What is a VPN and how does it work? The defnitive guide - Digimagg

What Does VPN Stand For?

A VPN, short for "virtual private network," serves as a tool to safeguard your online privacy by encrypting the connection between your device and the internet. This encryption creates a secure pathway for your data and communications, particularly useful when utilizing public networks.

The primary purpose of VPNs is to protect your online privacy, shielding you from potential hacking attempts and circumventing geographical restrictions. While VPNs were once considered optional, they have now become essential utilities.

To grasp the concept of a VPN better, imagine the internet as a bustling highway where we navigate on motorcycles. We visit various destinations (websites), conduct transactions, read news, play games, etc.

Riding on a motorcycle leaves us exposed, with our online activities visible to anyone. Our identities, browsing habits, and more are easily trackable. However, with a VPN, instead of traveling openly on this digital highway, we enter a private tunnel. This tunnel shields our identity, providing anonymity and preventing others from monitoring our online movements.

From a technical standpoint, a VPN encrypts your network connection and conceals your IP address.

Understanding the Functions of a VPN

Instead of directly sending your internet activities (searches, visited pages, uploads, downloads) to your Internet Service Provider (ISP), a VPN redirects your traffic through a VPN server. This means that when your data reaches the internet, it appears to originate from the VPN server rather than your personal device.

Without a VPN, your unique IP address, which identifies your network, is exposed to the web. A VPN masks your IP address by rerouting your traffic through an intermediary server and applying encryption to create a protective tunnel around your identity during connection. This combined approach of using a VPN server and encryption prevents your ISP, governments, hackers, or anyone else from monitoring your online activities.

Understanding the type of IP address you have is crucial for online safety. Delve into the differences between public vs. private IP addresses and static vs. dynamic IP addresses with our comprehensive guides.

How a VPN Functions

VPNs operate by directing a device's internet connection through a specifically configured network of remote servers managed by the VPN service. This ensures that all data transmitted through a VPN connection is not only encrypted but also obscured by a virtual IP address, enabling users to conceal their identity and whereabouts.

What Does a VPN Conceal?

VPNs operate at the system level, directing all of your online traffic through alternative servers. This ensures that your online activities and physical location remain concealed while you browse the internet. By accessing websites through a VPN server, your connection appears to originate from one of the many VPN routers, known as proxy servers, rather than your own. This prevents website owners and potential spies from identifying you.

VPN protection offers a level of anonymity online that rivals the Tor network, which continuously shifts your connection through a decentralized network of volunteer relays to evade surveillance. While VPNs do not employ this slower protocol, they still provide essential protection as you navigate through today's unregulated and potentially hazardous online environments.

When considering solutions for online privacy, options such as VPNs, Tor, and web proxies are available, but VPNs strike the optimal balance between robust security and speed.

Whether your goal is to safeguard yourself on public Wi-Fi networks, obscure your location from content providers and advertisers, or shield against identity theft, a VPN ensures your privacy. It delivers formidable protection, particularly when used alongside other cybersecurity tools like secure messaging applications.

If you suspect you've been targeted by identity theft, swift action is imperative. Learn how to report identity theft to minimize repercussions, take steps to remove your personal information from online platforms, and implement measures to prevent future instances of identity theft.

Is it secure to utilize a virtual private network?

Using a VPN is secure, provided it comes from a reputable provider and is utilized correctly. Reliable VPN providers prioritize user privacy and maintain transparent privacy policies. Conversely, an unreliable VPN provider might clandestinely monitor and record your online activities, possess security weaknesses leading to data breaches, or potentially sell your data to advertisers.

While a VPN enhances the privacy, security, and anonymity of your internet connection, you remain susceptible to malware and phishing attacks. Therefore, although it can mitigate the risks of hacking and online tracking, even the most effective VPNs cannot replace high-quality antivirus protection.

How Does the Encryption Tunnel Function?

Encryption serves as a technique to transform ordinary text into an indecipherable string of code. A decryption key, or decryptor, reverses this process, converting the scrambled text back into readable information. With a VPN, only your device and the VPN provider possess the decryption key, meaning that any attempts to intercept your data result in a jumble of characters.

There exist three primary forms of encryption: hashing, symmetric cryptography, and asymmetric cryptography. Despite their individual strengths and weaknesses, each type obfuscates your data and metadata, rendering them worthless to unauthorized parties.

