What Is VPN Over Metered Networks?
Most people are aware of what a VPN is and how it works. However, there are still some questions about VPNs from a layman’s point of view that deserve an answer. For example, what is VPN over metered networks?
In most cases, VPNs are used to provide online security for users. They allow the establishment of a secure tunnel to the desired destination, which prevents others from eavesdropping or tampering with the transmitted data. With a VPN, an individual can browse the Web privately and securely, even if they are on public Wi-Fi. Likewise, businesses can also use VPNs to create a secure connection to their servers, so that their sensitive data is not accessible to hackers or other cybercriminals.
However, VPNs have a dark side. Some companies, such as BT, have a policy against VPNs, and throttle or ban them at their pleasure. Other companies, like PureVPN, have a free plan but then automatically start charging once a user goes over a certain data limit. Still others, like Tunnelbear, only allow a certain number of VPN connections per day, and then charge you for each extra one.
Why Would You Use VPNs Over Metered Networks?
There are a number of situations where you would want to use VPNs over metered networks. Let’s take a look at some of them.
First, you may want to use a VPN to access certain websites that are blocked in your country. So, for example, if you’re in New York and you try to access www.bbc.co.uk, you’ll see a message that indicates the site is blocked in your area. (More information about the situation in New York and the other 49 states can be found here.)
To unblock the site, you will need to connect to a VPN server that is based in the UK and offers what is called ‘unlimited bandwidth’. This will allow you to access any site you want, even if it is blocked in your area. You may want to consider using a UK-based VPN to unblock sites in other countries as well, since many providers offer this feature.
Second, you may want to use a VPN to access your university’s or school’s network, which is often restricted by location. For example, if you’re a student at NYU and you want to access your University library’s Wi-Fi, you’ll have to do it from a VPN. The same goes for any other US-based school or university. The same situation exists for people who want to access their European university’s Wi-Fi network, as many university networks are based in Europe.
In these cases, you may want to use a VPN that is specifically designed for educational use, or a VPN that has an option to disable logging. The former will prevent the university or school from tracing your activity, while the latter will stop the company from keeping a record of your activities (and selling it to 3rd parties).
Is It Worth It To Use A VPN Over Metered Networks?
This is a question that you need to ask yourself. Is a VPN over metered networks worth it? What are you trying to achieve? Are you using VPNs for privacy purposes, or do you just want to be able to access certain websites or online services?
Some people argue that it is not beneficial to use a VPN if your only goal is to securely access certain websites or services, since you will still be revealing your IP address to the websites and services that you want to visit. If this is the case, than it is best not to use a VPN at all, since it will keep you from securely accessing the sites that you want to visit.
On the other hand, if you want to remain anonymous while you’re online, than a VPN is the best choice. You can use a VPN to hide your IP address and the websites that you visit will not be able to identify you. This is the primary purpose of most VPNs. (More information about the differences between VPNs and proxy servers can be found here.)
The Ultimate Guide To VPNs
Now that you know what a VPN is and the advantages that it offers, it’s time to figure out which one to use. You can start by reading our in-depth review of the best VPN providers, or you can follow our step-by-step guide to finding the right VPN for your needs. We’ve compiled a list of everything that you need to know and have in mind before making a decision:
- Features
- Security
- Speed
- Price
- Bandwidth
- Logging
- Location
- Kill Switch
- Encryption
- Support
The Most Important Characteristics Of A VPN
No matter which type of VPN you decide to purchase, you will need to have the inbound and outbound connections configured properly. Otherwise, you will not be able to use the service. These are the characteristics that you need to focus on:
- Inbound Connection
- Outbound Connection
The inbound connection is how you connect to the VPN server. The outbound connection is how the VPN server connects to the rest of the Internet. If you are using a dial-up connection, it will be relatively easy for you to establish the inbound connection. Just connect your device to the modem and follow the on-screen instructions. If you’re using a DSL connection, you will need to set up a static IP address beforehand.
The outbound connection is more critical, and this is where you’ll want to put a lot of focus, particularly if you’re using public Wi-Fi. If you don’t know how to configure your device to make the outbound connection, you’ll need to look into this first. A quick tutorial on how to connect to a VPN over a wired connection can be found here, and a similar guide for a wireless connection can be found here.
Wireless Vs. Wired Connections
There is one more thing that you need to know about VPNs, and this is the preference that you have for wireless connections or wired connections. The former is widely available and can be accessed anywhere, but it has one big disadvantage. You will need to constantly move around to avoid connectivity issues, which is very tiresome and inconvenient. On the other hand, wired connections are much more stable and do not suffer from the intermittent connection issues that you experience with wireless networks. This is why it’s preferable to use wired connections whenever possible.
If you’re looking for a dedicated place to connect to the Internet, then you should consider buying a router that supports VPN connections. This way, you can establish a safe and secured connection over a wired connection, no matter where you are. (More information about these VPN-capable routers can be found here.)
In summary, if you’re looking for an easy way to securely access the websites that you want, a VPN is the best choice. If you’re not sure which one to choose, go with the one that you feel more comfortable with. That is, if you prefer to be anonymous, choose an outfit that offers that option, or vice versa.