What is a Virtual Private Network (VPN)? The growth of the Internet has brought positives and negatives at the same time. Security has been one of the major concerns that are experienced in today’s digital era.
The world of the Internet is full of security threats. These include hacking, and phishing, among others. Such threats severely compromise privacy and confidentiality while online.
Therefore, whenever you are online, you need to have the means to guarantee a secure connection. A virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best ways to secure your online connection.
What is Virtual Private Network (VPN)?
A virtual private network encrypts your internet connection. This protects your data from prying eyes. The Network consists of servers located from another part of the world from your country.
You acquire a different IP address from that assigned by an Internet service provider in your region. When using a Virtual Private Network, all your online activities will appear as if they are originating from the country where the virtual server is located.
All your incoming or outgoing data will be encrypted, which will make it hard for anyone to track you online; hence, guarantee your security.
Benefits of Virtual Private Network
Stay Safe from Hackers at Unsecured Public Networks
Nowadays, public networks are easily accessible. Whether you walk into a hospital, hotel, bus, school, an office, among others, you are likely to find an open Wi-Fi. However, these public networks are prone to have hackers and malware waiting to attack you once you connect to the network.
This network keeps you safe when using such networks because anything you are sharing online is encrypted. You will have complete anonymity when connected to Wi-Fi using a VPN service.
Bypass Geographic Restrictions
Have you ever wanted to access a website or content but got restricted because of geographical location? Well, a VPN service can come into handy at such times. Some websites restrict their access to a certain location; hence, people outside the specified location are locked out.
A VPN can allow you to obtain an IP address that makes you seem like you are located in the allowed location; hence, you can access a website or content from any part of the world.
Stay Anonymous
Need to stay anonymous when browsing online? Your ISP or other eyes that may be spying on you will not be able to track you when you are using a VPN service. This makes it a great option when you are transmitting highly confidential data online, such as your financial details and other personal information.
Choosing the Best Virtual Private Network Service
Even though a virtual private network is a great security option for your online connections, it can only be beneficial when you choose the right one. The following are some things that you need to consider when choosing a VPN service.
Location
When choosing a VPN service, the first thing you should check is the location of the servers. They should be located in the region in which you want your IP address to appear. For example, if you want your location to be based in Europe, ensure the VPN servers are based in European countries.
Security
This is the second most important thing that you should check. You want to choose something that will guarantee your security. Ensure the VPN doesn’t leak your IP address because it will leave you exposed.
Check to ensure there is no IP leak. This is because some networks are prone to leaking your IP when your internet connection is lost or becomes poor.
Capacity
How much data can you transmit over the Net? Check the terms of service of the service provider to ensure you don’t pick a service that will not meet your transmission needs.
Compatibility
Ensure the VPN service you choose is compatible with the device that you will be using. Some are designed to be used on specific devices such as laptops, smartphones, or tablets. It should be compatible with a variety of devices to give you the flexibility of using it.
