VPN is an abbreviation for Virtual Private Network, and it is a method of encrypting and securing data between multiple internet-connected devices. People from all over the world can use a VPN to securely connect their computer to another computer, making it appear as if they are physically connected to that other machine. For example, if someone goes on vacation to France and connects their laptop to an open Wi-Fi connection in a hotel room without using a VPN when they go onto their bank’s website or any sites that contain personal information about them, this data can be cut off by anyone who has access to the open Wi-Fi connection at the hotel.
This means that if someone steals their username and password, they may be able to see what you are doing online. People can encrypt their data and avoid having it stolen by using a VPN. This is primarily due to the proxy service, which causes the websites they visit to believe they are connecting from another country; as a result, no one knows who is actually behind the connection or where they are geographically located.
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So far, several reasons have been mentioned as to why people use VPN services. If someone lives in New Zealand but wants to watch BBC Player, for example, this would allow them to do so. It is also useful for ex-pats living in foreign countries who want to access sites such as Myspace, Facebook, and Bebo, which only operate on servers located within specific geographic boundaries or nations.
When you use a VPN, the following things happen:
- You can access foreign television services that are not available in your country.
- Being able to access sites such as Myspace, Facebook, and Bebo from outsiders in other countries.
- “A VPN Service can assist people by making them appear to be connected from another country or location for privacy reasons” – vpntesting.com
- Faster connection speeds because traffic is not routed through at least two servers.
- VPNs are extremely simple to set up and use. Users only require a Username, Password, and Connection Name/Server Address.
Summary
Though people use VPN services for a variety of reasons, the main one is that they provide a level of online security and privacy that is not available in other ways or forms. If a vacationer uses an open Wi-Fi connection at their hotel, anyone with access to that network could likely snatch it and steal sensitive data from the user. This is why having a Virtual Private Network is so important these days because it encrypts people’s information, rendering it unreadable. When this occurs, no one can see what you are doing online, even if they intercept your connection, which is why VPNs are becoming more popular.
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