VPN stands for ‘Virtual Private Network’. Many of us are familiar with VPNs and may have even been told to use them by workplaces. But few of us really know what they are and what their benefits are.
This post delves more into exactly what VPNs are and the times when they can come in handy.
How does a VPN work?
A VPN works by hiding your IP address. What is your IP address? This is a numerical label that every device has. Internet service providers and third parties use your IP address to determine what location you are in and what websites you have visited.
When you use a VPN, all your private information is sent to a server run by the VPN company which encrypts all this information. This makes it impossible for your internet service provider and third parties to see what sites you have visited and what location you are connecting from.
What are the benefits of a VPN?
A VPN can prevent sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands. Dodgy websites cannot collect personal information from you and use it for malicious means. Hackers who are using the same network can also not easily get hold of your data and misuse it.
By hiding information such as your location and browsing history, a VPN can also help you get around various restrictions across the internet. For example, some sites can not be accessed in certain countries. To determine whether a visitor is from a restricted country, a website will usually use a visitors’ IP address. A VPN allows you to hide this information so that you can still access the restricted content.
When To Use A VPN
There are a few key situations where a VPN can come in use. This section takes a look at a few of these situations.
When using public wi-fi
Public wi-fi is accessed by many people at one time and is typically less secure than private wi-fi. You are more likely to be targeted by hackers through public wi-fi for this reason. Types of information that hackers can get hold of through public wi-fi can range from log-in details to online banking information. Using a VPN can help to keep your data hidden from hackers. This is why it’s recommended that you always use a VPN while browsing the internet on a public wi-fi connection (such as at a hotel or a coffee bar).
When accessing geo-restricted content
Some content on the internet is geo-restricted. As already mentioned, some websites are only available to access in certain countries. A VPN can enable you to still access these websites – which could be useful when accessing certain news or buying certain products. It’s worth noting that some videos, movies and TV series are also only available in certain countries. A VPN can similarly allow you to view this content without having to be in that country. This can be useful if you’re travelling or moving abroad, but want to keep up to date with all your favourite shows.
When your IP has been blocked
IP address blocking is something that can happen for various reasons. Often internet providers will block IP addresses if they notice suspicious or malicious activity. While this can help to fight crime and limit bots, internet service providers can make mistakes when blocking IP addresses – and sometimes innocent internet users can get blocked just because their behaviour may look similar to a bot. If you’ve been blocked and there’s no good reason why you should be blocked, using a VPN could be a way of getting around this block.
How to use a VPN
VPNs are very simple to use. To use a VPN, you typically need to install a VPN app on your device, or already have security software installed with VPN features. Using this application, you can then connect/disconnect to the VPN with the click of a button.
Some VPNs charge fees to use them, while others are free to use. Those with fees may provide a stronger connection and the option to change your IP address to appear as if you’re using the internet from specific countries. This is useful if you want to view content only allowed in a specific country.
You can explore VPNs online. Take the time to read reviews and compare pricing to find the best solution for you. Make sure to also check that any security software already installed on your PC doesn’t already come with VPN features.