Best Virtual Private Network software

What is a VPN, what does it do and how does it work?

A VPN is an application that creates a secure connection between your device and your network. Many people use VPNs to disguise their online identity. To protect your digital identity, a VPN takes your IP address and redirects it through a remote server run by a VPN host. The VPN server becomes your new data source. In other words, connecting to a VPN server located in Hamburg, Germany means your IP address will appear as if it is based in that location.

What are the types of VPNs?

There are three main types of VPNs.

The first is called an SSL (secure sockets layer) VPN. It enables users to access an organization’s network and applications without the need for specialized software. It is mainly used by remote workers who want to protect their own and their company’s identity when accessing sensitive documents.

Site-to-site VPNs hide private intranets and allow the users of these networks to access each other’s resources. Large companies with multiple locations typically use site-to-site VPNs. They are also used by people who have two separate intranets. One disadvantage of site-to-site VPNs is that they are difficult to set up and are less flexible than SSL VPNs.

The last type of VPN is a client-to-server VPN. This type is also used by remote workers to connect their home computers to their organization’s network. First, a VPN client is installed and configured on the user’s computer. The user establishes a direct connection to the company network via their VPN client. The advantage of client-to-sever VPNs is their efficiency. Plus, employees get secure success with company resources. A remote worker can act as if they were sitting in the office.

What are the benefits of a VPN?

The main benefit of a VPN is that it protects your digital privacy. By disguising your IP address, ad trackers and hackers cannot access your browsing data. If you work from home, a VPN lets you securely connect to your company’s network. This lowers the chance of data leaks. VPNs also let you access geo-restricted content. For example, a show you want to watch is only available on the U.S. version of Netflix. Simply set your VPN location to a U.S. city to view the show. Some countries have restrictions for the internet. If you live in one of those countries, a VPN can get you unrestricted access to the internet.

What are the disadvantages of a VPN?

VPNs do not have many disadvantages. However, they can be expensive. As mentioned earlier, the price per month can fall between $9-12. A year’s subscription can cost up to $200. Some providers offer free plans but are limited in what they can do. Another drawback of a VPN is that it can slow down your internet connection. The difference may not be noticeable, but there are times when speeds are slowed significantly.

Is a VPN worth it?

If you care about protecting your digital privacy, then a VPN is worth it. With a VPN, your personal data is safeguarded from hackers, advertisers, ISPs, and other third parties. You can access region-specific content or blocked websites. For remote workers, VPNs establish a secure connection between your home computer and your organization’s network. Lastly, VPNs protect your privacy when your device is connected to public Wi-Fi.

What are the typical features of a VPN?

A VPN has numerous features. While there are too many to mention, here are some notable ones:

• Kill switch: If your VPN connection gets interrupted, the kill switch halts all internet traffic. This prevents your IP address and personal information from being exposed. Once the VPN connection is restored, the internet access is restored.
• No logs policy: To further protect your online identity, a VPN will have a no logs policy. This means that the VPN will not collect personal data like your IP address, browsing history, or DNS queries.
• Split tunnelling: With this feature, a VPN routes some of your device’s or application’s traffic through an encrypted VPN tunnel. The other traffic comes directly from the internet. This feature comes in handy when you want to access foreign and local internet services simultaneously. Split tunnelling also helps you save bandwidth and improve connection speeds.
• Private DNS: DNS (Domain Name System) is a system that houses all websites and services. When entering a new URL, your computer asks a DNS server to find the corresponding IP address. DNS servers know which sites you visit and which servers you use. Some DNS services build profiles of their users and sell them to advertisers. A private DNS prevents third parties from accessing your personal data.

What are some alternatives to VPNs?

If you decide that VPNs do not fit your budget, there are affordable alternatives.

A proxy is a program that acts as a mediator between your device and the internet. They are effective in unblocking low-security sites, but they do a poor job in other areas. Proxies do not have encryption, which makes them vulnerable to data breaches. The main advantage of proxies is they’re free to use.

An SSH tunnel encrypts your connection just like a VPN does, but it does not change your IP address. Therefore, you won’t be able to bypass website blocks. Still, an SSH tunnel can securely transfer your data. On the downside, they can be challenging to set up.

One of the best VPN alternatives is Tor, also known as The Onion Router. Tor uses a large network of servers located across the world to bounce your connection around. This means no single server stores your data. VPNs differ in that they route your connection to a single server. If you are worried about a VPN possibly collecting your data, Tor is the perfect alternative. It combines security with anonymity. Unfortunately, Tor is slow and struggles with overcoming certain website blocks.