Explanation of Virtual Private Networks
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Written by Steve Simanovich for NortonLifeLock
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A Virtual Private Network (VPN) gives you privacy and anonymity online by creating a private network from a public internet connection. VPNs mask your Internet Protocol (IP) address so that your actions online are virtually untraceable. Most importantly, VPN services create secure and encrypted connections to provide greater privacy even from a secure Wi-Fi hotspot.
Why do you need a VPN service?
Browsing the web or interacting on an unsecured Wi-Fi network means that you may reveal your private information and browsing habits. That’s why a Virtual Private Network, better known as a VPN, should be a must for anyone concerned about their online security and privacy.
Think of all the times you spent on the go, reading emails while standing in line at the coffee shop, or checking your bank account while waiting at the doctor’s office. Unless you are logged into a private Wi-Fi network that requires a password, any data sent during your Internet session may be vulnerable to eavesdropping by strangers using the same network.
The encryption and anonymity that a VPN provides help protect your online activities: sending emails, shopping online or paying bills. VPNs also help keep your web browsing private.
How a VPN protects your IP address and privacy
VPNs essentially create a data tunnel between your local network and an exit node in another location, which may be thousands of miles away, making it look like you’re somewhere else. This feature allows freedom on the Internet, or the ability to access your favorite apps and sites on the go.
Here’s a closer look at how a VPN works. VPNs use encryption to scramble data when it is sent over a Wi-Fi network. Encryption makes data unreadable. Data security is especially important when using public Wi-Fi, as it prevents anyone else on the network from eavesdropping on your online activity.
There is another aspect to privacy. Without a VPN, your ISP can know your entire browsing history. With a VPN, your search history is hidden. That’s because your web activity will be associated with the VPN server’s IP address, not your own IP address. A VPN service provider may have servers all over the world. This means that your research activity may appear to have originated in any one of them. Keep in mind that search engines also track your search history, but they will associate this information with an IP address that is not yours. Once again, your VPN will keep your online activity private.
VPN Privacy: What does a VPN hide?
A VPN can hide a lot of information that can put your privacy at risk. Here are five of them.
1. Your browsing history
It’s no secret where you go on the Internet. Your ISP and web browser can keep track of everything you do on the Internet. Many of the websites you visit can also keep a log. Web browsers can track your search history and associate this information with your IP address.
Here are two examples of why you might want to keep your browsing history private. You probably have a medical condition and are searching the web for information about treatment options. guess what? Without a VPN, you have shared this information automatically and you may start receiving targeted advertisements that could draw attention to your condition.
Or maybe you just want to price airfares for next month’s trip. The travel sites you visit know that you are looking for tickets and may offer fares that are not the cheapest available.
These are just a few isolated examples. Keep in mind that your ISP may be able to sell your browsing history. Even so-called private browsers may not be this private.
2. Your IP address and location
Anyone who captures your IP address can access what you were searching on the Internet and where you were when searching. Think of your IP address as the sender’s address that you typed into a letter. It leads you to your device.
Since the VPN uses an IP address that is not yours, it allows you to maintain your privacy online and search the web anonymously. You are also protected from the collection, display or sale of your search history. Keep in mind that your search history can still be viewed if you are using a public computer or a device provided by your employer, school, or other organization.
3. Your location for broadcasting
You may pay for streaming services that let you watch things like professional sports. When you travel outside the country, the streaming service may not be available. There are good reasons for this, including contractual terms and regulations in other countries. However, a VPN allows you to specify an IP address in your country. This will likely give you access to any event shown on your streaming service. You may also be able to avoid data or speed throttling.
4. Your devices
A VPN can help protect your devices, including your desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone, from prying eyes. Your devices can be prime targets for cybercriminals when accessing the Internet, especially if you are using public Wi-Fi. In short, a VPN helps protect the data you send and receive on your devices so that hackers can’t see your every move.
