What is a VPN? | Wilnesh News

Almost everything you do on the Internet is private. Whether it’s an Internet service provider tracking your browsing activity or a company collecting data for targeted advertising, your digital footprint is constantly under scrutiny. This is where VPN comes into play.

A VPN, short for Virtual Private Network, is a tool that can help block your internet traffic and protect your personal information. A VPN can also mask your location, which is especially useful when traveling and you need to bypass geo-restrictions to access your home content.

CNBC Select discusses what VPNs are, how they work, and whether you should consider using one.

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Essentially, a VPN is a technology that protects your online privacy by hiding your location and online activity. It works by encrypting your internet connection and routing your traffic through different servers to mask your IP address, which is essentially a unique identifier for your device. This makes it more difficult for your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and third parties to track your data.

When using public Wi-Fi networks, your data is more vulnerable to hackers, and a VPN can provide additional security. By hiding your true location, they also allow you to bypass geo-restrictions, allowing you to access websites and Streaming services may not be available in your area.

use A strong antivirus program is essential to protect your sensitive information. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus Performed well during lab testing and offers some additional benefits such as a file shredder and a secure banking browser. While Bitdefender’s antivirus comes with a VPN, its features are quite limited, so pairing it with a standalone VPN might be helpful.

Experts often recommend Stay away from free VPNs Due to their limited functionality, some are still useful. ProtonVPN A free version is available with many of the same security features as the paid version, and you can choose to upgrade later if you want access to some advanced features (such as more servers or coverage of more devices).

We named NorthVPN One of the best VPNs with servers in over 100 countries and some enhanced security options like a kill switch. Its basic monthly VPN plan starts at $12.99, with add-on tiers available with more features like a password manager or more cloud storage, and offers more than 6,000 servers.

For people who own multiple computers and smartphones, surf shark Could be a good option as it covers an unlimited number of devices with just one plan. The starter plan comes with VPN access along with an ad and pop-up blocker, a blocked email generator, a personal details generator, and additional features at higher levels.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing a VPN provider:

• price: Many VPNs offer monthly, annual, and multi-year subscriptions at different prices. Many VPN providers offer free trials or money-back guarantees, allowing you to test before fully committing.
• compatibility: Make sure the VPN you are considering is compatible with your device. Many are compatible on major platforms, e.g. iOS, Android, MacOS, and Windows, but this may vary by company.
• speed: Using a VPN can affect your internet speed, so you’ll want to choose one that won’t have too much of a negative impact on your connection.
• Number of servers: While server quantity doesn’t directly translate to quality, having more servers means you have more options to choose from and can help reduce server crowding, which can slow down your connection speeds.
• Security features: Choose a VPN that takes your security seriously, which may include features like a no-logs policy (no activity data is stored) and a kill switch that cuts off your Internet connection when you disconnect from the VPN.

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