A virtual private network (VPN) is a way of adding security and privacy to private and public networks, like WiFi Hotspots and the Internet.
Protection – VPNs help make sure that your laptop or mobile device can communicate with things like printers or a remote server without anyone being able to “listen in” on the traffic.
Privacy – VPNs can help keep your activity and identity private when you’re on the web.
A VPN helps stop anyone who’s watching your Internet connection from learning what sites you visit, and it also helps prevent organizations from tracking which pages on the websites you go to.
Basically, it’s a service that wraps your data with encryption, sending it out into the internet so it can’t be traced back to you
Once you connect to a VPN, the computer acts as though it’s on the same local network as the VPN. All of your network traffic passes over a secure connection, and no one in between can see what you’re up to.
Because your web traffic appears to come from the VPN’s server and not your computer, your true IP address is hidden from the outside world.
In addition to this, you can also get around firewalls and web filters that block access to content based on location or subject.
Once you use a VPN, you will be completely anonymous in the eyes of other parties trying to keep track of your usage of the internet.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF VPN?
There are many different types of VPN, each with its own unique functionality. The most common VPNs you’ll likely come across are;
– Personal
Personal VPNs only work on your individual computer. They usually provide a level of encryption (like HTTPS), but that’s about it. Since these VPNs are not enterprise-grade, they typically don’t allow you to share files between computers and devices.
– SSL VPN
Due to work from home, many employees resort to the use of private devices (PC, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone). This is where an SSL-VPN comes into play.
The prerequisite for this is an HTML-5 capable browser which can be called up by entering the company’s login page. Optionally, access can also be secured with a username and password.
– Site to site (business)
site-to-site VPNs are almost essential for companies that have multiple offices or workers whose activities are inextricably linked.
site-to-site VPNs are commonly used to link corporate remote access systems (like those in branch offices) with the corporate office.
They are also used by large companies that have multiple hubs for technical or business reasons. For example, an international bank could use site-to-site VPNs to connect its New York hub to both Tokyo and London.
– Client-to-server VPN
These are the most common forms of VPN connection. In this system, all data is encrypted by a client before transmission and decrypted by the server after being received.
client-to-server VPNs can send data faster than WAN because there is no bottleneck in the speed of the company network.
It also does not have any effect on the speed of the user’s internet connection, because the ISP only “sees” encrypted data.
client-to-server VPNs are compatible with all existing systems and technologies in the company network since no additional components are required.
They also comply with any security policies implemented in them – for example, if a password is required to access the internal company network, this will also apply to VPN access.
However, it is important for the encryption software on the client device to be fast enough to handle all available bandwidth – otherwise, users may experience slow internet speeds when they are on the VPN.
HOW DOES A VPN WORK?
A VPN creates a secure connection to the internet. In this way, it not only protects your private data from being stolen on open wifi networks but also encrypts information as it travels over the public Internet.
The VPN hides your location by replacing your IP address with one of their own (or sometimes one belonging to another anonymous user if the server is overloaded) and by encrypting your traffic to prevent anyone listening in – even someone running the same VPN service.
When you connect to a VPN, you create an encrypted tunnel between your computer and the VPN server.
All data traveling between you and the internet passes through this secure tunnel so that no one can spy on it.
Your ISP (internet service provider) only sees the encrypted traffic passing through it, so can’t sell your data to third parties.
Even governments can’t snoop on your activities or decrypt what you’re sending back and forth.
A VPN also makes it more difficult to spot you online, by hiding the IP address assigned to you by your internet service provider. This is how a VPN works – that’s all there is to it!
ADVANTAGES OF VPN
Following are the Advantages of using a VPN:
– Ensures Security and Privacy – A VPN encrypts the data transmitted from a device, for example, your Personal Computer or Smartphone.
This means that all communication between your device and the VPN server is safe from eavesdropping as long as you’re connected to a VPN.
The same security benefits apply if you’re using WiFi at a coffee shop, airport, or hotel.
This is especially good if you’re on vacation and want to watch some of your favorite TV shows without waiting for them to be available online.
– Bypasses Geographic Restrictions – VPNs also allow people living in countries with restrictive censorship laws, such as China, to access social media sites like Facebook & Twitter by connecting to a VPN server located in a country where those sites are not censored.
– Unblock YouTube or Netflix – Don’t have access to YouTube or Facebook? Try connecting to one of many VPN services available online and unblock all websites easily.
– Bypass ISP Bandwidth Throttling – Ever since the FCC rolled back net neutrality laws, ISPs (Internet Service Providers) like Comcast & Verizon are now able to throttle your Internet speeds as much as they want. Using a VPN is one of the best ways to beat ISP throttling.
– A VPN is an Investment – VPNs protect your privacy and make you anonymous online. However, unlike many other specialized services, a VPN is an investment that pays off 24/7.
– Saves Money – A good VPN costs just a few bucks per month. This means you can protect all your devices with one service and save money in the process!
CONCLUSION
A VPN is a way to connect to the Internet. It makes sure that your data is not stolen on an open wifi network, and it also encrypts your information as it travels over the public Internet.
The VPN hides your location by replacing your IP address with one of their own (or sometimes one belonging to another anonymous user if the server is overloaded) and by encrypting your traffic to prevent anyone listening in – even someone running the same VPN service.
That’s it from my side, if you need to ask any questions or want to add some other points which can be useful, please do comment and I will make sure it goes in the upcoming revisions.
Thanks for reading!