We are currently in the midst of an age where the internet rules all, and it’s up to each individual to determine for themselves whether this is a good or bad thing. There are so many positives that the internet has brought to us; social media allows us to keep in contact with people on the other side of the world with ease, we can play all sorts of games, use applications like email and keep up to date with all the most recent news from all over the world. More and more businesses are taking advantage of online resources, and the simple fact tends to be that companies who can’t get a good foothold on the online world are destined to fail. Almost everyone uses the internet, and that’s why it’s such a big phenomenon.
However, the internet doesn’t come without its cons. For all the good things there are to consider, there are a lot of security concerns that have to be dealt with; more and more people are looking to take advantage of internet users by hacking them and stealing things such as personal details and money. This is a legitimate problem all over the world, and if you’re going to use the internet on a regular basis you need to know how to protect yourself- particularly if you have details you need to keep hidden. Now I know I’ve made this out to be a world-ending issue, but you don’t have to worry too much as long as you know what to do. There are a plethora of ways to protect yourself online, and one of these is by downloading a fast and secure VPN. These have become more and more common in recent years, but what actually are they? How can they protect you? Read on to find out.
What is a VPN?
So what actually is a VPN? To put it simply, it stands for a Virtual Private Network. It’s virtual because it is an online program that works with and on the internet. It’s private because when you use it you have, in effect, a shield put up between you and anyone who may be looking to exploit your online activities. It is then a network because it establishes a connection between you, your VPN and the rest of the internet. In these terms, it’s actually pretty easy to understand. But how does a VPN actually work?
More or less, the way the government or any other interested party tracks you when you are using the internet is your IP address. More or less, this is your unique code which makes you stand out from the crowd of other internet users. When people want to track your goings-on or gain access to your personal details, this is usually done by following your IP address. However, with a VPN, you can avoid this. Each time you log in to your VPN, you are effectively given a new IP address. Whenever someone tries to look at what you’re doing they won’t be able to as you are hidden behind a new and unknown address. Your IP address also gives away the location that you’re using the internet from, which is another factor you possibly want to avoid.
The Purpose of a VPN
11 Cool Ways to Use VPN
That’s the main purpose of VPNs- to shield your location and activities behind a new random IP address. The majority of VPNs will connect you to an internet server in another country, as this provides the most security. If you live in the UK, for example, you may be connected to a server in the USA and use it from there (or vice versa). A lot of VPNs have a variety of different servers for you to choose from, so you can select one based on your own individual preferences and needs.
So are there any real differences between different VPN programs, or can you just use whatever one first pops up on your screen? Believe me when I say there are differences between different systems. Some VPNs are a lot faster than others, which will benefit you greatly. If you want to check out the fastest VPN speeds, follow our link here. Having a fast VPN will help you in the same way that a general fast internet connection does; things will load quicker and you’ll experience much better quality overall. Depending on what VPN you download, you may be able to get access to otherwise restricted content. For example, US and UK Netflix accounts often have certain shows only available in certain countries. With the right VPN, you could be able to watch whatever shows you like at whatever time suits you best. It’s all about doing the necessary research to find the best VPN for you.
Staying Safe and keeping your Privacy Online
Simple Steps to Protect Yourself on Public Wi-Fi
The benefits of having a VPN are vast as well. First of all, they’ll really increase your privacy and security online. You really can’t put a price on absolute privacy on the internet nowadays, especially with all of the dodgy people and hackers out there looking to exploit you. The last thing you want is for your bank details or address to be stolen and for you to be put in a position you don’t want to be in, so buying a VPN which is high quality is a really great shout. You can visit any website you like and do whatever work you have to do and no one will know it’s you- mostly due to the fact your true IP address is being hidden. This is particularly helpful when you are connected to a public WiFi, which is much more easy to hack.
As we’ve already mentioned, you’ll also be able to gain access to websites that may have previously been blocked on censored. This happens a lot of the time due to certain rules that certain countries have, but you can bypass all of these with an effective VPN. You can watch whatever you want and read up on any content that you desire and you won’t have to worry about being tracked- it’s the peak of anonymity.
