Virtual private networks, or VPNs, have become a vital tool for protecting your privacy and security online. With high-profile hacks and data breaches constantly in the news, more people are using VPNs to encrypt connections and mask their identity on the internet.
But how exactly do VPNs accomplish this? What benefits do they offer? And should you use one?
In this comprehensive beginner‘s guide, I‘ll explain what a VPN is, how it works, the top reasons to use one, and key features to look for to get the most private and secure experience. Let‘s get started.
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What is a VPN and How Does it Work?
A VPN, or virtual private network, is a service that creates an encrypted connection over the internet between your device and a VPN server operated by the service. This secure "tunnel" allows you to browse the web privately and access restricted content.
Without a VPN, your internet service provider (ISP) can monitor your online activity and see data like your IP address, websites you visit, files you download, and more. Public Wi-Fi networks at coffee shops and airports also allow others to potentially view and intercept your internet traffic.
A VPN prevents this by encrypting your data and hiding your IP address. Here‘s a simplified version of how VPNs work their magic:
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Download and install a VPN app on your device. There are VPN apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux.
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Run the app and log into your account. This connects you to a VPN server, usually located in another country.
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Your web traffic is routed encrypted through an encrypted tunnel between your device and the server. This prevents snooping by your ISP or others on the same network.
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The VPN server acts as an intermediary, requesting sites on your behalf. Those sites see the IP address of the VPN server, not your actual IP address.
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Website data is sent back encrypted through the tunnel to your device, keeping your browsing activity private from prying eyes.
The whole process of creating this secure, encrypted tunnel is seamless and happens in seconds. All you have to do is launch the VPN app and click "connect." This is what gives you protection as you surf the web.
More technically, VPNs use a combination of encryption protocols and tunneling to route your connection through private channels. Encryption scrambles your data to make it unreadable during transmission. Tunneling encapsulates data packets and directs traffic through intermediary VPN servers to reach the destination server rather than connecting directly.
Some examples of commonly used VPN tunneling protocols are:
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OpenVPN – Open-source protocol that uses strong 256-bit AES encryption. Provides fast speeds and a reliable, secure connection.
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IKEv2/IPsec – Native protocol built into devices that provides efficient speeds. Supported natively on iOS, Android, Windows, and BlackBerry devices.
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L2TP/IPsec – Allows VPN tunneling over various networks. Built-in protection with IPsec encryption.
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WireGuard – An emerging protocol focused on simplicity, speed, and security. Uses state-of-the-art cryptography like Curve25519 for encryption.
VPN services may use one or a combination of the above protocols. Selecting a VPN with protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard ensures you get excellent speeds with bank-grade AES 256-bit encryption.
Top 5 Benefits of Using a VPN
There are many advantages to connecting through a virtual private network. Here are some of the top reasons to use a VPN:
1. Enhanced privacy and anonymity – By hiding your IP address and encrypting your traffic, VPNs allow you to browse privately without being tracked. Your VPN provider doesn‘t see your activity either due to a "no-logs" policy.
2. Access restricted content – VPNs allow you to bypass geo-blocks and censorship to access blocked websites and stream content unavailable in your region on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and more.
3. Improved security on public Wi-Fi – Encrypted VPN tunnels keep hackers from viewing your emails and browsing activity on insecure public networks at cafes, hotels, airports and other Wi-Fi hotspots.
4. Safe torrenting – VPNs mask your IP address to allow anonymous peer-to-peer downloading using BitTorrent while keeping you protected from ISP monitoring.
5. Remote access to local network – Employees traveling abroad can securely access company email and intranet sites by connecting to their work VPN.
With identity theft and online spying rampant, plus restrictive content blocking, VPNs address many of today‘s internet privacy and security concerns.
VPN Usage and Growth Statistics
How popular are VPNs? According to the latest data, VPN usage has exploded in recent years:
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There were 650 million VPN users worldwide in 2016. This figure increased to 875 million users in 2018. (Statista)
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Consumer VPN usage grew by 53% in 2020 alone in the wake of COVID-19 lockdowns and increased working from home. (Atlas VPN)
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42% of VPN users connect for general privacy and security online. Other top uses cases are accessing entertainment content (14%) and bypassing censorship (13%). (GlobalWebIndex)
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The VPN market is projected to grow at a 13% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), reaching over $70 billion in 2027, up from $31 billion in 2020. (Grand View Research)
The tremendous growth in VPN adoption highlights the desire for greater privacy and security when browsing the internet in public or even at home. With remote work also surging, employees need to access company resources securely from personal devices. VPNs address these pain points.
Major driving factors for continued expansion of the global VPN market include:
- Rising cybercrime rates, hacks, and data breaches
- Increasing government surveillance and online censorship
- Fears over ISPs collecting and selling browsing data
- Growing work-from-home workforce needing remote access
- Expansion of streaming media content available internationally
VPN services let users take control of their privacy and security with just a click to connect. For individuals and businesses alike, the benefits are too compelling to overlook.
