What is VPN? Why should you use it and in which cases?

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VPN, or Virtual Private Network, enables you to establish a secure connection to another network over the Internet. VPN can be utilized to access regionally restricted websites, safeguarding your web browsing activities from prying eyes on public Wi-Fi... So, what exactly is VPN? Why should you use it and in which cases?

VPN, also known as Virtual Private Network, allows users to establish a virtual private network with another network over the Internet. VPN can be used to access regionally restricted websites, protecting your web browsing activities from curious eyes on public Wi-Fi by setting up a virtual private network for you, …

What is VPN? How to use VPN

Fundamentally, a VPN redirects all your network traffic to a system - where remote access to local network resources and Internet censorship bypassing can occur. Most operating systems come with built-in VPN support.

What is a VPN?

When you connect your computer (or other devices like smartphones or tablets) to a VPN, the computer operates as if it were on a local connection like VPN. All network traffic is sent through a secure connection to the VPN.

And because your computer operates on this network system, it allows you to access local network resources even when you are on the other side of the world.

Moreover, you can use the Internet as if you were present at the VPN's location. This is advantageous in some cases if you are using public Wifi or want to access geographically restricted websites.

When browsing the web while connected to a VPN, your computer communicates with the website through an encrypted VPN connection. The VPN forwards requests for you and returns responses from the website through a secure connection. If you're using a VPN in the US to access Netflix, Netflix will know your connection is located in the US.

Benefits of using a VPN

Although a fairly simple tool, VPNs have many benefits:

- Accessing Business Network while Traveling: VPNs are commonly used by business travelers to access their business networks, including all local network resources. Local network resources are not directly exposed to the Internet to enhance security.

- Accessing Home Network while Traveling: Additionally, you can set up your own VPN to access while traveling. This will allow you to access Windows Remote Desktop over the Internet, meaning you can access your personal computer over the Internet, share files, work on home computer data, and even play games on that computer.

- Concealing Web Browsing Activity from Local Network and ISP: If you are using a public Wifi connection and browsing on non-HTTPS websites, your activities will be visible to others (if they know how to view your activities).

If you want to conceal your web browsing activity for security and privacy purposes, you can connect to a VPN. The local network will only see a secure and unique VPN connection. All other traffic will go through the VPN connection. And it can be used to bypass monitoring by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

- Accessing Geographically Restricted Websites: Even if you're a US citizen living in the US, but you're traveling in another country, not the US, and you want to access Netflix, Pandora, or Hulu, this is not possible. However, if you connect to a VPN located in the US, accessing Netflix, Pandora, or Hulu becomes entirely possible.

- Using VPN to Bypass Internet Censorship .

- Downloading Files: Many users use a VPN connection to download files via BitTorrent. This is really useful if you want to download legitimate Torrents - if your ISP is throttling BitTorrent and it's quite slow, you can use BitTorrent over VPN to experience faster speeds.

Advantages and Disadvantages of VPN

- Advantages of VPN

Online Identity Anonymity

Because it hides your IP, online hackers won't be able to use your real IP address to track information. Additionally, ISPs can't monitor what you do online.

VPN Helps You Overcome Geographical Restrictions

Because VPN can hide your real IP address, it can easily help you bypass geographical restrictions since the platform you want to access will think you're coming from the appropriate geographical area. VPN is very useful if you're trying to unblock content from anywhere in the world, or if you frequently travel or work abroad.

VPN Secures Online Connections

Public Wifi often harbors security risks. However, with VPN, you won't have to worry about those dangers. Because VPN uses encryption to secure online communications, ensuring that no one can monitor them.

VPN Can Prevent Bandwidth Throttling

Sometimes internet service providers implement bandwidth limitations to improve their service. Therefore, VPN encrypts all your internet traffic, so ISPs won't know what you're doing online. They won't know if you're using too much bandwidth to play games, download, or watch online programs.

VPN Can Bypass Firewalls

Firewalls are a commonly used tool nowadays to prevent users from accessing certain websites. However, you can easily bypass any firewall through VPN by hiding your IP - a feature that most firewall tools use.

- Disadvantages of VPN

VPN Sometimes Slows Down Internet Access

Depending on various factors, your internet speed may be affected when using VPN. However, this is not a significant issue if you have a powerful processor or large bandwidth.

