Unless you have been surfing the web with your eyes shut for the last ten years, you have probably seen various advertising online for a little thing called a VPN service. They are present left and right calling people to use them, telling them they are important, and trying to persuade them to install one to protect themselves on the internet. So what exactly is a VPN and why are they so important? What can they do for you, your IP address, and do you need it?
If all of this sounds interesting but you lack the proper information to understand it, don’t worry. This guide has all you need to understand both VPNs and IPs, how they are linked, and what they mean. Read on to learn more and you will never again be using the web unprotected and be at risk from bad actors taking advantage of you.
What are IP Addresses?
Short for Virtual Private Networks, VPNs act as the first line of defense for your internet use. They safeguard and can change your Internet Protocol (IP) address, a numerical label that every device connected to a computer network has. IPs are your mark when using the online world and interacting with websites and services. Whenever you are on the web it is exposed and pages can tell where you are using the internet from.
An IP has two principal functions. They identify the host and its network interface and provide the location of the host in the network. Therefore, they can establish a path to the host geographically. It sounds scary and that is because it is. Because of this sensitive information, it is important to protect your IP. Sadly, people not only lack the info on how to do it but do not even know that IP addresses exist and what theirs are. This makes them vulnerable as their data is at risk.
When someone knows your Internet Protocol address, they can restrict your access to websites, target you with spam and ads, and even track your online activity. Even worse, they can carry a DDoS attack on you, scam you with phishing, and sell your data on the dark web. To protect yourself against all of this, a VPN apps download is your only hope.
Virtual Private Networks to the Rescue
A VPN service, like Surfshark VPN for example, is a type of cybersecurity solution that allows the users to stay safe online and protect all devices they connect to the web. From Windows and MacOS to Linux and Android, VPNs allow clients to protect their home networks and stay safe while utilizing the internet for their everyday needs. There is a whole slew of features they bring and more than one reason to use one.
First of all, your online privacy will be stronger as VPNs encrypt your connection and mask your IP address. This in turn protects your info and hides your physical location keeping your activities private. Next, they block ads, pop-ups, and trackers, three things that are banned from everyone’s internet activity these days. Forget this intrusiveness and no longer suffer from constantly closing banners and hidden images that try to steal your data and sell you stuff.
The most popular feature of a VPN is its access to networks of servers. In more than 100 countries, thousands of servers are at your disposal which helps you bypass geographical restrictions on some websites. You will never again be refused access to a service just because you live in a certain country. If you’re comparing leading providers, Cybernews offers an in-depth breakdown of ProtonVPN vs NordVPN, helping users evaluate performance, features, and pricing based on their specific needs. If you want to protect yourself in every way possible while online, a VPN is your best chance of doing so.