If you’re interested in securing your presence on the internet, then there are a number of things that you might want to consider. Tools such as the Tor browser, proxies, and VPNs can all be useful for helping to keep you safe.
These things can seem a bit intimidating if you’re not familiar with them, especially VPNs.
In this article, we’re going to outline the basics of using a VPN so you can begin protecting your online presence.
What Are VPNs?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. These are secure, private connections that can link your device to another device or network. They are used to help protect your online identity and your traffic information so that you can’t be traced.
VPNs can be useful for people who are interested in preventing people from identifying them. This sounds like something that only shady people might be involved in, however, when you consider that websites like Google track all of our information regardless, it can be quite appealing for the average user to protect their identity.
How do I Use a VPN?
There are many different VPNs to choose from but really only 3 ways to use them.
Here are the 3 ways to use VPNs:
- There are many VPN apps that can be downloaded for desktop computers and mobile phones. The majority of these can be download and used immediately without any complicated configuration.
- Browser-based VPNs. These are the simplest to use – simply load up the VPN (many can be found with a simple Google search), type in the web address you wish to visit and let the VPN obscure your identity.
- Built-in VPNs. Many PCs, routers, and networks allow you to configure a built-in VPN. These generally require a bit of technical prowess and aren’t as easy to use, but they often offer more security.
This is a simple outline of how you can use a VPN. Once you’ve determined the type of VPN that you’re most interested in, it can be useful to learn about the specifics of that particular VPN from the developers.
