What is a VPN: The Ultimate Guide for 2023
6 min read
The World Wide Web is brimming with information you can use. Moreover, you can shop for products online, send and receive work emails, host video conference calls, create and share PDFs/Excel/Word, etc.
Although the Internet allows you to connect with people worldwide and make your life and workflow easier, privacy and security are significant concerns. Besides protecting your personal information or confidential business data from cybercriminals, you must safeguard your information from the government, your ISP, and advertisers.
You can create strong passwords and install anti-virus software on your device, but you may still feel like you need more. That’s where VPN comes in handy.
VPN use has skyrocketed over the years, and for a good reason. Here’s your 2023 guide on using a VPN.
What is a VPN?
A VPN or virtual private network is an effective privacy tool that secures your Internet traffic. It keeps your web activity hidden from advertisers, hackers, your ISP, and the government. Plus, it doesn’t allow anyone to see your true location, so you are safe from targeted ads and most cyberattacks.
There are also bonus uses of a VPN. For example, you can bypass the geographic restrictions of YouTube TV, Hulu, Netflix, and other streaming services. Moreover, VPNs help users get around government restrictions and enjoy torrenting to their heart’s content. You can even play games that are banned or restricted in your country.
What are the Features of a VPN?
So many VPN providers are available that choosing one can feel like a challenge, especially if you are a newbie. However, the essential features that make for a good VPN are outlined below.
- Multi-device connections
Most VPN companies restrict how many devices users can connect at a time. For instance, Surfshark has no limit, but NordVPN and ExpressVPN allow only five or six simultaneous connections. If you want to download Surfshark to stay connected on multiple devices at once, click learn more.
- More bandwidth
More bandwidth means you can stream higher-quality videos. If the VPN offers unlimited bandwidth, your speed won’t be affected even when others are connecting to the VPN.
- Split tunnelling
Split tunnelling lets users select which applications will run through VPN, and the apps will be unprotected. So you can have your web browser run through VPN and enjoy watching Netflix shows from different countries. And you can keep your video games unprotected, so there’s no lag.
- No-logs policy
The no-logs policy means the VPN will not store or log your data. Before selecting a VPN company, you must check whether they have this policy. This will ensure that your activities are not retained, logged, or transferred to third parties when connected to their service.
- Encryption
VPNs use encryption protocols to keep your private data safe. These protocols help to scramble your data so hackers or other cyber attackers cannot comprehend the data.
The popular encryption types are AES-256 and RSA-4096.
- VPN servers
The higher the number of servers, the better it is for VPN users. Typically, VPN providers use physical or virtual servers or a combination of both.
A physical server exists in the real world and runs the VPN’s software on the provider’s side. It is located in the same place as the IP address it assigns the user. VPN providers like NordVPN pride themselves on using only physical servers.
A virtual server is simulated and runs on physical ones, but they appear to be in a different location. Some VPN companies, like Surfshark, use virtual servers in addition to physical servers to provide users access to countries where they cannot operate. For instance, if VPNs are banned in a specific country, or it is not economically feasible to set up a physical server, a VPN uses virtual servers to offer access to the location.
- Kill switch
The kill switch is an automation feature that comes standard with most VPN services. Thanks to this feature, your Internet connection will be cut off once the VPN stops working.
Are Using VPNs Legal?
Most newbies have this question, and the answer is no, VPNs are not illegal. However, this is true for some countries.
VPNs are legal in most countries, including Canada, the USA, and most of Europe. But some countries restrict the use of VPNs like North Korea, Russia, Belarus, China, Iraq, etc.
What are the uses of VPNs?
- Online privacy and anonymity
The government, your ISP, and advertisers can see everything you are doing online if you are not using a VPN. From the websites you are visiting, the products you are purchasing, and your IP address, everything will be out in the open and may fall into the wrong hands.
So if you don’t want your online activities to be monitored, you must use a VPN.
- Accessing restricted content
Due to licensing restrictions and copyright issues, several online streaming services restrict content and platform usage. For example, YouTube TV is only available in the USA, and people outside the USA cannot access this platform. Similarly, Netflix is available worldwide, but there are content restrictions, and Canada-based shows might not be available to users anywhere else.
These issues can be bypassed using a VPN. Simply connect to the country server of your choice and enjoy your favourite TV shows and movies.
- Torrent downloads
If you want to download torrents and stay safe, it is recommended to use a VPN. However, you must not engage in any illegal activity.
Do You Need to Use a VPN?
You need to use a VPN if you care about your privacy and don’t want your online activities tracked.
With a VPN, you can connect to public Wi-Fi networks without worrying about your confidential data getting leaked. You can also remotely access your company’s network without jeopardizing sensitive information.
The Bottom Line
VPNs are the layer of added security you need to stay protected online. They prevent your information from getting leaked and disguise your IP address. So whether you want to heighten online privacy or access restricted content, this is the best solution.
