Privacy is going mainstream: The growth of Virtual Private Networks (VPN)

Why consumers are beginning to understand that anti-virus is no longer enough When personal computing first became commonplace in the late 80s and early 90s, machines operated as single entities free from fear of viruses or hacking. Against this peaceable backdrop software such as Microsofts Windows 95 was developed. However, as PCs became connected to the internet this safety in isolation evaporated, to be replaced by a surge in viruses and an inexorable rise in infected devices. Computer security had to become a priority. Anti-virus (AV) software became the PC eras saviour, protecting the public from harmful viruses, and giving consumers peace of mind when surfing the net or opening email attachments. A decade on, the mobility era is entering a similar step change. More than a third of the worlds population is on the internet1 - and more than one billion of these people now own an active mobile-broadband subscription2. Leaders in mobility, such as Apple, have kept security at the heart of their platforms and as a result many consumers have never considered protective measures like AV for their smartphones or tablets. In fact, for the first few years of mobile internet use, many believed that their iPhones, iPads, Android - or even their Mac - could not be hacked.

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International Telecommunication Union, June 2012 International Telecommunication Union, June 2012

Privacy is going mainstream: The growth of Virtual Private Networks (VPN)

Then the headlines, so reminiscent of the early 90s, hit: Trojans attacked Macs, Android users experienced a wave of malware as hackers targeted Mac OS X and Android OS. Neither is iOS, Apples mobile operating system, infallible; the first malicious spam app was detected in the App Store in July 2012. Although the headlines might take us back a decade or so, the problem demands a different response. The traditional AV approach is wholly inadequate to the multiple device world of the mobile computing era and, as users on the move connect to unprotected public Wi-Fi, identify theft has become a universal, yet under acknowledged, threat. The mobile web at familiar crossroads; consumers are struggling to establish the best way to protect themselves from attacks without impacting the freedom, usability and functionality that theyve come to expect. Consumers are realising that they are responsible for their own internet security and are looking for a solution.

The surge in alternative security tools As people the world over seek new ways to protect their identities, the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) has surged. VPNs create impenetrable tunnels between a laptop or smartphone and the internet, preventing hackers and internet service providers (ISPs) from viewing the users personal information. By using a VPN, an end user accesses and views individual web pages on a fully protected and encrypted network, rather than the public internet, hiding IP addresses and protecting against malware. By encrypting every web page accessed by users it prevents hackers from capturing passwords and browsing history over unsecure Wi-Fi connections. This report provides an analysis of the usage trends of VPN, utilising data from market leader AnchorFrees VPN, Hotspot Shield, which has 100 million downloads across the globe - a benchmark for the industry. The analysis explores the use of VPN technology by people the world over to gain greater insight into global usage trends, including specific breakdowns of Mac and mobile usage.

Why VPNs are mainstream In 2012 the number of people actively using Hotspot Shield every month doubled from 4.5 million to 10 million. In 2012, it protected the viewing of 18.6 billion internet pages.

Privacy is going mainstream: The growth of Virtual Private Networks (VPN)

Mac attack In 2012, Mac users experienced one of the first widespread malware attacks when half a million machines were infected with the Flashback Trojan. In the two weeks that followed, Hotspot Shield for Macs saw a surge of 42 per cent in Mac users downloading the tool. By December, the number of Mac users of Hotspot Shield had grown 16 times (1,524 per cent) see figure one. The first high profile security threat to Mac users made security a priority for many consumers, with many soon realising that every web-enabled device is at risk of hacking and malware.
Figure 1: Increase in Mac Hotspot Shield users after Flashback Trojan

Source: AnchorFree Data Analysis Privacy is going mainstream: The growth of Virtual Private Networks (VPN)

Protecting mobiles The growth of the mobile web is set to continue: analyst firm Gartner predicts that this year mobile devices will overtake personal computers to become the most common web access tools. By 2015, over 80 per cent of handsets in mature markets will be smartphones3. As the number of smartphones grow, so too does the malware that specifically targets popular platforms, like Android. In 2012 the number of malicious programs targeting Android continued to be a problem, despite the fact that Google Play (Android Market) now automatically scans all new apps. Spy program FinSpy, a governmental IT intrusion and remote-monitoring solution, was also reported to be able to infect mobile devices. The tool can turn on the mobile users microphones and cameras without their knowledge, record phone calls, track GPS locations, intercept text messages and log keystrokes. In 2012 the number of Hotspot Shield mobile active users increased nearly ten times, by 865 per cent. Mobile installs for Hotspot Shield grew by 685 per cent over the twelve month period, with a particular spike in the second part of the year see figure two.

Gartner, October 2012

Privacy is going mainstream: The growth of Virtual Private Networks (VPN)

Figure 2: Growth in Hotspot Shield mobile users and installs

Source: AnchorFree Data Analysis Privacy is going mainstream: The growth of Virtual Private Networks (VPN)

The global trend a look at specific regional VPN usage Language is no barrier when it comes to consumer awareness of the security risks posed to internet users. Right across the globe, from Lebanon to Pakistan, US and France, VPN technology has rapidly increased in popularity and is becoming a mainstream protection tool. Figure three highlights the increase in EMEA Hotspot Shield active users in 2012. However, in countries where governments actively monitor and restrict access, the speed at which mobile technologies continue to accelerate the rate at which information is shared, has resulted in enforced privacy measures.

Lebanon: bad vibes The Lebanese Ministry of Telecommunication blocked popular communication service Viber on the 7th December 2012. It gave no official explanation for this action although the majority of reports suggest it was likely due to the Israeli origin of the service and the privacy issues attributed to the app accessing personal contact details. Less than two weeks after the restriction, active users of the Android Hotspot Shield in Lebanon grew by 90 per cent. With national governments more restrictive and increasingly nervous about privacy, people are determined to retain access to the communication services of their choice and entitled to ensure and determine their own privacy measures.

Privacy is going mainstream: The growth of Virtual Private Networks (VPN)

Figure 3: Increase in EMEA Hotspot Shield active users during 2012

Source: AnchorFree Data Analysis Privacy is going mainstream: The growth of Virtual Private Networks (VPN)

Privacy is going mainstream Such is the volume of people accessing the mobile web, hackers are realising the potential gains afforded to them through unprotected Wi-Fi and lax mobile web security. Likewise, consumers are now waking up to the realisation that its time to take action. With mobile, Mac and desktop VPN usage growing, its clear that consumers the world over are eager to put safety and privacy in their control and a VPN is one of the many ways they are protecting themselves from malicious attacks.

Privacy is going mainstream: The growth of Virtual Private Networks (VPN)