With the Internet becoming such an integral part of modern life, setting up virtual private networks (VPNs) both within organizations and for personal use has shot up. So VPN is a virtual network, built on top of existing physical networks, that can provide a secure communications mechanism for data and other information transmitted between two endpoints. To summarise VPN allows the establishment of an encrypted remote connection between two or more computers or nodes or networks.

Broadly there are two types of VPNs 

(a) point to point VPNs

(b) remote access VPNs.

A point-to-point VPN connects one location to another over the Internet; using a VPN concentrator, a firewall, or a router on each end. A remote-access VPNs allows individuals from any internet location to connect to the corporate office and use the resources/information using a PC or laptop computer with a wired, wireless internet with client software using the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the VPN connector at the corporate location. 

Today individual VPN’s allow the individual user to bypass country or area-specific restrictions on internet access and usage enabling freedom of thought and speech as envisaged by the internet World Wide Web founders. Many internet websites and platforms are customized by country and sometimes not available to users from other countries. So imagine if you are travelling abroad and want to access an Indian website which has a SSL license only for India as per google. You will then need to login to a VPN server based out of India which will change your IP address to India and voila you are remotely in India.

The VPN sends you through its own encrypted servers, which hides your activity from your ISP and anyone else who might be watching – including the government, advertisers and nefarious hackers. This also allows you to access restricted sites, stream a wider range of shows, and steer clear of internet network throttling.

For example, if you are in China and possibly your FB or YouTube is banned at your location, you will be definitely able to access them through your VPN. If you`re traveling to the UAE or Beijing,  you can use VPN to access restricted sites and apps you use daily, like Gmail and WhatsApp. And, if you`re on holiday anywhere outside your home country, you can use the best VPN to access the Netflix shows you love, as they may be unavailable overseas.

Now VPNs had little or no security in the early days. Packets of information that are transmitted on VPN are easily seen so the information must be encrypted. VPN help to also secure data against Identity theft - commonly defined as the unwanted appropriation of access credentials that allows creation and access of accounts and that allows the aggressor to pose as the victim especially using internet malware and trojans which are surreptitiously sneaked in. Phishing is another type of identity theft that is perpetrated on the Internet and that typically relies on social engineering to obtain the access credentials of the victim. Similarly, Corporate espionage is possible through hacking.

All this internet browsing requires security and protection for “individual” or you.                       

Which VPN should you choose and why?                                                                               

1. Is there an independent third-party expert recommendation?                                                

2. Is it expensive?

3. Do I get a free trial?                                                                                                                               

4. Do I have a money-back guarantee?                                                                                       

5. Is it difficult or easy to install a VPN?       

One of the more preferred VPN is Surfshark (for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS) with blazing fast speeds (up to 10Gbit servers) which ticks all the above four questions https://surfshark.com/download

An independent third party subject matter expert covering diverse expertise  https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-vpn has rated Surfshank among the top three  but as best value VPN on the market in 2022. 

Surfshank also offers a 7 day free trial with an incredible 30 day Money Back Guarantee. Avail of these offers now  

Still confused on how to use a VPN or why you MUST have a VPN. Installing a VPN is really simple and easy. A step by step approach for dummies is available on https://surfshark.com/blog/how-to-use-a-vpn