If you use the internet a lot, you’ll have probably already heard of VPNs. Over a short period, VPNs have gone from being thought of as obscure programs to extremely useful tools that can give anyone the freedom to surf the web with complete freedom and security and without a need for any sort of extensive technical expertise.
Do you want to know in more detail what exactly a VPN is and how you could use one? Well keep reading, let’s look at what VPNs are and why you should start using one from today.
What is a VPN?
Normally, when we access a webpage from a PC or mobile phone, our device sends various instructions through the router, seeking access to the webpage in question. These instructions head to the Internet Service Provider, which then carries them out before sending the result (the webpage) back to our device. What happens if we add an intermediary between both steps? This is when the VPN, otherwise known as your very own Virtual Private Network, comes into play.
What virtual private networks do is add one more step to your connection, acting as a tunnel between all the orders you send to your router or modem and your browser. This intermediate step made by the VPN encrypts all of your information, making it much safer.
In this way, using a VPN prevents anybody altering the data you send and receive, ensuring a more reliable and intrusive-proof connection.
Another great advantage of your VPN is that it can simulate a connection in different countries around the world. For example, imagine you are in Spain and that you are connecting to a VPN with a server in the United States: this means all the websites you visit will think you’re in the United States.
Using a VPN is as simple as downloading it and installing it on your PC or phone. Once done, you simply register and connect. From then on, it’ll encrypt everything you do on the internet.
Why do I need a VPN?
Encrypted data and connection from different countries are both very good, but how do these advantages translate into everyday use? Here we bring you four very practical uses for VPN networks:
1. Stay safe on public networks
Cafes, hotels, libraries, study centers … Today there are many places where you can surf freely, and without having to enter personal information. That’s great, but it also opens the door to cyber-attacks and threats. On public networks using a VPN is essential.
In public places, the VPN will act as an extra layer of security to avoid hackers accessing your data. Obviously, you should continue to maintain certain security measures when you access the internet via open networks, but adding a VPN will give your security a big boost.
2. Working remotely
If you have a profession that allows you to work from home (or from anywhere else for that matter), installing a VPN is a very good idea. Although you can access the different company services and servers as is, adding a VPN to the process is a good way to secure everything you do. With a VPN you will avoid sensitive company data being compromised or delicate transactions being altered or affected.
3. Online shopping and banking
If you regularly buy things online or make online banking transactions, activating a VPN is a great idea. All these processes move very sensitive data, such as account numbers or other personal information. A VPN minimizes the risk that a hacker could hijack that data.
Another added value of using a VPN when shopping online is being able to browse stores that are not from your country. Maybe you’ll find the item you’re looking for at a lower price.
4. Workaround geo-location restrictions
Using a VPN allows you to visit websites restricted in your country. In some countries, especially in China, censorship is commonplace. So, with a VPN, you can visit censored websites without limitations.
Also, thanks to your VPN you can take advantage of services and content that might only be available in certain parts of the world. For example, the European Netflix or HBO libraries are different from the American libraries. Using a VPN with an IP from different countries gives you access to previously unavailable content.
Where to download a reliable VPN
There are a lot of different VPNs, available for free or with more premium features that come at a cost. Our recommendation is Panda VPN, which was recently launched by renowned antivirus developer Panda.
Using Panda VPN is very simple: you just have to install it through the link below and follow the instructions. Create a Panda account (if you don’t already have one), access it, activate your VPN and enjoy all the advantages of navigating without limits and with an added level of security.
The free version, Panda VPN FREE, offers you access from one device, 150 MB daily transfer and a single default location.
If you want access to a more extensive VPN offering, you should try Panda VPN Premium. Panda VPN Premium allows you to access the web from many different locations, has unlimited data transfer, and can be used on up to five different devices.
Furthermore, Panda VPN Pro also includes an antivirus that comes with the Panda guarantee.
If you’re experiencing errors or a stubborn installation of avast!, try using the avast! Uninstall Utility. Simply select the avast! product you wish to remove. Click ‘uninstall’ and confirm you want to remove the program. If you’re getting an error message saying that the ‘self-defense module’ is preventing uninstallation, launch avast! and head over to the settings. Go to the ‘Troubleshooting’ tab and uncheck the box that says, “Enable avast! self-defense module.”
