With the transition to remote control, even more users thought about how to protect themselves not only on the street and from the virus, but also on the network.
In the article below, we will analyze in detail such a tool as VPN:
What is a VPN?
Virtual Private Network or VPN is a technology that creates a secure connection to protect data on the network.
During normal Internet access, your device communicates with the site server and informs it of its data: location, IP, etc. This lets the server know who you are, what information you want to receive, and where to send it. In addition, it can also start following you, as we wrote about in the article "What is a browser fingerprint".
If you use a VPN, the site server sees the data of the VPN server, the amount of data transmitted, and the start and end time of the session. The traffic itself — your actions on the network-will be encrypted. This means that the site won't know who is actually visiting the site.
Why do I need a VPN?
Data protection. A VPN creates a secure connection for your device through which data is transmitted. As a result, no one outside can see who you are, what you do, or what data you use online. Exception: if someone has an encryption key, but we'll talk about this later.
For better protection, advanced users use VPN chains. In this case, there is a sequential connection to several VPN servers at once, thanks to which it is almost impossible to track the user and his actions.
1, Location substitution. Using a VPN, you can change your IP address and impersonate a user in any country or city. This helps, for example, if you work with multiple accounts and need to impersonate different users.
⃣ Access to a secure server. For example, if you have a closed corporate network at work, you can use a VPN configured for these tasks to access it from anywhere in the world. You can also set up access to your home computer in the same way.
3. Access to blocked sites. You can use a VPN to bypass country-specific restrictions and visit resources that interest you. For example, although is officially banned in Russia, users can use a VPN to access it. due to the fact that a VPN hides traffic and network activities even from your Internet service provider.
Difference between a VPN and a proxy
If a person uses a proxy, then when they try to visit a certain site, their request first gets to the proxy server, and then the server redirects this request to the site. And vice versa. A proxy acts as an intermediary between you and the site you are visiting.
A VPN does not redirect traffic, but encrypts it completely. This protects the user's personal data and information about their online activities.
What are VPNs?
VPNs are different depending on the protocol used. The VPN protocol describes all the parameters of a particular service: the connection method, how data is exchanged, which devices a particular VPN is compatible with, and so on.
Below, we have compiled the main protocols and indicated what tasks they are suitable for.
Most often, to use OpenVPN, you need to install a special program or application-it depends on the specific VPN service.
Compatible with operating systems: iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android.
Compatible with operating systems: iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux.
Compatible with the following operating systems: Windows.
Compatible with operating systems: iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux.
Is it legal to use a VPN
☝ ️It depends on the specific country.
For example, in Russia there is a ban on bypassing blockages, so all VPN services need to be included in a special registry that lists blocked sites. In fact, few VPN services are included in this registry, but they continue to function. This means that either the state has obtained access to the data of these services, or the services themselves have agreed to cooperate and transfer the data.
In any case, if your goal is to achieve complete anonymity even from the state, well — known and public VPN services will not help you in this.
For more information, see the section below.
Disadvantages of VPNs
Like any service, a VPN has its drawbacks.
The service itself may have access to your data. It all depends on whether the service stores your logs on its server-files (logs) — data about your actions, passwords entered, etc. This information should be specified in the privacy policy. Unfortunately, this does not guarantee that the service does not have access to your data. Often, services claim that they do not have access and completely encrypt data, and after a while, information from this device appears in investigations and criminal cases.
Moreover, anyone with the encryption keys of a particular VPN will have access to information about you and your traffic. These keys can be obtained, for example, by special services on the basis of a court decision, during the investigation of a case, or special services can initially control such services. If the VPN server is located in Russia, it is almost 100% guaranteed that the special services have access to it.
A VPN can guarantee you complete privacy and anonymity only if you set up a personal VPN server. In all other cases, there will always be a risk that an outsider may gain access to the data.
A VPN can slow down your internet connection speed. Almost all VPNs can slow down the loading speed of websites. It will be even lower if you are using a VPN chain.
Does everyone need a VPN
As always, it depends on your tasks. If you are under no illusions that a VPN will provide you with 100% anonymity, otherwise it can be useful, for example, for visiting blocked sites or protecting your digital fingerprint from advertising platforms. It is also often used by corporations to protect their network or give it access to employees working remotely.
If you still decide to use a VPN, pay attention to:
Alternative to a VPN
If for some reason VPNs are not suitable for you, consider other options:
Whatever program you choose, always keep in mind that the best program that can protect you is one that you can control yourself, and that no one else can access.
In the article below, we will analyze in detail such a tool as VPN:
- What is a VPN?
- Why is it needed
- What is the difference between a VPN and a proxy?
- What are VPNs?
- Is it legal to use it
- What are the disadvantages of a VPN?
- Does everyone need a VPN and what are the alternatives?
What is a VPN?
Virtual Private Network or VPN is a technology that creates a secure connection to protect data on the network.
During normal Internet access, your device communicates with the site server and informs it of its data: location, IP, etc. This lets the server know who you are, what information you want to receive, and where to send it. In addition, it can also start following you, as we wrote about in the article "What is a browser fingerprint".
If you use a VPN, the site server sees the data of the VPN server, the amount of data transmitted, and the start and end time of the session. The traffic itself — your actions on the network-will be encrypted. This means that the site won't know who is actually visiting the site.
Why do I need a VPN?
Data protection. A VPN creates a secure connection for your device through which data is transmitted. As a result, no one outside can see who you are, what you do, or what data you use online. Exception: if someone has an encryption key, but we'll talk about this later.
For better protection, advanced users use VPN chains. In this case, there is a sequential connection to several VPN servers at once, thanks to which it is almost impossible to track the user and his actions.
