What is VPN?

VPN, which stands for Virtual Private Networks, is a service that allows you to securely connect to the internet via a server run by a VPN provider. Meaning, rather than all your network traffic flowing through your personal or company’s network, instead, it is routed via a completely different connection. Virtual private networks can be used to access region-restricted websites, shield your browsing activity from prying eyes on public Wi-Fi, and more.

How does a VPN work?

In general, you are connecting to the internet through your ISP (Internet Service Provider), which then allows you to access any websites or other online resources. All of your internet traffic passes through your ISP’s server, and it can be seen by your ISP.

When you connect to a server run by your virtual private network provider through an encrypted connection using a VPN, the data traveling between your computer and the VPN server becomes encrypted, ensuring that it remains inaccessible to anyone.

Can VPN be free?

Many people often wonder if they can obtain VPN services for free. While there are free VPN options available, it’s essential to approach them with caution. Free virtual private networks may have limitations in terms of features, security, and speed. Some may compromise user data or have privacy concerns. To ensure the utmost privacy and security, it’s recommended to choose a reputable paid VPN service. Investing in a paid service often guarantees better performance, reliability, and a commitment to user privacy.

Why do you need it?

VPN can be very useful, especially for businesses, if you want to maintain a high level of privacy and security. When it comes to business data, there is clearly a vital need to keep your company’s network and internet connection secure and to allow for secure remote access facilities too. Below are two major benefits of using a virtual private network:

  • Access a business network while travelling: It allows your employees to access your business network to access its resources while they are on a business trip. Your business likely desires to avoid exposing its local resources directly to the internet.
  • Hide your browsing activity from your local network and ISP. This is especially useful if you want to use a public Wi-Fi connection. Your browsing activity on non-HTTPS websites is visible to everyone nearby. Using a VPN encrypts your travel data, making it inaccessible to anyone. This provides security both to you personally and to your company.

However, there are some downsides to a virtual private network. The first thing is that your VPN provider can know what you get up to on the internet. So instead of trusting your ISP, you are trusting a VPN provider to protect your privacy. Therefore, it is important to choose a trustworthy VPN provider. And the second thing is that your internet will slow down depending on how far your VPN provider is. If your VPN provider is overseas, then your internet will be very slow due to the distance that data will be travelling.