The Mystery Behind a VPN

Why You Need One and the Benefits of Having It

In today’s digitally interconnected world, protecting our online privacy and security has become paramount.  Our private information is farmed, sold, and stolen more often than we are aware of. Because this problem is so prevalent, you need to consider a service known as a  Virtual Private Network (VPN). 

In this article,  learn what a VPN is, explore the reasons why you need one, and highlight the numerous benefits of having a VPN. By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of how a VPN can safeguard your online activities, provide anonymity, and offer a range of advantages in an increasingly vulnerable digital landscape.

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Every time you log on to your computer, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns your connection to the Internet, an address that looks something like this: 84.8.90.12

This address is available for people called hackers, who have the ability and know-how, to see this address and can easily collect your confidential information.  This includes your name, address, what you’re doing online, and potentially any financial account you log in to.

Hackers are people who do nothing all day but get paid to sit at a computer and figure out ways to gather sensitive information, and they are good at it.  They then sell this information to international buyers who can get your credit card number, open accounts in your name, potentially drain your bank account, and innumerable ways of violating your life.

VPNs have been around as long as the internet has been in play.  Many people do not understand exactly what it is, so they’re afraid and reluctant to use it.  It sounds so technical, who wouldn’t be intimidated?

Well, there is no reason to be.  You should be very afraid, however, of not having one.  In truth, it should be one of the top services you utilize if you use the internet. Period.

WHAT IS A VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service that protects your internet identity by providing a secure and encrypted connection as it runs in the background while you are accessing the internet. It is separate from your internet connection but runs at the same time. For good reason!

A VPN creates a private and protected shield between your device and the VPN server, ensuring that all your online data, including browsing activities, communication, and sensitive information, is encrypted and shielded from nefarious internet activity. You can have a VPN connection on your phone, as well.

Why Is That Important?

Encrypted means information transferred to and from your computer is scrambled into a cipher (code) that is extremely and almost impossible to decipher. This code conceals data to prevent unauthorized access to your internet activity and protects information from being stolen or compromised.

WHY DO YOU NEED A VPN?

Enhanced Online Privacy: One of the primary reasons to use a VPN is to protect your online privacy. By encrypting your internet traffic, a VPN prevents your internet service provider (ISP), government agencies, or hackers from monitoring your online activities.

1. Secure Data Transmission: In cafes, airports, or hotels using public WiFi, your data becomes extremely vulnerable to interception. A VPN encrypts your data, shielding it from potential hackers and ensuring that your sensitive information remains safe.
2. Geo-Restricted Content Access: Many online streaming platforms and websites implement geo-restrictions, limiting access to specific regions. With a VPN, you can bypass these restrictions by connecting to a server in a different location, granting you access to a wider range of content.
3. Anonymous Browsing: A VPN works alongside your ISP and lets you browse the internet anonymously by cloaking your IP address. This prevents websites, advertisers, and other entities from tracking your online activities and gathering your personal information.
4. Protection against Malicious Attacks: VPNs add an extra layer of security, safeguarding your devices from various cyber threats, such as malware, phishing attacks, and identity theft attempts.

BENEFITS OF HAVING A VPN

• Saves You From Your ISP:  ISPs are notorious for a practice called throttling.  That means they slow down the speed of data transfer from a service you are accessing such as Netflix, YouTube, World of Warcraft, etc., while you are streaming the service you pay for.  They do this to monetize off of you in order to favor other services that may pay them to do that so they don’t have a slow connection.  A VPN would hide your activity from your ISP thereby ensuring that your data transfer speed is steady.  This is especially important for gamers.
• Were you aware that your ISP harvests its customer’s information to sell to data collectors in order to profit? This is in addition to your monthly fee.  A VPN will STOP THAT.

• Data Encryption: VPNs utilize advanced encryption protocols, ensuring that your data remains secure and unreadable to unauthorized individuals. This is crucial when transmitting sensitive information, such as financial details or login credentials.
• Remote Access: VPNs enable secure remote access to corporate networks, allowing employees to connect to company resources from anywhere while maintaining data confidentiality.
• Bypassing Censorship: In regions where internet censorship is prevalent, a VPN allows users to access blocked websites and services by masking their online identity and location
• Torrenting and P2P Sharing: VPNs provide a secure environment for torrenting and peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing activities, allowing users to exchange files privately without the risk of being monitored or tracked. Torrenting is downloading information using BitTorrent (cryptocurrency) access. BitTorrent is an internet transfer protocol like HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) and FTP (file transfer protocol). It is a way to download information from the internet.

• Multiple Server Locations: VPNs offer an additional layer of anonymity in utilizing obfuscated servers. in addition to hiding your data, Obfuscated servers are special VPN servers that even hide the fact that you’re using a VPN. Some places heavily restrict internet usage, and an obfuscated server even hides you from your ISP as being connected to a VPN.

