IT Stuff: VPN
In this part of my series on "IT Stuff" I will touch on the topic of VPN tunnels. I will explain what they are, what they are used for and why everyone needs one.
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It is like your own private network on the internet. The VPN connects you to another network over the internet like your home network and the company network of your employer for example. When you use VPN to connect to a company network you are creating a virtual private tunnel that uses encrypted (protected) communication.
Security
The traffic through the VPN tunnel is encrypted, this means that the traffic that flows through the tunnel is protected and unreadable for others. If you use a VPN tunnel to download illegal content, it is impossible for others to see what you are downloading (very convenient).
The VPN tunnel ensures that all the communication through the tunnel is protected from prying eyes.Anonymity
When you use a VPN service you are (almost) untraceable. Every internet connection has an IP-address which (in most cases) traces back to the owner of the internet connection. But with a VPN your IP-address changes to that of the VPN connection.Confusing? Let me explain. With VPN you connect to a VPN service that uses its own IP-addresses so that no one can trace it back to you.
VPN services in general don't keep logs but in theory it is possible to tap the VPN service.
- Convenience
The powers that be have not yet embraced the fact that the internet is a global phenomenon. For example it is not possible for me as a Dutch citizen to use U.S. streaming services like HULU. Based on my IP-address these sites are able to determine my location and block me from watching. But with VPN I can connect to a U.S. VPN server, sites like HULU and HBO will think (based on my U.S. IP-address that I am connecting from somewhere in the U.S. and allow me access.
There are numerous paid and free VPN services available.
With free services you will be limited to a certain amount of traffic per month. With paid services you will be able to get unlimited access.
Examples of good VPN services are:
Tunnel Bear
NordVPN
ExpressVPN
Private Internet Access
IPVanish
VPN's are becoming more important and popular because they provide users much needed security and privacy. With transactions on the internet becoming increasingly critical and sensitive it is good to protect yourself. VPN's are also a good tool for hiding your identity, it is a way to anonymously sure the net. And if you ever find that you come across region locked content than VPN will be your way of unlocking those goodies.
A VPN tunnel is a all-round key for you online protection and privacy.
Do you use a VPN? Let me know in the comment section
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Good contribution @xervantes
There is also the tunnel technology that uses the TOR project, which is one of the predecessors of the blockchain that is used in Bitcoin and the rest of altcoins.
Regards
Thank you @megusta, The tunnel you are referring to, I2P? I tried both Tor and I2P but the speed was incredibly slow.
TOR technology is a mix between P2P and blockchain. The information passing from the client computer to the server is divided into parts before arriving at their destination. That is why it is a network with a high level of anonymity, but depends a lot on the upload speed of each client connected, so there is often a lot of disparity in download stream and upload stream, which causes the speed is low or unstable, which usually has an average of 3mbps (373kb / s) down stream speed, or at least that's how long ago I used it more often.
Ah, ok that explains it. I know that stealth coin also uses the TOR tech for its financial transactions and messaging.
Good information presented in a easy to understand way. I just finished setting up the VPN at our office and it makes working from home or on the road so much easier and faster.
Yup, companies like VPN's because of the connectivity to the company network. I work at an IT firm and it makes working from home really conventient, just fire up the VPN and it just like you are at the office (minus the coffee).
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Loads of information. Many thanks. Love it. @xervantes Followed
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If you know how and why using a VPN is good, you can get the full range of benefits with a professional paid VPN. Games like Counter-Strike: Source is straightforward to set up this way with https://vpncoffee.com/. You'll get everything from shows to games, and notably, the best cyber protection for your devices. And if you're a gamer, you can connect to the same server with your friends and play on a VLAN, and it'll be awesome. Not to mention, you can patch and buy games where they aren't banned and avoid Sony's censorship in the US by buying their games directly in Japan.