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You've probably seen dozens of VPN ads while enjoying your favorite content on the internet. The reason behind this is that technology can be quite fruitful for you for several reasons.
In this article, you will learn what a VPN is, what it is for and its main usage scenarios. If you still don't know anything about the topic, take a few minutes of your time. Because this may be more important than you think.
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What is VPN?
VPN is an abbreviation for Virtual Private Network. It is a technology that aims to create a secure connection between two or more devices, even if they are part of different networks.
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All of this is possible through encryption, which protects transmitted information from being intercepted and read by bad actors. Therefore, it can be said that VPN connections help make browsing even safer.
Your IP address is masked when you use the internet; This makes your connection invisible to everyone.
What is it for?
There are several usage scenarios for VPN:
- Privacy and security: Financial and health information, for example, can be transmitted more securely on a PC or smartphone. Users like to use VPN to access banking applications and other sensitive software;
- Corporate access: Through technology, businesspeople can create internal, extremely secure networks to perform their tasks. This way, all data produced and shared internally cannot be leaked;
- Accessibility: Would you like to access certain online services, but they are blocked in your region? The VPN can be activated and configured to allow you full access to limited resources;
- Virtual LAN: Local networks can use technology to intercommunicate, as if they were part of the same physical network.
As you can see, there are many usage scenarios – and most of them are part of practically everyone's daily life. The truth is that the internet is a hostile and threatening environment for those who do not take special care with security; Extra precautions are always welcome.
Is hiring a VPN service expensive?
It depends. After all, many applications, such as antivirus software, often make their own VPN services available on a limited basis. There is a low daily or monthly quota for accessing protected virtual networks.
Furthermore, some browsers, such as Torn, have an integrated VPN to ensure safer and more private browsing. There is no charge in this case, but its use is completely limited to your software and browsing is much slower than normal.
If you are interested in using a VPN for multiple purposes, you will probably have to pay a monthly or annual fee for this. Costs tend to increase over time, which can make the service a bit expensive for some people.
In summary, free private networks tend to have very narrow data limits, as well as slow speeds; Paid networks are much faster and many of them have no usage limits, but they can be expensive.
How to set up a VPN?
The answer to this question varies depending on the service you are hiring. While some require a more complex configuration, which can confuse the most layman, others use their own software to facilitate their use.
To facilitate the understanding of this article, a tutorial will be made on the ExpressVPN, one of the most reliable and used services around the world when it comes to virtual private networks.
Image: ExpressVPN
1 – Access the ExpressVPN website and create your registration.
2 – Download the client software to your device and perform the installation:
PC (Windows and Mac) – DOWNLOAD
Android – DOWNLOAD
iOS – DOWNLOAD
3 – Open the software and enter your email and password to continue.
4 – Choose the VPN server. There are several options available. The one you should use will depend on the type of online service you want to access.
5 – Click on “Connect” and wait a few moments for the network to be configured and connected.
Ready! Your virtual network is configured and ready to be used whenever you want.
Essential information
However, before venturing onto the internet with your VPN configured, remember a few important details.
Some services may stop working or not work correctly due to region changes. For example, certain Brazilian websites may not open if the VPN is configured on a foreign network and vice versa;
Not all virtual networks available on the internet are reliable. Therefore, choose very carefully. Otherwise, criminals will be able to access all your data while browsing;
If you intend to use a VPN in other countries, find out how local legislation works. In China, for example, using technology is illegal if you do not have prior authorization from the government;
Prefer networks with low latency. A considerable portion of services leave the connection very slow, which can hinder (or even make browsing impossible);
You can still get hacked even when using a VPN. The reason behind this is that a secure connection is not able to withstand bad habits on the part of its users. Always have antivirus software installed on your device, preferably with web protections.
Do you intend to test the service?
This article seeks to explain, in a very simplified way, how everything works, as well as its pros and cons and how you can take full advantage of its exclusive features.
Fortunately, there are several options besides ExpressVPN that are trustworthy, such as NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost. Solid companies that have shown professionalism and reliability when it comes to privacy on the network.
It is also possible to create your own VPN network – but the procedure is quite complicated and can be a bit of a headache. Therefore, it might be a good idea to outsource this responsibility, right?
Remember: you will always be primarily responsible for your network security. Have good security software installed on your device. Furthermore, avoid downloading files from unknown sources and do not store certain sensitive data, such as access passwords, in cloud hosting.
