What is a VPN? How it works and typical applications

What is a VPN and how does it work? How do you know whether you should use one and whether it's worth paying to protect your privacy or whether you should use a free one? In this article, we'll discuss everything you need to know before you start using a VPN.

Virtual private networks (VPNs) have a dubious reputation due to their potential and history of clandestine uses. However, VPNs can be used for a wide variety of applications, most of which are legitimate and useful for the average Internet enthusiast. The best VPNs are incredibly secure and are standard tools that help you get the most out of your network, all without doing anything illegal. Installing a VPN is not difficult at all and most of the time it works right out of the box.

Many people wouldn't dream of using the Internet without hiding their intentions, especially with today's data collection, marketing techniques and personal data sales. They are becoming increasingly popular even among ordinary Internet users.

What is a VPN?

A VPN (virtual private network) is an easy and effective way to protect your Internet traffic and keep your identity private. When you connect to a VPN server, your Internet traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel, protecting it from hackers, governments and third-party spies.

At their simplest, VPNs allow you to hide your IP address (a code that uniquely identifies your Internet connection). VPNs protect your privacy, identity and location by transmitting your IP to a private network that connects to the Internet through an encrypted tunnel. These connections are often used for public Internet access, such as Wi-Fi hotspots or even the router at your local restaurant.

In addition, VPNs are useful for circumventing regionally blocked content, such as watching Netflix, which you are used to when traveling in the UK, or watching BBC iPlayer in the US.

How does a VPN work?

A VPN works by encrypting communications on the device being used, whether it's a smartphone, laptop or tablet. It sends data through a secure tunnel to the VPN provider's servers. The data is encrypted and redirected to whatever site you are trying to reach. Paid VPN services, such as ExpressVPNcan mask your IP address to browse the Internet safely.

What is a proxy?

VPNs are often discussed alongside proxy servers and have similar uses. While a VPN is typically used to protect data in a secure "tunnel," a proxy routes data through another network device, such as a remote server. This connection makes it appear as if the traffic is coming from a server rather than a person, giving them another layer of anonymity. But while a VPN will hide who you are, where you are and what websites you've visited, proxy servers only handle the first two.

Simply put, VPNs protect the data and proxy servers protect the user.

VPN applications

1. public Wi-Fi: If you use a VPN on an unsecured Wi-Fi connection (restaurants, airports, hotels, medical offices, etc.), your data is automatically encrypted. It's reasonably safe to log in to banking applications and medical sites, and to shop online.

2 Online shopping: Stores that encrypt and protect your information are usually marked "https" in the address bar and have a padlock symbol. However, some online stores put you at risk, while other sites, such as those created by hackers, may look legitimate even if they are not. Browsers such as Google Chrome and Firefox convert unsecured websites to secure ones whenever possible. There are also third-party applications such as HTTPS everywhere Which provide security for unsecured sites. Regardless, using a VPN will guarantee the safety of your data if you happen to visit a risky site.

3 Protection against spying: Using a VPN can protect you from hackers and ISP monitoring. If you visit a torrent site or download movies from a website, assume that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is watching you and you may receive a letter in the mail as a warning. You may also encounter sites set up to monitor your browsing activity and steal your personal information to sell on the black market.

4 Network Neutrality: Notwithstanding existing federal net neutrality laws, if any, ISPs can limit network speeds and restrict streaming services, as is currently possible. Unfortunately, they may also accept lump sums from certain third parties or ISPs (Facebook, for example, rather than Twitter) to prioritize the paying company's sites and services over competitors. Yet most ISPs are holding back because of ever-changing and controversial regulations and state court actions. All scenarios can be bypassed with a VPN (if unblocked) that reports your location elsewhere.

5 Removing geographic blockages: A VPN can get around local restrictions by hiding a user's real IP address and replacing it with a "local" address. This can be useful for all types of multimedia content, as well as for playing video games in a region other than your own.

When should I use a VPN?

Home users who feel the need to protect personal data while browsing the web on a smartphone or computer should use a VPN. Some routers allow VPNs to be set up directly across the network, meaning that all devices are secured, avoiding the need to initiate a VPN on each phone, tablet or computer.

