What Is A VPN?

A Virtual Private Network or VPN allows you to connect to the internet with secure encryption and also provides the ability to bypass firewalls. When you connect to a server through your VPN provider, your internet connection is tunneled through a remote server located somewhere in the world. As it goes through the server, your computer or device is assigned a new IP address and your data is encrypted which protects it in the case that data is intercepted.

What Makes VPNs Tick?

VPNs encrypt your data while you are connecting through them. They will also assign your computer a new IP address that will be linked with wherever the server is located. If you reside in the United Kingdom but connect to a US based VPN you will have a US based IP. This has the benefit of allowing users to access regionally restricted websites and streaming content.

How Is A VPN Different To A Proxy Server?

A proxy server can provide you with access to most licensed resources but does not work with many programs on your computer. It also requires you to change your web browser settings. A VPN, meanwhile, is a client program, a piece of software that you must first download and then install on your computer and device. You can then run that client each time you want to connect to the internet securely.

What Are The Benefits Of Using A VPN?

A VPN offers several important benefits. You will be able to secure your internet connection even when you are using a public network at a hotspot. This is not normally possible because such networks do not require a password to access and this means that anyone and everyone can share your connection and potentially see what you are doing. You can be completely anonymous while browsing the internet and you can bypass any geographical restrictions or censorship issues that are getting in your way.

Who Needs To Use A VPN?

The short answer to this question is: everyone. Companies and business people use them to protect their vital data from thieves, or for secure communication between offices. Individuals use VPNs to access geographically restricted websites or to protect themselves while using public internet connections. There are so many different reasons to use a VPN that there is almost nobody who could not benefit from one.

Should VPNs Be Used For Personal Or Business Reasons?

You must always evaluate your needs when deciding which VPN works best. VPNs have benefits for both personal and private use, but not all VPNs work equally well for either. Many VPN providers offer different packages based on security needs. There are also some providers who specialize in offering the specific VPNs needed for businesses and organizations.

Why Would I Want To Be Anonymous While I Am Online?

When you use a VPN to secure your internet connection, you ensure that everything you do while online is anonymous and hidden from other people’s view. This can be important for more than one reason. If you live in or are visiting a country with strong regulations or censorship on the internet, you will almost certainly not want anyone else to see what you are doing. If you do not, you may still prefer to protect your identity and ensure that hackers, snoops and thieves cannot access your data or track you down.

Why Do I Need To Bypass Geographical Restrictions?

Many websites restrict their content to particular countries. This means that you will never be able to download content from abroad without a VPN to bypass the restrictions. For example, unless you live in America, you won’t be able to watch television and movies through Hulu. If you live anywhere but the United Kingdom, you are not allowed to watch the BBC iPlayer. Geographical restrictions can be particularly annoying when traveling, because you can suddenly find yourself locked out of your usual websites. You may not be able to shop online or do your banking, for example. In all these cases, you will need to bypass the geographical restrictions before you can browse as you please.

Deciding To Get A VPN

Why Should I Get A VPN Service?

The most important reason to get a VPN is the added protection it can provide. As technology evolves and we become more dependant on our PCs, tablets, and smartphones the chances of data loss or outright theft increases exponentially. The prevalence of Wi-Fi hotspots means that if you connect using a mobile device or via your PC without using a VPN your data could be intercepted by anyone also connected to that hotspot. This also applies to anyone who might be able to access your data over the net. As your connection is routed through your VPN server, it is automatically encrypted, this means that anyone who may gain access to the data won’t be able to make use of it.

How Do I Get A VPN Service?

There are literally hundreds of VPN service providers on offer, each one offering slightly different features. We recommend browsing this website to find advice on how to choose the best one for you and how to know which ones will really deliver the service you are looking for. Once you have selected, you simply need to sign up for the service and then download the client software your provider directs you to.

What Devices And Operating Systems Can I Use A VPN On?

Most VPNs are designed to work on any operating system be it PC, Mac, or mobile based. In order to ensure you get the correct VPN for your needs you should research the provider you’re interested in. Some VPNs are designed to work with specific operating systems, and some VPNs do not work with certain mobile devices without a substantial amount of tweaking. Keep these things in mind when shopping for a provider.

How Do I Know Which VPN To Choose?

Virtual Private Networks come in all shapes and sizes and which one is right for you depends very much on who you are and what you are hoping to do with it. A VPN for someone wishing to bypass the firewalls of an organization or a country will have different requirements to someone looking for a way to stream television while they are abroad, for example. Fortunately, our site is full of information for all sorts of VPN users and can help to point you in the right direction.

Should I Choose A Paid Or Free VPN Provider?

That’s entirely up to you, but we would advise against signing up for a free VPN provider for many different reasons. It might seem like a great deal, but you know what they say: there’s no such thing as a free lunch. In the case of VPNs, that usually means a lack of security or, at the very least, advertisements popping up when you least expect them to. You will experience limited bandwidth, a lack of server choice and many other problems on a free VPN service that you won’t ever face on a paid service. A free VPN service is sometimes not even better than no VPN service at all.

How Much Does A VPN Cost?

