Today, most of our time is spent over the internet, and therefore, as an individual or as a professional, online security and privacy are the most important things to consider. Virtual Private Networks or VPN security plays an important role in ensuring our security in the world of the internet. They act as a shield and help to encrypt our internet traffic and also prevent sharing of our location. This ultimately helps to keep us safe and our privacy intact in the vast digital landscape.
But it is interesting to note how VPN works. In this article, let us understand the workings of VPN Networks and see their varied applications.
Encryption and Tunneling
To understand VPNs in a better way, understand that there is a narrow passage that connects your device to the world of the internet. This narrow page or tunnel constitutes an important element of a VPN service connection. So, when a user activates a VPN on their device, all their internet traffic including browsing data, online transactions, etc. is channeled through this encrypted tunnel.
Encryption randomizes data using complex algorithms and thus the encrypted data becomes unreadable to anyone who even intercepts it. Encryption works in a similar way as the ancient secret messages that required the recipients to decipher the code to comprehend and read the message. So, even if the encrypted message is leaked out of the tunnel, the reader has to decrypt it to understand what the information is.
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Different Steps in a VPN process implementation
Here are the different steps involved in a VPN
- Initiating the connection
The device, mobile or computer, is connected to a VPN service via an app on the device.
- Formation of tunnel
The VPN client on the device then establishes a secure connection with the VPN server. VPN server is operated by numerous VPN providers.
- Data Encryption
All your internet traffic gets encrypted using a VPN protocol. VPN protocol refers to the set of rules for scrambling randomizing and unscrambling data. some of the common VPN protocols are OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard.
- Travelling through the tunnel
Then the encrypted data travels through the internet within the secure tunnel, safe and secured from attackers luring the information.
- Reaching the destination
Once the encrypted data reaches the VPN server, data is decrypted and forwarded to the intended destination across the internet.
- Return of information
The response from the destination website or service also follows the same steps as mentioned above (steps 1-5). It is encrypted through the tunnel and decrypted at the user’s end before the information is perceived.
The whole encrypting and tunneling process happens seamlessly in the background within a fraction of a second which enhances the overall browsing experience without compromising the security.
Benefits of using a VPN
There are several advantages of using VPN services that help both individuals as well as organizations stay safe and secure online.
Some of the noted benefits of using a VPN network are:
- Enhanced security
One of the sole purposes of using VPNs is to enhance security and therefore, VPNs are particularly beneficial in using public Wi-Fi networks that can potentially be insecure. So, encryption of data safeguards your data from being hacked by cybercriminals or network operators.
- Increased privacy
VPN security help to mask user’s IP addresses and cloak their online identity and location. This makes it difficult for websites, online services, and hackers to track the activity and build user profiles (also known as cybersecurity fingerprinting).
- Geo-Restrictions Bypass
VPNs also help to connect servers located in different countries. Thus, it helps to access geo-restricted content. For example- streaming services or websites that are blocked in your region. As per a study by Statista, it was found that more than 30% of internet users globally access geo-restricted content regularly. This shows how much the demand for VPNs is.
- Business Security
Businesses use VPN services to create secure remote access for employees. This helps them to connect to the company network from anywhere. This is particularly important in today’s work environment where hybrid work culture is getting quite popular.
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Choosing the right VPN service
If you are looking to use a VPN network to enhance your safety, consider these important points:
- Which encryption protocols the VPN uses for security
- If the VPN services provide a zero-log policy that ensures the service provider doesn’t track or store the user’s online activity.
- See if the service provider offers a range of servers in various locations because it affects the network speed and accessing geo-restricted content.
- Speed and performance
- Cost
Conclusion
VPNs are powerful cybersecurity tools used to enhance security and confidence while browsing the vulnerable world of the internet. With the right VPN, you ensure a safe browsing experience safeguarding your data and privacy. However, VPNs also bring in certain drawbacks that need to be checked. Therefore, you must decide wisely whether using a VPN is right for you and is necessary for your browsing needs or not. However, using a VPN can certainly empower you to navigate the world of the internet with greater confidence and control.
