VPN is not an alien thing for modern-day internet users. Today, you will find that almost every individual uses VPN to surf the internet. However, it has not always been the same thing.
In fact, if you go back a couple of years, you will hardly find any VPN users. So what makes people use VPNs today?
Before understanding the reason behind why people use VPN, we first need to understand what VPN is all about.
What Is VPN?
VPN stands for the virtual private network. It is one of the easiest and most effective ways for users to protect their traffic and keep their identities private. The internet traffic goes through an encrypted tunnel as you connect your device with a VPN.
This encrypted tunnel is invisible to hackers, the government, and other internet service providers, thereby masking your IP address.
How Does VPN Work?
As we have already said, a VPN works by routing your internet connection through an encrypted tunnel rather than an internet service provider.
By doing so, your VPN changes your IP address. This makes you look like you are surfing the internet from a location VPN has assigned.
VPNs are mostly used by users who use torrent websites like The Pirate Bay to download content.
Although VPN has become popular and more people are using it today, a few common mistakes need to be avoided when using a VPN.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Using VPN
A VPN does a great job blocking many vulnerabilities, but the tool is not a holistic protection strategy. You need to understand that it only masks your IP address and does not block viruses.
So, before running down how to make the most out of the VPN services, take a look at the common mistakes you must avoid.
1. Not Keeping It On All The Time
We have seen people turning on VPN services only when surfing the internet. If you are generally wary of your sensitive information, you will never Turn Off your VPN. You should ensure to activate VPN before turning On your internet connection and deactivate only after turning Off your internet connection.
2. Not Checking Your Settings
Most people forget to check the settings of the VPN. It is important that you check the VPN setting to ensure you get all the services you have paid for.
3. Using Free VPN Services
Free VPN services certainly have their place for those who are not looking to invest any hefty money and are happy with the basic services.
However, if you really want to make the most out of the VPN service, a paid service – even a cheap VPN – will do a far better job.
4. Decreases Internet Speed
Most of you might be aware of the fact that VPN usage decreases internet speed. Because VPN routes and encrypt your digital movement, your connection speed drops significantly. This is the reason why you must test out the internet speed before shifting to any VPN provider.
If you think that paid VPN services do not slow down the speed, you are wrong. Although the drop in speed is not as severe as the free services, you can certainly feel the difference in the speed with and without a VPN service.
5. You Risk Yourself Being Blocked By Many Platforms
There are a lot of platforms that can only be visited within a certain region. This is because there are many regions in the world that do not allow internet users from other countries. In that case, if you are using VPN to mask your original IP address, you won’t be able to access the content.
A VPN Isn’t Legal In All Countries!
The use of VPN is legal in most countries. In fact, some big tech companies use VPN as one of their security strategies.
Despite the advantages it brings to the table, there are nations that consider it to be illegal. These nations are the ones who want to have total control over what their citizens are doing.
The VPN has the ability to pass the censorship of the government; this tool is considered illegal in some countries.