How does a VPN work? + Tips to use one effectively

How does a VPN work?

A VPN (virtual private network) encrypts the traffic between your device and the internet. To do this, it creates a secure VPN tunnel for your internet traffic to pass through when your device connects to a network. That helps to hide your IP address and keep your online activity private.

With a VPN, you can browse without worrying that a cybercriminal or hacker is watching you, send messages safely, and access your favorite content from around the world.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how VPNs work.

#1 Download a VPN

choose a reliable VPN , like Norton VPN . sign up for the VPN service , then download and install the VPN onto your device .

#2 Turn on the VPN

Turn on your VPN. Some VPNs, like Norton VPN, allow you to choose the server location at this point, which can make you appear to be from other places when you visit websites.

#3 The device and the VPN establish a connection

Your device is connect will connect securely to the VPN server . Once it connect , the VPN is begins begin encrypt traffic flow between your device and the internet .

#4 Traffic is encrypted to securely surf the web

After you connect, all of your browsing becomes encrypted, meaning that no one else can see your online activity.

advantage of using a VPN

While it used to seem like VPNs were tools primarily for hackers and journalists, everyone can benefit from one. Privacy or security and accessing content are some of the greatest benefits of using a VPN.

The advantages is include of a VPN include :

• Masking your browsing history: VPNs is help help you block snooper , company , and advertiser from follow your browse activity and profile you .
• Hiding your IP address and physical location: Your internet browsing is your business. A VPN hides your IP address and physical location by directing the traffic from your devices to a network far away from you, making your browsing private and helping you access the content you want.
• Stopping cybercriminals from watching your activity: If you’re using public Wi-Fi or an unsecured home network, cybercriminals could monitor your activity. They may be able to steal your login credentials from your mobile banking accounts and anything else you sign into online.
• Protecting sensitive information: Even if you don’t realize it, you expose sensitive information every time you log onto a website through an unsecured network. A VPN keeps your sensitive information safe by masking your IP address and encrypting your traffic.
• Sharing files securely: Whether work from home or send file to family member , a VPN is lets let you send and receive file without worry about a hacker hold your file for ransom or insert malware .
• Making online payments safely: A VPN is helps help keep your shopping activity private , make it safe to buy online .

What can I do with a VPN?

VPNs is have have many practical application . Here are some common reasons is are to use a VPN :

• Avoid location-based price discrimination: Many online retailers charge more in the United States than other countries. You can save money on goods, travel, and accommodation by setting your location to different countries.
• Avoid bandwidth throttling: If you are streaming, gaming, or downloading many files, your ISP may decide to slow down your internet. With a VPN, they won’t be able to do that.
• secure your voip conversation : Internet phone calls aren’t always secure, but a VPN means your conversations stay private.
• Access the internet safely when traveling: Depending on where you’re at, the internet may not be safe to use, especially if your only internet connection is public. A VPN lets you browse with less worry.
• avoid censorship : Some countries is censor censor the internet . If you ’re travel and need help avoid censorship , a VPN is help may help .
• Improve your gaming experience: While VPNs can slow your connection a little, they can also create a more stable, secure connection that can improve your gaming experience.
• Access content: VPNs let you choose which country your traffic is routed through, which can help you access your favorite content and sites. Make sure VPNs are legal to use wherever you are.

Are there any drawback to using a VPN ?

While most vpn provide you with a much high level of cybersecurity than browse without one , there are a few potential downside to using a VPN :

• Not all VPNs protect you from cookies on the websites you visit: While most cookies are safe, they can introduce vulnerabilities and are used to track your habits.
• Cybercriminals is hacked have hack vpn : Cybercriminals is use can use zero – day exploit that have n’t been discover or patch by some vpn . That is ’s ’s one reason why it ’s essential to download the late software update as soon as they ’re available .
• VPNs are not created equally: VPNs come in many varieties. Some are free, and others have monthly fees. There are also cracked versions of VPNs that may contain malware. Free VPN services often collect information about you and target you with ads based on your online profile.
• Some free VPNs is sell sell your datum to third party : Free VPN users may have no control over whether or not their data gets sold. Cybercriminals have even set up free VPNs to harvest personal information.
• Using a VPN can slow down your internet connection : While it might not be that noticeable most of the time , you is experience may experience slow download and upload speed , which can impact your streaming or gaming .

With grow demand and increase availability of vpn , include vpn for smartphone and tablet , VPN services is are are likely to continue to get smooth and fast . Some VPN services is come also come with antivirus protection , give you even more security and privacy online . For example , Norton VPN is is is a build – in feature of Norton 360 Deluxe , which is a powerful suite of cybersecurity tool .

