More and more people are waking up to the fact that their personal privacy is under attack. Many people suspect Big tech and government agencies are tracking our online lives, but the statistics are alarming.
- 82 percent of web traffic includes third-party scripts from Google.
- 83 percent of Americans have seen targeted ads.
- 93% of Americans believe it is important to have control over their data. Nine percent stated they had more control
- 79% of Internet users feel that they have lost all control of their personal data.
Trying to take back your privacy can seem like an impossible task. Trying to take back your privacy can seem like an impossible task. If you have researched online privacy, you’ve probably heard of people using VPN software. It’s a technology that offers online privacy, security, speed, and convenience. So what is VPN software? We will answer that question in this article.
First of all, let’s define what VPN is. A Virtual Private Network, or VPN as it’s also known, is a technique that creates an encrypted connection between two networks. The connection is established by creating a “tunnel” through which data can be transmitted without allowing other servers or networks to view or change the data.
This ensures security, privacy, speed, and compatibility. There are many well-known free and paid VPN services for Windows, Linux, MAC OS, iOS, and Android.
In order to fully comprehend what VPN software is, you must know how VPNs work. There are two ways to configure VPNs. First, you can use an open-source VPN solution like Open VPN or Wireguard. These solutions typically connect to the internet through a server you or someone else has created on a cloud provider that offers Virtual Private Servers (VPS). Open source VPNs can even be created on your computer or device like a Raspberry PI. This can be a free or affordable way to privately and securely access the internet if you are technically inclined. However, for most consumers, the learning curve of setting up and using an open-source VPN is too steep.
A second approach is to use a commercial VPN provider. There are many other well-known and highly-rated companies offering commercialized versions of VPNs. The bottom line is, VPNs provide a secure, anonymous, and fast way to establish an online connection.
How does VPN software help protect your internet privacy? Utilizing an encrypted connection to a VPN server before sending or receiving data from the internet obscures your IP address and activity. In other words, your ISP can’t see what sites you are visiting, and the sites you visit don’t know what IP address you’re coming from. In short, you can make all of your web traffic private and/or secure.
So, now you can see why VPNs are so beneficial. They provide a way to connect to a hotspot or to another network securely. However, you must remember that you are exposing your entire system to other users with a traditional unsecured network. This is not only insecure but can lead to having your personal data stolen or exploited.
A good VPN software will provide you with anonymity and will hinder ISPs, Big Tech, and Big Brother from tracking you.
To take advantage of these benefits, you need a good-quality VPN. Do a quick search for VPN reviews. Look at what different providers have to offer, how fast their connections are, and what security features are included. By choosing a company with a solid reputation and a strong track record, you can be sure that you will be able to protect your online activities and avoid potential security issues.
Many companies advertise free VPN services, but these have many downsides. One is that if you are not paying for a product you are the product. Free VPNs also often have fewer servers and capped bandwidth leading to a slow connection. Paid VPNs also offer much more robust security than most free VPN services. A good VPN provider will provide security and protection to prevent your traffic from being seen by others. In addition, it will encrypt all of your activity and ensure that it is kept confidential.
There are many different types of VPN software packages available for download online. You should review the fine print before selecting a VPN option. A quality VPN software will allow you to surf the internet securely with complete confidence.