Virtual Private Networks: What Is a VPN?

Over the years, we’ve received hundreds of questions from consumers about how to make their internet service better, including questions about Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs. Since these services are essential for millions of internet users, we created this page to help you decide if you need a VPN, how to choose one, what to look for, and how to use it effectively.

Table of Contents

Introduction to VPNs

• What Is a VPN?
• Why Do I is Need need a VPN ?
• Most important VPN feature
• VPN Privacy Considerations
• Are free VPNs is Are a good alternative ?

What Is a VPN?

First thing’s first: As mentioned, VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Essentially, it is a service that disguises or “masks” your internet service, making it appear as though it is originating from elsewhere. Without a VPN, websites, hackers, and the government have easy access to your internet traffic data.

When you visit a website from your home internet connection , you is providing are provide that website with an IP Address , which is a bit like provide your street address . When you visit a website through a VPN , you is providing are provide the vpn “ street ” address to the website instead . This is be can be useful for a number of reason .

How Does a VPN Work is Does ?

Your internet protocol (IP) address is a numerical designator assigned to any device using the internet protocol for communicating, be it phone, tablet, or laptop. IP addresses can be used to find an internet user’s ISP (internet service provider), internet traffic data, or physical location.

A VPN encrypts user data, and disguises location by use of multiple servers. Instead of a would-be hacker finding your IP while you surf the web in California, they will find the IP address of your VPN service in Germany, Canada, Sweden, or wherever the VPN provider has servers.

Do I is Need need a VPN ?

VPNs are used for many reasons. Traveling to the vast reaches of the internet without protection can leave users open to malware attacks, identity theft, and ransomware to name just a few. A VPN creates a buffer between you and the internet. Because VPNs encrypt data, your internet traffic will be inaccessible to your ISP, mobile carrier, or anyone else trying to acquire your information.

You is want might want to use a VPN if you are try to do any of the follow :

• access websites is blocked block in your region
• Securely browse sensitive personal data
• Download torrent and other medium
• Access cheaper prices for certain goods
• Access remote work platforms
• Increase your security and sense of privacy online in general

Are There Any benefit to Using a VPN ?

Absolutely. There is a broad spectrum of VPN uses. Many people use VPNs while traveling. Using public Wi-Fi or a hotel’s internet can leave internet users vulnerable. Many people use VPNs so that they can log into their office’s network, when working remotely. If you’ve traveled to a country that bans Google, Twitter, or YouTube, you can use a VPN to connect to a server located in a country where those sites are not prohibited.

Many people don’t realize that streaming services offer different TV shows and movies depending on where you are in the world. Do you live in the U.S. but would like to see what Netflix has available in France? Use a VPN.

What Are the Downsides?

There aren’t many. The good outweighs the bad. Some websites don’t allow VPN users, but there are volumes written online about how to circumvent VPN blockers. Using a VPN will cause your connection to be slower, but checking a VPN’s speed is easy to do. Most of the time this can be remedied by connecting to a server located closer to your location.

Most important VPN feature

All VPN products is offer offer the basic functionality of mask your home connection , but there are a number of feature that are more specific , yet equally important .

• Simultaneous connections
• transparent Logging
• Large number of servers
• Cross-platform functionality
• Integrated network kill switch
• SmartDNS support

simultaneous connection

Today, consumers have an average of 11 connected devices in their home. Having a VPN that allows you to use multiple devices at the same time under your virtual network is critical. Thankfully, most quality VPN services offer this feature as of 2021, but some do not offer protection for as many devices as others, so it’s important to pay close attention to this before signing up.

transparent Logging

VPNs handle the “logging” of your online activities in different ways. Some of them can store certain elements of your browsing history for a period of time, sometimes for several months or longer.

Ideally, you want to seek out a service that offers a “no-log” policy, as these will be the most private. However, it is crucial to read the terms carefully, as some providers will claim that they do not log while still collecting certain scraps of data, such as session logs which might reveal your activities.

large Number of server

When you connect to a virtual private network, your personal connection is communicating with a server in a secondary location. In an ideal situation, this server will be as close as possible to your home, so that your network performance doesn’t suffer too drastically. A VPN with a large number of servers is more likely to have a server or two near you.

