Lots of people are interested in using a VPN for surfing the Internet. But some online users are afraid of the notion and escape the use of the VPN daily. Let’s get deeper into the VPN guide and learn how it works.
How a VPN works for dummies?
The popularity of the VPN is increasing these days. People learn meow information about it, hear from different information sources about the new way of connecting to the Internet. But still, many online users don’t know what a VPN is and what to look for in a VPN. Let’s answer the question together.
VPN is deciphered as a Virtual Private Network. With the help of the network, you can be more private and secured on the Internet because the connection is highly encrypted. Therefore, the activity that you perform from your device is more private. If you turn on the VPN, you will protect the information, your activity, or links used during the search. You will find yourself in a tunnel with some extra protection layer.
What is a VPN kill switch?
What is VPN kill switch? Let’s get into it together. You know about VPN but now let’s talk more about a kill switch VPN function. It is a function that helps you protect the data even if the connection is disrupted. A VPN kill switch is a button that can instantly turn off all your devices from the servers if VPN doesn’t work properly. Your devices won’t reconnect to the server until the VPN connection is stable again. You may say that the function is useless because VPN usually works correctly and without any delays or suspensions. But different situations may happen. You never know what risks are waiting for you if the VPN disconnects for a couple of minutes. It is better to use the function to make sure that your activity on the Internet is always safe no matter what happens.
Simple steps to choose the provider
There are lots of VPN providers on the market. Some of them have similar features, while others differ. Let’s see what the main features to look for when choosing a VPN provider are.
- Cost matters. As it usually happens, you need to pay more for a better quality product. When you choose a VPN provider, you will most likely face the same issue. The more you pay, the better service you will get. Nevertheless, there are exceptions, and this is a general rule on the market. But don’t forget that free versions and tariffs still may help you, so don’t underestimate them. Sometimes, trying a free packet is a beneficial step.
- Monitor if the providers keep logs. If you cooperate with the providers without logs, you will have more anonymity when using the VPN. If the logs are tracked, it is a more intricate situation, and you’d better think twice before using the provider.
- IP is another matter of concern. If the provider offers the same IP for multiple users, the data is more protected. Why? It isn’t that easy to track the connection, and the activity on the Internet of the IP is shared among several users.
- Don’t forget about the locations offered for the users. The more locations you may use, the better it is for your security. Moreover, you may have specific preferences for the location. Thus, you will be able to benefit only from the provider offering the location you need.
- The quantity of the servers matters as well. If you start working with a provider offering few servers for the users, you may suffer from a slow connection or various delays. Therefore, you need to look for a provider with a great number of servers available.
- Can you use the VPN for several devices? These days, Internet users have multiple devices at their disposal. For this reason, it is necessary to look for a provider enabling you to connect VPN to a tablet, phone, computer, and laptop at the same time. In most cases, you are supposed to install the software on 4-5 devices. But check it before use.
- For many users, the interface plays a crucial role. If the app doesn’t work properly or isn’t easy to operate, you need to choose another one. You won’t benefit from a bad-quality interface. It can damage your performance and cause consequences.
These are the most common features to look at when you opt for the VPN provider. These are decisive factors that may help you make the right choice.
Do I really need a VPN at home?
There’s a wrong misconception that using a VPN at home is useless because, say, the hackers are most likely to steal your data in public places. But either you are sipping coffee in a coffee shop, enjoying a cityscape in a shopping mall, or cooking dinner for a family, you still risk losing your data without a stable VPN connection. With the ubiquitous use of the Internet, fraudsters or hackers can easily intercept your activity on the Internet and steal the data if the VPN connection is off. So, it is a good choice to install a VPN for home use.
Is using a VPN illegal?
In most cases, a VPN connection is legal. Some countries ban the use of the VPN for some reasons. But if you don’t live in a country with specific regulations towards VPN use, you can easily and safely install the software and benefit from it. Nevertheless, most countries are favorable to VPN use, and you aren’t allowed to manage illegal activity using the encrypted connection.
Let’s sum it up
In our guide for beginners, you can learn more about the basic VPN working principles, answer the question “What is VPN kill switch?” and choose the correct VPN provider. Don’t be afraid of using a VPN to protect your data. It is a proven method to protect yourself from hacking attacks. There’s nothing difficult about the use of VPN is you know how to do it correctly,