While different VPN providers offer varying levels of encryption strength, top-tier encryption software employs diverse methods to safeguard user privacy. For instance, Avast SecureLine VPN utilizes a blend of hashing, symmetric cryptography, and asymmetric cryptography to implement 256-bit AES encryption — a standard trusted by banks and military organizations.

Avast enhances protection with its proprietary DNS resolution system. The DNS, responsible for translating numerical IP addresses into user-friendly URLs, enables users to input simple site names instead of complex numerical sequences. However, cybercriminals may exploit DNS requests to monitor online activities. Avast's VPN counters this threat with additional encryption within its DNS resolution system, ensuring the privacy of users' online movements by firewalling all IPv4 traffic from devices and disabling IPv6 requests.

In most countries, particularly democratic ones, VPN applications are legal. Even in China, where VPN usage is restricted, some degree of VPN access is permitted despite the government's disapproval.

Origin of VPNs: When Was the VPN Concept Developed?

Microsoft pioneered the Virtual Private Network (VPN) in 1996 to enable remote employees to securely access the company's internal network. The success of this implementation, which significantly boosted company productivity, prompted other businesses to follow suit. Consequently, corporate VPNs facilitating remote work have become commonplace in the global business environment.

Subsequently, developers recognized the broader potential of this secure "tunnel" technology for ordinary individuals seeking secure connections to the expansive World Wide Web. Today, VPNs stand as a fundamental element of online privacy for consumers.

Varieties of VPNs

There are two primary types of VPNs. One is the remote-access VPN, allowing users to connect securely to another network, whether it's the internet or their company's internal system, through a private encryption tunnel. The other type is the site-to-site VPN, also known as a router-to-router VPN, predominantly utilized within corporate settings, particularly when an enterprise has multiple headquarters. Site-to-site VPNs establish a closed, internal network enabling various locations to connect with each other, forming an intranet. VPNs primarily fall into these two classifications, with specialized VPNs tailored for specific tasks, such as a P2P VPN server for file sharing and downloading.

Moreover, there are several VPN protocols, each offering varying levels of security. Among these protocols is PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol), the oldest and still in use today, albeit widely regarded as one of the least secure. Other protocols include IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, SSL, TLS, SSH, Wireguard, and OpenVPN. Notably, OpenVPN, being an open-source protocol, is considered one of the most secure due to its transparency, allowing vulnerabilities in its programming to be promptly identified and patched.

Understanding Double VPNs

Double VPNs, also known as double-hop VPNs or multihop VPNs, represent a form of VPN service employing VPN server chaining to direct internet traffic through two distinct VPN networks. This setup involves encrypting network data twice, thereby enhancing the privacy and security of the VPN connection.

Is a VPN Necessary?

Absolutely, yes. There are numerous compelling reasons why a VPN is essential, with privacy and access being the primary objectives.

Public Wi-Fi networks, commonly found in places like coffee shops and airports, pose significant risks. A hacker connected to the same network can easily monitor all your online activities using tools like sniffers. A VPN serves as a protective layer, effectively concealing your online actions on your devices and safeguarding you from potential threats, including evil twin attacks.

Furthermore, using a VPN at home offers additional benefits. It enables you to shield yourself from the prying eyes of your Internet Service Provider (ISP), governments, and advertisers. This protection allows you to bypass censorship, avoid price discrimination, and circumvent media geo-blocks.

Since the abandonment of net neutrality in the US in 2017, ongoing legal battles over the issue highlight the significance of VPN usage. Without net neutrality, ISPs gain the liberty to collect and sell users' personal data, including browsing history, physical location, health information, and even Social Security numbers. Additionally, ISPs could potentially throttle connections for heavy downloaders and streamers and discriminate against specific internet users. By utilizing a VPN, you prevent your ISP from accessing your browsing history and other sensitive personal data, thus maintaining your privacy and security online.

Pros and Cons of VPN Usage

While VPN protection offers numerous advantages, there are also some drawbacks, particularly regarding device performance. Nevertheless, considering the functionality and security benefits a VPN provides, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

Benefits of Using a VPN:

Streaming Accessibility

VPNs enable users to access streaming content from anywhere by allowing them to choose servers with IP addresses from their home region, thus bypassing content restrictions.

Access to Blocked Websites

VPNs facilitate access to blocked websites by creating an encrypted connection that bypasses content blocks implemented by institutions like schools, libraries, and companies.

