VPN is one of those big, scary acronyms that strike fear into the hearts of many computer-illiterate people. However, it’s an easily explicable thing that can do a lot of good in your everyday browsing and downloading life. A VPN will protect your privacy in all sorts of situations, for example, if you do your banking and insurance online. You are also covered while making your investments, using a streaming service, not to mention when you are playing online slots in the UK or placing a bet on a US sports game. Those of you without computer/ IT-obsessed or employed partners or friends, those who still type with two fingers and those who don’t need to know how things work but only know that they do work might not know what a VPN is. For the sanity and understanding of the groups of people we’ve just mentioned, we’re going to take the time to answer the following questions and more about VPNs:
- What is a VPN?
- How does a VPN actually work?
- Will a VPN protect me from prying eyes?
- Is a VPN necessary for everyday browsing?
What is a VPN?
A VPN, which stands for Virtual Private Network, is a protected network that you can use to browse using public connections. The software encrypts your internet traffic and hides your online identity from the prying eyes of those who might seek to use your information for nefarious purposes. VPNs have far broader applications than just being sold by a company to individuals who like to keep their online lives more private.VPN technology is part of the reason that so many employees have been able to switch seamlessly from working in an office to working from home.
How Does A VPN Work?
When you turn on your VPN, an encrypted connection that runs between your computer and the service provider’s remote server is created by the software (known as a tunnel). Everything you do on the internet from that point forward is run through that tunnel, which acts as a shield against all unknown invaders who may want to get hold of your personal information or browsing data. Even your own ISP won’t be able to see exactly what you’re getting up to when you browse. This level of privacy is a great weight off the minds of many people who use personal and financial details online as a part of their daily lives. Here are all the benefits of using a VPN:
- Completely secure encryption: if you choose this option, you’ll need an encryption key to read the data transferred to you.
- Hidden whereabouts. A VPN runs your information through proxy servers all over the world, keeping your actual location a secret. This may be necessary for you to access a service or offer not available in your region.
- Secure data transfers. For those who work remotely, keeping vital company information safe when transferring it online is especially important.
When Do I Need A VPN?
A VPN is helpful to have if you often use public connections. Remember to turn your VPN on before connecting to a coffee shop or mall internet! A VPN is always a good idea if you are transferring any important data. There’s no harm in being as safe as possible, and your boss or colleagues will undoubtedly thank you for it! Getting access to websites that don’t operate in your area, like gambling websites and streaming services, is another way a VPN can help you out.
What Kinds of VPN Are There?
SSL VPN
This is the kind of VPN most often used by remote employees. The Secure Socket Layer VPN uses the SSL protocol to create a secure connection.
Site-to-Site VPN
Site-to-site creates a tunnel directly from your computer to the intended destination.
Client-to-Server VPN
With this VPN, a client connects to the internet through the service provider’s servers, creating the tunnel we mentioned earlier. This is thought to be the most secure VPN connection.
Wrap Up
A VPN is an excellent way to ensure that your information stays private and that you are able to browse the internet and order clothing, read books, bet it all on black or watch movies in complete privacy. There are so many great options to choose from that you’ll be able to find one that works well for exactly what you need.
Taylor is a freelance SEO copywriter and blogger. His areas of expertise include technology, pop culture, and marketing.
