Hey everyone! So I recently dug out my old Lenovo laptop that I haven't used in ages. My English isn't perfect since it's not my first language, so bear with me! I suspect it might have a virus because I wasn't very careful with it in the past. I want to use this laptop for some projects, but I have a few concerns!
Is it possible to connect to a public Wi-Fi network, like the one at my local library or McDonald's, and later use the same laptop at home on a different Wi-Fi? I'm wondering if a VPN can help me connect to another Wi-Fi from home, ensuring my home network remains safe. Any advice on how to do this securely would be greatly appreciated since I'm really paranoid about catching any viruses!
2 Answers
Ah, I see you’re a bit worried! Using a VPN won't protect against viruses; it mainly helps to disguise your online activities and hides your IP. To keep safe, I recommend running a malware scan or getting some antivirus software to clean your laptop first. After you flush out any potential threats, then connecting to public Wi-Fi should be much safer! Good luck with your projects!
Unfortunately, that’s not really how Wi-Fi and VPNs work. You can only connect to the Wi-Fi networks that are close by. So if you want to use public Wi-Fi, you have to be physically near it. VPNs help secure your internet connection but won't protect you from existing malware on your laptop. You might want to think about cleaning your laptop first before you use it on any network.
But is there really no way to connect remotely with a VPN?