Virtual Private Networks, often shortened to the initials VPN, are systems that let users hide their traffic and generated data using encryption tools, so no one can spy on those when the person is online.
The use of Internet comes attached to risks and hazards of all kinds. However, with a VPN, users will gain protection and privacy, although these security gains apply just for the network it is connected to, which means that you will still have to be wary and cautious in what you do, what you open and what you download. If the traffic leaves the network provided by the VPN, it will be available for spies, hackers, or any other threat unless you activate a HTTPS browser extension.
VPNs help you enhance privacy, security and anonymity by letting your real IP address well hidden in your system, instead allowing you to use one that they own for the duration of your session. This way, hackers, governmental institutions, and other third-parties will be no threat to your online experience.
This system works with encryption technologies that allow it to enhance the privacy level of the person using it, because no third-party will have easy access to the user’s traffic, passwords, browsing history and location information.
The most common assumption is that VPNs exist since 1996, when a Microsoft worker came up with the peer-to-peer tunneling protocol, abbreviated PPTP. However, encryption technologies are being developed since the 1980’s, and the Internet Protocol Security system (IPSec) is around since 1995, as Internet Protocol from version 4 (IPv4) to version 6 (IPv6).
What are some of the advantages of using VPN?
Using a Generic VPN affords you the luxury of having many benefits. As discussed, they will help you become anonymous and safer when you surf the web. Even if you are not doing anything wrong or illegal to make the government pursue you, there are additional annoying agents that slow down your internet experience, such as pop-ups, advertisers and marketers trying to sell you stuff, etc.
One thing you need to take into account is that your IP address is not the only way that third parties have to track you online. Even basic or seemingly harmless activities such as logging into Facebook from your VPN can make you somewhat vulnerable, so the best thing you can do is combine VPN with other measures to boost safety; some of which are the use of HTTPS extensions, a careful management of visited pages, acquiring antivirus software, and more.
Also, you don’t want your passwords and credit card balance and information to be available, and this is why you need to use VPN at all times, especially if you connect to a public Wi-Fi network in your nearest café, restaurant, park, airport or library. Remember, though, that VPN only protects you from the people on the network you are on, so sending credit cards through insecure services can get you in trouble anyway, VPN or not.
People often look for VPN alternatives with the intention of unblocking all kinds of online streaming content. With one of the Virtual Private Networks service providers in the market, you can avoid geo-blocking and enjoy the best entertainment options.
So how does VPN protect my privacy?
Most existing VPN clients offer users a static IP address and dynamic IP address. The formers offer you accessibility, in the sense that they are better suited for online streaming and accessing remote or foreign websites because the system only assigns a single, unique IP address for you. And, since you won’t be on a public network or sharing one IP from a pool of existing ones with anybody, the speed of the connection will be significantly faster for streaming content, see more.
Dynamic IP addresses help you with anonymity, in the sense that anyone who makes tracking you their priority will have a hard time doing that because you will be using a shared IP address and will be camouflaged among your peers.
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Either way, VPNs protect your privacy because of the encrypted nature of your traffic, it will be harder for anyone to decipher or decrypt it. The virtual tunnel also serves as a barrier, and since the IP address you will be using while connected through your VPN will be temporary and borrowed, you will leave no trace after you.
