What is a VPN, and do I need it?
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Katya Z, via email
So it’s fair to say that the Investigative Powers Act – also known as the Snoopers Charter – has many netizens concerned about our privacy on the web. And yes, one of the solutions that many people turn to is to use a VPN service. Let’s take a look at what exactly that means.
What is a VPN?
It is a virtual private network.
When you use the Internet normally, the request goes from your computer, to your router, to your broadband provider’s servers, and then to the server that provides the website or service you want to use. Therefore, your broadband provider is able to see exactly what website or service your device is requesting, since the request is going through their servers.
With a VPN, your traffic is encrypted and sent to the VPN provider’s server instead of directly to the website. The VPN decrypts the data, identifies the request, and sends it to the website. The exact same type of encryption happens when a website sends data to you.
In this case, your broadband provider is able to see that you sent a request to the VPN, but it can’t see exactly what you sent, because it is encrypted.
A lot of large companies and multinational organizations use VPNs, as do a lot of individuals who handle sensitive data. This means that their networks are more secure and less likely to be intercepted or hacked.
Is using a VPN illegal?
No, it is perfectly legal to use or operate a VPN in the UK, provided it complies with all relevant laws in the place where you operate. In fact, the use of one is encouraged in some cases – those multinational companies that want a secure way for employees to access data, for example.
So should I get one?
If you are concerned about privacy, hacking or IP law surveillance powers, VPN is a simple and secure solution.
We recommend using one if:
- You greatly protect your privacy, even though there is really nothing to hide.
- You regularly deal with sensitive data that hackers might want.
- You are a good companion to Edward Snowden.
We do not recommend using one if:
- You want to cover up illegal activities. Illegal activities are illegal, so we don’t recommend doing this – and if you’re breaking the law, you could get caught (or hacked, for that matter) via all kinds of means, VPN or no VPN.
- You want to use some regional streaming services, such as Netflix. Most of them block a lot of VPNs. (In some cases that’s okay – you’ll want to do a quick research before signing up for a VPN.)
- Your internet is very slow. Sending all of your traffic through a VPN can slow it down even more.
How do I get a VPN?
Most VPN vendors run a subscription service, so all you really have to do is go to their website and sign up. Once you’ve set up an account, you’ll have to install some software on your device, and choose where you want it to appear – a useful feature for watching Dutch Netflix, but not much else. And boom, your device is now connected to the internet via VPN.
Prices tend to be around five per month, with an amazing variety of payment methods: standard credit card, cash in the mail, Amazon gift cards, obscure cryptocurrencies like dogecoin, you name it. Some services are free, but they may be slow or unreliable, collect your data, or have restrictive download restrictions.
For a little help choosing a VPN provider, take a look at PC Advisor reviews and TorrentFreak’s breakdown of their security and data retention policies. Remember to think about the level of data protection you want, the devices you will be working with, how much bandwidth you need, and most importantly, where the VPN is located.
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