas in the city to reach their destination. To check the location, individuals use maps using Wi-Fi, and then on the way, they might use their cellular data to keep a check on their way. After reaching their destination, they again connect to the Wi-Fi. This changing of networks brings potential security risks.
Websites that use the HTTPS protocol for users’ data protection; however still there are still ways that make users’ data unsafe and unprotected. This is where VPN comes as a boss, protecting users’ sensitive data and the network they are using.
Cybercriminals are active on fake public networks; they wait for people to use these networks and steal their vulnerable data. And the information you access on this network is unsafe, specifically when you need to add your details. VPN will act as a shielding layer and will keep your data encrypted.
When users’ only goal is to use the app to reach their destination, and they think it is secure with the predefined security settings that are already enabled on their phones. But it’s not enough; users are giving all the necessary personal details to unlock the ride, and it’s crucial to protect data on these apps using a VPN.
How VPNs are effective for Micro-Mobility
Just like following traffic rules is a must, taking security measures like helmet and wearing a seatbelt. Similarly, protecting online data on online applications is important for securing personal information.
These applications not only track your location, but also have access to check your payments you make and their details. Some apps are linked with other apps’ accounts, and by this, your online activities are tracked. However, with a VPN, your identity remains anonymous and your online habits can’t be tracked.
There is the ability of some VPNs they remain on when you change your network from Wi-Fi or cellular data or vice versa. Some VPN services that are offering the best security features, including a kill switch feature, which instantly blocks unsafe traffic once the VPN is disconnected, and protects your overall network.
Stay Aware and Safe
Although more people are using VPNs to access restricted sites, but not using them on ride booking applications or any other travel apps. The focus often remains on app features, convenience, and physical travel time. Privacy concerns may not surface until something goes wrong.
They only use it for their ease and get satisfied with the features; however, they do not have any concern about online privacy. This can open a lot of unsafe doors to users’ sensitive online data, which can be a treasure for hackers.
VPN use does not guarantee full protection. It is one part of a larger digital safety approach. Even so, using one can dramatically lower the risk of data loss, account breaches, and location tracking. Public networks are unsafe and require an extra security shield of a VPN. Keeping VPN on for a long time on your device is fine. However, connecting it when you just remember and have already used a public network for a long time isn’t secure or right. Keep VPN enabled on devices since you need to book a ride anytime you are outside.
There is an important role for mobile app developers and the companies that are managing micro-mobility apps. It is their responsibility to make the app secure for the users and only collect necessary data that is required, as well as clear permission settings. Moreover, for their safety, they can connect to a trustworthy VPN service.
Conclusion
Short Transport Solutions is getting popular among people to make short trips easy and feasible. If you want to get the service, they have their mobile applications. They will record the user’s current location and network, with payment details. To be safe on these apps and while using the public networks to book rides, always use a VPN on your device. It will give you security over any network in use, and data will be encrypted.