Circumvention of Censorship

VPNs help users evade government censorship by concealing their real location and encrypting their internet traffic.

Avoidance of Price Discrimination

VPNs help users avoid price discrimination based on their location or purchasing habits by masking their IP address and encrypting their traffic.

Privacy and Tracking Avoidance

VPNs protect users from being tracked by hackers, cybercriminals, corporations, governments, and ISPs, thereby ensuring freedom from repression, targeting, and discrimination.

Disadvantages of Using a VPN:

Potential Speed Reduction

VPN usage may result in slower internet speeds due to the additional steps involved in routing web traffic through VPN servers. However, modern VPNs have optimized speed and performance to minimize any perceptible slowdown.

Quality of Service Challenges

VPNs lack a standardized method for measuring and reporting quality of service metrics, making it challenging for users to gauge reliability.

VPN Blocks

Some businesses may block access from known VPN IP addresses to prevent users from bypassing content restrictions. However, VPN providers can counter this by regularly switching IP addresses.

Cookie Protection Limitations

While VPNs offer privacy and encryption, they cannot block cookies entirely, which may still be stored in users' browsers for tracking purposes. Users can mitigate this by deleting tracking cookies or using privacy-focused browsers.

Lack of Total Privacy

Despite blocking ISPs, governments, hackers, and other snoopers, VPN providers themselves can potentially access users' internet activity if they choose to log it. Thus, it is crucial to select a reputable VPN provider that prioritizes user privacy and does not keep logs of internet habits.

Compatibility of VPNs with Various Devices

The privacy benefits provided by VPNs are applicable to any device connected to the internet. Many VPN providers offer their services across multiple platforms. Avast SecureLine VPN, for instance, can be used on up to ten devices, including PCs, Macs, Android, and iOS devices. Additionally, it is compatible with smart TVs running on Android TV.

While desktops, laptops, tablets, and phones can individually connect to a VPN, smart devices pose a bit of a challenge, except for certain smart TVs. For other Internet of Things (IoT) devices, setting up your router with VPN protection is the best solution. Some routers come with built-in VPN software, making the setup process straightforward.

Setting up a VPN is relatively simple, with most VPN services providing guidance on downloading the VPN application via their download page. For example, downloading Avast SecureLine VPN and launching the app initiates its functionality with the click of a button.

Considerations When Selecting a VPN Provider

Choosing the right VPN provider is crucial for secure and reliable VPN usage. Here are several factors to consider when evaluating VPN apps:

Speed

Ensure that the VPN offers sufficient speed, especially for streaming or downloading purposes.

Reputation

Read both consumer and professional reviews to gauge the VPN's performance and reliability. Beware of fake VPNs that have emerged due to the net neutrality issue.

Shared IP addresses

Opt for a VPN that provides shared IPs, as this adds an extra layer of privacy to your browsing.

Servers

More servers typically mean better performance, as each server will be less congested. Additionally, proximity to servers can improve VPN connection speed and reliability.

Encryption

Look for AES-256 encryption, the highest standard currently available, which offers virtually unbreakable security.

Protocol

Choose VPNs that use reliable protocols like OpenVPN and avoid weaker ones like PPTP.

Policy

Ensure that the VPN provider has a strict policy against logging and sharing your private data or internet activity records.

Customer support

Opt for VPN providers with responsive customer support available in case of issues.

Features

Consider your specific needs and preferences, such as BitTorrent support, ad-blocking, firewalls, kill switches, simultaneous connections, and flexibility in changing IP addresses and server locations.

Free trial

Take advantage of free trials offered by many VPNs to evaluate ease of use and performance before making a purchase.

Is it advisable to opt for a free VPN?

Selecting a VPN Provider: Avoiding Free VPNs

When choosing a VPN provider from the multitude available, it's important to steer clear of free options. Free VPN services typically offer low-quality performance and come with various issues:

Inadequate security

Many free VPNs use weaker security protocols like PPTP, instead of the more robust options such as WireGuard and OpenVPN.

Limited servers

The lack of sufficient servers can lead to sluggish speeds as the available bandwidth may not meet the demands of numerous users.

Advertisements

Some free VPNs rely on intrusive ads to generate revenue through their applications, leading to a disruptive user experience.

Download restrictions

Free VPN services often impose strict limits on download and upload amounts, hindering users' ability to utilize the service fully.