VPN – What is it and when is it worth using it?

The internet was to be a space of freedom, but it is more and more like a great surveillance system. However, there are ways to keep a bit of privacy on the network. One of them is VPN – the tool, which is gaining popularity every year.

Before we get to the specifics – VPN is an abbreviation for Virtual Private Network, i.e. a virtual private network. What exactly does VPN do? When you connect to the internet, you leave traces. Your Internet provider sees every page you visit. Online stores follow what you are looking at. Social media know where you log in. VPN changes this – it creates a secured tunnel between your computer and the Internet.

Nobody knows who you really are. VPN hides your real internet address (i.e. IP) and shows a completely different world. In addition, it encrypts all your data, so even if someone intercepted it, he will only see a set of random characters.

Why should I care?

Firstly – security. Do you sometimes use Wi-Fi in a cafe or at the station? Hackers love public networks, because they can harden them much easier – you can steal your passwords, credit card details, and even identity. VPN will effectively stop them.

Second – privacy. Large companies earn a lot on selling your data. They follow every move, each click, build your profile. VPN effectively mixes their style – they don’t know what you are watching or where you click.

What about Netflix and other websites?

VPN has another ace in its sleeve. Are you going abroad and want to watch a series that is blocked in a given country? Or the other way around – do you want to watch a movie in Poland on Netflix, which is only available in England? With VPN, you can pretend to connect from anywhere in the world, Thanks to this, you will unlock access to inaccessible content.

What to look for when choosing?

First of all, approach free VPNs from a distance. Keeping servers costs, so if you don’t pay with money, you often pay with your data. Of course, if you use very sporadically, free versions may be enough, but not with regular use. Good VPNs usually cost a dozen or so zlotys a month.

Check also:

  • Connection speed – VPN always slows down the internet a bit, but a good provider is limited to a minimum
  • Number of servers – The more location to choose from, the better
  • Privacy policy – The best suppliers do not store any logs from your activity
  • Company registration – Avoid VPNs from countries where the government may request access to user data

What are the disadvantages?

VPN can slow down your connection slightly – after all, the data must make an additional stop. Some websites (like banks) may not work with VPN. Sometimes you also need to jump between the servers to find a working connection to your favorite streaming service.

Source: Gazeta

You may also like

Immediate Access Pro