What is a VPN?

The digital and physical worlds are nearly inseparable. Sensitive and potentially damaging information flows freely through our devices, and everyone must protect themselves. Virtual private networks (VPN) are a tool to do just that.

VPNs are useful for everyone, whether they’re a homebody, world traveler, or high-profile professional. Hundreds of VPN options are floating around, but only a few are worth your consideration. Our goal is to explain how the best VPNs operate to secure your data, when to use them, and how to find the right one for you.

A VPN connects you to the internet more securely by passing through another server first. It serves as a terminal that automatically encrypts the data moving between your device and the end server. A VPN makes it nearly impossible for malicious third parties to steal data or even learn where it originated. This additional layer of security is quickly becoming a requirement as cybercrime tools become more available.

How Does a VPN Work?

VPNs work by rerouting your internet connection through a private server before sending data packets to the final destination. All your data is encrypted during this process, so even if a criminal steals it during transit, they won’t be able to read it.

Another benefit of filtering your online activity through a VPN is that your data becomes untraceable. VPNs have a large number of servers spread throughout the world. This array allows users to filter their activity through any geographic location and hide their IP addresses from website administrators and criminals.

Do VPNs Work on Mobile Devices?

VPNs used to be restricted to laptops and personal computers. Mobile devices weren’t viewed as professional devices, and VPNs were considered high-level security features. At the time, at least.

Today, information flows freely within the Internet of Things, and all devices require the same protections. People often use their smartphones to check up on social media, send business emails, and log into bank accounts. Losing information like that could easily lead to identity theft.

So, mobile capabilities are common practice among the more popular VPN providers. The process is the same, but some providers may give up certain security features due to a smartphone’s limited power compared to a full computer.

When Do I Need a VPN?

Everyone should have a VPN installed. Many free options are available, and you never know when it’ll come in handy. It’s easy to fall into the false mindset that “Nobody cares what I’m doing online.”

The rise of data brokers, advertising trackers, packet sniffing, and other strategies allows hackers to target the local Joe at a coffee shop with minimal effort. However, some people indeed benefit more from a VPN than others.

If you regularly perform any of the following activities, you may want to consider a paid VPN plan.

Using Public Wi-Fi

Overprotective mothers constantly preach about the dangers of the outside world. And they’re right. Despite their convenience, public networks are a lawless landscape with little to no security barriers. They lack encryption protocols, meaning intercepted data can be viewed in plain text.

So, if you log into a vital account without a VPN, a hacker could easily steal your data. While you could avoid public Wi-Fi in your everyday life, there will be times when it’s a huge inconvenience.

Traveling

Habitual travelers often rely on public Wi-Fi networks in airports and hotels. Aside from general use, they often check on reservations or make last-minute purchases. Most of their actions require some form of self-identification or financial transaction. These are juicy tidbits for hackers to intercept and use for identity theft or other fraudulent activities.

Streaming from Other Countries

The content on various streaming platforms often varies depending on your location. That means you can’t watch your favorite movie on vacation or keep up with an ongoing sitcom. VPNs allow you to relocate your connection virtually to another country that offers the content you want.

So, if the movie “When Sally Met Harry” is only available on American Netflix, you can still watch it while in Europe or Africa. Bypassing region locks is one of the most popular uses for VPNs, but streaming services are getting better at detecting them.

What Makes a Great VPN?

With so many choices and complicated terms getting thrown around, choosing the right VPN can be daunting. However, you can ignore most buzzwords and consider the following features.

Global Server Numbers and Spread

One of the worries about using a VPN is that it will slow down your internet speeds. Your server requests must pass through another location; this digital detour amounts to a few milliseconds for most VPNs and is unnoticeable to users.

A VPN slows down your private browsing or streaming speeds only when the server you’re routing through is exceptionally long distance. This problem mostly comes up with VPN services that don’t have enough international servers spread around, so users can only choose far away options.

Strong Encryptions

Not all encryption protocols were created equal, and you must pick one that uses at least AES-256. This typically isn’t an issue as having a strong encryption method is standard among large providers, but it’s something to check for if you opt for a lesser established service.

AES-256 is considered unbreakable with modern technology. The most potent computer on the planet requires millions of years to brute force this encryption model. Another equally strong or stronger encryption model you may encounter is ChaCha20. Seeing either in a VPN is a good sign.

Privacy

Certain countries frown at the use of VPNs or ban them altogether. India has previously forced VPN services to infringe on user privacy and submit information about their online activities.

This goes directly against the purpose of a VPN, which is to enhance privacy. A trustworthy VPN service should have a no-logs policy, meaning they never store your information and can’t provide details on you if compelled by authorities.

Countries that ban VPNs include:

• North Korea
• Turkmenistan
• Belarus
• Oman
• Iraq

Countries that restrict VPN use include:

• India
• China
• Russia
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• Iran
• Egypt
• Uganda

Use VPNs Wisely to Benefit From Them

VPNs are powerful tools that enhance your security, privacy, and convenience. They’re like a Swiss army knife that aids your online survival. Whether you’re a globe-trotting wanderer, a business professional, or a couch potato, a VPN is a valuable asset.

We hope learning how VPNs work has convinced you of their necessity in today’s phishing scams. VPNs help fight the risk of identity theft, but there are many ways a criminal could steal your identity, and there’s more information out there than you’d expect.

If you want to find everything that could put you at risk, consider running a record check on yourself. RecordsFinder provides a comprehensive sweep of public and private records to find every piece of information a criminal could use to steal your identity.