Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have gone from a fringe tool used by tech-savvy individuals
who read tech tips, to now being a mainstream fundamental in securing our data. However, it's
important to understand why VPNs work, how they may fall short, and how to get the most out
of them.
What is the Technology Behind VPNs?
VPNs work by creating an encrypted tunnel between your device and your server - you're being
re-routed through your VPN server before reaching your desired web page. In this process, your
IP is masked and your traffic is encrypted, making it difficult for your data to be deciphered.
However, VPNs have evolved to be even more advanced, using RAM-only servers that wipes
data upon reboot, as well as using AI to block security threats in real time To better understand
these advancements, exploring tech tips can offer practical insights into how VPNs are
improving online security. Those tips offer helpful resources for staying updated on the best
ways to protect your digital privacy.
Choosing the Right VPN
The priority when choosing a VPN, which should be a deal-breaker if not met, is that the
provider has a strict no-logs policy. In order to believe them, it needs to be verified by external
audits.
To be extra sure, you can close your VPN account every six months, request deletion of your
account and data, and then re-sign up or rotate to another provider (plus you may benefit from
more sign-up promotions). Also, look at precisely what encryption is being used, and consider
AES-256 to be the gold standard.
The RAM-only servers and AI are nice to have, but not wholly necessary for most people.
Instead, focus on other advanced features like multi-hop connections (routing traffic through
multiple servers), and split-tunneling (selecting which apps use the VPN).
Some VPNs offer dedicated IP options, sometimes costing more. These can be useful for
accessing certain services (some sites block traffic from known VPN servers) and providing IP
consistency (non-suspicious) while maintaining privacy.
Optimizing Your VPN Settings
To get the most out of your VPN, consider turning on the kill switch feature, which will cut
internet access should your VPN connection drop or the program crash. This prevents data
leaks and essentially means you can't communicate with the outside world without your VPN
on.
Obfuscated servers may be useful in countries with high levels of censorship, while multi-factor
authentication will ensure your account and log-in credentials are safe.
Finally, ensure your VPN is always up to date. This can sometimes feel like a nuisance, but it's
best to stay on top of it to get the latest security patches.
Use Cases and VPN Quirks
So, what is your VPN for exactly? The primary reason they've become mainstream is because
of the rise in remote work, and employers aren't confident that staff are using secure Wi-Fi.
VPNs, therefore, offer encrypted protection when on unreliable and dangerous public internet.
However, there is a whole other recreational use. Geo-restrictions are common, and VPNs can
help build your case that you're accessing a site from another part of the world. In some cases,
this can even lead to cheaper product prices (famously YouTube Premium was very cheap in
some countries), though there are ethical and legal considerations here. A better example is
accessing a different catalog of content offered by Netflix.
Recently, users of ChatGPT and Perplexity in some European countries are experiencing
“server full” problems, but when connecting to a US or UK server via VPN, this problem goes
away, making it a good way to fight service discrimination.
VPNs can also allow for torrenting on their servers and port forwarding, meaning that P2P file
sharing is better protected.
Integrating VPNs with Other Tools
The power of VPNs can be supercharged when used alongside other tools. For example,
password managers are now offering VPN services, meaning that two security products are in
the same package. VPNs can also be run alongside anti-virus software to ensure holistic
protection.
VPNs alongside firewalls add another layer of protection (some new firewalls are offering built-in
VPNs), as well as using a secure DNS service with the VPN to prevent DNS leaks.
Final Word
As threats evolve into their many forms, it is modern security services like VPNs that are helping
keep us safe with the release of new patches and features. It seems that we are headed
towards more holistic services too, in which other security services offer a VPN to provide
broader, all-in-one protection. We will likely see AI being used for threat detection and this being
implemented into VPNs, as well as services catering more closely to 5G.
