The Ultimate Guide of Vpn and Usages
Basics VPN (Virtual Private Network)
Vpn is the best solutions to safe on online. It seems that many see a VPN service as the go-to solution whenever they feel their online activities are not quite private. Additionally, a VPN is a fierce tool when it comes to accessing restricted websites and media that are off-limits for a variety of reasons (government censorship, geographic restrictions, copyright regulations, etc) without as much as batting an eyelash, as well as preventing your ISP (Internet Service Provider) from throttling your speed based on usage.
Sounds neat, right? In this guide of a badass variety, you’ll learn what exactly a VPN is, how it can help you, and basically anything and everything else you need to know when it comes to VPNs: we have the scoop for you.
In a nutshell, VPN acts as a safe passage for your traffic (any type of online activity - browsing, streaming, downloading, etc.). It routes your traffic through a VPN server in a specific location of your choosing that spoofs your location (IP address) and assigns the location of that VPN server.
You first connect to the Internet through your ISP, then initiate a VPN connection to the provider’s VPN server by using their software (after you download it, of course), be it desktop or mobile. The (VPN) client software establishes a connection to the server of your choice, grants you access and you’re all set and ready. In the process, a VPN encrypts the traffic and thus provides an extra layer of protection, whether it’s traffic over your private home network or public Wi-Fi network, so your data stays away from prying eyes. Establishing a connection is super easy.
Anyone, anywhere because it’s really simple to use and both mobile and desktop platforms are covered with this technology. Whether you’re working at home or on the road, or traveling around and want to connect in a secure fashion using the Internet, you’re literally only a few clicks away from a secure and private connection as most VPN providers offer a simple one-click interface.
Those would be some entry points on how a VPN service works. Let’s talk a bit about different VPN elements and what they mean to you.
Using a VPN is perfectly legal around the globe with only a handful of exceptions (Saudi Arabia, Iran, North Korea), while other countries like Russia have strict guidelines on when and how you can use it. For the most part, using a VPN service is legal as long as you keep it within legal boundaries and don’t partake in illegal activities such as, but not limited to Anything related to theft, fraud, or scam, Accessing child pornography, Hacking and spreading malicious software etc.
The general misconception is that VPNs are primarily made to encourage and facilitate illegal behavior instead of providing an extra layer of online protection, which is where the question of legality comes from. As long as you don’t do anything illegal and against the ToS, you’re good to go.
There are numerous benefits of using a VPN service. For the better part, security and privacy are the two primary reasons why the majority of online users opt for an additional piece of software in their daily online activities. With news of email and cloud storage breaches popping out every so often, the potential to be compromised is high. Thankfully, a VPN with its robust encryption and security features allows users to reclaim their peace of mind when staying connected online.
But that’s not all. “Unlocking” the full Internet content-wise in somes instances is a huge boon. Because a VPN encapsulates your Internet connection and comes pre-configured, it makes the software that much desirable and easy to implement in various instances, such as:
- Securing your data when using public Wi-Fi
- Avoiding censorship when traveling to oppressive regimes
- Bypassing geo-blocking restriction (hello Netflix, Hulu, etc)
- Bypassing specific location restriction (schools, workplaces etc)
- Securing communications
- Safe torrenting
- Stop leaving tracks online
- Get the best prices for online shopping (no geo restrictions)
Domain Name System or DNS is the crucial part of how the Internet works. It’s the process of locating and translating Internet domain names into IP addresses. Typically, DNS servers are assigned by your ISP, meaning they can easily monitor and record your online activities. With a VPN in play (as is the case with almost every VPN), the DNS request is directed to an anonymous DNS server through the VPN, as opposed to going straight from your browser, for instance. This keeps your connection safe from ISP monitoring. Whenever you see a VPN using its own DNS solution, it usually means no third-party involvement (no data logging) and no DNS blocking or filtering (sometimes covered by encryption, too).
You’ll often encounter the Smart DNS term, which refers to the use of a specific DNS server which accesses websites and services that are not available due to restrictions. In short, that’s the VPN’s way of telling you that they have the means to bypass geo and content restrictions, which is no small feat.