5. Your web activity – to keep the internet free
I hope you’re not a candidate for government surveillance, but who knows. Remember, a VPN protects your ISP from seeing your browsing history. So you are protected if a government agency requires your ISP to provide records of your online activity. Assuming your VPN provider doesn’t log your browsing history (some VPN providers do), your VPN can help protect your internet freedom.
How can a VPN help protect against identity theft?
Identity theft occurs when thieves steal your personal information and use it to commit crimes in your name – such as seizing or opening new accounts, filing tax returns in your name, or renting or buying real estate. A VPN can help protect against identity theft by helping to protect your data. It creates an encrypted tunnel for the data you send and receive out of the reach of hackers.
If your smartphone’s Wi-Fi is enabled at all times, your device may be at risk without you even knowing it. Daily activities like online shopping, banking, and browsing can expose your information, leaving you vulnerable to cybercrime.
A VPN can protect the information you share or access using your devices. This is especially important when using public Wi-Fi, where a cyber thief on the same network can capture the login credentials and credit card number you type when shopping online.
You cannot prevent identity theft. no one can. Some aspects of security, such as a data breach in an organization where you hold an account, are beyond your control. But a VPN can help protect the information you send and receive on your devices.
What should you look for in VPN services?
The VPN market is crowded with options, so it is important to consider your needs when shopping for a VPN.
Think about what is important to you. Do you want to be able to surf the web anonymously by hiding your IP address? Are you afraid that your information will be stolen on public Wi-Fi? Are you a frequent traveler and want to be able to watch your favorite shows on the go?
A good VPN can help you check all three boxes, but here are some other points to consider.
How to choose a VPN
The smart way to stay secure when using public Wi-Fi is to use a VPN solution. But what is the best way to choose a VPN? Here are some questions to ask when choosing a VPN provider.
- Do they respect your privacy? The point of using a VPN is to protect your privacy, so it is imperative that the VPN provider respects your privacy as well. They should have a no-logs policy, which means that they never track or record your online activities.
- Are they running the latest protocol? OpenVPN offers stronger security than other protocols, such as PPTP. OpenVPN is an open source software that supports all major operating systems.
- Do they set data limits? Depending on your internet usage, bandwidth may be a huge deciding factor for you. Make sure their services match your needs by checking to see if you’ll get full, unmetered bandwidth with no data caps.
- Where are the server locations? j? Determine which server locations are important to you. If you want to appear as if you are accessing the web from a specific site, make sure that there is a server in that country.
- Will you be able to set up VPN access on multiple devices? If you’re like the average consumer, you typically use between three and five devices. Ideally, you will be able to use a VPN on all of them at the same time.
- How much will it cost? If price is important to you, you might think that a free VPN is the best option. Remember, however, that some VPN services may not cost you money, but you can “pay” in other ways, such as serving frequent ads or collecting and selling your personal information to third parties. If you compare the paid options to the free ones, you may find that free VPNs:
- don’t do Offers the latest and most secure protocols
- don’t do Offers the highest bandwidth and connection speeds for free users
- Act It has a higher separation rate
- don’t do It has many servers in many countries worldwide
- don’t do providing support
There are many points to consider when choosing a VPN, so do your homework to make sure you get the right fit for your needs. No matter which provider you choose, rest assured that a good VPN will provide more security, privacy, and anonymity online than a public Wi-Fi hotspot.
VPN Product Comparison
The inclusion of websites, links, or providers does not imply endorsement or support for any company, product or provider listed here. The data published here was updated in October 2020 as a tool to help consumers when considering VPN offerings. This article is not intended to be an exhaustive list of features, services and/or prices that may or may not apply to each resource listed, and the features, services and prices listed below are subject to change.
Which VPN Provider Is Right For You? We can’t tell you that. But we can help you compare shopping. Here is a look at some of the relevant factors to consider when looking for a VPN provider and how some of the best VPN services rank when it comes to these key features.
We focused on these nine factors to consider when choosing a VPN. Click the links if you want to skip ahead.
VPN prices
It’s tempting to choose your VPN provider based on price. After all, we all want to spend as little as we can each month, right?
but…
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