Quality VPNs Will Cost Money
Quality VPNs protect user data and grant privacy online, but they are not free. While the price typically is not extreme, often around $10 per month at the high end, it may not be within all users budgets. VPNs give huge discounts on their two and three-year plans but these require the user to pay for the entire duration upfront with the expectation that the VPN will still be in business at the end of the prepaid period.
Another problem with committing to a VPN service is there is no guarantee the VPN service in question will continue to perform well. A high-quality service today may degrade in quality over time which must be taken into consideration before a user makes a long-term commitment to a service.
Benefits Of A Virtual Private Network
Virtual private networks provide users with secure, seamless remote access to corporate networks and resources when traveling or working remotely. The privacy and integrity of sensitive information are ensured through multi-factor authentication, endpoint system compliance scanning, and encryption of all transmitted data.
A remote secure access strategy promotes collaboration and connectivity between teams, networks, and offices across the world. Connectivity and secure access can easily be achieved with a remote secure access VPN.
VPN Advantages And Disadvantages The Bottom Line
Overall, there are way more advantages than there are disadvantages of using VPN services. Whether or not such a service would be useful to you depends on what you want to do on the web. But simply put if you want to enjoy a safe online experience and bypass online censorship and geo-blocks, a VPN is the right choice.
VPN Advantages
- A VPN service hides your real IP address, effectively masking your online identity and allowing you to bypass geo-blocks.
- Since a VPN masks your IP address, it also helps you bypass firewalls.
- A VPN encrypts your online connections, protecting your data from hackers and ISP/government surveillance.
- A VPN offers you a better online gaming experience by keeping you safe from IP bans, DDoS attacks, and by giving you access to geo-blocked/banned video games.
- With a VPN, you are much safer when downloading torrents since your ISP cant see what youre doing, and other people who are downloading/uploading the same torrent cant see your real IP address.
- A VPN can potentially help you avoid online price discrimination since it hides your IP address.
VPN Disadvantages
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What Is A VPN And Do I Need One
A VPN is a virtual private network that encrypts data as it moves from one place to another across the internet. Instead of your information traveling across the exposed highways of the world wide web, a VPN keeps your search history, downloaded files, online activities, and geolocation secure in a private tunnel.
The reasons for needing a VPN will vary from person to person, but it’s not just ultra-sleuths or spy agencies who benefit from using a VPN. One purpose of a VPN is to protect yourself from hackers and dangerous cybercriminals, but theyre also great for getting unrestricted and anonymous access to the internet.
How Much Does A VPN Cost
While were on the topic of money, this is another essential factor to consider. There are some free services out there, but they are limited in one way or another. These can be slow, less protected, have bandwidth restrictions, and more.
If you want free access to your services, youll want to pay up. Prices vary depending on the features and needs you require, but a fair price for consumers is usually around $3 to $10 a month. Some offer discounted yearly plans, and a few even have lifetime pricing.
Believe it or not, there are some free VPN services too. Just keep in mind these might not always be the most secure, or might even keep logs of activity. After all, they have to make money somehow, and one way to do this is by selling information.
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Ways Your Business Can Benefit From A VPN
Is your company utilizing a VPN or just hoping you wont be the next victim of a breach?
A virtual private network, or VPN, is a technology that enables you to create a secure network connection while using a public network. It extends the secure network through encrypted connections made over the Internet.
With 65% of cyberattacks aimed at small-to-medium-sized businesses, it’s more crucial than ever to keep online activity protected. Just think about it: with telecommuting and remote work becoming increasingly mainstream, employees are taking care of business from nearly every corner of the world and more often than not, relying on unsecured public networks in the process.
How often are employees flying back to HQ relying on the airport’s free Wi-Fi, or perhaps using an unsecured connection to upload files? Working from wherever has become synonymous with the modern-day grind, however, it can come at a huge cost.
But there are ways to mitigate that risk. A VPN allows users to access networks remotely, so employees can work away from a physical office and still securely access network resources which is just one of the many reasons this technology is widely used in business environments.
What Do VPNs Do
VPN stands for virtual private network. In basic terms, a VPN provides an encrypted server and hides your IP address from corporations, government agencies and would-be hackers. A VPN protects your identity even if you are using public or shared Wi-Fi, and your data will be kept private from any prying internet eyes.
A VPN circumvents your personal ISP, instead of sending your internet connection to a hosted server. With servers located all over the world, users then have the ability to relocate themselves and access the internet from nearly anywhere. Encryption adds an extra layer of security, particularly for businesses that are frequently utilizing remote access. It can also be a helpful tool for travel, gaming and streaming.