VPNs are great for masking or changing your IP address, but for both security and privacy reasons, it's vital to know that when VPN connection is in motion, your identity is protected at all times. Sometimes, your browser might ignore your VPN and your DNS requests and route them right to your ISP. A DNS leak protection (usually a part of any respectable VPN service by default) makes sure that these requests go through the VPN. Essentially, a few lines of code that make sure you stay “hidden” at all times.
Some websites and services have found a way to detect when a VPN is being used to access them. In turn, they have developed and implemented VPN blocks to deny access to unwanted users. It’s a constant game of cat and mouse: VPNs are finding new ways to bypass these blocks while the other side is constantly on the prowl for traces of VPN usage.
Because a VPN masks your real IP and replaces it with its own, it adds a public element to it, making IP spoofing simpler. We’ve briefly touched upon this issue when talking about the shared IP address: there’s an unknown number of users along with yourself, perusing the same IP address. Their activities may cause it to be blacklisted, thus denying access to specific websites and services. It’s a major inconvenience when you have your VPN software and you have to take it down to access a site that's blocking you. However, VPN providers are generally very careful and active about checking their IP addresses against blacklists, so the chances of this being an issue are not that great, but still viable.
Then, there’s the speed-downgrading issue that affects your performance. By its nature, a VPN “rides” on your existing connection, adding an extra strain on your speeds because of the additional traffic routing and encrypting via the VPN tunnel. It’s a trade-off that many users reluctantly accept, especially because both download and upload speeds tend to fluctuate with a VPN in the mix. This encryption and decryption process does take some time and has the potential to degrade the performance of your connection. Additionally, factor in distance between you, the VPN server and the server of the website you are connecting to - the greater the distance, the slower your connection will likely become. Still, a well-optimized network, particularly one that is owning and managing its own network, can minimize the effect and in some cases, even improve your connection.
Domain Name System or DNS is the crucial part of how the Internet works. It’s the process of locating and translating Internet domain names into IP addresses. Typically, DNS servers are assigned by your ISP, meaning they can easily monitor and record your online activities. With a VPN in play (as is the case with almost every VPN), the DNS request is directed to an anonymous DNS server through the VPN, as opposed to going straight from your browser, for instance. This keeps your connection safe from ISP monitoring. Whenever you see a VPN using its own DNS solution, it usually means no third-party involvement (no data logging) and no DNS blocking or filtering (sometimes covered by encryption, too).
You’ll often encounter the Smart DNS term, which refers to the use of a specific DNS server which accesses websites and services that are not available due to restrictions. In short, that’s the VPN’s way of telling you that they have the means to bypass geo and content restrictions, which is no small feat.
VPNs are great for masking or changing your IP address, but for both security and privacy reasons, it's vital to know that when VPN connection is in motion, your identity is protected at all times. Sometimes, your browser might ignore your VPN and your DNS requests and route them right to your ISP. A DNS leak protection (usually a part of any respectable VPN service by default) makes sure that these requests go through the VPN. Essentially, a few lines of code that make sure you stay “hidden” at all times.
Some websites and services have found a way to detect when a VPN is being used to access them. In turn, they have developed and implemented VPN blocks to deny access to unwanted users. It’s a constant game of cat and mouse: VPNs are finding new ways to bypass these blocks while the other side is constantly on the prowl for traces of VPN usage.
Because a VPN masks your real IP and replaces it with its own, it adds a public element to it, making IP spoofing simpler. We’ve briefly touched upon this issue when talking about the shared IP address: there’s an unknown number of users along with yourself, perusing the same IP address. Their activities may cause it to be blacklisted, thus denying access to specific websites and services. It’s a major inconvenience when you have your VPN software and you have to take it down to access a site that's blocking you. However, VPN providers are generally very careful and active about checking their IP addresses against blacklists, so the chances of this being an issue are not that great, but still viable.
Then, there’s the speed-downgrading issue that affects your performance. By its nature, a VPN “rides” on your existing connection, adding an extra strain on your speeds because of the additional traffic routing and encrypting via the VPN tunnel. It’s a trade-off that many users reluctantly accept, especially because both download and upload speeds tend to fluctuate with a VPN in the mix. This encryption and decryption process does take some time and has the potential to degrade the performance of your connection. Additionally, factor in distance between you, the VPN server and the server of the website you are connecting to - the greater the distance, the slower your connection will likely become. Still, a well-optimized network, particularly one that is owning and managing its own network, can minimize the effect and in some cases, even improve your connection.
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