6 Things You Should Know About Virtual Private Networks
You may not know it, but you use a VPN every day, more than likely. VPNs are extremely common, especially with people who browse the Internet via public WiFi hotspots or unsecured networks. By utilizing a VPN service, users can encrypt their web traffic while connected to both home and public networks; this protects them from eavesdroppers and those who would like to see what users are doing on unsecured networks.
While VPNs have been around for years, an increasing number of people are now using them daily. This figure is set to increase yet further, as new streaming platforms keep emerging, with much of the content being subject to geo-restrictions, leaving many people searching for the best streaming vpn to enable them to access the movies, content, tv shows, and sports that they wish to view. In addition, VPNs also provide a layer of protection for users against ISP tracking and content filtering in countries with oppressive regimes. That said, many people are still not familiar with VPNs and what they do precisely.
Here is a list of six things you should know about Virtual Private Networks:
1.VPNs Can be Used Anywhere
One of the biggest misconceptions about VPNs is that they're only for people who travel or those who connect to an unsecured network. While it's true that VPNs can be used on public WiFi networks, they can also be used by anyone who wants to keep their browsing activity private from their ISP or other parties that want to record their activity. Even if you use a secure home network, encrypting all of your data is never a bad idea. If in New York, you will need the best VPNs for New York to protect yourself. Even if you use a secure home network; encrypting all of your data is never a bad idea.
2.VPNs Aren't Just For Browsing the Web
When people think about VPNs, they immediately think of browsing the web and other standard online activities such as sending emails or chatting on IM. While a good portion of this activity does utilize a VPN, there are many different ways to use these services. You can use a VPN to securely connect to remote networks, even if you aren't actually on that network. This is important because specific individuals may also need to access other resources on the other network. With a VPN connection, they don't have to worry about whether or not their activity will be blocked should the remote network administrator find out what they were doing.
3. There is a Secure and Insecure Type of VPN
When people think about VPNs, they immediately think of the type that encrypts traffic to protect users from eavesdropping and ISP tracking. They aren't wrong in associating such security measures with VPNs; however, not all VPN services are secure. There are several VPN services out there that implement PPTP encryption. This is not secure, and it should never be used under any circumstances. VPN services that offer this type of encryption are insecure because the PPTP protocol uses weak 128-bit keys, which can easily be broken through brute force attacks.
4.VPNs Can Be Used To Evade Censorship
A VPN provides a secure and private way to browse the web. They also allow people to access content that would otherwise be blocked by their ISP or local network administrator. This is done through a process known as "traffic shaping," which redirects a user's traffic through a specific channel to mask what they're doing online. This is why VPNs are also common for users who want to evade censorship in countries that practice oppressive Internet policies.
5. They're Not Just for The Tech Savvy
While VPNs are a standard tool among tech-savvy Internet users, they really shouldn't be looked at as a "geek" thing. The technology itself is relatively simple; however, implementing a VPN service is much more intricate than what meets the eye. With that said, VPNs aren't just for the tech-savvy; anyone can take advantage of these services, and that's what makes them great. The process of setting up a VPN server on one's machine isn't complicated, so anyone can do it.
6. Using a VPN is 100% Legal
A common misconception about VPN services is that they're illegal to use. This isn't true at all. However, it's understandable how people could get this impression. ISPs block many websites due to content filtering policies implemented by the local network administrator. This restricts users from accessing specific material they feel is inappropriate for the workplace. While it may be true that someone could use a VPN service to bypass these restrictions, there's nothing wrong with doing so as long as it's all within the law. In some cases, people use VPNs to encrypt data sent across the web to prevent eavesdropping. There are several reasons why people choose to do this. However, keeping information private and encrypted is typically seen as a good thing.
There is no reason for anyone not to use a VPN service when it comes down to it. While the technology isn't 100% foolproof, it is still the most effective way to stay anonymous online. It's also important to remember that dozens of VPN services are available. As always, do your research when choosing a VPN service and remember that you get what you pay for.
