Everything you key in in the online window carries clues to your identity.
This is where a VPN (Virtual Private online grid) works like a gatekeeper by guarding your privacy.
They’re also used to unblock geo-restricted content and avoid censorship.
How does a VPN work?
It’s as if you’re browsing via a private tunnel shielded from everyone else.
Why use a VPN at all?
Because your data is so valuable, there’s more than one reason to use a VPN service.
This prevents third parties from snooping on your online activities.
A VPN can help protect your data from snoopers waiting for you to log on to such networks.
Access geo-restricted sites: Some websites and online streaming services are region-specific.
Bypass government censorship:Using a VPN withan anonymous web client like TORcan sidestep any form of online censorship.
Good VPNs can even mask your use of torrents and make them less prone to speed throttling by ISPs.
Try switching your VPN location to find cheaper prices.
It doesn’t guarantee absolute secrecy:Your VPN service provider retains some information about your browsing traffic.
While legal in the U.S. and U.K., countries like China and Russia allow VPNs but with heavy restrictions.
A few countries have banned them outright.
Your best chance at privacy is to pick a VPN with a no-logs policy.
That’s where a firewall and antivirus software come in.
Some VPN companies offer these extra protections as add-ons.
Examples includeSurfshark AntivirusandThreat Protectionfrom NordVPN.
However, a dedicated antivirus solution is still the best solution for protection.
Some VPNs like Surfshark offer extra ad-blocking tools likeCleanWeb, whileNordVPNandTotalVPNcome with in-built ad-blockers.
For instance, Google will still have your search history.
Also, VPNs cannot remove cookies or your surfing app history.
It won’t protect you from illegal browsing:Someone looking carefully cantell if you are using a VPN.
In many countries, authorities can also access your data with a warrant.
Picking the right VPN is all about balancing your needs and budget.
And there are many excellent services to choose from.
While these are some primary checks, you should review the VPN providers against your needs.
For instance, a specific VPN may be better for Netflix, while another might be great for torrenting.
Another VPN could have optimized servers with low latency for online gaming.
But these shouldn’t come at the cost of speed, security, and reliability.
