What Is a VPN and How it Works?

In the present world of information technology, many internet spies and cyber criminals try to get our personal information without our consent. They use the loopholes in our network connection, particularly when we browse through our local internet service providers, to get our passwords, credit card details, logins to online banking and even access to web cameras to spy on us. So, let’s talk about what is a VPN, how it works and how it can help you remain secure.

The networks we use are usually not too secure. Local internet service providers offer public networks, with standard security measures, not able to prevent security breaches. Hence, our personal information can be broken into by cyberhackers or third-party companies of questionable reputation seeking to get our data without our consent.

What is a VPN – Intro

Virtual Private Networks prevent network breakers and third parties making your network access highly secure. VPN works by rerouting or changing your internet path/address, encrypting your data, and hiding it in a safe and secure server. Using these security protocols, a virtual private network keeps your network activities, identity, and information known only to you.

What Is a VPN?

VPN, in simple terms, is a virtual private network (internet connection and the data you share and receive in it). It is a highly protected, secured, and encrypted network with network details unknown to the public or third parties.

In other words, only the network user knows the network information that is sent and received. Only the VPN user has access to activities performed when connected to the Internet.

What Are the Characteristics of a VPN?

Virtual Private Network is not just any network. It is a network designed to hide your information from the public. For this reason, a VPN has specific features, as given below.

Private

Network data sent and received via your internet service provider is known to internet service provider (ISP). This information can be disclosed to third-party entities, sometimes without your consent. A network connection via a VPN is known to you and only you. Therefore no one can spy on you while using a virtual private network. Obviously, not even your internet service provider!

Secure

Since a VPN is designed to be private and only known to you, it is made to be secure from network spies who may want to break into your network. It is possible because a VPN is highly encrypted.

Reroute/Change Network Address

When you browse Internet (or perform any other action on the Internet) your internet connection goes through a public network/server. With VPN your connection is redirected to an external, non-public server. This non-public and external server is known as a VPN server. The VPN server then takes your data and sends it to its destination.

How Does VPN Work Step By Step?

When you turn on your internet connection, and your VPN, your virtual private network stands end to end between the two public networks.

Below are the step-by-step processes explaining how a VPN works.

Most importantly, you should note that for your VPN to work, your device’s internet connection must be turned On.

Step 1: Blockage of Internet Service Provider Network at the Sender End

When your internet and virtual private network are on, the software immediately blocks further network data transfer between the ISP and your device.

Step 2: Blockage of Internet Service Provider Network at the Receiver End

Basically, VPN blocks the Internet service provider at the receiver end from sending internet data to your device. This step is like the way it does in step 1. However, in this case, it blocks the other devices that may want to connect to your network.

Step 3: Assigning a New Private Network

Having blocked communication between both ISPs to your device, a VPN now acts as a link between them. However, this time around, it is the virtual private network that receives and sends information to the Internet Service Providers.

Specifically, it shields you from sending or receiving network information directly from your internet service provider. At the same time, it disguises your internet identity by assigning you a private IP address. This private IP address is unknown to any other person or the public network.

Is Virtual Private Network Safe?

Yes, connection via virtual private network is safe. Such a connection is highly encrypted and forms an end-to-end network connection between two or more internet service providers. This, in turn, ensures that data from the public network does not directly enter your device. Moreover, the robust encryption and interconnection prevent internet service providers from identifying your device markedly making your connection private and safe.

Can a VPN Provider See My Data?

No, your software provider can not see your data. Virtual Private Networks are intentionally made to offer privacy and improved network security. Hence, VPN providers must keep your network information secure and known to you only.

They do this by automatically assigning your network data into a null file or folder. Additionally, that folder is encrypted to keep your data safe. This system is known as no-log records, where no network information about you is kept. Hence, Virtual Private Network service providers can’t access your network information.

Can I set VPN on wireless broadband connection?

Yes. VPN software can work with any broadband technology. However, it has to be noted though that some software providers won’t work too well with satellite internet due to high latency.

What is the Best VPN out there?

The best VPNs provide absolute security and can keep your network private, secure, and encrypted.

Some well known and trusted Virtual Private Network Providers include:

• Ivacy VPN
• NordVPN
• ExpressVPN
• Surfshark
• Windscribe

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