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Step by Step Guide on How to Set up and Use a VPN

how to setup and use vpn

Whenever you go online, your ISPs and hackers can monitor your activity. They can easily steal your important passwords especially when you are using a public network. So, you need strong apps and systems that provide excellent cybersecurity every time you surf the web. One of the most effective methods of protecting your privacy is to use a VPN.

What Is a VPN?

A VPN is an abbreviation of Virtual Private Network. It is a service that hides your computer’s IP address and replaces it with a one provided by the Virtual Private Network server. So, both your location and IP address remain protected. The fundamentals of cybersecurity include confidentiality and data encryption. VPN guarantees both by preventing others from monitoring your online activity.

Even when the data is visible to a user of the same network, it is in an encrypted form. This makes this data useless for other people.

How Does It Work?

A VPN protects your online activity in the following way:

  1. After connecting to a server, your data directly reaches the server.
  2. In this way, ISPs and hackers are protected from accessing your data
  3. The server converts this data in an encrypted form
  4. After that, your data gets sent back onto the network

So, VPN hides your location by hiding your IP address and making it visible to others in an encrypted form. In this manner, VPN enables you to surf the web anonymously. But using a VPN doesn’t mean that your online activity is completely secure. The extent of security depends upon the server’s own limitations and the limitations implemented by your country’s government.

Some unreliable servers can also engage in malicious behaviors and cyberbullying by tracking your data without your consent. So, it is always recommended to choose a reliable and expensive VPN.

How Can You Choose a VPN?

Choosing the right VPN server is not an easy task. You should consider the following metrics while making a decision:

Number of Devices

A good service should allow up to 4-5 connections at a time.

Fees

It is better to get an expense rather than a free or cheap one. Also, depending upon the features, the prices can vary.

Location

It is always a good idea to know about the location of a Virtual Private Network Server. It can make you aware of the possible restrictions that it may have.

Speed

Some Virtual Private Network servers slow down the networks despite providing great features. So, the speed should be tested before choosing a VPN.

How to Install and Use a VPN?

After you have chosen your server, you can install and set up the VPN in the following steps:

Step 1: Download

  1. Go to your VPN server’s website
  2. Navigate to the Download page
  3. Pay the subscription fee
  4. Download the service

Step 2: Installation

  1. Open the Installation window
  2. Enter your username and password
  3. Agree to the terms and enter ‘Finish’

Step 3: Use

  1. After installation, the VPN will connect you to your closest server
  2. Click on ‘Connect’ and start browsing

Choosing the Right Server

Selecting the right VPN server depends upon your needs. You might be using the best web browsers but some websites just won’t work because of the government restrictions. In such a case, you should choose the server that allows you to surpass such restrictions.

If your preference is to enhance your security, you can choose services like Proton and Nordextra that guarantee end-to-end encryption and even let you access ‘Dark Web’ websites.

If you want improved speeds, you should choose a server closer to your own location.

The Advantages of Using a VPN

A user-friendly and secure VPN can provide the following benefits to its users:

Safety Against Cyber-Attacks

Not using a VPN while surfing is no longer safe. Intruders can monitor your online activity and steal your password easily. So, to avoid being hacked, it is crucial to use a good Virtual Private Network.

Anonymity

VPN makes it harder for hackers and intruders to trace you because of its end-to-end encryption. It also protects them from eavesdropping on your device.

Safety on a Public Network

It is not safe to use a public network. Multiple users sharing the same network can view each other’s data easily if your connection is not encrypted. So, you can use a VPN and guard yourself against unwanted spying.

Prevention Against Random Companies’ Spying

Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter frequently monitor your online activity and collect data from third parties to display personalized ads. The third-party websites can misuse your private data and make it available to the public as well. You can prevent this from happening by using a reliable virtual private network service.

Installing and using a VPN service is pretty easy. You just have to make sure that you select a server that is reliable and secure.

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