Virtual Private Network, or as we commonly know it, VPN helps you in creating a stable and secure connection with a different network on the internet. It is one of the essential tools that we need these days.
This is because, with a VPN, one can easily access the websites that are region restricted. On top of that, the VPN also protects and safeguards your browsing habits and activity from the vulture-like eyes that look over the public WiFi connections.
As thankful as we are because Virtual Private Networks exist, they were not initially built for the purpose we use them today. In the earlier days of Virtual Private Network, they were only used for connecting business networks altogether in a secure manner on the internet.
They were also used for accessing a business network from the comfort of your home. This establishes the fact that the uses of Virtual Private Networks have changed significantly over the years. It is only fair because we are much more technologically empowered now as compared to the old days.
A Virtual Private Network is meant to forward a whole lot of network traffic to a particular network. This brings us to the hidden benefits of a VPN. Some of which are –
- Bypassing the censorship on the internet.
- Remotely accessing local network resources.
You should not be surprised that most of the operating systems come with an integrated Virtual Private Network support.
What is a Virtual Private Network?
In terms of a layman, a Virtual Private Network will connect your computer, tablet, laptop, or smartphone to a server, which is mainly another computer on the internet. This helps you browse the internet with the help of this other computer’s internet. The exciting part is that this server can be from a different country. What this means is that you’ll be able to roam around on te internet as a person from this other country. It will allow you to access things online about this foreign country. You wouldn’t usually be able to do this with your internet connection.
What can I use a Virtual Private Network for?
To put it simply, your life will become so much more comfortable the moment you sign up for a Virtual Private Network. This is because we spend a lot of our time on the internet. It can be for work or entertainment. We can’t discriminate here. They are both equally important. The painful part is that we face hiccups on our internet connection now and then. A Virtual Private Network can save you from the dilemma of that situation. Here are a few ways how you can use a VPN.
- It can protect you from getting logged while you are out there torrenting on the internet.
- It will let you enjoy streaming media like Hulu and Netflix.
- It can help you hide your location on the internet, this giving you some sort of anonymity.
- It will let you kick aside the geographic restrictions you might have to face while streaming audio and video on some websites.
- It will save you from coming in contact with unreliable WiFi hotspots.
So you see how the uses of a VPN have upgraded from merely protecting your connection. Perhaps that is the beauty of it.
How does a Virtual Private Network work?
The functioning of a Virtual Private Network is simpler than you might think. The moment you connect your device with a Virtual Private Network, your device starts to work like it is in the same network as the Virtual Private Network. This way, your entire network traffic to transferred to the Virtual Private Network using a very secure and stable connection.
It doesn’t just end here, though. There are some added benefits of being connected to a Virtual Private Network. For example, your device, be it your computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, will contact various websites using the encrypted connection of the Virtual Private Network. The VPN uses only a secure connection to take your requests to the websites. In the same manner, it brings you the response from the website to you through a fast and stable connection.
Which Virtual Private Network should I get?
It all depends on your needs, honestly. You can create a Virtual Private Network on your own. You can use a VPN from your office. You can even host a Virtual Private Network out of your home. However, a large number of people only need a Virtual Private Network because they want to protect themselves while watching, listening, or reading something on the internet that they are not allowed to access in their country.
If you are looking for a suggestion, we would tell you to simply turn to any of these sites, sign yourself up, and download the Virtual Private Network client. Here all the sites.
- StrongVPN – This one is perfect for streaming media on the internet and torrenting. It is not the easiest Virtual Private Network to use.
- ExpressVPN – This one supports streaming and torrenting for a much lower price. It is pretty fast and easy to use.
- Tunnel bear – This one is good enough for use at a coffee shop for protection. It is not the best for streaming or torrenting.
The best part about these sites is that they all offer a free trial. So, you get the benefit of having your money back if you don’t want to be using these sites and their Virtual Private Networks anymore.
What are some other uses of Virtual Private Networks?
As simple as Virtual Private Networks seem, there are some extra uses that you can get out of them. They are –
- A Virtual Private Network carries the power of boosting your download speed like nothing else does. So, you can download files, even the geographically restricted ones, fast.
- A Virtual Private Network will hide your browsing activity on the internet from your Internet Service Provider and your local network.
- A Virtual Private Network will let you access your home network when you are far away.
- A Virtual Private Network will allow you to connect with a business network when you are travelling.
