A VPN or a virtual private network allows you to create a secure connection to another internet network. The general reason people use a VPN service is to access restricted content and blocked websites and protect their web browsing from trackers and people trying to monitor their activities on the web.
VPNs have indeed become very popular, but perhaps not for why it was intended. The fundamental idea of the VPN was to become a tool for business corporations. It was created back in 1996 by a Microsoft employee. The service would create a secure connection over the network to protect the traffic between the company and the home. It would essentially be a peer-to-peer tunneling protocol. By doing this, companies would ensure that sensitive information and data would remain encrypted and secure.
For people who dabble in igaming, stock, or crypto trading for example, where it is essential to upload personal data and banking data, but want to keep it as private as possible, you can utilize a VPN service while you are browsing and comparing local news, the latest stock market movers and shakers or the best casino deals at Viabonus.
The vast majority of operating systems have been integrated with VPN support today. This means that VPN essentially forwards all your network traffic to a network, and this is where all the benefits come in. This means that you can, for example, access local network resources remotely and bypass network censorship.
How Does This Help Me?
With all this computer jargon, it may be tougher to grasp why a service like this is relevant, so let us break it down to make it simple with some practical examples. In simple terms, you could say that a VPN connects your smartphone, PC or tablet, depending on what you use your service on, to another computer (called a server). This server can be located somewhere else in the world.
You will utilize internet access through this other computer (server). Your VPN service will provide you options to choose among several countries where they have servers located. So subsequently, it appears like you are browsing the internet from anywhere in the world, depending on what server you selected.
So let’s get to some practical examples of how this will benefit you.
Practical examples
Many people that choose to utilize a VPN service use it for:
To circumvent geographical restrictions on websites or streaming services. For instance, you can easily gain access if you live in a country that blocks certain sites.
Using a VPN on streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC streaming, and other streaming sites will provide you with better streaming material. Netflix, for instance, has different offerings in different countries; a VPN allows you to access all of it, as you can jump between countries.
Protect yourself from snoopy people, bad actors and potential internet service providers interested in looking at what you are doing on the internet. Besides that, you will also better protect yourself if you are using an unsecured Wifi-hotspot.
It can also offer you some protection if you are in the business of torrenting files on the internet. By utilizing a VPN service, you can avoid logging your actual location by law enforcement or other actors.
So, in short, the most common purposes for using a VPN are to either bypass geographical restrictions, protect and secure your connection, and avoid people from tracking and snooping on you.
Which Vpn Service Should I Use?
Gauging what VPN service is the best may be hard, especially if you aren’t super tech-savvy. Moreover, it’s highly subjective as it is often entirely dependent on your needs. Do you need it for work or do you need it for yourself? In order to find the best VPN providers, make sure to check out reliable sources and do research. Some of the best VPN services offered are:
ProtonVPN
IVPN
ProtonVPN (FREE)
NordVPN
Surf Shark
Be aware that most of these services cost money each month, but we consider this a small cost considering what you get in return.
Concluding Remarks
A VPN service is an incredibly underrated tool that you can utilize in your daily life to make your day on the internet a bit safer and provide you with some peace of mind. It’s a great service if you want to access restricted content or just want some additional security. See some of the recommended VPNs and see which one fits your needs.
