Of course, not everyone is there to get it, but when you use the Internet without a VPN, you leave digital fingerprints on all the websites you visit. Whether it's scouring forums, using social media, or simply searching for information, your work may be redirected to your IP address, and other personal information.
And while a VPN can not keep you anonymous, accessing the Internet through a VPN can provide layers to protect your online activity from unwelcome eyes.
A virtual private network (VPN) hides your IP address, hides visible location, browsing history, and online activities performed on your device. In this way, it prevents your ISP and third-party favorites from violating your privacy and monetizing your personal information. Let's see how that works
What does a VPN hide?
1. IP address
What is an IP address and why hiding it is important?
Internal protocol (IP) addresses are digital labels for every device or device the device receives before accessing the Internet. As a result, your IP is linked to your approximate location, ISP, and browsing history.
Each time your device sends or receives data to and from the Internet, this information is accompanied by your IP address and all that it contains. Next, your unencrypted IP data may have many privacy and security issues.
IP Address is tied to your online identity
Maybe you're browsing forums or Reddit under a fake name, or maybe you just don't want to be shown your true identity in social media. Either way, you should have the option to keep your real and digital lives separate.
Suppose you have your IP address displayed and are not protected. In that case, there is no problem with monitoring or recognition that protects your online privacy. You can usually find out which websites a person visits and even certain online boards that they post just by typing in their IP address.
This is called doxxing, which is used by hackers and cybercriminals to obtain information with malicious intent on public and private statistics. Link that information on behalf of an individual or organization and think about how many stories can be spelled out in context.
Tailored online retail prices
Companies and service providers can use your IP information and cookies to track your purchases and price and deal with you accordingly.
Sounds like an extension? Try connecting to VPN servers in different countries and check out other flight tickets. Chances are that the values will vary greatly depending on the location of the server you are connected to.
Details are stored about you in the form of cookies. Every time you visit a travel website, your cookie informs you about your previous vacation and travel, profiles on social media, and any information that may be used to promote products to you.
If you are using a VPN, it hides your displayed IP by changing it to the IP address of your VPN server. Your ISP, online merchants and ad companies, or anyone trying to retrieve your information requests will not be able to see where it came from.
However, the government and other savvy websites may see that the connection is made through a VPN server and often want to block you. However, a good VPN has ways to go beyond that.
2. Location
While your IP address indicates the person's location, it is not very accurate information. Normally, your IP can only display information provided by your ISP, ie the city or location where connected Internet servers are located. However, besides your IP address, there are other ways third parties can track you.
Many apps, for example, use your device's GPS location. Sometimes, GPS access to your smartphone is one of the conditions for using certain apps at all. These apps track you wherever you go or visit.
A VPN like Surfshark also provides an Android GPS output feature to keep those annoying apps tested. When activated, GPS spoofing records your physical connection each time the app requests access to your location.
This way, you can always browse the Internet as a first-time user without third parties trying to promote your actions.
3. Your personal data
Airports, coffee shops, hotels, and other places where you can enjoy free Wi-Fi are also gold mines for hackers and cyber hunters.
The best advice is to avoid unsafe social networks or Wi-Fi hotspots unless you are using a VPN. If you are not protected, anyone with low moral standards and little knowledge may steal your login, passwords, or other sensitive information that you may have access to at that time.
A VPN ensures that your privacy is not compromised by encrypting all data before leaving your device. That way, it ensures that your private information becomes unreadable pieces of crude nonsense of any shadowy viewer. I recommend that you always use a VPN while on the go so you don't have to worry about connecting to any public hotspot if you need to.
4. Your online activity
A VPN can save you from having to hide your online activities
Generally, your ISP will slow down and interrupt your internet connection if it detects that you are downloading torrents. Similarly, many ISP providers in the US have been found to be reducing the number of Internet users while streaming videos online. What’s worse, is that some ISPs have cracked down on various services like Netflix and YouTube in addition to Amazon Prime.
This means that internet providers make more money by preferring certain streaming services than others. As a VPN hides your online activities from your ISP, it can ensure that your internet connection is safe from noise when you stream videos online or download files.
5. A good VPN hides itself too
As mentioned earlier, good VPNs can hide their activities. They do this by allowing you to connect to the Internet via easily accessible servers.
In this way, you are hiding the fact that you are using a VPN, which can help you bypass VPN restrictions from your government, ISP, or other institutions such as schools and universities.
Censorship is a growing problem in the world, and in China and other countries in the Middle East, human rights abuses have become increasingly common. Restore your privacy, claim your freedom - use a VPN!
Why do you need a VPN to hide your browsing history from your ISP
You may have deleted your browsing history and deleted your cookies, but your ISP may not have always done so. ISPs detect and process DNS queries that you make every time you access the Internet. This way, they get more information about your online activity and what you are browsing.
As of 2017, US ISPs have the legal right to sell their user browsing history as long as they have not 'disclosed' their personal data. But even those words are too submissive to the definition..
Your personal information should always be yours. By encrypting all data before leaving your device, a VPN can ensure that your browsing history remains hidden even from your ISP.
Things that a VPN won’t hide
Many VPNs claim to be able to protect and hide your information, but can you trust them? Yes, there are a few ways you can check how secure your VPN is. Typically, that includes performing leak tests for DNS, IP, and WebRTC. These tests can give you a better understanding of the areas that your VPN might not have.
That being said, here are things that a VPN won’t hide:
- Cookies already exist. Clear, if you want to increase your privacy!
- Your identity is completely yours, which means it will not make you anonymous.
- It will not hide you from viruses. While some VPNs like Surfshark offer features (CleanWeb) that can save you from malware or phishing scams, VPN will not save you from accessing all infected websites online or downloading malicious applications. Always be careful when searching the web!
All in all, a good, functional VPN should encrypt your data, encrypting your IP address, location, and internet activity. In this way, you can browse the Internet for what it was intended to be - unless your personal information is used for personal gain or for political purposes.
How to choose a VPN?
When choosing a VPN, consider your device needs. User-friendliness, speed, secure encryption, and price are all important things to check out. You want reliable customer service, in case something unusual happens.
Consider using a secure VPN network that provides powerful security and is able to connect other devices to your home. Search for updates online, but beware of sites that promote related websites. You can also talk to your tech-savvy friends and get their understanding of recommended products.
Most importantly, when you buy a VPN, it is best to buy from a software company you trust. So, wherever you are, you can search the internet knowing that your connection is secure.
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