VPN technology has recently become popular among users of computer and mobile devices. However, many do not think about what it is for and what kind of VPN is better to use. We will consider aspects of these issues below.
What is a VPN?
Under the acronym VPN is the English phrase Virtual Private Network, which literally means "private virtual network." The organization of networks, the principle of their work are not explained only by this term. As a rule, it means a network, access to which is available to a limited number of users.
Network protection is designed in such a way that access to encrypted data transmitted and received through a kind of tunnel cannot be obtained outside the network itself. A VPN is in many ways similar to anonymizers and proxies, which not only protect information, but also make the user’s stay on the Internet completely anonymous, hiding traces of visits to various web resources.
Tunneling technology
Information from one computer or mobile device to another is transmitted through a special secure channel, called a tunnel. The output traffic is encrypted, the input is decrypted using the corresponding key, which is only available for the transmitting and receiving parties. Access to the network is also limited; accordingly, only registered users can use it.
It is worth noting that when using VPN technology, the external IP address of the device connected to the web resource changes. When connected to the Internet, each device receives a unique external identifier, depending on the geographic location of the provider. It is logical that in some regions access to certain sites and services may be blocked. You can get around these limitations with a VPN.
Why do I need a VPN?
VPN technology is used for the following purposes:
- Data protection. Actual for users who like to connect to third-party Wi-Fi connections and want to save their data. The same applies to any place with free Wi-Fi.
- Anonymity. Any user action is transferred to the provider's server, including the opening of new tabs; accordingly, company employees can track customer activity. Activating a VPN allows you to hide your browsing and browsing history, since a different IP address is used during operation.
- The ability to visit sites on the Internet without consequences. Can I use a VPN to visit restricted sites? Technology opens up access to the dark side of the World Wide Web.
- Use of foreign services. Access to English-speaking (and not only) services all over the world is opened thanks to VPN technology, which is an additional advantage.
How to use VPN in browsers?
VPN technologies can be applied to standard internet browsers. VPN browsers are equipped with additional plug-ins and extensions, among which there are specialized clients like Browsec and friGate. The Opera browser stands out from the rest because it is built into it from the very beginning.
In order to use VPN, you need to open the security section of the browser’s main menu, and to enable and disable it later, switch on the left panel of the address bar. You can choose settings, in particular, your preferred region, both independently and in automatic mode.
General Purpose Programs
Internet access is required not only by browsers, but also by special programs installed on a mobile gadget or computer. Official sites of such applications are often blocked - for example, the resources of Kaspersky Lab and Dr. Web Ensuring full protection of the PC is impossible without updating the components and anti-virus databases of protective programs. At the same time, updates are installed only after the program directly accesses the resource, and not through the browser. In a situation with blocked sites, applications that can change the IP address of a computer and mobile gadgets will help.
SafeIP program is one of the most interesting VPN programs, the functionality of which allows you to automatically and manually configure user addresses and region. Similar capabilities are available for most email clients that bypass the lock using the same method.
VPN server: what is it and why is it needed
Such servers provide security for a particular network and restrict user access and data encryption. Accordingly, the level of protection for wireless connections is much higher. Connecting to the used VPN ports of such a server allows you to bypass blocking of different levels on individual devices. The functionality also makes it possible to create a network based on such a connection from different parts of the world.
How to choose a server
To determine how to use the VPN server, you must determine the purpose of its use. To ensure a fast and secure connection, it is advisable to select a server located nearby. Access to region-specific content is only possible from the corresponding region. For example, anyone interested in using a VPN to watch the BBC should connect to tunnels in the UK. Many VPN service providers have their own video streaming servers.
Due to the fact that stream services like Netflix block VPNs, the use of special servers is useful. Studios and Netflix try to protect licensed content. When determining which port uses a VPN, it is worthwhile to clarify whether it provides traffic on all servers or only on special ones. For example, NordVPN does not allow the use of torrents, unlike TopGuard, which allows them to be used on all servers.
The ProtonVPN and NordVPN services have enhanced security settings - for example, there are multi-interval VPNs or access to the Tor network, which provides a high level of confidentiality. The tool provides access to hidden sites in the vast Dark Web.
The principle of operation of a multi-interval VPN is similar: it redirects all traffic not through a specific VPN server, but transfers the user from one server to another. Both offers are designed to maintain confidentiality and speed. When manually configuring network parameters, the user has to enter information for each VPN server.
How to choose a VPN
When choosing a VPN, they rely on several basic parameters. The service must provide a connection of at least five devices and allow the use of BitTorrent traffic on their own servers.
The average monthly VPN fee is $ 10; if the service charges a large amount, then it must provide substantial services. When making a long-term registration, a discount is provided by many services.
Before buying a VPN, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the terms of service. Contracts usually indicate what the company does with the information transmitted; most services not only do not track traffic, but do not store it.
It will be useful to check the location of the VPN service. This does not mean a physical location, but a legal aspect that determines the jurisdiction of a particular country under which the company operates. Accordingly, firms located in other states are not subject to the law on the storage and transfer of data.
Which VPN is better to use for Android
The purpose of using VPN technology on mobile gadgets is similar to computer applications. Such programs differ only in settings - for example, the creation of an access point can be carried out both by third-party applications and by system tools.
VPN for mobile gadgets in a sense is similar to the mentioned PC applications - for example, SafeIP - and allow you to bypass most of the locks, providing full access to various information.
Some mobile applications require root privileges, which can lead to the failure of the gadget's operating system. For this reason, it is advisable to choose VPN programs that do not need access to root rights: for example, for iOS it is Cloak, for Android it is OpenVPN.
VPN startup technology is quite simple: the application is downloaded and installed on the gadget. After the VPN is activated, a port is selected to obtain an IP address, a connection is made. The application confirms the availability of access through the VPN to the Internet.
VPN technology provides a secure and anonymous connection, providing unlimited access to the Internet and various web services. Its implementation is not as complicated as it seems at first glance, and the VPN services used have wide functionality and can be configured both automatically and manually by the user.