Those were the days when I used to surf the internet without any safety concerns about the data. But with time, I understood the importance of my online privacy and data, and I started using a VPN. If you are also at the same stage of your life when you are concerned about your online privacy, then use a VPN.
Although the questions may arise in your mind: what is a VPN actually, what does it do, how does it work, and what are its types? If so, then don’t worry! I’ve prepared this guide to answer your questions under a single roof.
So, Let’s Get Going, Then!
What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is technology software that masks your online activity by creating a secure connection between your devices and public networks. This acts like a tunnel to hide your real IP address so that you can surf the internet without any geographical restriction.
Further, Using VPNs will also enable you to break the barriers on streaming movies through free streaming website.
What is a VPN Used For?
A VPN is used to encrypt users’ internet connections to make them private from anyone else and hide their IP address. Further, it will mask users’ geographical locations and not allow others to keep track of their browsing data and history. This feature especially works when the user is using a public network connection. VPNs are free and paid. Premium ones usually come with a free VPN trial to check features before subscribing to paid plans.
Key Statistics on Virtual Private Network (VPN)
- Among VPN users 54% of users are males.
- 33.1% of youth between 16-24 used VPN in the second quarter of 2024.
- 40% of Internet users use VPN to keep their online activity a secret from search engines.
- 43% of VPN users don’t pay anything to their VPN service providers.
- 46% of youth users use a VPN service to keep their activities a secret.
- The global annual revenue of the VPN industry is predicted to grow upto $87.1 billion in 2027.
What are the Types of VPN?
There are several types of VPN that you can use to keep your secret a secret, and here are some of them:
1. Remote Access VPN
As the name shows, remote access VPN allows individual users to make connections to a private network and enjoy its perks, like resources and services remotely. This type of VPN is effective in accessing region blocked websites and platforms along with enhanced online security.
2. Site to Site VPN
Site to Site VPN, aka Router to Router VPN, is the perfect choice for businesses that have different business locations. One location business uses site to site VPN to access the private network of the other site located business easily. Here are its types:
- Intranet based VPN: When a business connects to its own company branch, then it’ll refer to intranet based VPN.
- Extranet based VPN: When a business connects to another company’s branch, then it’ll refer to extranet based VPN.
3. Cloud VPN
Cloud VPN or Cloud based VPN allows users to connect to a secure and private cloud-based infrastructure of a VPN. It uses the Internet as the primary transport medium to offer cloud-based resources of a VPN. Further, it is offered as Software as a Service (SaaS), like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.
4. Mobile VPN
Mobile VPN is a virtual private network that can be accessed through the cellular data of smartphones. It encrypts the data that is being shared with the private network and the Internet to make a secure connection. These VPNs also can be used on a public network to access private resources, and are available in standalone apps for smartphones.
5. SSL VPN
Secure Sockets Layer Virtual Private Network (SSL VPN) uses the SSL security protocol to encrypt the connection between a user and a VPN server. Typically, this VPN is being used on the web rather than a standalone application, which makes it easier to access.
6. PPTP VPN
Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) VPN uses a secure protocol between two computers to share packets of data easily. Users don’t have to install additional software on their devices to implement a secure connection between another computer.
On the other hand, it is considered that its security protocols are weaker than other VPN security protocols.
7. L2TP VPN
Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) VPN also creates a secure connection between two computers to share data between them securely. In addition, it is an extension of the PPTP VPN, which combines the security protocols of Layer 2 Forwarding Protocol (L2FP) and PPTP.
8. OpenVPN
Lastly, OpenVPN is an open-source VPN service provider that is highly configurable and secure to make a connection. Just like PPTP and L2TP VPNs, it also secures the data packets of two computers and ensures that are delivered securely.
On the other hand, it is way more secure than both because it uses SSL/TLS security protocols to make a connection.
How Does a VPN Work?
A VPN serves as a tunnel between your public internet connection and your private VPN service provider, driving internet traffic. Thus, your IP address gets masked, and no one will track your geographical location and your online activities easily.
In addition, these protocols will make it harder for third parties (hackers) to protect your privacy and steal your data. Concluding the discussion, if you surf the internet using a VPN, then the information source will be the VPN server for your smartphones and other gadgets.
The reason behind this is that you only access what is available on the VPN server or location where the VPN is working. Further, it means your “Internet Service Provider (ISP)” and third parties can’t see your online activities, filtering your data into a “gibberish.”
The Closing Note
Well, here is all about what is a VPN and how does it work to keep your online activities a secret. Further, I have compiled the types of the VPN that effectively work best for organizational usage and other individual uses.
Hopefully, you have understood the whole concept of using a VPN, and why you should use a VPN on a public network. So, keep your identity anonymous for third parties to pocket the perks of being private to your own environment.
