How to Configure and Use a Virtual Private Network

This guide will explain what a virtual private network does and doesn’t do? How to select a virtual private network and when should you use a VPN service?

For the most part, all of us should be using a VPN or virtual private network, whether they are connecting to the internet on a smartphone or a computer. It might sound unreasonably fearful, but there are, believe it or not, actual threats existing in the world, and they are just getting worse.

On internet connections, deceitful human beings can try to ambush your information. Your ISP (internet service provider) holds every piece of information or data you send, whenever you connect to the internet and can sell your anonymized info to advertisers as well. Spies and advertisers can hound your activities between websites and know your physical location by looking at your IP address.

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Keep in mind that the internet was designed for uncomplicated information exchange, not encrypted communication, anonymization, and user privacy. Therefore, using a virtual private network is the most straightforward way to ensure that you are dispatching as little info as possible.

For a little help, here’s how to setup a VPN service and how to use VPN. Read on!

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Table of Contents:

What a Virtual Private Network Does and Doesn’t Do?

Just like any security tool, it is critical to know and learn the limitations of a virtual private network. Besides, you would not presume a tactical bulletproof vest to safeguard you from falling out of a parachute or an airplane to cease a bullet.

When enabling a virtual private network, your traffic is, for the most part, directed via a tunnel that’s encrypted to a server administered by the VPN company. By that we mean, your internet service provider and any devices or anyone connected to your internet router will not be able to look at your web traffic.

From the virtual private network server, your web traffic lives on the public internet. Well, except if you are going to a website that utilizes HTTPS, your web traffic is not encrypted anymore. Since your web traffic seems to originate from the server of your VPN, your real IP address is successfully hidden.

It is important since IP addresses are dispersed geographically and can be, for the most part, utilized to detect your location. If anyone spies your IP address, they will discover the VPN’s IP address. It can be really helpful, especially if you want to hide your location.

For example, if you connect to London’s VPN server, you can make it seem like you’re connecting to the internet from the United Kingdom. What a virtual private network won’t do is entirely anonymize your web traffic.

If you want to do it, you will need to use a service called Tor, which you can access via a Firefox browser’s special version. Rather than sending your information via a single server, this anonymization service sends your information through multiple volunteer computers.

Thus, it makes it difficult for an individual to track what you do on the internet. In addition, websites can trace your activities through online trackers, browser fingerprinting, cookies, and other tools. Moreover, using ad-blockers aids in suppressing these things and can make it difficult for advertisers to track your activities across the web.

Lastly, although you have a VPN, it does not mean that you have to forget about the basics of security. Even if some virtual private network services say that they can impede malware, it’d be best to install antivirus software for your device to protect your device from spiteful software. Also, you need a password manager since redundant passwords are a main factor of failure.

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How to Select a Virtual Private Network

When it comes to VPNs, there are a couple of key points that you need to consider. First is that the virtual private network service must enable you to connect about five devices simultaneously. Second is whether the VPN service or not authorizes BitTorrent traffic on their VPN servers.

Well, almost all servers do. However, you do not want to run in a conflict of the VPN company to which you are subscribed. Regarding fees, the average price of a premium VPN service is at least $10.68 monthly. Read different reviews to know what is the best VPN for your needs.

Before you subscribe to a virtual private network service, ensure to understand and learn its terms of service. This terms of service delineate what info the virtual private network gathers and what it does with it.

Also, it is important to determine the location of a VPN company. Remember that this is not always the actual location of the company. However, a judicial distinction that explains what region the company runs under.

The most crucial thing about a virtual private network is belief and assurance. If the terms of service, pricing, and location don’t charge you with trust, then consider another VPN service.

Getting Started

Once you have chosen a service, you can now download the application of the company. You can also download the application for your smartphone and tablets too if you want to be sure of the privacy and security.

After downloading, type in your login information. In most instances, it is the username and password you made when signing up for the VPN service. And when you are logged in, the app typically connects to the virtual private network server nearest to your physical location.

It is done to give better speeds when utilizing a virtual private network, as speed and latency reductions boost the farther the server is from your location. Take note that you don’t have to install the application. Rather, you can set up the network settings of the device to connect automatically to the VPN service.

You might also like to know: Why the Internet is not as Safe as You Think

When Should You Use a Virtual Private Network?

When should you use a VPN service?

Well, for the most excellent security and privacy, you must use a virtual private network as frequently as possible. Set the default on your virtual private network applications to be connected all the time. If it is causing problems, you can disconnect it right away.

VPNs for mobile devices are quite challenging, though, especially if you have poor cellular coverage. At the very least, you must use a virtual private network whenever you connect to the internet.

Takeaway

Virtual private networks are not rocket science. Still, a lot of people are not using a virtual private network, and perhaps it is because they appear like arcane security tools. However, most VPN companies have worked very hard to make them easy to use and user-friendly.

Although it may seem costly to you, getting a virtual private network is one of the easiest and best ways to protect your website traffic from everybody else.

Feel free to let us know via the comment section below, which VPN service is your favorite and what kind of virtual private network software you want so that you can keep your privacy settings as high as possible.

Author’s Bio:

Tyler Pack is a real estate consultant and journalist, with a passion for smart homes technology. He is keen on writing about home and property security, and cybersecurity.

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