What Happens When You Connect to a VPN?
When you connect to a VPN, your data is no longer being transmitted in the clear. Instead, it’s encrypted and secure. This is what makes it possible for you to have a private and secure connection to a server while traveling or at work.
Encryption involves scrambling data (bits) so they can’t be read by anyone else. Once encrypted, the data is secure and unreadable. Decryption is the opposite; it’s the process of unscrambling scrambled data (bits) so they can be read by anyone in their right mind.
Whether you need a VPN for work or play, there are numerous benefits to connecting to one. Keep reading for more insight into what exactly happens when you connect to a VPN.
Your Data Is No Longer Searchable
If you’re using public Wi-Fi while traveling or at work, there’s always the risk that someone could hack into your connection and search for whatever they want. When you’re connected to a VPN, this is no longer a concern. Your data is scrambled, so if someone wants to search for something, it won’t make any sense. Even if they find the information they’re looking for, it won’t make any sense to them. As if having their own personal Google weren’t enough, they’ll now have access to all of your personal data as well.
This also means that if you’re connected to a VPN and you want to search for something, the results won’t be the same as if you’re not. For example, if you search for “best VPN” while connected to a VPN, you’ll have a much better chance of finding useful results. If you search for the same while not connected to a VPN (the default setting), the results will probably be filled with spam articles.
Increased Performance
When you’re connected to a VPN, your device will have direct access to the resources (like the Internet) located on the server. This makes it much faster to access the various websites and services you might want to use. Essentially, it’s like having a personal Internet connection available at all times.
When you perform a quick speed test while connected to a VPN, you’ll most likely find that it’s much faster than not being connected to one. The download speeds will be significantly increased and it will load websites much quicker. This increased performance means you can potentially access much more data and quickly get to the point where you want to be. Ultimately, it’s all about having fun and being happy with what you have. Keep in mind that your Internet connection will still be shared with other users, so make sure you’re on a Wi-Fi network where this isn’t a problem. Otherwise, your connection could be slow or even unusable.
A Safer And More Secured Connection
If you work in a place where Wi-Fi is insecure (like coffee shops or airports) or if you use public Wi-Fi while traveling (because security at your office is less stringent), connecting to a VPN is a must. This is especially important if you use public Wi-Fi at airports, as you’ll be giving your personal data to anyone who wants it. This is why it’s crucial to use a VPN when traveling or at work – to keep your personal data more secure. You don’t have to use a VPN when at home or on a private Wi-Fi network because the data is already encrypted and scrambled when it leaves your device.
On the flip side, if you use a VPN and your security settings are set high enough, anyone who wants to hack into your device will have a very hard time doing so. As long as you don’t log in to your account every few days, it’ll be difficult for them to determine your frequent login details. In this way, connecting to a VPN is similar to using a personal assistant app or security keyfob on your phone; it’s another layer of protection that makes it harder for others to get access to your data. If you’re worried about someone trying to access your data, you can set up a parental control account on your Google Play Store or Apple App Store account and limit the usage of certain apps or games.
Private And Secure Connection To A Server
When you connect to a VPN, you’re establishing a direct connection with a server. This means that there’s no intermediary device (like your smartphone or tablet) in between. When you make a connection to a remote server, it will be private and secure. This privacy and security extend to the content you’re transmitting (like browsing history, emails, etc.) as well as the metadata associated with this content (like the address, time, and date).
Some VPN services will give you a little icon to show on your device’s home screen or in your device’s notification area (similar to how you would see a Wi-Fi signal or a cellular signal). When you see this icon, it means your device is connected to a VPN and is able to make private and secure connections to a server. Keep in mind that this icon is only visible while you’re connected to a VPN and it vanishes the moment you disconnect. For this reason, make sure you have your VPN app open when you need it and closed when you don’t.
More Freedom To Access Websites And Services
With more and more content and services becoming available via mobile apps, it’s important to have a way to access these resources while abroad. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, you’ll most likely have access to services and websites you’re not allowed to see back home. There’s also the added bonus of being able to access content and services you’re unable to access otherwise (like Netflix or BBC iPlayer).
To keep your personal data secure while traveling, make sure you only give out the details necessary to the site you’re connecting to. For example, if you’re using a booking website to make an online reservation at a hotel, only give out the hotel’s name and booking confirmation number. This way, if there’s ever an issue with your reservation, the hotel will be able to issue a new one without worrying about whether or not you’re still traveling.
Improved Privacy
Data collection is a huge issue these days, particularly on the Internet. While we’re always encouraged to share as much information as possible, this is often done without our consent. You may be familiar with data miners, which are companies that collect huge amounts of information in the name of useful data.
A VPN can help improve your privacy. If you’re worried about people collecting your data (maybe you’ve seen an ad on a website you’ve been to?), you can set up a VPN so that all of your Internet traffic is scrambled (like sending a secret message to a friend). In this way, you’re less likely to be tracked online because your data is no longer accessible to third parties (like data miners).
If you need a break from constantly worrying about privacy, you can use a VPN to temporarily turn off all tracking and data collection. In doing so, you’ll also be protecting all of the content and metadata associated with your Internet activity. This is typically done by setting up a quick VPN router on your hardware (like a Pi or Linux-powered router) and making sure all of your devices (like mobile phones and tablets) are configured to connect to the VPN. The moment you turn on the VPN, your Internet activity (including your web browsing history, emails, etc.) will be secured and private again. This is how simple it is to set up a VPN router – you just need to follow the instructions and your VPN will be up and running in no time.
Energy Efficient
When you connect to a VPN, you’re essentially using the Internet via a slower, more energy-efficient connection. Due to this slower speed, you’ll most likely notice that your device uses less energy. This is particularly noticeable on mobile devices where power consumption is greatly increased when compared to when an Internet connection isn’t active (like when you’re browsing the web or using apps).
To get the most out of your Internet connection, you need to use it as much as possible. When you’re not using your Internet connection, it’ll continue to consume energy even when it’s not active (like in standby mode). As such, using a VPN can help reduce your energy consumption. This means you’ll save money on your electric bill and be more eco-friendly at the same time.