A virtual private network (VPN) can hide a user's internal protocol address (IP address) and block their location and browser history. This allows them to share and receive information on public internet networks more privately. Even if you use a private browsing mode, your IP address can still be collected. A VPN can offer increased security by helping hide your online identity and encrypt your traffic.
A virtualprivate network (VPN) canhide a user's internalprotocol address (IPaddress) and block their location and browser history,allowing them to share and receive information on public internet networks moreprivately.
Whether you’re searching something online or communicating viasocial media, you’re leaving digital footprints in the form of your browsinghistory, cookies, and cached data.
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP), thegovernment, and other third parties can track what you search, visit, anddownload.
Even if you use a privatebrowsing mode, your IP address canstill be collected.
When you download and enable a VPN prior to browsing, it can offer online privacy and increased securityby hiding your online identity and encrypting your traffic. Hackers andthird parties will only be able to see the IP address of the remote VPN. Thisprevents them from accessing your location, browser history, or the personalinformation you may have sent or received during that browsing session.
Here are the sevenmain things that a VPN hides:
1. Search history
Youcan clear your cookiesand search history from your browser. But chances are your ISP has recorded thewebsites that you’ve visited. VPNs can hide your search history and other browsingactivity, like search terms, links clicked, and websites visited, as well asmasking your IP address.
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Can you truly remove your search history?
No. You’re removingthe file references from your directories, but your operating system won’tsimultaneously erase this data. It only moves the information to a special areaon your Mac or PC’s hard drive.
If you use a VPN eachtime you browse, third parties will only be able to see the IP address of theremote VPN. This disables them from pinpointing your location, ISP and, potentially,other personal information.
2. IP address
Your IP address identifiesyour device on the Internet or a local network. It’s the key data that connectsyou to your location, ISP, and web search history.
IP addresses canshare sensitive information about you that includes your physical location suchas your city, state, ZIP code, and country. It can trace back to your home ISP,which could reveal your name, home address, phone number, and credit cardnumbers.
Instead of sendinginformation directly from your IP address, the VPN server’s IP address isassociated with your activity.
For example, if yourVPN service provider has servers around the world, you could appear to beconnecting to the internet from a different country.
3. Medical diagnosis and health conditions
Medical providersoften operate through private client portals. The HealthInsurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has set standards in the exchange ofprotected health information (PHI). This is the diagnosis, procedures, andcounsel between doctors, clients and medical facilities.
HIPPA requireshealthcare facilities to operate on private networks. These secured portalsencrypt your medical information from outside parties. VPN networks allowmedical professionals and patients to safely access confidential medicalinformation untampered.
4. Travel accommodations
Travel and airlinewebsites associate the information that you’re researching with your IPaddress. When you visit online travel bookingwebsites multiple times to find better deals, a cookie has likelyalready locked into a price.
A cookie is data sent from a user’s computer toa website. They can identify your past travel searches, online profiles, allthe way to your home address. Any action like clicking on a link can trigger an“event.” Marketers use analytics tracking tools to track website traffic anduser behavior. It only takes a short amount of time for advertisers to bombardyou with retargeting ads.
VPNs can blocktracking technologies, allowing you to search travel websites anonymously andavoiding advertisers altogether.
5. Geolocation
We already mentionedthat your IP address can identify yourgeolocation. Browsers and websites use this information to map webtraffic from different cities, states, and countries.
For example, when youuse Google Maps, you must enable your phone to detect your location. Websitesuse the same technology.
One side benefit ofusing a VPN is known as geo-spoofing. This means a VPN “fools” websites andother online services into thinking you’re in one location when you’re reallyin another.
This could provideaccess to geo-restricted services or help save money while doing onlineshopping. But remember to always check your service agreement rules and observegovernment laws and regulations.
6. Personally identifiable material
A VPN can hide youronline identity by masking your IP address. It encrypts your location and the datayou send and receive, helping protect your personal identifiable information(PII). This data can come in the form of your bank information, as well as SocialSecurity and driver's license numbers. If a hacker gains access to your computer,your PII is could be vulnerable via audio files, messages, and passwords.
Even secure websites can become vulnerable tocyber-attacks. Using a VPN network can increase your protection when you goonline, from hackers and cyber thieves.
7. Torrenting
BitTorrents(torrents) are metadata files and folders that are shared and downloadedbetween users on a network. This gives users access to movies, music, and otherforms of media content.
Though torrentingisn't illegal, downloading copyrighted material like movies or songs is aviolation. Since your ISP can track your activity, so can the government. Usinga torrenting service without a VPN can sometimes lead to warning letters oreven hefty finesfrom the government.
Even if performedlegally, torrenting can be dangerous. Downloading unknown files can result inyou downloading malware. These viruses caninfect your computer and corrupt your files. VPNs can prevent online peers fromseeing your IP address, which could help prevent hackers from singling you out.
How to choose a VPN
Whenchoosing a VPN, consider your needs for the device. User-friendliness, speed,secure encryption, and price are all important factors to examine. You alsowant reliable customer service, should anything out of the ordinary occur.
Considerusing a secureVPNnetwork that provides powerful protection and is capable of connecting other devices in your home. Research online reviews, but be careful of sites thatpromote affiliate websites. You can also talk to your tech-savvy friends andget their insight on recommended products.
Mostimportantly, when purchasing a VPN, it’s best to buy from a software companythat you trust. So, no matter where you are, you can search the internetknowing that your connections are safer.
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