That leaves you with private data pipe, which seems pretty straightforward.
A private connection is one that is basically walled off from everyone who doesnt have permission to access it.
Think of your college intranet.
Or the CIA servers.
But what is a VPN really?
VPNs are basically a set of servers that you connect to through your internet service provider (ISP).
Its as if you moved yourself into a secure office space without actually moving at all.
Once tunneled in, your ISPor even certain spy agenciescant tell what information youre browsing or downloading.
Why use a VPN?
Obviously, security is one of the main reasons to always use a VPN to get into the internet.
Thats why its a particularly good idea to use VPNs in public configs like coffee shops and airports.
The second major reason to go with a VPN is the closely related issue of privacy.
VPN provides encryption to online grid traffic,Ximning Oufrom the University of Southern Florida told us.
It ensures the communication cannot be easily eavesdropped/tampered with by adversaries.
It does not impact program features like cookies.
So yes cookies can still be set on your internet tool if you are tunneled through VPN.
You may also want to consider installing tracking-blocking software likeghostery.
A third substantial consideration for using a VPN is the fact that it can give you a virtual location.
Worried about the feds coming to knock on your door due to your unnatural fascination with garden gnomes?
They wont actually be able to link your IP address with your physical address.
Want to play in an online poker room but its not allowed from your country?
Looking to stream that film that was banned by your government?
This can also work the opposite way.
The same would hold true for banking and other websites that might not be accessible anywhere but the motherland.
VPN usage doesnt make you invisible, just anonymous.
How to choose a VPN provider.
There are now simply scores and scores of VPN providers to choose from.
One Reddit user even put togethera massive list that evaluates different VPN providers.
If they dont, then you get an extra degree of anonymity.
So a service that offers a wide range of VPN sites can be advantageous.
Server location can also be important based on your needs.
IP leaking.One relatively easy way to evaluate a VPN provider is to see if they offer a free trial.
If they do, sign up, tunnel in, and then visitthis site.
User Interface.Finally, take a look at the way in which a VPN providers software actually looks and operates.
Does it seem relatively straightforward to operate?
Is it easy to turn on and off?
Is it easy to quickly change the location into which youre tunneled?
So are there any drawbacks to using a VPN?
Suddenly, all of your pricing will be in pounds instead of dollars.
Once that happens, making a change isnt always as easy as changing the tunnel and reloading the site.
Secondly, working from a remote site can cause slow downs in your browsing speed.
That attack opened up vulnerabilities for pretty much anyone using WiFi without the protection of a VPN tunnel.