Some people use VPNs because they don't want their online activities to be tracked, but they do so for illegal purposes. VPNs allow users to carry out wicked online activities without being tracked. For the most part, people use it primarily legally to protect their identities and view regionally restricted content.

Types of VPNs

Remote access: As the name suggests, remote VPNs allow individual users to establish secure connections on a remote computer network. Users do not have to connect to specific network servers. Companies with remote workers or people who travel a lot often use remote access VPNs.

From site to site: A site-to-site VPN, on the other hand, allows offices in different locations to establish secure connections between each other over a public network. Intranet sites (spelled correctly) that are accessed outside the office are one example of site-to-site VPN applications. Alternatively, if a company has ties to outside companies, such as suppliers, an extranet VPN connection will allow them to work together on a secure, shared network while preventing access to their separate intranets.

Free VPN vs. paid VPN

VPNs come in two versions: paid and free. Free VPNs may seem ideal for one-time use to browse inaccessible content, but paid VPN services are certainly superior to free VPN clients.

It costs money to run a VPN, so alarm bells should ring when you see a VPN offering a free service, unless it has solid ad revenue. Free services are not only inherently slower, less secure and usually don't mask your IP address, but they also carry serious risks, such as information harvesting or taking over your Internet bandwidth and IP address. Using your computer address, these free VPNs can allow other users to perform illegal activities while using your location. However, some free VPNs are legitimate.

However, a paid VPN offers greater security along with a promise not to sell your information or use bandwidth for others. The third party instead uses your subscription to pay for its services. You'll also find that your connection runs faster, isn't interrupted often, and your IP address is masked. Paid services don't cost that much either, starting as low as $2 per month.

Benefits of using a VPN

Changes your location

Your IP address, which is a special number that identifies your device and location, changes when you use a VPN. With the new IP address, users can browse the Internet as if they were in the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, Japan or any other country (assuming the VPN service has servers there).

Protects your privacy

Changing your IP address with a VPN can help protect your identity from websites, apps and services that want to track you. A good VPN also prevents ISPs, mobile carriers and spies from watching your online activity through strong encryption.

Enhances security

Using a VPN protects users from security breaches such as packet eavesdropping, man-in-the-middle attacks and rogue Wi-Fi networks. For example, remote workers and travelers can benefit from the increased security offered by VPNs when using public Wi-Fi networks.

Unblocks websites

If you are in a part of the world that restricts access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon, Hulu, Disney Plus or other websites, using a VPN will allow you to unblock these geographically restricted sites. You can also use a VPN to bypass firewalls on school or office networks.

Where can I get a VPN?

A search for "best VPN" or "VPN download" or any search that includes "VPN" always displays lots of VPN download links with ads. You shouldn't click them when you want to download a VPN. It's best to go directly to a trusted client or download source. Both Google Play and the iOS App Store offer a wide selection of free and paid VPN clients for mobile devices. A good paid option for beginners is ExpressVPN. We also have a compiled list of the best VPNs to help guide you.

Why the controversy?

If you use the word VPN or proxy near some people, they may immediately react negatively. This is because the extra layer of privacy provided by a VPN can sometimes be used for disreputable purposes. The worst of these purposes is illegal activity.

The brighter side of VPN negatives can be seen in the world of competitive online video games. As the popularity of online games has increased, so has the popularity of cheating in these games. Developers are trying to curb this by handing out IP blockers, ensuring that cheaters can't play the game even with a new account. Enter VPNs; the ability to change the IP address from which you connect to the Internet unfortunately allows scammers to get around these IP blockers in many games.

Application

VPN, e.g. ExpressVPN Can make your Internet use safer and more secure. It protects your personal information and enhances your online privacy. While they may have a less than stellar reputation due to their popular uses in the past, VPNs are extremely useful and are becoming increasingly necessary in today's intrusive Internet use. Now that you know what a VPN is, do you have any questions or concerns? Any suggestions for your favorite VPN services? Let us know in the comments below!