The world has come to a difficult crossroad with technology nowadays. On one hand the internet has become a necessity that brings convenience to our daily lives while at the same time, the plague of cybercrime has made it hard to access without proper precautionary measures. Computer systems are under constant threat from hackers and other entities trying to get a hold of private data on the users and organizations stored in them.
The threat from cybercrime is real and huge. In the next five years, it is expected to cause more than $5 trillion on average across the world. From large multi-national corporations like Facebook and Yahoo to a normal household user, there is no one who is safe when it comes to cybercriminals. This is one of the main reasons why VPNs are becoming essential. These programs are cost-effective solutions that provide cybersecurity and internet freedom to individuals and small or medium businesses.
What is a VPN?
A VPN or Virtual Private Network is a program that redirects internet traffic to go through a secure server. User IP addresses are masked in the process protecting their exact location and making all data being sent, anonymous. A VPN for windows simply erases a user’s footprints off the internet for as long as they are using the connection. This protection makes it very hard for hackers and other entities to trace where a user is or what he is doing on the internet.
Why these services have become relevant?
VPNs were launched in the late 20th century and in the beginning, they were only used as a means to unblock restricted websites around the world. Today, in light of data theft and other cybercrime becoming such a big deal, the scope of VPNs has changed too. People and businesses are now using VPNs to protect their online assets from spying and loss through theft. The damages caused by cybercrime are so extensive that they warrant the use of VPN services.
How a VPN for windows protects online privacy?
A VPN works by masking user IP addresses. This address by default is public and any entity that knows this information about the other can use or misuse it as they wish. The IP address can be used to track all data traffic to and from a specific gadget. It can also come in handy for someone trying to plant a virus in a system. A VPN eliminates all these threats by simply hiding the original IP address. With that out of the way, cybercriminals have to work a lot harder if they want to hack a computer or device.
Using a VPN
Since the demand has grown significantly in the last few years, there are a lot of VPNs introduced to the market. Using a VPN is simple. You have to download and install it on the device of choice, signup for an account and activate the service. However, the tricky part is knowing which service provider to trust because a lot of free ones on the market are not very reliable. Customer reviews, ratings from independent third parties and features offered can give a good idea about the credibility of a VPN.
Features of an effective VPN
In order for a VPN to do what it is meant to, there a few things that it should have. And its not just about having these features but also about providing the best of them for the users. Here are a few that are a must have for any VPN. Of course, a VPN can and many do offer extensive features besides the ones discussed here but these remain the top and most relevant ones for the purpose of using a VPN.
Encryption
Data is the most vulnerable while it is in transit. Normally, internet connections offer no support in terms of protecting sensitive information about users. Good VPNs offer at least 256-bit end-to-end encryption for users. This enables everyone using the service to enjoy worry free browsing whenever on the internet. Encryption is crucial these days and a VPN must provide this in a comprehensive manner to be considered good for use.
Servers
VPN networks usually have hundreds of servers scattered around the globe. Each service has a specific number of related IP addresses for each server which they assign to users as they connect. The more servers a VPN has, the greater the freedom that it can offer on the Internet. Additional servers are also an indication of increased security when it comes to browsing the internet, as hackers may have difficulty identifying user locations.
Speed
Heavy discussions take place about whether speed or safety features are more important in a VPN. This depends, at the end of the day, on the choice of customers who purchase the service and what their intended objective is of using the VPN. The speeds offered by a VPN may vary across servers. At times, this can interrupt the playback or update process that the service offers. Fast internet is what users crave for and if a VPN hinders that, it becomes unattractive for people.
Price
Price is another significant factor that determines whether a VPN should be considered or not. While free services are not very reliable, it doesn’t make sense to pay huge amounts for a VPN. Most leading services don’t charge exorbitantly and have reasonable packages. Users can pick the most affordable one that suit their needs. VPNs also offer occasional discounts that make the purchase even more lucrative during specific seasons.
Conclusion
A VPN has become a necessity that can’t be ignored. It is a simple yet effective service that allows businesses and individuals to remain safe while browsing the internet for any reason whatsoever. Being protected from spying and other cybercriminal activities takes a huge burden off people’s shoulders. It takes a few clicks to install a reliable VPN like Ivacy that offers support for a wide range of platforms. Together, it makes for an essential service that is too difficult to miss.
Author Bio:
Scott is a cyber-security professional. He’s been writing in the internet privacy niche for a while now and has churned variety of informational pieces to educate his audience.
Connect with him on Twitter.