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How Secure Is Sstp
SSTP is highly secure as it uses the AES-256 encryption cipher. Also, it connects to port 443, which masks data packets automatically. More importantly, port 443 makes it difficult to detect the packets and can protect your data from external interception and cyberattacks such as man-in-the-middle attacks.
VPNs Make Online Gaming Better
VPNs can make online gaming better by protecting users IP addresses and encrypting their gaming traffic. This shields the user from potential swatting and doxxing attempts where another player uses the IP address of the user to find their home address. Disgruntled players can then send emergency services, pizzas or anything else to wherever the user lives. VPNs can also protect against DDoS attacks since the users true IP address cannot be seen.
If the users ISP throttles gaming traffic then a VPN can hide the users activity so the ISP does not know to throttle the connection. Some online games only work in specific regions and if the user doesnt live in that location, there is no way to access those games. VPNs can help by changing the location of the user to the location where the game is available. The same goes for region-specific DLCs and add-ons.
Online games sometimes ban players who do not behave. Sometimes admins can ban someone for no reason at all, either intentionally or by mistake. By using a VPN, the player can evade IP bans as VPNs can change the IP address of the user.
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How To Choose An Sstp Provider
Before choosing an SSTP provider, ask yourself what youll use a VPN for. Your answer is important because youll find different features from different providers. For example, if you want to use VPN to access geo-blocked Netflix content, you can choose a VPN SSTP service providing this feature.
Besides action-oriented aspects, here are more things to consider when choosing a VPN SSTP provider for your organization:
- Opt for a service that has a no-logs policy, as it keeps you away from surveillance and prying eyes
- Look for reliable customer service, preferably a provider with 24/7 availability
- Go for a service that has servers in countries whose content you want to access
- Keep an eye out on privacy, as some governments have overarching control over every company operating in its territory
- Make sure your VPN SSTP costs are reasonable and add value to your organization
- Consider VPNs with free trials, so you can test-drive them before committing your money
- Ensure your VPN SSTP has an intuitive interface to make it easy for all employees to use
- Go for a service that offers simultaneous device connections for greater flexibility this might be irrelevant if your workers connect only from one device at a time
Before we end, heres a quick recap.
Watch Whatever You Want Online
One of the best reasons for having a VPN on your home network is the freedom to stream. Some VPNs, like AVG Secure VPN, offer simultaneous device connections. That means that everyone in the house can connect at the same time using the same VPN to stream content and watch TV online from all over the world. Simply set up a mobile VPN on iPhone or Android, in addition to your other connected devices, and let the stream-fest begin.
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Access To Any Content In Any Place
While Hulu may frown upon your use of a VPN to stream the latest Criminal Minds episode in a country where the content isnt offered, this VPN usage is not illegal , and it helps provide a useful workaround to content restrictions.
VPNs spoof your location, making it seem as if you are browsing from another place. That means you can get your Criminal Minds fix even if its not available locally.
Who Typically Uses VPNs
Given the extra security that VPN connections provide, you can gain something from using a VPN client. So, if youre an individual concerned about your online privacy or just want to browse online anonymously consider using a VPN. A VPN enables you to use the internet without third parties seeing your identity or identifying you via your search history since they dont know what you were searching about or using the internet for.
Big tech has had a long history of tracking private data for their gains. These companies regularly bundle data into coherent profiles and sell it to third parties. Additionally, they use private data to demonstrate targeted advertisements or manipulative content that makes you more likely to purchase their products. So, its worthwhile to use a VPN if you regularly shop online or bank online. A VPN gives you that additional protection that can help prevent hackers or malicious third parties from accessing your information.VPNs are excellent mechanisms for you to protect your privacy online. And you should consider your personal context and conduct thorough research to find the best VPN for your needs.
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Bonus: Cheaper Flights And Rentals
Heres a little hack that could truly work to your advantage if you utilise it properly. With a VPN, youre able to switch IP addresses and thereby change your location. In addition to the extra security, this trick allows you to shop for cheaper airfare. Thats because a number of reservation centres offer different prices and deals for different states and countries. If you can find a state or country where things like airline tickets and rental prices are cheaper, you can connect through a VPN and then buy the ticket at a lower price.
