A virtual private network (VPN) is a system in computer/internet world used to create a secure network connection. This is mainly used to get the secure connection over the public network. Large companies, educational institutions, government institutions, etc. (whoever is a need in secure connection) use the technology. It creates a safer path for the flow of the data from one point to another. This enables you to route your internet traffic through a single, encrypted tunnel.
For Example: If you are at a coffee shop and you are using a publicly accessible Wi-Fi. So, you don’t want everybody else using same Wi-Fi sniff though your traffic and find out your personal information. So, in this case, it helps to make a tunnel between yourself and remote system that is encrypted and flow the information through that tunnel.
It could be very useful for those who are very much concerned about their privacy. Even you can setup a VPN server at your home and access it from anywhere in the world.
Saying that it creates the secure path, it is not always guaranteed that the provider is cheating with you. Sometimes the VPN could compromise your data. So, it would be a good idea to use a trusted VPN.
Here are pros and cons for of sing VPN.
Pros:
- Remote Access to Secure Network
- VPN provides security from ISPs as they might keep the log of your every activity.
- Bypass regional restriction. For example, some websites are locked to access within a country or location. Now, the VPN enables you to access that website in all over the world. That also means, if your office/college has blocked some websites, you can access through VPN.
Cons:
- Reduce Connection Speeds.
- Beware of VPN claims like Anonymous, private and zero logging. So, it’s always good to check their privacy and policies.
- VPN is only trustworthy as the VPN provider. If you trust provider, you are good to go with it.
- Could be costly.
Hope you are clear about VPN and its pros and cons. If not, you are always welcome to comment in the comment box below.
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