Currently, when users think about hiding their public IP, they use solutions such as VPN, Proxy or Tor Browser. However, in general, a user with average knowledge prefers a VPN for a series of extra advantages that it offers us. The main reason to use a VPN is that it improves our privacy, but it is not its only advantage. It will also allow us to improve our security and help us protect ourselves against cybercriminals. In this article we are going to explain what a VPN protects you from on the Internet.
Not all VPNs are created equal
In this aspect, we can distinguish between two types: free VPNs and paid VPNs. Regarding the free ones, we can find problems with low speed, high latency, security risks and sometimes they are more difficult to use. On the other hand, you have to keep in mind that the service they offer has a cost and that sometimes to cover the costs they sell your browsing data to third parties. In this aspect, you have to be very careful when choosing a free VPN. The most recommended without a doubt is WARP from Cloudflare, it is the fastest, the one that provides the best privacy and the most stable of all the free VPNs that we have tested.
On the other hand, paid VPNs for a few euros per month offer us greater speed, security, and a guarantee that our data will not be leaked. In addition to this, they usually have numerous servers in different countries. Some paid quality VPNs that we can use are Surfshark, NordVPN, CyberGhost and HMA VPN.
How a VPN protects you on the Internet
By using a VPN all our data travels safe and secure from prying eyes. Imagine a tunnel in which our information is protected thanks to encryption. Thus cybercriminals, Internet providers (ISP) and governments will not be able to know our activity on the Internet.
For our security, what we should never use is an unencrypted VPN. The reason is that we would be losing that security that encryption offers us. In that aspect, if we use an encrypted VPN, it protects us when we enter a web page that is not encrypted. In this case we are referring to HTTP web pages in which the information we send and receive can be intercepted and end up in the hands of cybercriminals. Therefore, if we use an encrypted VPN we will avoid interference because our information is protected thanks to security protocols such as OpenVPN, WireGuard, SSTP or L2TP/IPsec. This protection is only guaranteed from our device to the VPN server where we connect, after the server the communication will go with unencrypted HTTP.
Another reason to use a VPN is when we have to surf on public Wi-Fi networks . Some typical examples would be those wireless connections that we find in a coffee shop, airport, shopping mall, library and more. In this aspect we cannot really verify who has been able to create that network, if it is legitimate or not. Furthermore, we also cannot know who may be inside it and what their intentions are. Thanks to an encrypted VPN we will be able to be safe and secure.
On the other hand, they are also a good option to protect our online purchases . If this data falls into the hands of a cybercriminal, it can have a negative impact on our economy.
Protect people and avoid censorship
In some countries it is difficult to surf the Internet or use certain services. For example, social networks such as Facebook or applications such as WhatsApp and certain information websites may be restricted in certain places in the world. What happens is that they are blocked and do not work. What these services basically do is simulate that we are in another place, with a different IP address.
What a VPN protects in this case is the very life of the user. In some countries they are illegal, or if you visit certain web pages, you can end up in jail or with a heavy fine. Here these people have no choice if they want to obtain certain information. Lastly, prevent your location from being tracked by hiding your real public IP. Whether for privacy or censorship reasons, we want our browsing history to be safe.