How To Install A VPN Connection On Your Smartphone
As already mentioned, there are also VPN connections for Android smartphones and iPhones. Fortunately, smartphone VPN services are easy to use and generally include the following:
- The installation process usually only downloads one app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store. Although free VPN providers exist, its wise to choose a professional provider when it comes to security.
- The setup is extremely user-friendly, as the default settings are already mostly designed for the average smartphone user. Simply log in with your account. Most apps will then guide you through the key functions of the VPN services.
- Switching on the VPN literally works like a light switch for many VPN apps. You will probably find the option directly on the home screen.
- Server switching is usually done manually if you want to fake your location. Simply select the desired country from the offer.
- Advanced setup is available for users requiring a higher degree of data protection. Depending on your VPN, you can also select other protocols for your encryption method. Diagnostics and other functions may also be available in your app. Before you subscribe, learn about these features to find the right VPN for your needs.
- In order to surf the internet safely from now on, all you have to do is first activate the VPN connection through the app.
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Heres How To Surf Securely With A VPN
A VPN encrypts your surfing behavior, which can only be decoded with the help of a key. Only your computer and the VPN know this key, so your ISP cannot recognize where you are surfing. Different VPNs use different encryption processes, but generally function in three steps:
VPN On Iphone Advantages Of This Solution
Certainly, for many users, the iPhone is a device that is the main communication tool. Most of such communication is carried out using the Internet instant messaging, messages, emails, etc. In addition, network activity on the iPhone includes mobile banking, social media or simply a web search engine. A lot of data can pass through our iPhone every day. It is therefore worth thinking about a VPN.
The most important advantage is security. Nowadays we often use public Wi-Fi networks, which are available, among others, in shopping malls, train stations, airports, restaurants, offices, etc. If we come across an unsecured network, we could fall victim to a hacking attack. However, by using a VPN, our network traffic is encrypted our online activities become unreadable code for a potential hacker.
A VPN on an iPhone also provides us with anonymity and privacy. An important feature of virtual private networks is hiding our IP address, which makes it much more difficult to determine our true location. We can virtually be found in a country even thousands of miles away from us. The IP address will indicate the location of the VPN server we connected to. It is worth knowing that privacy, however, will only be ensured by a verified VPN. Surfshark, for example, does not record its users data. Before installing a suitable application, it is worth reading the privacy policy of a given VPN service provider.
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The Predecessors Of The VPN
Their efforts led to the creation of ARPANET , a packet switching network, which in turn led to the development of the Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol .
The TCP/IP had four levels: Link, internet, transport and application. At the internet level, local networks and devices could be connected to the universal network and this is where the risk of exposure became clear. In 1993, a team from Columbia University and AT& T Bell Labs finally succeeded in creating a kind of first version of the modern VPN, known as swIPe: Software IP encryption protocol.
In the following year, Wei Xu developed the IPSec network, an internet security protocol that authenticates and encrypts information packets shared online. In 1996, a Microsoft employee named Gurdeep Singh-Pall created a Peer-to-Peer Tunneling Protocol .
Security On Public Wi
Public Wi-Fi is convenient but comes at the expense of security. When youre answering emails at a local coffee shop or absent-mindedly scrolling through social media at the airport, someone may be tracking your online activity.
Using a VPN protects your data while you are on other networks, hiding your browsing history, banking information, account passwords and more from ill-intentioned internet strangers.
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Final Thoughts On The Advantages Of VPNs
Lets recap. There are many advantages to using a VPN, but the headline benefits are as follows:
- A VPN will provide you with more freedom on the internet by allowing you to circumvent geoblocks and government blocked websites.
- Youll have more security thanks to the encryption of your internet traffic.
- Youll have greateranonymity because your IP address is cloaked and no longer tied to your identity.
These features will enable you to:
- Browse the internet with more freedom.
- Feel secure while you browse, with the knowledge that you arent being spied on.
- Stay safe on public Wi-Fi networks.
- for journalistic or whistleblower purposes.
- Get around geographical restrictions for entertainment.
- Protect yourself from the more tenacious ad-trackers and phishing operations.
- Access the Tor network safely and without your ISP knowing about it.
- Make cheaper purchases online, such as airplane tickets.
- Play games that are banned in your country.
- Stop your ISP from throttling your connection.
To top it off, you can do all of this on multiple devices, using multiple servers, with just one account.
All in all, a VPN will not give you total online protection. However, it does give you a much better shot at keeping yourself safe online and enjoying the internet with greater freedom and anonymity.
If youre looking for more information on the advantages of a VPN, check out some of our most frequently asked questions below.