A VPN (Virtual Private Network) provides online privacy and anonymity. It creates a private network while connected to the public internet. It masks IP addresses to make your online activity untraceable. VPNs are most notably used to secure and encrypt the connection than a secured Wi-Fi hotspot does.
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Why Would You Need to Use a VPN?
Surfing the web became a daily activity in our life. Information about anything is right at the tip of our hands. One of the essential things that concern us is the privacy of the information and browsing data. Using an unsecured Wi-Fi may cause the exposure of private information. A Virtual Private Network in a fast VPN can be used to make our online surfing private and secure.
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A Wi-Fi network without a password is more vulnerable. Your information could be vulnerable whenever you log in to your email or checking your bank details when you are outside. Unless you use a password-protected Wi-Fi, your private information could be vulnerable to the strangers in the same network.
VPN provides encryption and anonymity, which protects your online activities such as sending emails, online shopping, bill payments, bank details, etc. Additionally, VPNs also provide anonymity for your web browsing. VPN helps you to do private browsing.
What A VPN Does to Protect Your Privacy?
VPNs create a data tunnel from the local network and creates an exit node in some other location. This exit node could be far from making it seem like you are in another location. This provides online freedom to access websites and apps with anonymity.
This is a brief about how VPNs work. VPNs scramble the data when sent over a Wi-Fi network and encrypt the data. This encryption of data is unreadable. Data security is mandatory while using a public Wi-Fi network to secure data from strangers.
Without a VPN, your internet service provider can know your entire browsing history as the web activity is associated with the VPN server’s IP address. So, VPN is a must to hide your search history. A VPN service provider can have a server all over the world. Resulting in your browsing history could appear to anyone.
Remember that the search engines also track your browsing history. But that information is associated with some other IP address, which is not yours. So, VPN will keep your browsing activity private.
VPN Privacy: What Does A VPN Hide?
A VPN is capable of hiding a lot of information that may keep your privacy at risk. Five of them are mentioned below.
1. Browsing History
Wherever you may go, your internet service and your web browser can track the information you do online. Even the websites you visit can keep track of your history. Web browsers may track your search history and associate that information to your IP address.
Two examples where you want to hide your search history is while searching about treatment. Like, you may have a medical problem, and you want to gather information regarding treatment options. If you are not using a VPN, then you’re at stake. Without a VPN, your browsing activity will be automatically shared, and you may start receiving ads related to your search.
Another example is you may want to know the price of an airline ticket to travel. Without a VPN, your searching history can be tracked, and you may encounter sites that display higher fares.
These two are just examples, and there can be many isolated examples that could be a threat to your privacy. Remember that the internet service provider may also sell your search history. Keep in mind that private browsers may also be not private.
2. Your IP address and location
Whoever captures the Ip address can also access your online activity and your location when you searched. This is like a return address on a letter, which returns to your device.
VPN uses an IP address not related to you, allowing your online search to remain private. Your search history will still be visible if you’re using a public computer or network provided by your employer or school.
3. Your location for streaming
You may watch a professional sport by paying for stream services. The streaming service may not be available when you travel to another country. The reason is Contractual terms and conditions. A VPN can let you select an IP address from your home country, giving access to streaming services. Data or speed throttling may also be avoided.
4. Your Devices
VPN protects your laptops, pc, tablet, and smartphone from strangers. Cybercriminals target the devices on a public Wi-Fi network. Therefore, a VPN helps in safeguarding your sending and receiving data, also saving you from hackers.
5. Your web activity
I am hoping you are not a government surveillance candidate. But you don’t know what may happen. A VPN protects you from your ISP (internet service provider) to track the internet activity. This means your ISP cannot supply a record of your activity to the government agency if asked (considering your ISP did not log your browsing history).
How Can A VPN Protect Against Identity Theft?
Identity theft is cybercriminals stealing your data and doing a malicious activity with your name like renting or buying property, opening accounts on your name, etc. A VPN protects you from this. It creates an encrypted tunnel that is unreachable by cybercriminals. Do not enable Wi-Fi in your smartphone, as it could make your device vulnerable and lead to identity theft.
VPN protects you while browsing on a public Wi-Fi network. Public Wi-Fi network makes it easy for cyberthieves to steal information like login credentials and Credit card details while you shop online.
VPN is highly capable of protecting you from identity theft. VPN safeguards your sending and receiving information from your devices.
What to Look for When Choosing a VPN?
It is essential to choose a suitable VPN service while you shop for a VPN.
Keep in mind what is essential to you. Do you want your online activity to be hidden? Are you afraid of identity theft? Are you a traveler and do not want to miss watching your favorite shows while traveling?
A perfect VPN is the answer to all these questions. Additional things to consider while buying a VPN are.
How to Choose the Best VPN?
These questions need to be thought of while buying a VPN service.
1. Ensure Your Privacy is Secured
The main point to keep in mind is, a VPN is used to protect privacy. So, a VPN provider must protect your privacy. They should not track or log the online activity as per the no-log policy.
2. Check If They Have Data Limits
Bandwidth depends on your data usage. Ensure to select the services matching your needs, whether to have a full, unmetered bandwidth without data limits or have metered bandwidth.
3. Number of Servers & Locations
Suppose you want to remain anonymous by appearing as you are accessing the web from a specific location. Then make sure there is a VPN server in your chosen location.
4. How Many Devices Can Connect
An average customer can use VPN for 3 to 5 devices. You can use a VPN on all of them at a time.
5. Pricing
A free VPN is best if you are worried about the price. However, you may pay in other ways for ads or collecting personal information and selling to third parties. Comparing between free and paid VPNs, free VPNs:
- May not offer current or secure protocols.
- Do not offer high bandwidth and connection speed.
- Have higher disconnection rate
- Does not have many global servers
- Support is less
Keep in mind all these and choose the best VPN service.
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Conclusion
I hope you got a clear idea about the VPN and its services. Secure yourself from online tracking by using a VPN service.