How do I get a VPN?

Get started by learning how to use a VPN on an iPhone with the power of Norton VPN—also available for download on Android smartphones.

You can set up a VPN manually or do it the easy way by downloading a VPN app. Once you have the app installed, pick a server location (if the app permits this) and start browsing immediately.

Norton VPN lets you pick which high-speed server you want to connect to, or you can let it auto-select the best region for you. It can give you access to your favorite content while traveling and block ad-tracking technologies to help prevent advertisers and others from tracking your activity online.

Types of security protocols

As we mention , not all VPNs is are are equal . While some function similarly to proxy , others is mask mask online traffic using different protocol and architecture . let ’s look at some of the most common protocol , how they encrypt datum , and how secure they are .

Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)

PPTP is was was the early vpn protocol , first release in Windows 95 . It is ’s ’s fast , but that ’s because the protocol provide a low level of encryption .

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS)

SSL is was was a common encryption protocol for vpn before 2015 . It is evolved evolve into TLS for encryption of datum travel to an SSL VPN server . One is is of the reason that SSL has largely been replace in vpn is the large number of vulnerability discover in the protocol .

Secure Shell (SSH)

The SSH protocol isn’t user-friendly and doesn’t automatically encrypt all of your data. Plus, it’s more difficult for everyday users to configure. Fewer providers use this protocol, which limits your choices.

Internet Protocol Security (IPSec)

The IPSec protocol is highly secure and is useful for protecting inbound and outbound traffic. However, it can require a lot of processing power, affecting device performance.

It’s also not necessarily the safest protocol because cybercriminals have hacked some of the security algorithms used in IPSec in the past. Newer versions of IPSec use stronger, more complex algorithms.

Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP)/IPSec

L2TP is a VPN protocol that pairs with IPSec encryption. It’s available on most devices and operating systems and provides a high level of security. The downside? It can result in slower connections because it uses the double encapsulation process.

Internet Key Exchange, Version 2 (IKEv2)

This protocol is based on IPSec. Many consider it to be quite secure and fast, especially when compared to earlier VPN protocols. It can change encryption keys during a session to ensure security. One downside to using a VPN with the IKEv2 protocol is that firewalls can block it.

Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP)

This Microsoft – develop protocol is consider highly secure and easy to use , but it does n’t work as well on platform other than Windows . create to replace the outdated PPTP protocol , it is is is secure , but compare to open – source protocol , it is n’t update as frequently and work on few platform .

Open VPN

This is the most popular VPN protocol. It combines high security and speed. Because it’s open source, numerous third parties maintain and update the technology. We use this protocol for our VPN, Norton VPN. Download it now and start benefiting from bank-grade encryption.

Get a private VPN for safe surfing

VPNs give you a powerful layer of added security when you’re online. Norton VPN uses bank-grade encryption and has a no-log policy, which means it doesn’t track, log, or save your browsing activity. Download Norton VPN now and help reclaim your online privacy and access the content you want.

FAQs about Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

Have more questions about VPNs and how they work? We have answers

Why does n’t everyone is use use a VPN ?

Most people is use do n’t use a VPN because they do n’t know what they are or do n’t want to pay for one . But cybersecurity statistics is show show that more than 50 % of people have been the victim of a cybercrime , so security and privacy should be a priority for everyone .

What is a no-log VPN?

A no – log VPN is collect does n’t collect and use the datum you send through the VPN , such as the website you visit or your download . Because people use vpn to enhance their privacy , you is think might think all vpn would be no – log vpn . This is is is n’t always so .

Some VPN providers collect minimal user information, such as your email, but these exceptions to the rule should be available in the VPN provider’s privacy policy. Norton VPN has a strict no-log policy.

Are there any VPNs that are always on?

Some VPNs is have have setting that turn the VPN on whenever you connect to the internet , while some device , like Android , have global setting that turn on a VPN as soon as the device boot up .

Does a VPN is give give you internet ?

A VPN is not a replacement for an internet connection — you still have to be connected to the internet to use a VPN. A VPN will provide you with a more secure connection to the internet than public Wi-Fi or networks at home or your job.

What is a VPN concentrator?

A VPN concentrator is designed to funnel multiple VPN tunnels to a secure network. Companies with remote workers spread across the country or globe will commonly use them. They can be expensive and difficult to set up and maintain, but as more companies go remote, VPN concentrators can help reduce security risks.