Misusing VPN Can Compromise Your Privacy

VPNs aim to protect your online data, but if not researched properly, you could choose a service completely contrary. Additionally, if you choose a VPN provider that logs online activities, this also poses a danger to your privacy.

High-Quality VPNs Can Be Costly

Free VPNs are clearly not a reliable option, you'll definitely need to choose a paid VPN provider. If you're short on cash, that could be a problem - especially since some providers may charge up to $9-12/month, which adds up in the long run.

Not All Devices Support VPN

While VPN services typically work on the most common platforms (Windows, iOS, macOS, Android), there are still some operating systems and devices (Linux, Chromebook, Boxee Box) that don't really support VPN apps, or the VPN app platform isn't developed because they're not widely used. In such situations, you'll have to manually set up VPN connections on the device/operating system you want to use.

Using VPN

Connecting to a VPN is quite straightforward. On the Windows operating system, you press the Windows key, then type VPN, and click on the option called Set up a virtual private network (VPN) connection .

What is VPN? How to Use VPN

Note:

If you're using Windows 8, click on Settings, then type VPN, and click on Set up a virtual private network (VPN) connection .

Use the wizard to enter the address and login information of the VPN service you want to use. To connect or disconnect from the VPN, use the network icon in the system tray - where you manage Wifi networks you've connected to.

Some VPN providers may offer a client for you to configure.

Some VPN Applications for Further Reference

If you're a new VPN user and basically using VPN on public Wifi or want to access geo-blocked websites, there are a few VPN app options for you like SurfEasy and TunnelBear. SurfEasy offers better speed but TunnelBear gives you a free option, as long as you don't exceed 500 MB per month. Additionally, you can consider and use StrongVPN.

Hotspot Shield is one of the best virtual private network software for computers today. After using Hotspot Shield to set up a virtual private network for public internet access, make sure to turn off VPN on Hotspot Shield to avoid affecting your home or work internet connection. Refer to how to turn off VPN on Hotspot Shield if you don't know how to do it.

Read more: How to Turn Off VPN on Hotspot Shield

You don't need VPN software to create a VPN, with simple steps on your system, whether it's Windows 7, 8, or Windows 10, creating VPN on these versions is very easy. If interested, you can visit Mytour to learn more.

VPN is simply a virtual private network, so encountering VPN errors during usage is quite common. Researching some VPN errors and troubleshooting methods to deal with them if you encounter them while creating a virtual private network for public internet access.

If you're unsure about the best VPN software or service available today, you can refer to the VPN list here to find out the top VPN software support currently compiled by Mytour.

Read more: Top List of Best Free VPNs

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main advantages of using a VPN for online activities?

Using a VPN offers several advantages, such as enhancing online privacy by hiding your IP address, accessing geographically restricted content, and securing your internet connection on public Wi-Fi. VPNs also help bypass bandwidth throttling imposed by ISPs and can protect your data from hackers, especially when using unsecured networks.

How can a VPN help in accessing geographically restricted websites?

A VPN enables users to bypass geographical restrictions by masking their IP address and making it appear as if they are browsing from a different location. This allows access to regionally restricted websites and services, such as Netflix or Hulu, from anywhere in the world.

Can using a VPN improve security when connected to public Wi-Fi?

Yes, using a VPN significantly improves security on public Wi-Fi. It encrypts your internet connection, protecting sensitive data from potential hackers and ensuring that your online activities remain private and secure, even on unsecured networks.

What steps should I follow to set up a VPN on my device?

To set up a VPN, start by accessing your device's network settings. For Windows, search for 'VPN' and select 'Set up a virtual private network connection.' Enter the VPN service details and your login information. Follow the on-screen instructions to establish the connection securely.

Are there any disadvantages or drawbacks of using a VPN service?

Yes, there are some disadvantages to using a VPN, such as potential slowdowns in internet speed due to encryption. Additionally, choosing a low-quality or free VPN may compromise your privacy and security, as they may log your activities or have weak protection measures.

What should I consider when choosing a reliable VPN provider?

When selecting a VPN provider, consider factors such as privacy policies, encryption standards, connection speeds, server locations, and whether they log user data. It's also essential to look for reviews and comparisons to ensure the provider meets your specific needs.

Is it necessary to use VPN software for creating a VPN connection?

No, it is not necessary to use VPN software to create a VPN connection. Many operating systems offer built-in options to set up VPN connections manually. However, using dedicated VPN software can simplify the process and provide additional features.

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