What is a VPN? You may be wondering what VPN means, how it works, and whether you should apply it. We’re here to answer all these questions and delve deeper into all things, well, VPNs in this guide. Get ready to read the word “VPN” a lot.
Before you continue, check out our guides on what Facebook is, what Skype is, what Trello is, and what Linkedin is. We’ve also got loads of other helpful tips, including how to cancel subscriptions on iPhone, how to delete comments on Instagram, and more.
Let’s break down everything you need to know what is VPN?
What is a VPN?
A VPN, or ‘virtual private network’, allows you to maintain and establish a protected network connection when using public networks, Wi-Fi hotspots and home broadband in real time. A VPN hides your online identity, such as your IP (Internet Protocol) address, which in turn masks your online activity and location. It can also enable you to access online content that was previously inaccessible to you.
We know this is a lot of technical jargon, so let’s explain it in more detail. Your IP address is a unique string of numbers that identifies each computer that uses the Internet Protocol to communicate on the network. Hiding your IP address makes it much more arduous for third parties to track your online activities and steal your data.
When a VPN hides your location, the VPN server acts as a proxy server. However, we know that one of the most common purposes of a VPN is to lend a hand you log into streaming services like Netflix or Paramount Plus to watch TV shows or movies that your region typically doesn’t have access to. Okay, we know that watching Peep Show on Netflix UK is too attractive to deny.
Check out our guides to the best VPNs for iPhone and the best VPNs for Android to find the best platform for you.
Do I need a VPN?
Getting a VPN can be useful for almost anyone who uses the Internet, but some situations that require it are much more urgent. For example:
- When using public Wi-Fi – sure, it’s nice to save some mobile data by connecting your phone to Wi-Fi at a coffee shop, but public hotspots are especially vulnerable to hackers. If you apply a VPN while connected to public Wi-Fi, your online traffic is imperceptible, so you can browse in complete privacy without risking your data
- While traveling – if you want to access home content while jet-setting on vacation or boarding a plane for a business trip, you can simply apply a VPN to change your location
- While browsing the Internet – marketers, service providers, government agencies and others eagerly take advantage of the ability to track and collect your private data and browsing history. Put an end to this by hiding your activity via VPN
- While shopping – A VPN keeps your credit card information sheltered while avoiding phony websites, targeted pricing, and other annoying schemes
- While streaming – watch your favorite TV shows anytime, anywhere without worrying about region locks or IPS limiting your connection
- While playing – VPNs can lend a hand you avoid DDoS attacks and bandwidth throttling during gaming sessions
How does a VPN work?
Here’s how a VPN works behind the scenes:
- When you connect to a VPN, it authenticates your device to the VPN server
- The server applies an encryption protocol to all data sent and received
- A VPN secures data transferred between you and your destination
- To keep your data sheltered at all times, VPN creates an external package around it, called encrypted encapsulation
- When the data arrives at the server, the server removes the external packer in the decryption process
Which VPN should I choose?
If you’ve decided you want to try a VPN for yourself, we’ve got a whole list of the best mobile VPNs for you, all of which also work on PC. However, if you don’t have time to read this, our time recommendation is this Express VPN.
What does a good VPN do?
A good VPN will leverage the benefits listed above, but will also provide best-in-class features such as:
- IP address protection – Hiding your IP address is the most significant job of a VPN, which allows us to access those sweet Netflix movies in other regions. It allows you to send and receive information while hiding your IP address.
- Emergency stop function – Sometimes your VPN connection may drop, which means your secure connection is at risk. With a good VPN, it will notify you of this downtime while eliminating programs on your computer to reduce data leaks. However, you need to select these programs in advance.
- Protocol encryption – Your search history and cookies can be targeted if you’re not careful, but a good VPN will encrypt them to prevent third parties from potentially accessing your sensitive information.
- Two-factor authentication – Using this feature will ensure that your VPN is protected with a different layer of security. You may be asked to enter a keyword phrase, code or password to gain access. These are often sent to your device when you try to log in.
Are VPNs free?
Some VPN apps and extensions are free to download, but most VPNs require a paid subscription or license to fully access their features. It’s significant to check whether a VPN is free by considering what you need to apply it for and what devices you’ll apply it on. If you want to pay for a VPN, we recommend services like NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
Is it worth using a VPN in any browser?
Most VPNs will work with almost all available web browsers. However, if you’re not sure, it’s worth checking out the frequently asked questions about the VPN you want to apply.
That’s all you need to know to answer the question “what is a VPN?” Now that you can safely browse and access all your region-locked content, check out our guides to downloading Hulu and downloading Netflix.