Many VPN providers offer packages according to how long you want to sign up for. For example, they may have a standard monthly cost but offer you a discount if you sign up for a full year, as opposed to a few months. Costs vary according to the strength of the provider’s protocols and how robust their company is. It’s always worth comparing prices of a few different providers before making a final decision. You may also find special offers from certain providers to entice you to choose them – these are almost always worth looking at.

Should I Sign Up For A Trial Account?

If a provider is unwilling to offer you a trial period, they may not be as good a choice as they seem. What are they hiding? A trial account will let you test the speed, security and ease of use of a VPN provider’s services. It is an important step in choosing the right VPN for you because everyone is different, has different needs and finds different programs the most intuitive and easy to use.

Will My VPN Monitor My Internet Activity?

VPN providers vary on whether or not they log your activity so you should be sure to research their practices. Most will log when you connect and disconnect but will not log the content of your searches. In the case of most free VPN providers, they will log your data in order to tailor ads to you or sell to a third party for advertising purposes. It should be clearly stated if they plan to do this before you sign up so a bit of research should save you that headache.

Where Can I Get The Fastest VPN?

The speed of your VPN can vary depending on some factors. The primary factor is the location of the server and it’s relative position to you. VPN speed is also dependant on the number of users currently on a particular server at one time, the fewer using that server the better performance you’ll have. The third is the available bandwidth of the plan you’re currently using through your VPN provider.

Does It Matter Where My VPN Provider’s Servers Are Located?

Yes, it does matter. The location of the servers tells you what IP addresses are available to you while using the VPN. If the provider has servers in only one or two places, you have a very limited list of countries through which to connect. Why is this important? Because you may want to be able to use your VPN when traveling or to link to a certain country and access its internet content.

Does Customer Service Matter?

As with any piece of software, no matter how robust, there is always a chance it might go wrong. Even if it doesn’t, you may still run into unexpected snags while installing or using it. A good VPN provider will have a FAQ available in case you need a quick answer to a problem and will have a knowledge base on their website for the same reason. It is also worth making sure that your VPN provider has customer support you are able to use at your pleasure. It is not much use to you if, for example, your provider only accepts service calls through the telephone but is on an entirely different timezone to you and not available when you need them.

Installing A VPN On Your Computer Or Device

How Do I Use The VPN Software On My Computer?

Most VPN providers have created software to make connecting to their VPNs fast and painless. VPN providers specializing in VPNs for mobile platforms also create complimentary apps that can be installed on the device to facilitate easier connections. In the case of devices that aren’t compatible with VPNs, there may be apps that make it easier to connect.

Does It Matter What Username And Password I Use?

As with any subscription service, it doesn’t matter what username and password that you choose. Most providers issue a password during first time setup, but that can usually be changed after signing in to your account for the first time. You will want to ensure that the password you choose is as secure as possible. Some providers might provide a username as well that cannot be changed, so you will want to research that if having a personalized username is important to you.

Can I Install A VPN On Multiple Devices?

To do this, you will need to sign up for a VPN service that allows you to establish multiple connections through your VPN. Some will only allow you to connect through one device, but other VPN providers offer packages in which you can connect your VPN to any device that you own. If you want to be able to use a VPN on your cell phone, tablet, laptop, gaming console and any other device, you will need to choose the latter when you sign up.

Is It Easy To Set Up A VPN?

Almost always, yes. The stronger the protocols that a VPN uses, the more difficult it can be to set up because it will be more complicated. Most VPN providers will give you information about how to set up the VPN once you’ve signed up for it and through this you will be able to see what steps you will need to take. If they look too complicated for your computer know-how, try looking at a different provider.

VPNs And Your IP Address

What IP Address Will I Be Assigned?

When you connect to a VPN you’re assigned an IP by the server you connect to. If you connect to a server in Dallas, Texas your IP will reflect that. If your VPN provider has servers in multiple locations you may have the option to select which server you want to go through, which in turn controls the IP that you are assigned.

Can I Keep The Same IP Address Permanently?

Yes, you can – at least for all the time you are signed up for a particular VPN service. To do so, you will need to sign up for a VPN provider who offers static IP addresses. You will be assigned an IP address and will keep it for all the time you are using that VPN provider.

Can I Have A Different IP Address Every Time I Log On?

Yes, you can have a different IP address every single time you connect to the internet if that is your preference. You will need to sign up to a VPN provider that offers dynamic IP addresses to achieve this. A dynamic IP address is one that is assigned to you at random when you log on and will be different each time.

What Is The Difference Between Static And Dynamic IP Addresses?

Dynamic IP addresses are randomly assigned and change each time you log in, while static IP addresses will not change. Once you are assigned a static IP address that will always be your IP address. Dynamic IP addresses will provide greater security, but may end up costing more depending on what your VPN provider offers.

Do I Need A Static Or A Dynamic IP Address?

That depends on your preferences. You will find a static IP address more stable when it comes to using online streaming services and setting up servers or gaming servers. A dynamic IP address is more secure and difficult to trace and has the advantage of allowing you to choose between different countries, depending on the websites you are looking to connect to.

