VPN or Virtual Private Network creates a secure connection between your device and a server. Whenever you connect to the web, you first connect to your internet service provider (ISP) server, which then allows you to connect to whichever website you want to visit. ISP, thus, can collect information about your traffic, which is not nice, to say the least. With VPN, you connect to a cloud server run by your VPN provider. Basically, VPN is a middleman who covers your browsing activities. So why would you need to know how to use VPN?
Anonymity
Let’s say you want to visit a website that’s not exactly safe for work, and you do not want anyone to know about your peculiar browsing activities. That is where VPN comes into play helping you cover up your online presence. Or, let’s say you are into gambling and want to enjoy casinos online but they are banned in your country; what you do is just use VPN, connect to the server in another country, and voila, you can now gamble online. This is just an example of what you may use cover for, and if you want to know the opinion of an expert, it is actually wise to use a VPN for gaming. This will not just make your activities unnoticed but also secure your sensitive data.
Using the Dark and Deep Web
If you are into some serious stuff and want to find things that should not be seen by regular users, you might probably want to enter the dark web or the deep web, depending on what kind of stuff you are up to. Naturally, browsing the dark web is not something you want to discuss with other people, especially with the boys in blue. Remember, we do not entice any illegal activities and do not recommend using either the dark or deep web – there’s just too much weird stuff in there.
Using Public WiFi
Public WiFi is a rather convenient thing but it often comes at expense of security. When you browse the web in your local coffee shop or scroll through your Facebook feed at the airport, someone might be out there tracking your activity. Using a VPN protects your data while you use an unprotected network and hides all of your activities from potential hackers. Basically, your phone connects to a server somewhere on the other side of the globe, which is quite convenient for battling ill-intended internet users.
Data Privacy
Since Edward Snowden released the fact that Verizon has been collecting and selling data to the NSA, millions of people around the world have become deeply concerned with their internet privacy. What if there’s an NSA agent checking your browsing history right now, seeing all the kinky stuff you watched last night? That’s an unsettling thought, and you surely don’t want that to happen to you. Whether you have some suspicious stuff to hide or not, you would have a much better night’s sleep knowing that nobody’s going through your web history.
Wrap Up
VPN is a lifesaver these days, and you should totally use it. There are free options available online, and such browsers as Opera even have a built-in VPN that covers your activity and uses a remote server to load all the websites you want to use. It is a rather helpful feature, especially in times when authorities can easily access people’s data. So, knowing how to use VPN is a must, and you should totally do that.