Choosing the Best VPN – What to Look For
There are hundreds of VPN services out there. How do you select the right one for your needs? Here are key factors to evaluate:
Powerful Encryption & Security Features
Look for VPNs using AES-256 bit encryption as standard, the same used by banks and militaries worldwide. Features like a kill switch, IPv6 and DNS leak protection , and split tunneling further enhance security.
Strict No-Logging Policy
To protect privacy, top-tier VPNs have a zero-logs policy meaning no user activity or connection logs are kept. This prevents them from sharing or losing any of your data.
Fast Speeds for HD Streaming & Gaming
For buffer-free streaming and lag-free gaming, choose a VPN with a large server network, unlimited bandwidth, and support for fast protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard.
Apps for All Devices
The VPN should offer native apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, and more. This allows securing all your devices, at home and on the go.
Reliable Customer Support
In case of any connection issues or questions, look for a VPN with 24/7 live chat and email support from knowledgeable representatives.
Using trusted review sites like VPNMentor, you can research companies that consistently rank at the top for providing exceptional security, speeds, features, and support.
6 Top-Rated VPN Services for 2022
Based on expert reviews, here are 6 of the best VPN providers currently available:
| VPN | Starting Price | Locations | Devices Supported | Key Features |
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| ExpressVPN | $6.67/month | 94 countries | 5 | Fastest speeds, great for streaming |
| NordVPN | $3.29/month | 59 countries | 6 | Double VPN, P2P support, malware blocking |
| Surfshark | $2.49/month | 100+ countries | Unlimited | Camouflage mode, split tunneling |
| Private Internet Access (PIA) | $2.03/month | 78 countries | 10 | Port forwarding, multi-hop connections |
| CyberGhost | $2.25/month | 91 countries | 7 | Malware & ad blocking, dedicated streaming profile |
| ProtonVPN | $5/month | 54 countries | 7 | Swiss privacy, secure core servers |
This table summarizes the strengths of some top-rated services, but you can‘t go wrong with any VPN in the top 10. Each offers bank-level encryption, strict no logging, and support across a wide range of devices.
It comes down to which excels in areas you care about, whether it’s unblocking Netflix, torrenting, gaming performance, or connecting multiple devices. You can try them out risk-free since all top VPNs offer at least a 30-day money back guarantee.
Why Internet Users Need VPN Protection
In today‘s connected world, VPNs have graduated from a luxury to an essential tool for internet users across segments. Here are key reasons individuals and businesses should be using virtual private networks:
Safeguard Personal Privacy
ISPs can legally sell anonymized browsing data to advertisers, risking your privacy without a VPN. VPN encryption prevents this by hiding your activity and IP address.
Secure Public Wi-Fi Access
Free public networks in airports, cafes, malls, and hotels are easy targets for hackers to steal sensitive data. A VPN keeps you safe using public hotspots.
Stream Overseas Content
Access region-locked content on popular streaming sites like US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and ESPN+ by connecting to a VPN server in that country.
Bypass Internet Censorship
Governments and employers often restrict access to certain websites and services. VPNs allow bypassing this censorship when traveling or on managed networks.
Prevent Throttling by ISPs
Some ISPs intentionally slow down bandwidth-heavy traffic from streaming sites. A VPN stops the ISP from seeing the type of traffic and throttling speeds.
Protect Business Data
Employees working remotely require a VPN to securely access internal company applications, databases, and file shares without exposing corporate data.
Safely share confidential documents and large files across teams via a VPN instead of consumer file sharing tools like Dropbox with dubious privacy policies.
Defend Against Hackers
VPN encryption provides a critical added layer of protection from cybercriminals targeting public Wi-Fi users, especially when accessing banking and financial accounts.
For both personal and professional computing, VPNs close dangerous gaps in your online privacy and security.
The Bottom Line
From this complete guide, you now understand what a VPN is, how VPNs work, why virtual private networks are important, and how to choose the best VPN for your browsing needs.
The top reasons to use a VPN include:
- Stop ISPs and hackers from tracking you by hiding your IP address
- Browse securely and privately without activity monitoring
- Encrypt connections on public Wi-Fi to safeguard data
- Unblock geo-restricted content on streaming sites and social media
- Bypass internet censorship to access blocked websites and apps
- Remotely access work resources while traveling or working from home
With threats to your privacy and security growing daily, protect yourself with one of the top-rated premium VPN services. At just a few dollars per month, you can browse freely and anonymously while shielding your personal data from prying eyes. Don‘t leave your online security up to chance. Stay safe on public Wi-Fi and keep your internet activity private with a virtual private network.
