Everything You Need To Know About VPN

What is it?

A virtual private network (VPN) is a service or program that uses an encrypted "tunnel-like" connection to allow a device to connect to a secure offsite server on the network.It allows the user’s IP address to be masked, providing a layer of all-important privacy and anonymity.Besides, the encryption of the connection is generally of such a high-grade that any data transmitted can be considered perfectly safe. Originally used for businesses, companies offering VPN services to consumers started to form, realizing the immense security benefits that users can reap from the service.

Major threats: Enhance your ability to cyber criminals

Public Networks

One of the main tips that the Stop. Think. Connect. Campaign Esperse needs to pay attention to WiFi hotspots. This is with good reason, as there is a particular type of hacker on these networks that you need to watch out for. They will lurk on public networks, usually in cafes or public offices, and they will use “sniffer software” or set up a fake network with a name designed to trick you. a VPN is the best and sometimes the only way that you can protect yourself against this particular threat. The encryption and “tunnel” that the VPN uses makes it so that any hacker using a specialized setup will see nothing concerning your data use. The most that they would ever see is information that says you are using a VPN. At that point nearly any hacker will move on to a different target, and those without any sense would need years before they cracked the encryption.

IP Tracking

Online security and online privacy are compatible. Hackers can not take what they can not find. The VPN masks the IP address by routing all traffic through the VPN server and regards it as the address of the server you are using. Since IP addresses can be used to track the physical location, the VPN remains anonymous. In some cases you can find details from the IP address, but the city you live in is enough information to tense a lot of people. You can protect yourself by scrambling your location with VPN. 

some hackers or cybercriminals with a grudge might attempt to launch a DDoS attack on you, effectively knocking out your system (or website if you are a website owner). This is done via targeting an IP address, and so a DDoS attack will just be routed to the VPN server you are using, keeping your system safe from any IP address related issues.

Aspects of a VPN Service

A VPN is a complex tool with many different parts to it. You need to know what other people are using and what different numbers, features, and statistics are important when judging them. Here are the most important factors that you will need to check out when procuring a VPN:

Security

When examining the VPN service, you need to first consider the security settings and the level of encryption. Any VPN service will help protect you from cyber crime and other online threats, but there are major differences between VPNs you should know.
The minimum standard that any good VPN should have today is Advanced Encryption Standard 256-bit encryption, which is currently the standard used by governments to protect classified information. It will protect you from just about anything cyber criminals can think of. Anything less could be vulnerable to an attack with enough power behind it. Anything more could be sluggish and difficult to use unless you have a specific need for it.

You will also want to keep in mind the tunneling protocol(s) used by the VPN to keep you safe. The tunneling protocol makes up much of what keeps you anonymous while using the service. While the science and details behind it can get complicated, you just need to know that for the sake of security that PPTP still has some security weaknesses and that L2TP (a great tunneling protocol) paired with IPsec (which encrypts the data) is a great option for any service. SSTP is also a great option, but is only available for Windows users.

Server Quantity and Locations

Any good service will have a high number of servers available for you to use whenever you need them. A good service provider will never find itself running slowly, and while there is no magic number, there should be a sufficient number of servers to support its user base. Check to see if a service has any expansion plans and how other customers react to a service.

The number of countries and regions that can be connected is also important. If the user selects a distant country, there is a danger that the connection speed will decrease. Due to various laws and regulations concerning the use of the Internet of different countries, it is necessary to switch to another area in order to maintain safety and to properly use the Internet. Never use a VPN that does not have a server in your country. In addition, you can easily find VPN on servers with at least 50 countries. Since VPN providers typically promote this information quickly, you do not have to worry about searching.

Connection Speeds

A slow VPN is unusable, forcing you into either taking a security risk by not using it or simply not using the internet (which isn’t always an option). Only you know the speeds that are acceptable to you, but keep in mind that you need to protect yourself at all times.Under no circumstances do you want to deal with a VPN that will throttle your connection or otherwise place a limit on your connection. There are already enough issues pressing on your speed already, such as the limit of the network you are using and any server delay caused by the VPN. Some VPNs might be more expensive, but just remember that your time and your security are valuable as well.

Virtual Private Networks are a fantastic tool that you can use in conjunction with other programs and habits to keep yourself safe online. There are variations, and you should educate yourself on them before making any decision regarding if you should use one and which one you should use. You can look into it right now and expand your options right now if you wish to. It is entirely up to you.

~CS