Previously, the state had a rather mediocre understanding of the Internet, so it did not legally interfere with users. Today, walking on the world wide web, more and more often you can find the phrase: "This site is included in the register of prohibited" or "Your provider has blocked access."
So, if you want to return complete freedom of action on the Internet and acquire another level of protection, then you certainly need to familiarize yourself with the technology of virtual private networks - VPN.
VPN: term and principle of operation
Virtual Private Network (VPN) is the name of a technology that provides the creation and overlay of one or more networks on top of any other user network.
Now, how exactly does VPN work. Your computer has a specific IP address that blocks access to certain sites. You enable VPN technology through a program or extension. VPN changes your address to an address from a server in another country (for example, Holland or Germany).
Next, a secure connection is created, which cannot be blocked by the provider. As a result, you get a secure protocol by which you can freely visit any Internet site, and completely anonymously.
Structure and types of technology
The whole technology works in two layers. The first is the internal network, the second is the external. When you connect to the technology, the system identifies your network, and after that it will send an authentication request. This technology is very similar to authorization in some social network, only here everything is carried out through secure protocols and without the participation of a provider.
The virtual networks themselves also fall into several categories. The main classification is according to the degree of protection, that is, the user can use both paid VPNs and free ones.
The difference between the two is the secure connection. For example, subscription systems will give you secure protocols like PPTP, IPSec, and others. While free VPNs often provide only "trusted" channels. That is, your network itself should be highly secure, and a VPN will only increase the level of protection.
To be honest, the biggest disadvantage of free VPN services is not even security, but stability and connection speed. Through a free VPN, the Internet will most likely be very slow and not always stable.
The subscription to paid VPN does not exceed $ 10 per month, but not every user needs it. For ordinary tasks, it makes no sense to purchase Premium-accounts, the standard features are quite enough.
Reasons to use a VPN
Every user needs to use VPN technology, and here's why:
- Data protection. Especially suitable for those users who like to connect to a "free" neighbor's Wi-Fi connection, and then find that their card details have been stolen. These situations include gatherings in cafes and, in general, in any points with free Wi-Fi.
- Complete anonymity. When you open a new tab with the site, this action will be displayed on the provider's server, so that any employee of the company can track your journey on the Internet. By turning on the VPN, you will hide your browsing or browsing history because you are using a different IP address.
- The ability to surf the internet without obstacles. Bookmakers, online casinos, torrents, forums, sites for adults - all the "underground" of the Internet is again available to you, everything is like in the old days.
- Using foreign resources. It is, of course, unlikely that you will use English-language services, such as hulu.com, but all the same - full access to all popular sites around the world is provided to you.
How do I use a VPN on my computer?
Consider a situation when we use a regular browser and want to visit blocked sites. In this situation, you can go in two ways:
- install the VPN client (program) on the PC;
- add browser extension via Webstore.
What is the first, what is the second option - they are easy to implement, but for a complete picture, we will consider both.
You can also use the free, built-in VPN in the Opera browser.
To install a VPN client, you need to download a program on the Internet, for example, "Betternet". Run the setup file and install the client. Launch it, click "Connect" and that's it. The problem is that the program automatically gives us a random IP address, and we cannot select a country, but by pressing just one button we are already using a VPN. And one more disadvantage is the need to constantly run the program, however, some clients have the ability to run it simultaneously with the OS.
The second way is to add an extension. The disadvantage here is that, most often, registration is required for use, plus, extensions have the properties to "fly out". But the extension is much easier to use - you click on the icon in the browser, select the country and profit. At the moment there are thousands of such programs, you can choose any of them, for example, "Hotspot Shield". Add the extension to the browser, go through the registration and there will be no more technical issues.
For example, this is how the ZenMate VPN extension works in a browser:
We wrote about VPN extensions for different browsers in the article: VPN for Chrome, Opera, Firefox and Yandex Browser.
How do I use VPN on mobile devices?
We will consider those devices that have popular operating systems on board, for example, iOS or Android.
Using a VPN on smartphones or tablets is also quite simple, namely through mobile applications. The problem is that some programs require root rights, which are additional troubles, plus the ability to turn the phone into a "brick". So look for programs that don't require you to be root. On Android, for example, it's OpenVPN, and on iOS, it's Cloak. You can also use the free and proven Opera VPN for iOS on iPhone and iPad. I use it myself sometimes, it works great.
The download technology is very simple: download the application from the Play Market or AppStore, install it on your device. Next, we activate the VPN, select the profile (from where, we get the IP address), then the connection is made and that's it. Now you are surfing the Internet via VPN, and the application you are using will tell you about it.
Now you understand how the VPN technology is implemented, and now your online presence will become more secure, anonymous, and most importantly, accessible and unlimited.