1, Location substitution. Using a VPN, you can change your IP address and impersonate a user in any country or city. This helps, for example, if you work with multiple accounts and need to impersonate different users.
⃣ Access to a secure server. For example, if you have a closed corporate network at work, you can use a VPN configured for these tasks to access it from anywhere in the world. You can also set up access to your home computer in the same way.3. Access to blocked sites. You can use a VPN to bypass country-specific restrictions and visit resources that interest you. For example, although is officially banned in Russia, users can use a VPN to access it. due to the fact that a VPN hides traffic and network activities even from your Internet service provider.
Difference between a VPN and a proxy
If a person uses a proxy, then when they try to visit a certain site, their request first gets to the proxy server, and then the server redirects this request to the site. And vice versa. A proxy acts as an intermediary between you and the site you are visiting.
A VPN does not redirect traffic, but encrypts it completely. This protects the user's personal data and information about their online activities.
What are VPNs?
VPNs are different depending on the protocol used. The VPN protocol describes all the parameters of a particular service: the connection method, how data is exchanged, which devices a particular VPN is compatible with, and so on.
Below, we have compiled the main protocols and indicated what tasks they are suitable for.
- OpenVPN. One of the best VPN protocols available. It has a high data loading speed and security level, so it is suitable for various tasks: anonymity in the network, masking traffic, visiting closed resources, etc. This protocol is open source, which helps you quickly find vulnerabilitiesand fix them.
Most often, to use OpenVPN, you need to install a special program or application-it depends on the specific VPN service.
Compatible with operating systems: iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android.
- Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol или PPTP. This protocol is one of the oldest. It is suitable if the user needs to access prohibited resources. Otherwise, this protocol has a number of serious vulnerabilities, so even its developer, Microsoft, recommends choosing other protocols.
Compatible with operating systems: iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux.
- Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol или SSTP. This protocol has no serious vulnerabilities and provides quick access to sites. Its key drawback: this protocol is rarely used and is only well compatible with Windows, so it is not suitable for all tasks.
Compatible with the following operating systems: Windows.
- Internet Protocol Security or IPsec. After information appeared that US government agencies have access to such VPNs, some users are afraid to use IPsec. In addition, the protocol has a high level of protection and speed. The protocol itself is often used together with other protocols, such as IKEv2.
Compatible with operating systems: iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux.
- WireGuard. One of the newest protocols. So far, no vulnerabilities have been identified, but it has a high data loading speed. There have also been no reports of special services accessing it yet.
Is it legal to use a VPN
☝ ️It depends on the specific country.
For example, in Russia there is a ban on bypassing blockages, so all VPN services need to be included in a special registry that lists blocked sites. In fact, few VPN services are included in this registry, but they continue to function. This means that either the state has obtained access to the data of these services, or the services themselves have agreed to cooperate and transfer the data.
In any case, if your goal is to achieve complete anonymity even from the state, well — known and public VPN services will not help you in this.
For more information, see the section below.
Disadvantages of VPNs
Like any service, a VPN has its drawbacks.
The service itself may have access to your data. It all depends on whether the service stores your logs on its server-files (logs) — data about your actions, passwords entered, etc. This information should be specified in the privacy policy. Unfortunately, this does not guarantee that the service does not have access to your data. Often, services claim that they do not have access and completely encrypt data, and after a while, information from this device appears in investigations and criminal cases.
Moreover, anyone with the encryption keys of a particular VPN will have access to information about you and your traffic. These keys can be obtained, for example, by special services on the basis of a court decision, during the investigation of a case, or special services can initially control such services. If the VPN server is located in Russia, it is almost 100% guaranteed that the special services have access to it.
A VPN can guarantee you complete privacy and anonymity only if you set up a personal VPN server. In all other cases, there will always be a risk that an outsider may gain access to the data.
A VPN can slow down your internet connection speed. Almost all VPNs can slow down the loading speed of websites. It will be even lower if you are using a VPN chain.
Does everyone need a VPN
As always, it depends on your tasks. If you are under no illusions that a VPN will provide you with 100% anonymity, otherwise it can be useful, for example, for visiting blocked sites or protecting your digital fingerprint from advertising platforms. It is also often used by corporations to protect their network or give it access to employees working remotely.
If you still decide to use a VPN, pay attention to:
- The VPN protocol used.
- Data loading speed.
- What tasks it is suitable for.
- Which country the servers are located in. For example, if they are located in Russia or the United States, the security services of these countries probably already have encryption keys. The importance of this point will depend on what tasks you need a VPN for.
- Price. As a rule, popular VPN services cost $3-10 per month.
- Safety. Pay attention to reviews and whether independent testing of a particular service has been conducted. It is better to give preference to an open source VPN.
Alternative to a VPN
If for some reason VPNs are not suitable for you, consider other options:
- Proxy. You can also use them to replace your real IP with the IP of the proxy server or another user. Different proxies are used for different tasks: from protecting data on the network to working with cryptocurrencies and bookmakers.
- Anti-detect browser. These are special programs that help you completely replace your digital fingerprint. Anti-detection tools help you solve various tasks: data protection, access to private resources, traffic arbitration, and so on. Anti-detection tools show the best results when used together with a proxy.
- Smart DNS or Smart DNS. This is a special service created specifically to bypass blockages. You can use it to get access to sites that are prohibited in a certain territory. At the same time, Smart DNS does not change your IP address, so it is definitely not suitable for maintaining anonymity and protecting your data on the network.
- Lantern is another program that helps you bypass site blockages. However, it also won't protect your online data.
Whatever program you choose, always keep in mind that the best program that can protect you is one that you can control yourself, and that no one else can access.
