VPN is a bit of a buzzword when it comes to technology, but what even is a VPN? Why are they important, and should you be using one? I’m going to answer all three of those questions, so you’ll know what they do and how they can help you when browsing online.
What A VPN Does In Simple Terms
A VPN creates a secure connection between your device and the internet.
Instead of connecting you directly to a website or app you want to use, your traffic is routed through a VPN server.
During this routing process, your personal and digital data is encrypted, which means it’s much harder for others on the same network to see what you are doing online.
Using a VPN also changes how your connection “appears” to the outside world. Websites you visit, see the VPN server’s address rather than your IP address, reducing how closely your online activity is tied to your real world location.
It doesn’t make you invisible, when online, but it just adds a layer of protection to limit casual tracking, and make your data more difficult to intercept.
Hidden Ways Your Data Gets Tracked Online
Websites and apps that you use, can track you and your online behavior, through a web of “behind-the-scene” signals.
They all log your device’s IP address, device model and screen size, to create a digital fingerprint, that can re-identify you later.
The tracking doesn’t stop when you clear your internet browsing history, either. Browser cookies respawn through synced accounts, embedded pixels, and shared IDs across advertising networks.
VPN When Traveling Or Working Remotely
Whenever you’ve away from home, or working remotely, you’ll probably rely on hotel Wi-Fi, airport networks or hotspots in public places, which you don’t control.
Using an affordable VPN service, you create a secure connection before you open your emails, join any meetings or access any cloud files. Reducing the chance that strangers on the same network can snoop on what you’re doing.
I think we’ve all tried to access a website like a news website (especially if you’re in the EU), only to get a message to tell you, you can’t access the website due to privacy rules.
Some websites have region blocks and restrictions, which prevent you from visiting their site or app like Hulu or Apple TV, but a VPN lets you choose which country you access the site/app from, so you access sites you perhaps wouldn’t normally be able to. Many people use VPNs to enjoy TV shows in different countries for example.
You can also choose a VPN that focuses on speed, if you’re struggling with your internet connection speed, when traveling.
What a VPN Can And Cannot Protect You From
Using a VPN will improve your online privacy, but it’s not a complete security solution.
It’ll encrypt the connection between your device and the VPN server you choose, to protect how your data is being read on public/shared networks, as well as hiding your real IP address.
It can reduce basic location tracking, and limit how easily your activity is linked to you – as well as helping to prevent some types of internet speed throttling.
However, there are some things a VPN cannot protect you from. It won’t protect you from any phishing, scams or harmful downloads, if you click any unsafe links – that’s where your antivirus software is needed.
VPNs cannot fully stop websites from tracking you through cookies or browser fingerprinting. If a VPN provider keeps logs, your activity could still be traceable.
Plus, using a VPN does not hide what you do, from the services you log into, and cannot bypass every restriction or policy.