A VPN, or virtual private network, is an extremely useful tool for every Internet user, no matter how much time you spend on the Internet or what activities you do on the Internet. A VPN gives you more security and privacy when you surf the Internet – things that are hard to find in today’s information age.
Although more and more people are using VPN, the technology behind it is still not clear to many. If you want to know more about the VPN concept and what it is used for, here’s everything you need to know about it, as well as how to take advantage of a VPN to secure your online activities.
What is a VPN and how does it work?
If you have a basic understanding of how the Internet works, you probably know that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and some other organizations can track your online activity. Your browser’s private browsing mode cannot protect your data and give you peace of mind, while a VPN can do more.
VPN is a technology that protects your online activity by adding an extra layer of encryption to your data. It connects your computer or smartphone to a private network, allowing your data to pass through an encrypted “tunnelâ€.
It moves from your device to another location on the Internet, often in a different country, before reaching the public Internet. Your data remains hidden all the time. All the ISP can see is that you are connected to a private network.
When you connect your device to a VPN, it behaves as if it is on the same local network as the VPN. This allows you to access local network resources even if you are physically connected to the Internet from another country. You can also browse the Internet as if you were in a VPN location. For example, if you are using a VPN in the US from outside the US, websites will see your online activity as if it were from within the country.
What is a VPN used for?
Some people associate the use of a VPN with the need to hide their online activity. In fact, a VPN offers a number of benefits that can help any Internet user in their daily life. Here are some reasons why you might want to start using a VPN.
Protect your connection while using public Wi-Fi
When you browse the Internet at home, you are connected to a password protected router and a private Wi-Fi network. However, when you connect to a public Wi-Fi network – be it a cafe, hotel, or airport – your traffic is no longer protected. These networks offer open access to all users, making it much easier to intercept wireless network traffic.
This is why it’s recommended to use a VPN the next time you decide to connect to a public Wi-Fi network to send an email or check your Instagram account.
Get your online privacy back
There may be several reasons why you want to keep your online activities private. The point is, your ISP may be tracking your activity and privacy concerns regarding what they might be doing with this tracked data, other websites collecting your browsing data and the problem of targeted advertising, and torrenting. trackers and other monitoring systems.
Using a VPN is one of the easiest and most effective ways to regain your online privacy and prevent others from collecting your data.
Access to geo-blocked content
One of the most popular reasons for getting a VPN service is accessing geo-blocked websites. Sometimes you find that certain content, streaming services or websites are blocked or have limited access depending on your location. Using a VPN is the easiest way to get around these restrictions.
This can be useful if you ever find that certain movies or TV shows are not available on your streaming platform in your area. This can be easily fixed by connecting to a VPN server from the respective country.
When traveling, you may find yourself in a country where entire websites and services are geo-blocked. For example, if you want to access LinkedIn in Russia, you will have to use a VPN or other means to bypass geographic restrictions.
Bypass school or workplace firewall
When using the Internet at school or work, you are bound to come across blocked websites that management doesn’t want you to open them to. They do this by using firewalls that filter all web content and keep you from blacklisted sites.
There are a number of workarounds that can help you bypass your school or workplace firewall One of the easiest ways to do this is through a VPN service. When you connect to a VPN and start browsing the web, all internet traffic is encrypted and the firewall cannot see what you are doing or which sites you visit when connected to the network. This way, you can browse the sites you want regardless of time and place.
Save money on shopping
Aside from the obvious benefits you get from using a VPN, you can get some additional perks if you think outside the box. A VPN can help you save on shopping. Admittedly, it takes time and effort.
You can use VPN to connect to different servers around the world and find the lowest prices. You can save on streaming services, software subscription plans, airline tickets, and even hotels. In theory, everything can be found at cheaper prices. Keep in mind, however, that some of the price differences will be covered by exchange rates and bank charges.
Need a VPN?
While VPNs have many benefits, they are not perfect. The biggest disadvantage of using a VPN is the drop in connection speed. Since you send your data elsewhere before it reaches the server you want, your VPN connection speed is bound to be slower than your normal internet speed.
However, if this is not a big problem for you, or if the drop in connection speed is negligible, using a VPN is definitely a good idea. All that’s left is to choose the VPN service that’s right for you. Luckily, there are many options – from the built-in Windows option, VPN Chrome extensions, the best free options for Mac, and the best VPN apps
Have you used a VPN before? What did you use it for? Share your VPN experience with us in the comments below.
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