VPN is the abbreviation of the Virtual Private Network. It is software that hides your IP address, keeps you anonymous, protects your digital activities, and unblocks restricted websites.
What is a VPN?
A VPN is software that creates an encrypted private tunnel from your smartphone or PC to a server over the internet to ensure the data is securely transmitted and to prevent third-party tracking.
The Virtual Private Network masks your IP address, encrypts your data, creates a private network, and routes the data through that secret tunnel. So no third party can intercept your network and data.
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How Does VPN Work?
Typically, when you access any website and provide your information, your IP address sends data to that website’s server through the internet. If the internet connection is public, third-party and hackers can access the network and collect your data.
However, activating a VPN on your device will create its own private tunnel and reroute your data through its servers. So hackers cannot access the network and get any data. It also masks your IP address, which means the VPN provider hides your IP address and assigns a fake one to keep you anonymous and to access geo-restricted web content.
What Does a VPN do?
Hide your IP address: VPN hide your original IP address and puts in a fake one. So nobody can find you, your IP address, and your IP location.
Make your browsing private: When you activate a VPN on your device, it encrypts and transmits your data through its tunnel. This process will make your internet browsing private. Nobody knows what you are doing online.
Prevent tracking: Public WiFi is the most vulnerable network and an easy target for cybercriminals. Without VPN, a third party can easily track you online; however, nobody can track your activities if you have VPN activated.
Provide global IP address to unblock web content: After hiding your original IP address, the VPN will provide many IP addresses to choose from. If you have trouble accessing any geo-restricted website, you can select the allowed country’s server and gain access to the blocked websites.
Why Do You Need a VPN?
Encrypt and secure your data: If you frequently use the internet for transactions, communication, transfer of confidential files, and meetings, you need a VPN. A few top-tier VPN services use military-grade AES 256-bit to encrypt your data to protect your digital activities.
Prevent third-party tracking and snooping: If you don’t want your browsing history and personal info to be exposed and tracked by third parties, you will need a VPN. It will reroute your data via its server, mask your IP address, and prevent third-party tracking.
Unblock geo-restricted website: Did you ever encounter a notice saying, “This website is not available in your country?” well, that means you will need a VPN to access this website. A VPN will unblock any geo-restricted content.
Secure remote access: If you work from home and must connect to the headquarters securely, you will need a VPN. It will connect the head server securely, and you can work without worrying about cyber-attacks.
When You Need a VPN
VPN is not for all unless you have security concerns and deal with confidential information. Here’s when you need a VPN.
To access a geo-blocked website: If you live in a country that is not on the allowed list of any website, you will need a VPN to access it.
To access restricted servers from remote locations: If you have a job that deals with confidential information, you will find the servers are restricted to private networks. You will need a VPN to transfer your data through a secret tunnel to gain access.
To shop online and perform financial transactions: While shopping, you need to provide your credit card information. Hackers may steal your financial information if you are in a public or unsecured network. However, you can prevent third-party tracking, hackers snooping, and cyber-attacks with a VPN.
To share secret files online: If you need to transfer a secret file through a public network, you can’t ensure the third party or hacker will not intercept the data. To minimize the risk, you need a VPN.
Also Check: Top 10 Cheapest VPNs for PC
Conclusion
VPN is a security tool to protect your digital footprints and unblock geo-restricted websites. It encrypts and transmits data through its private tunnel. If you use a VPN, anybody cannot track you. Also, it can unblock any website.
