How to Set Up a VPN for Increased Security and Privacy?
The internet has become the need of time, whether you run a business, work for a company, or are a student. Though the internet, if observed statistically, is used for entertainment purposes the most. Browsing social media, business, and other websites is a routine for almost everybody. Everything we do today involves the internet, from shopping to earning and learning.
But, we cannot deny that we are getting more vulnerable by connecting to the internet. Getting fraud or losing your personal information on the internet is very common. Only a single wrong click or unnecessary permission allowed can cost you a fortune.
This is why VPN or Virtual Private Network is used while browsing the internet. With the growing online frauds and cases of data theft, using a VPN while using unknown sites has become necessary.
What is a VPN, and How Does it Work?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an online service that protects users’ identities from unnecessary eyes. Users browse many websites daily without knowing which ones to keep an eye on them. Several harmful websites keep tagging the IP address of their users to steal their private information or hack their systems.
A VPN encrypts the IP address of its users so that it is no longer readable or trackable. It can only be decoded by the company you are using. So if you are very careful with selecting the right VPN service, you can browse the internet without worries.
How to choose the right VPN Service?
Choosing the right VPN service company is very necessary. You trust your VPN company with your IP address, as it encrypts it to be used online. But if the company itself is not trustworthy or steals users’ property, it can lead to disastrous results.
Before choosing a VPN company, make sure it has been used and reviewed by many people. Study the reviews to make sure no case of fraud or data theft is mentioned. Choose a VPN only after complete satisfaction.
Following this, make sure the price you are paying justifies the service. The speed of the VPN needs to be good, and it should offer lots of servers to switch between. Higher speeds allows faster video streaming while more servers increase your privacy.
Setting up a VPN
Using VPN Application
There are multiple ways of setting up a VPN which depend on your needs. In a few cases, you need a full-fledged VPN app to be set up for maximum monitoring. Other times you only need to access the internet quickly and safely. Also, there are differences in steps, whether you are adding a VPN extension firefox or chrome, using a VPN app, or manually adding VPN settings to your device.
Suppose you are looking forward to watching a TV show on your phone on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, or a similar platform. In that case, you should consider downloading a VPN application. The downloading process is simple for Android devices and iPhones. Search for VPN or Free VPN in the Appstore or Play Store and download one with the best ratings. After downloading, the server of the desired city can be connected.
In Android devices, the connection process is direct, while on iPhones, you need to give access to the VPN application. This way, you can increase your privacy and keep your device safe from security threats.
By Adding VPN Browser Extension
If you are only looking for quick internet access to research or go through some sites, downloading a VPN extension is good. Almost all VPN services have browser extensions like VPN extension firefox, chrome, opera, and others. The downloading process is simple, visit your browser’s respective store and download a VPN extension from the top five options. Now, open your extension. The option is usually present beside the search bar. In the extensions tab, open your VPN app and connect to your desired region to be safe while browsing online.
Manually Adding VPN Service Details
For adding a VPN connection to your laptop manually, you need to follow a few steps. The process explained is for desktops or laptops with Windows 10.
Go to Settings, then Network & Internet, and then VPN. Here you need to add a new VPN. A list of details would appear, including the connection name, provider, and VPN type. Fill up these options and click finish. Now you connect to a VPN with a single click from the notification bar in the VPN section.
For MacBooks or iMacs, the process is very similar. Access network preferences and, from there, open Network. Here, you need to add a new VPN and enter the details about your VPN. Next, click on Create, and your VPN is ready to be used. Adding a VPN to your iPhone or Android is also similar.