What Is a VPN?

Everything you type into your browser contains a clue to your identity. Here, a VPN (virtual private network) works as a gatekeeper to protect your privacy. They are also used to unblock geo-restricted content and prevent censorship.

So what is a VPN, how does it work, and why do you need one to protect your browsing?

How does a VPN work?

VPNs are privacy tools with strong encryption protocols that mask your data and location so that your ISP or any other third party cannot see it. Once you enable the VPN software, it opens a connection to its servers and sends your encrypted traffic to its legitimate destination while avoiding your Internet Service Provider (ISP) servers. It’s as if you were browsing the site through a private tunnel, protected from everyone else.

Since the VPN service provider uses its own chain of servers from end to end, it can mask your IP address, thereby giving you some (not complete) anonymity. Your computer or phone still has an IP address, but it is temporary from the VPN and can be located in any country where its servers are located. And yes, this is how you can bypass geo-restricted content by choosing the server you want to use.

Why use a VPN at all?

Because your data is so valuable, there are several reasons to use a VPN service.

• Lock Your Privacy : VPN uses the strongest encryption to mask your internet traffic and help protect your online privacy. This prevents third parties from tracking your online activities.

• Adds a layer of security : Using a VPN makes it difficult for hackers to intercept your data or gain access to your device.

• More secure public Wi-Fi . Public Wi-Fi networks, such as those in cafes or airports, are often insecure . A VPN can help protect your data from spies waiting for you to log into such networks.

• Access to geo-restricted sites . Some websites and live streaming services may vary by region. With a VPN, you can bypass these geo-restrictions by connecting to a server in a different location.

• Bypassing Government Censorship: Using a VPN with an anonymous browser such as TOR allows you to bypass any form of online censorship. But it can be risky, so proceed with caution.

• Make peer-to-peer work secure. While the best collaboration services support encryption, a VPN can provide another layer of security if you’re sharing sensitive information. Good VPNs can even mask your torrenting usage and make it less susceptible to speed throttling by ISPs.

• Make your browsing history less marketable: Because encrypted data travels across the Internet, an organization like your Internet Service Provider can’t scrape your data and sell it to advertisers.

• Save money on your purchases: Air tickets, hotels, and shopping sites, among others, often use your location data for dynamic pricing . Try changing your VPN location to find cheaper prices.

What a VPN Can’t Do

Despite promising impeccable security, there are some things a VPN can’t do.

This does not guarantee absolute secrecy: your VPN provider stores some information about your traffic. Some countries (like India) require all service providers to store usernames, IP addresses and browsing patterns to curb cybercrime.

While VPNs are legal in the US and UK, countries like China and Russia allow VPNs but with strict restrictions. Some countries have banned them completely. Your best chance to ensure privacy is to choose a VPN with a no-logs policy.

It can’t protect you from malware: A VPN can hide your identity, but it won’t protect your computer from a malware attack or phishing attempt if you click on the wrong link. This is where firewall and antivirus software come to the rescue. Some VPN companies offer these additional protections as add-ons. Examples include Surfshark antivirus and NordVPN threat protection . However, a dedicated antivirus solution is still the best solution for protection.

It won’t block all ads: A VPN can’t remove embedded ads—you’ll still see ads, but not based on your location or IP address.

Some VPNs, like Surfshark, offer additional ad blocking tools like CleanWeb , while NordVPN and TotalVPN have built-in ad blockers.

It won’t hide your activity inside logged-in accounts: VPNs can hide your IP address from your logged-in accounts, but they can’t hide everything you do with them. For example, Google will still store your search history.

Additionally, VPNs cannot delete cookies or your browser history.

This won’t protect you from illegal browsing; someone looking closely might be able to tell if you’re using a VPN . In many countries, authorities can also access your data with a warrant. Even with a VPN, cyber sleuths can track you online, as website registration information, browser fingerprinting, and DNS leaks can shatter the veil of privacy.

Getting started with VPN

Don’t use free VPN services; they make money through intrusive advertising or selling your login details. Choosing the right VPN is a matter of balancing your needs and budget. And there are many great services to choose from. First of all, consider the following factors:

• What information does the VPN collect? Review the VPN provider’s privacy policy.

• What protocols does the VPN use for encryption? OpenVPN and WireGuard are two recommended tunneling protocols; a good VPN allows you to switch protocols.

• How many servers and server locations does it provide around the world? Check the server list and country locations as these may help you bypass geo-restrictions.

• What advertised speeds are offered? Test your network speed and reliability during and off peak hours by taking out a trial subscription if possible.

• What additional add-ons does it provide? Additional features like virus protection, ad blocking, kill switch , dedicated IP addresses, Tor compatibility, etc. sweeten the deal.

While these are just some initial checks, you should check VPN providers to see if they meet your needs. For example, one VPN may be better for Netflix, while another may be better for torrenting. Another VPN might have optimized servers with low latency for online gaming. But this should not come at the expense of speed, security and reliability.

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