How and why to install a VPN?
Very popular among people interested in surfing and downloading anonymously, VPNs are a good solution for securing computers, smartphones, and other connected devices. In the following paragraphs, you will find a basic overview of what VPNs are, as well as how to install and configure them.
What is a VPN?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. A VPN is a utility that makes it possible to surf the internet worry-free and completely anonymously (we will come back to this point later). Since VPNs ensure the complete anonymity of their users, they are very popular among people who download files illegally. However, VPNs can be useful for many other things as well.
When should you use a VPN?
First of all, a VPN can be used to protect a server from outside threats (a DDoS attack, for instance). A VPN can also be used for downloading files on a P2P network, as previously mentioned. Last, but not least, VPNs are used in certain parts of the world for watching TV programs and accessing prohibited sites or services.
How does a VPN work?
A VPN creates a direct connection between two computers – “insulating” the traffic generated by a remote computer. This insulation will prevent your traffic from being intercepted and analyzed by unwanted parties and will provide you with a measure of protection against hackers (since there will be no direct interaction between your internet connection and other internet traffic). A VPN can be thought of as a tunnel whose walls will protect you from prying eyes and external threats as you travel from point A to B.
The connection speed is a subject of concern for many VPN users, in particular for games, streaming and other intensive activities in bandwidth. There are several factors that affect the speed of the connection. Among some internet providers, you can encounter problems with points of congestion which may considerably lengthen the ping. In some cases, the use of VPN, not using these saturated networks allow you to improve considerably the time of latency. In other cases, the impact is virtually zero. Finally, it can happen that the ping is worse, especially if you select a distant server. The logical thing to do is to choose a VPN server as close as possible to your own location or the game server’s geolocation to which you are connected.
One of the great advantages of the VPN is the modification of the IP address and therefore the IP geolocation. By using this tool, you can for example access American games servers or Asian ones who usually, refuse European players. With a VPN, you are free to bypass all geographical restrictions in a very simple way. A VPN service will give you access to blocked servers in your region and of course the ability to endlessly switch to connect to another server in another region very easily. You take the IP geolocation of the server by which passes your connection.
A VPN makes you anonymous when you are online. With each visit on the server your identity is concealed and this assures you that the server will not know where you are connected since it is no longer your actual IP address which is visible by Servers and other players. Your actual IP address is hidden, without the possibility of tracing your geographical position. Most of the major VPN providers have at their disposal thousands and even tens of thousands of different IP addresses that you can use and change at will.
By using a VPN server equipped with an anti-DDoS, you can freely play online video games without fearing this type of attacks which are recurrent and which make the Internet connection unusable and unplayable. Install a VPN to secure your connection as well as your data. Thus, all exchanges between your machine and your server will be secure.
