What is a vpn?
If you are new to computer networking or internet privacy tools then you are probably asking the question of what is a vpn and how will this be useful to me? Well to answer your question in the simplest form, a virtual private network or vpn for short, is a virtual implementation of a physical computer network. The vpn is also able to communicate with the outside world via the internet. The ability to communicate with the internet is what most makes a vpn appealing for individual users who don't want to create a network of computers but rather to browse the internet.
After reading that description of what a vpn is, you may be asking yourself another question. Why would I need a vpn to browse the internet when my computer already has accessed to the internet? Well the answer to this important question is privacy! Yes it is still possible to browse the internet without being monitored by your isp or some unknown hacker who might be monitoring your usage. A vpn communicates with the internet through the use of data encryption. All the data that is passed through the vpn and to the internet is encrypted using various security level algorithms. So all your online activity will be encrypted while you are connected to the vpn. A vpn also has many other perks which most users will find more useful than just having privacy online. A vpn connection is made of a host server and client computers. When a client connects to the vpn server, the client will attain the same ip address as the host server. This feature makes it possible for users in countries where viewing certain content is not prohibited due to their geographic location. So if you have ever been a youtube or some other video website and was unable to view a particular video because it was not available to users in your location, then a vpn is the right solution for you. If you have ever been banned for a website for some reason then a new ip address will solve this issue in most instances and therefore a vpn is suitable.
If you use wi-fi connections in public places then your privacy online is even further compromised as these networks are unsecured and you run a greater risk of having sensitive information being monitored. Using a vpn connection in those instances will be desirable.
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The diagram above shows the difference between a vpn connection to the internet and anon-vpn connection.Vpn connection protocols
When you are ready to secure your internet browsing with a vpn, there are a few variable that you should consider. Chief among them is the network protocol used by the vpn. The type of protocol used will help to determine the layer of security provided by the vpn connection. The most popular protocols used are :
1. Point-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) - This is the worst protocol in terms of security but it is widely supported by various operating systems.
2. Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) and Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) - These provide more security than PPTP and are also widely supported.
3. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) -This is more secure than the first two protocols and is often used in your browser by websites such as banking and other sensitive industries in order to secure your connection to their web server.
4. Openvpn - This is an open-source project which uses the SSL protocol to implement a vpn connection which is more secure and stable than the first two protocols. Openvpn is a favorite protocol of many person because it can be customized and tweaked to maximize security and connection stability. You can get further information about openvpn here: http://openvpn.net/index.php/open-source/333-what-is-openvpn.html
Free Openvpn
There are many vpn service providers available online, but most come at a cost which is usually charge on a monthly basics. There are some that provide free trials which are limited by speed and the bandwidth you can use. PD-proxy is one such provider. These limited vpn services usually provide users who don't want to send on a premium service much headache. To help users to get a full vpn experience, I have created a vpn network which is hosted a server that is based in the United States. All users are welcomed to use this vpn and can download the openvpn software and configuration files here: FreeVpn
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Download Link
Download Free vpn software pack below. Pack includes CyberGhost 5 full version, Hotspot Shield elite, Tunnel guru, PD-Proxy and Hide Ninja Pro.
