Since people are increasingly using the Internet every day, whether for work, play, or research, security has become an increasingly prevalent issue. With the rise in online activity, the risks associated with data breaches, identity theft, and privacy violations have also surged. There are a variety of security measures available to keep data safe from individuals seeking to steal it, but not all of these measures are created equal. Among the most effective tools for protecting your online privacy is a , or Virtual Private Network. A VPN is designed to provide a secure, encrypted connection that hides your online activities from prying eyes, offering a higher level of protection than many other security options. As digital threats continue to grow, incorporating a VPN into your security measures has become crucial for helping to safeguard your personal information.
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Defining VPNs
If you've looked into Internet security measures, you've likely come across the term "VPN," but you may be less familiar with what a VPN is and what it's for. Simply put, a VPN, which stands for "virtual private network," is a service that connects a user to a remote server. The VPN then encrypts and reroutes the user's Internet traffic to hide their online identity.
This definition of a VPN is rudimentary, but it's a functional definition that helps us understand what it is and what it's generally used for. It is essential to know whether VPNs work and when/where they should be used. The definition here notes that VPNs "hide" users, and that idea conveys much about how VPNs help keep users safe. Remember that VPNs don't prevent user error when getting scammed through phishing.
Uses and Usefulness of VPNs
VPNs vary in usefulness depending on what you want to use them for. Torrenting and streaming are two of the most common uses for VPNs because most VPNs seem best suited for these practices. That being said, some VPNs don't work well for streaming or torrenting, so it's worth doing preliminary research to compare services to determine which best suits your needs.
Regarding how a VPN helps keep its user secure, the onus lies primarily on the strength of the VPN's connection between your computer and the VPN's private server. This part of the connection is what you, as the user, have the most control over when it comes to choosing between different VPNs, as the VPN's encryption in this connection is more accessible to verify versus the second part of the connection, wherein the server sends information out to the internet.
Encryption is one element you can and should be picky about when choosing a VPN, as it's often the determining factor in whether your information can be leaked while using the VPN. Encryption is designed to make data unreadable to outside users like hackers, making it inaccessible to those outside the VPN.
While there are several ways to encrypt data, some of the safest VPNs use Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption, given its raw strength, making it take a very long time to crack to access your IP address.
Using a VPN helps keep your IP address hidden and your information private. Notably, "privacy" does not equate to "anonymity" here, as many VPNs may try to sell you on.
Online anonymity is, in the vast majority of cases, an oxymoronic statement. To be online is to waive your right to anonymity. However, you can remain private, which VPNs help facilitate by hiding your IP address. In private, online entities can recognize parts of your browsing habits, but you can choose some of what they do and don't see. VPNs enable users to be selective about how their information spreads.
It's also worth being familiar with the different VPN protocols. These protocols dictate how data is transmitted between the VPN server and your device; other protocols determine the speed and security you'll have access to. OpenVPN is considered one of the better protocols, as it offers a good combination between speed and security.
Some VPNs allow users to switch between these choices of reliability and internet speed depending on their Internet needs at the time, so consider the different options in protocols and what scenarios they appear most useful for. There are also choices for mobile users, namely IKEv2/IPSec, a protocol well suited for mobile devices because of its ability to reconnect to different networks. VPNs can drop briefly when switching between mobile networks and WiFi, making IKEv2 helpful in preventing these drops.
Are VPNs Worth Using?
VPNs should always benefit your online experience as a baseline, provided you're online fairly regularly and using a VPN that suits your specific needs. It never hurts to have that additional padding regarding privacy, as it helps keep corporations, ISPs, and government agencies from tracking your information. For much of the world, including the US, VPNs are perfectly legal and accessible.
There are other items to look out for when using a VPN safely. For example, if a VPN regularly asks for login information, it's likely not worth using since it can be leaked. As such, look for a VPN with RAM-based servers, as these lack a way to collect your data in the first place.
Returning to the previous question of , torrenting and streaming, VPNs in these instances are vital, as one of their primary uses is to remove "geoblocks," or barriers around an entity's Internet, denying outside users access. Once you've gotten rid of these blocks, you can access that entity's Internet, allowing you to stream or torrent their entertainment services (many people in the US watch British television using VPNs, for instance).
Interacting with the Internet and its many services can be quite enjoyable, but it can also prove dangerous when protecting your personal information. Although there's no practical way to go completely anonymous online, it pays to use a VPN that suits your needs to keep your information private and away from prying eyes. Other methods of security software, like antivirus protection, are also worth using in conjunction with VPNs for additional coverage.
VPNs come in a wide range of security capabilities and other aspects like streaming, so remember what you do most online and which VPN would keep you safest during that activity.