Should YOU Use A VPN Service? - Tech Shorts - Part 7.
Security is something that all PC users should consider, and a VPN can make your connection very Secure!.
What & Why?
- A VPN, (Virtual Private Network), is a piece of software that connects the end user to a large third party server or provider. So when you connect to the internet, to surf the web, download, or game, all the data that your computer will receive will be directed through that third party server.
When VPN's first appeared, they were mostly adopted by large businesses to allow the employers to connect to a secured internal network via the internet while working from a location outside of the business. Today, VPN's are being adopted by everyone from large banks for secured transactions, to small businesses, and now, with several governments around the world placing restrictions on the internet, most notably, China, individuals are using them.
There is a wide range of reasons why VPN's are being utilized by individuals like you and me. Some are concerned about the data that they have on there computer and worry about being hacked. Maybe an individual has been hacked in the past and wish to prevent it happening again. Maybe they just want access to certain sites that aren't available in there country. Hackers tend to use VPN's to minimise there exposure. Others use VPN's to surf the 'Dark Web'. Maybe the VPN's are used to hide activities on the internet that are ''questionable'' at best, such as illegal downloading, pirating films, music and software. But one thing is for sure, a VPN basically hides your activity so your internet connection is secure and above all else, private.
How Does It Work?
- There are many different variants of VPN's available with some being free to use, while others require a paid subscription. Whatever the case, they all work on the same principle.
First, the base software that is installed on the end users PC uses a 'TAP' (Terminal Access Point) protocol connection that is used to monitor the data that is both incoming and outgoing from your PC. The software also uses a 'Tunnel Protocol' that acts.... well... like a tunnel, connecting your PC with the Software vendors Server. This combination of protocols is essential for the security/privacy side of the VPN. If the TAP protocol detects an unknown connection, like a hacker trying to gain access, it will disconnect the connection and then the tunnel protocol will establish a new tunnel on the connection, avoiding the compromised connection that it disconnected from.
To help increase the security of the end users connection, more and more VPN vendors now utilize data encryption along the established connection. Some vendors even go to the extent of splitting the data to and from your PC along several connections. And it doesn't stop there. There are even vendors that place dummy packets of data, which are bits of useless information, into the data stream, so that important email or dick pic remains safe and secure until it reaches its destination.
This all adds up to a very secure connection, so if a hacker was able to gain access to one of the tunnel protocols out of the dozens used, they will only ever see a garbled mess of data that they will never be able to use.
Should You Use A VPN?
- Yes. There are a number of services available to use, with free/basic services that will secure your data, but the connection speed will be low. Then there are paid subscription services that can cost as little as a couple of dollars a month which will give you a faster connection speed through the service, access to a wider range of servers available across the planet, and some other benefits too. Then there are the top tier vendors that give you the fastest connection possible, access to a whole host of servers, with no connection logs, and a wide array of connection types from surfing, to high capacity downloads into the TB range.
There are of course some differences between the software vendors, with the most notable being connection speed through there service and if they keep connection logs that could be traced back to you. So it would be wise to do some research before you settle on a service. Just take into consideration what it is you do online. If its just surfing the web, get a free one, if you game a lot with the odd download, it may be worth getting a paid subscription with a faster connection. And then if you do illegal stuff... then well, you're a DICK.
Security is something that I take seriously, and you should too. Hackers and Governments alike both have the ability and will to spy on what it is you are doing online, with some being able to turn on your web cam and microphone undetected. They can spy on your video calls through Skype, view your online banking, when you are watching porn, when you are dealing with sensitive documents, or when making transactions with your bank details in full view... basically, whatever it is you do online, there is nothing preventing hackers or governments from seeing exactly what you see on your screen, so using a service such as a VPN is a no brainer.
One of the better paid services you can use, and one that I have been recommending for a few years now, is CyberGhost, they offer a free service that will have basic services you can use, all be it, with a slower connection speed, but there paid service has some impressive connection speeds and a whole whack of servers that have different use cases for you to use.
All in all, if you don't want to be a victim of a hacker and/or you want and need privacy from said prying eyes, a VPN is by far the best option that is currently available for internet users across the world.
If you are unsure about which service to get, then please either leave a comment or connect to the TechMojo Discord Channel and we will be happy to help you out.
Thanks for reading.
Stu @TechMojo
Join the chat TechMojo Discord Channel Follow us TechMojo Dlive Channel Like us TechMojo Facebook Page Follow us TechMojo Twitter Follow us TechMojo OnG Social Page
@TechMojo Recommended Blogs you should follow.
@Deeviras @Gaming-Stuff @retro-room @gamesociety @Rerez @C0ff33a @Free999Enigma @NegativeSpace @SteemGC @GamingStation @XR-HammerGaming @Enjar If you want to apper here, then contact us via our Discord Channel!
Good article! VPN is the first step to get more privacy as I explained it in an article showing how to become anonymous on the internet! Which one are you using?
I have been a long term user of CyberGhost. it has much better connection speeds than others. has higher bandwidth, more versatile and fit for anyone from individual users to corporations, and has a number of specific servers for different use cases such as web surfing, downloading, gaming, viewing restricted sites, among others. its cheaper than most others too.