According to several reports, most of the time, the victims of cyber-attacks are those users that do not pay much attention to the virtual trail of personal information they leave behind while online.
That is why Virtual Private Networks or VPNs were developed. They keep you and your data safe on the internet by ensuring top-notch security. This guide explains what a VPN is, its security, and its legal implications. All in all, find here all the basics of this widely-trusted internet security tool.
Introduction to VPN
A VPN or a virtual private network is an emerging technology (in fact, it’s a very much established one now) that protects user data and connection over the internet by directing it through an encrypted channel. With encryption, a VPN ensures that users’ internet connection from their device to all the networks remains secure.
The secure connection ensures the safe transmission of sensitive data and information from one end to another. In addition, it safeguards users from unauthorized eavesdropping on their traffic. This allows users to conduct work uninterrupted.
Initially, VPNs enjoyed popularity among business corporations for protecting their sensitive data. But personal VPNs are becoming popular among individuals increasingly.
Using a VPN helps in securing your browsing information while browsing online. However, for a first-timer, VPN services appear to be tiresome. However, VPN has a lot of complex procedures in the background. But yes, many VPN providers are trying to make things more comfortable, even for the most computer-illiterate persons.
What is a VPN?
As we all know by now, VPN also means Virtual Private Network. During browsing, a computer operating system transfers data packets to servers worldwide. These servers save the user’s online activities, leaving the users’ data and browsing history exposed to government bodies, internet service providers, and even hackers.
VPN is the surest way to protect your information from snooping parties to avoid all this. It keeps your internet experience and connection as secure and private as possible.
The legality of VPNs
Presently, there is a lot of misinterpretation surrounding the legality of VPNs. Some quarters say they are illegal, while others argue they are legal.
The truth of the matter is VPN is still a relatively new technology in the world; hence governments are yet to put clear regulations in place to guide this technology. Notably, as it has been the norm, governments tend to put laws on technology much later after their launch.
Many countries in the world permit VPN usage, while others restrict it. For example, Asian countries such as North Korea and China are notoriously known for their discrimination toward VPN usage. Russia and other European nations also do not allow the utilization of technology. But the rest of the world is pretty much okay with VPNs.
How secure is a VPN?
As explained, browsing the internet without any protective measures in place makes you and your data vulnerable online.
Hackers are not the only ones after you; your ISP monitors and records every activity you do over the internet. While many might want to argue the internet is a secret place, nothing can be this much misleading.
Without a VPN, it is impossible to hide behind your computer or device. Everything you do over the internet can link back to you using your IP address. The IP address is a unique combination of numbers assigned to every device on the internet.
The job of a VPN is to secure all your IP addresses by acting as the intermediary. In addition, a VPN encrypts your data even before you connect to an internet connection. Hence, it prevents any other third party from knowing what you are doing.