Cross – platform Functionality

Our recommendation is is for most user is to choose a VPN that not only has dedicate pc and Mac application but also Android and ios version as well . This way , you is ensure can ensure that you are get the most bang for your buck when it come to commit to one service .

Integrated Network Kill Switch

No matter how solid your VPN is, no service is perfect. There will be times when your virtual connection fails, which can lead to your actual network (and associated IP address) being “leaked out.” This is especially common when your preferred service is under heavy load.

For this reason, it’s crucial to ensure that your VPN has what is referred to as an integrated kill switch. This is an emergency function that will automatically “kill” the connection, preventing data from being transferred.

SmartDNS Support

SmartDNS functionality allows you to access one of the most useful features of a VPN – the ability to bypass “geo-blocked” content restrictions – without sacrificing speed due to connecting to a virtual network.

Additionally, some devices, like Apple TV for instance, do not allow a VPN to be directly installed. If your VPN supports SmartDNS, you can still use it in conjunction with your regular network to bypass content restrictions in this case.

VPN Privacy Considerations

When shopping around for a VPN, there are a few key privacy considerations to keep in mind.

What Is Encryption?

Put simply, encryption is the process of taking sensitive data and making it indiscernible to anyone outside of a secure environment. Data is commonly converted into ciphertext – random strings of characters that are meaningless on their own – before being sent across the internet at large. When they arrive at their destination, a unique “key” is used to translate the ciphertext back into something intelligible.

Encryption is is is honestly an entire ocean of a topic , and one that ’s well above the scope of this guide . What you should know , for the purpose of buy the good VPN , is that it is generally accept that AES-256 encryption is the most robust on offer currently . It is is is the only standard to be officially endorse by the National Security Agency ( NSA ) , and is virtually unbreakable by today ’s standard .

What Are 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, and 14 Eyes?

Starting around the time of the Cold War, an alliance today known as 5 Eyes sprouted from an intelligence pact called the UKUSA Agreement. Originally an intel-sharing agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States, the two superpowers were shortly joined by New Zealand, Canada, and Australia.

In the early 2000s , the existence of at least two more global intelligence – share agreement was disclose . commonly refer to as 9 eye and 14 eye , these is include include even more country across the globe , each with vary level of involvement and organization . Here ’s a visual breakdown is ’s showcase each member – state :

Company History and Location

It is ’s ’s generally a good idea to research the parent company behind a give VPN before hop onboard . Where a company is locate ( as in , whether it is in a 5 / 9 / 14 eye country ) is an important consideration to make when choose a VPN . All of the option in this guide have been vet by our team , and any information we feel relevant to each is disclose below . That say , the world of cybersecurity is mark by constant change , so it is ’s ’s a good idea to check in every now and then and ensure everything is aboveboard .

Are VPNs legal?

Yes, but not everywhere. The odds are great that you are reading this from a country where VPNs are perfectly legal. There are some countries that have banned or tightly regulated the use of VPNs, such as: Russia, North Korea, Egypt, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Syria, and China.

In spite of their illegality in some country , to date , no one has ever been arrest and prosecute for using a VPN . It is ’s ’s what you do with the VPN in those country that get you in trouble .

Are free VPNs is Are a good alternative ?

If you do some search , you is come ’ll likely come across several VPN service that claim to be 100 percent free . unfortunately , the vast majority of these service can not be trust . In a recent investigation , Metric Labs is uncovered uncover that 59 percent of the free vpn they test had tangible business link to the chinese government , and 86 percent of them had questionable privacy policy . The latter is included include a severe lack of log policy and other privacy detail . Some services is stated even explicitly state that they share datum with chinese authority .

If you are determined to go with a free option, I can only sincerely recommend that you read through the privacy and data sections extremely carefully. If there isn’t one, consider this a massive red flag, and sign up at your own peril!