Using A VPN

What Websites Can I Visit With A VPN?

Using a VPN won’t restrict which websites you can visit, and in fact will enable even greater freedom while on the web. VPNs are useful in that they allow you to view regionally restricted websites. For example, if you normally reside in the UK but are on vacation in the US but still want to catch the latest football match featuring your favorite team using a VPN would enable you to watch the local coverage.

Do I Always Need To Use A VPN When I Go Online?

You don’t always have to use a VPN when you go online, but a VPN stabilizes your connection while also protecting your data by encrypting it. There is no downside to using a VPN while online, but there are many upsides. We would always recommend using a VPN when you go online using a public, unprotected network as this is when you are at the greatest risk of experiencing hacking or data theft. While you are at home or at the office, you may want to still use your VPN as a matter of course to maintain your anonymity and keep your access to websites unlimited.

Will I Be Able To Bypass Firewalls?

Even the most basic encryption protocol that VPNs could have will naturally bypass most firewalls. For particular cases, you may need a stronger VPN protocol. To ensure you will be able to access the sites you need to, you will want to research the available VPN providers to see which protocols they use.

Will Using A VPN Slow My Internet Connection Down?

Using a VPN can actually speed your connection up, this is done by centralizing your connection and limiting bandwidth fluctuations. The only limit that may occur is dependant on whether your VPN provider uses bandwidth restrictions.

What Makes Some VPN Servers Faster Than Others?

While exact VPN server performance cannot be one hundred percent anticipated there are some factors that influence it. The greatest factor in determining server performance is how many users are presently using that particular VPN server at one time. It is also dictated by the amount of available slots on a VPN server. The more expensive plans may offer more slots for availability which will in turn increase the speed no matter the number of users. This can also potentially be affected by the time frame in which the VPN is being used. If you’re using your VPN during non-peak times you should have better speeds.

What are VPN Protocols?

VPN protocols are the “rules” or procedures that your VPN will use to encrypt your data. The common protocols are SSL, OpenVPN, SSTP, L2TP and PPTP. While the basic protocols provide solid security, you may prefer to use more stringent protocols and depending on your needs they will change. Keep in mind that not all VPN protocols work on all operating systems so you will want to ensure that you choose the appropriate protocol for the device you plan to use it on.

Which VPN Protocol Should I Choose?

Your choice of VPN protocol will depend on the level of security you need and the devices you want to use it with. In general, the stronger the protocol, the more difficult it is to install on a standard internet enabled device. However, it will protect you better and be more able to bypass restrictions. If you are not sure, you might want to choose a VPN provider that offers a range of different protocols and allows you to swap between them. That way, you can change your mind as your needs change.

Is The Bandwidth I Use Limited?

Bandwidth usage will typically depend on your chosen VPN provider, and the plan you subscribe to. If you are using a free plan, your bandwidth could be extremely limited while unlimited bandwidth might cost you more. Some VPN providers don’t limit their bandwidth at all so you will want to look into the providers to see what each specifically offers.

What Can Others See While I’m Using My VPN?

While you are connected to a VPN you have a tremendous amount of personal security. If someone were to attempt tracing your signal back to the source it would only reach as far as the VPN server location and no further. Additionally, the data you are transmitting will be unreadable. For example if you are in the UK using a United States based VPN and someone attempted to trace back to you, they would only get as far as the server located in the US. This will enable you to access regionally restricted content such as video streaming.

How Do I Use My VPN To Bypass Geographical Restrictions?

Your VPN is automatically capable of bypassing geographical restrictions, but there is one thing that you will need to bear in mind. To access content from a particular country, you will need to be connected to a server from that country. Most VPN providers have servers all over the world in many different countries, so this is not a huge problem. However, if you have chosen to sign up for a static IP VPN service, you will be limited to a server in one country and will only be able to bypass geographical restrictions in that country. A dynamic IP address is a much better choice for this purpose.

Troubleshooting Your VPN

Why Does My VPN Keep Disconnecting?

It is possible for your VPN to automatically disconnect after it detects idle status. It is also possible for you to suffer connectivity issues if there are too many users on the server you are also using. If you keep seeing a problem, report it to your provider, but VPN disconnects are usually temporary.

Why Won’t My VPN Connect?

If your connection attempt is rejected, this might be for several reasons. You can use the ping command to make sure that the host name or the IP address of your VPN’s servers is currently available and check that the host name matches the IP address. If the ping doesn’t work, the problem might be packet filtering.

Why Can’t I Connect To Any Websites?

Make sure that you have enabled your VPN for the entire network if you have more than one computer or device running on it. This is the usual reason for your VPN not allowing you to connect to any websites even though it appears to be working or is working on other devices.

What Do I Do If I Can’t Make It Work?

A good customer service approach is important when using a VPN because it can be tricky to make it work with certain operating systems or devices. If you can’t get your VPN to work and you don’t know what the problem is, first search your provider’s knowledge base for ideas. If nothing turns up, you can approach their customer service team for more assistance. This should be part of the package – if it is not, we don’t suggest that you sign up for the service.