VPN, which stands for Virtual Private Network, is a service used by people who want privacy while they are online, i.e., on the Internet. The Internet is full of prying eyes. Many websites and online stores use cookies to track the behaviors and preferences of people who visit them. They gather information about you and other people and can do virtually what they like with that data.
If online privacy is a priority for you, you should seriously consider signing up for a VPN service. If you surf the Net using a virtual private network, you remain as anonymous.
How Does VPN Work?
VPN connects your computer, tablet, or other communication device to a server that belongs to a service provider. The server might be in your country or abroad. When you go online and individuals or websites try to find out about you, they can’t. They won’t know where you are or what your IP address is. All they get is information about the VPN provider’s details. You remain under their ‘umbrella,’ so to speak.
Your connection to the provider’s server is encrypted, i.e., the communication data is in a special code that outsiders cannot read. Many top providers use AES 256 to encrypt your connection to them.
How VPN Helps You Remain Anonymous
Hiding your IP address will make it impossible for people to find out who you are or what type of device you are using. As soon as you are connected to your provider’s server, your own IP address is hidden and, in fact, becomes the IP address of the VPN.
Your virtual private network provider keeps all your data secret – it treats it as confidential. In other words, it will not reveal any information about you to third parties.
How VPN Can Help You
With a VPN, you will be able to surf websites that are restricted in your country. You can protect your identity from spies when you are surfing the web from the hotspot. It feels safer to download files from a torrent site when you use VPN.
You can use the system to securely access a business network when you are traveling. Your connection is secure wherever you are; at home, on the way to work, in another town, and even abroad. When you are travelling, can use VPN to access Netflix, Pandora, and other streaming services.
People who live in totalitarian countries where there is heavy censorship can access websites and services using VPN that they would otherwise not be able to.
Gamers typically prefer to operate within a secure VPN. They can unblock geographical restrictions so that they can access faster gaming systems.
Free and Paid VPN
There are 2 ways to get a VPN – free or paid.
Free
There is a risk here of your IP information and other data ending up in the wrong hands, which defeats the whole point of having a virtual private network. You will also be bombarded with ads. In most cases, this type of services is annoyingly slow.
Paid
Paid VPN is more secure because it uses military grade encryption. It is also considerably faster than the free option. Most users are pleasantly surprised at the reasonable fees their providers charge.
You don’t need any special hardware or the help of a technician. If you opt for this service, you can be up and running literally within a few minutes. Some providers offer consumers free trials, money-back guarantees, or both.
What to Look Out for When Shopping for VPN
When you shop for a good VPN, there are a few things to look out for. Most importantly, you need to make sure that the speed of the service is optimal. If you want to use the network for P2P or 4K streaming, speed matters a lot.
Server coverage is also important. The greater the coverage, the faster the whole system will be. A good provider will have an easy-to-use app you can use.
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Interesting related article: “How can a VPN protect your computer?”