• VPN providers offer servers in various locations worldwide. This allows users to choose servers in different countries, granting them access to region-restricted content and improving connection speeds.
• Public Wi-Fi Security: When connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, VPNs provide an essential layer of protection. By encrypting your data, they safeguard you from potential attacks and ensure your sensitive information remains secure.  A VPN hides your browsing and search history.
• Anonymity and Privacy: VPNs mask your IP address, making it difficult for third parties to track your online activities. This enhances your privacy and anonymity while browsing the internet.
• Safe Online Shopping: VPNs add an extra layer of security when making online purchases. By encrypting your data, they protect your financial information from potential hackers or eavesdroppers. It is well known that some merchants have a pricing tier based on the area an IP address originates from. That allows them to charge different prices for the same product depending on the IP location. A VPN will hide your IP address so you can benefit from the same price as people located at the IP you are shopping at.
• No-Logs VPN:  This layer ensures that no one knows what activity you partake in on the internet. Commonly, some free VPNs log your information and sell it.  It goes without saying that if necessary, the authorities can obtain records of activity.

WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED?

• No extra hardware is needed, unless you want it. When you purchase your service, you download the VPN software and it will cover that device.
• If you travel or have additional devices to use with your VPN, you should consider a VPN external router (#ad). They come in a wide range of prices and features. 

CHARACTERISTICS OF A QUALITY VPN

1. Fast Data Speed – Bandwidth with an unlimited option and plenty of fast servers.  To have a VPN that hinders the speed of information caused by the encryption of data is useless.

2. Strong Encryption and High-Quality Security Protocols

Look for a service with industry standards.

• 256-bit AES encryption – Technically stated, is the process of concealing readable data using the Advanced Encryption Standard algorithm and an AES key length of 256 bits which is the largest AES key length size, most mathematically complex, and most powerful encryption standard that is commercially available today.
• OpenVPN – The various ways to mask and encrypt online information is known as protocols. Some protocols are better than others.  OpenVPN is widely regarded to be the gold standard in protocols.  People who use OpenVPN do so through a VPN provider.
• IKEv2 – Internet Key Exchange version 2.   It defines the negotiation and authentication process for IPsec security associations (SAs).

3. Impecable Privacy Policies:  Choose a provider with a strict no-logs policy. Often a company stores your data which could potentially be shared with third parties like governments. Confirm that the provider is based outside the groups of countries that share surveillance data called the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances.  Read the privacy policy to be sure of your provider’s stance.

4. Multiple Device and Cross-Platform Compatibility

Look for a provider that allows several simultaneous connections.  You want all your devices protected, and the VPN is compatible with your devices. 

5. Great User Experience

Read reviews of different VPN providers so you’re sure to get the best service for your money.  You don’t want a clunky, problematic internet experience.

6. Reliable Customer Support

There is no reason in these times, for a reputable company not to provide 24/7 customer service support.  Things happen at all hours of the day or night and when a lot of us work from home, customer support is vital.

7. Value for Money

It doesn’t need to be said that you get what you pay for.  Do your research and be willing to pay for the security you need and deserve.

IS THERE ANYTHING BETTER THAN A VPN?

Yes, mostly used commercially on a corporate level, but two of the most common choices are as follows:

• Software-defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) is designed to be more efficient in securely connecting users to applications by providing optimal routing of encrypted traffic between a network of SD-WAN appliances, instead of point-to-point as VPNs are designed to do.
• In order to connect users, systems, and endpoints to applications and services anywhere,  SASE (Secure Access Service Edge ) technology should be enacted.  SASE is similar to a framework for network structuring that brings cloud-native security tech in tandem with and wide area network (WAN) rather than point-to-point as VPNs usually do.

While a VPN connection may mean an additional cost, the insurance it provides offsets the cost of having your identity potentially stolen.  Do you need to use it at home?  Not necessarily, except that your ISP, hackers, and whoever can see what your search history is, as search terms, links clicked, and websites visited.   If you want to mask your IP address for anonymity, then use the VPN and search in incognito mode.

In an era where online privacy and security are at extreme risk, utilizing a VPN has become essential. By understanding what a VPN is, why you need one, and the benefits it offers, you can take control of your online presence.

A VPN not only protects your sensitive information from prying eyes but also grants you access to restricted content and ensures a safer browsing experience, particularly on public Wi-Fi networks.

Whether you’re concerned about privacy, want to bypass censorship, or seek a secure remote connection, a VPN is a powerful tool that empowers you to navigate the digital landscape with confidence and peace of mind. We encourage you to check out the well-known VPN host NordVPN.  Reasonably priced for priceless protection