What is a VPN? VPN for dummies

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• Definition of a VPN
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What is a VPN? Definition of a VPN

To secure your browsing regardless of your connection point and medium; computer, tablet or smartphone. A VPN also masks and changes your location (IP address). It prevents the analysis of your personal data.

The use of a VPN offers other applications such as unblocking internet content inaccessible from the country where you are located.

IP (Internet Protocol): In essence, this is the principle of a VPN, your IP address will be replaced by that of the server you go through to browse the internet.

IPsec or Internet Security Protocol is a set of protocols to secure traffic passing through a network. It is often an element of a VPN, it is the one that secures the data.

Internet Key Exchange is a protocol that allows sharing and setting up information via IPsec. IKE will exchange authentication keys through a secure tunnel, it is the one that negotiates the passage.

V2, because it is the second version, it creates and ensures the sharing of information in a dynamic way. IKEv2 is a fairly standard protocol and compatible on all platforms. Stable, it can bypass certain problems related to firewalls.

The OpenVPN protocol is an open source software. It is cross-platform, meaning that it is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, Linus, Android and iOS. It is commonly used to secure connections, it allows, among other things, to release authentication certificates. VPN services include it in all their software in a clear and intuitive interface.

SSTP for Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol, created by Microsoft, is the equivalent used by websites for encryption purposes. Secure, only the two parties involved in the data transmission can decrypt it.

Point to Point Tunneling Protocol, it refers to the principle of end-to-end encryption. It is one of the oldest protocols used, compatible on smartphones, tablets and computers, it is extremely simple to configure.

It is obvious that this technical language may put you off. However, you should know that this is one of the essential elements for the reliability of a VPN. Youshould also check the privacy policy and make sure that the technical support is responsive and able to answer your questions quickly if you have any.

A proxy connects you to a remote server and allows you to hide your IP while browsing, so does a VPN, but the comparison doesn’t go beyond that. A VPN will hide your IP, capture and secure all the Internet activity of the device you are using. Furthermore, the server that serves as your intermediary receives your encrypted data, which is not the case with proxies in general.

It’s hard to compare a web browser to a service. Tor, like Opera, is a web browser. What makes it special is that it gives you access to a series of servers called nodes that are publicly listed (the Tor network).

These nodes have a structure reminiscent of the layers of an onion, or onion routing. Tor is one way to access the Internet in a more discreet way, but the security of personal data is compromised because the nodes are provided by volunteers around the world. The differences between Tor, a proxy and a VPN are numerous.

Yes, a number of security protocols are put in place by virtual private network providers to ensure maximum privacy for users. The providers listed on this page have protections such as DNS leakage, blocking ads and malware. They are also all equipped with a Kill switch or emergency stop which prevents data from being compromised in case of signal interruption with the server.

Your browsing is totally confidential.

This is probably the most frequently asked question. In our opinion as testers and users, NordVPN is the best VPN announced for 2023. Easy to use and completely in English, this provider showsexcellent performance in terms of speed and stability for all possible uses of a virtual private network.

In some cases, a VPN can actually slow down your connection. ExpressVPN is particularly stable and offers very good performance on all types of browsing. It is one of the fastest in the world. A VPN with a built-in ad blocker like NordVPN will also improve speed performance.

Which server to choose?
For simple browsing, choose a location not too far from your geographical position (another European country for example) especially if it is to protect you from a public Wi-Fi.

We have selected VPNs that are compatible with all known media and systems, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, AppleTV, FireTV, game consoles, routers ..

There can be many reasons why your VPN disconnects itself.

• If you are equipped with an antivirus, in some cases, it can affect the stability of your VPN browsing. Indeed, anti-viruses work a lot in the background and are sometimes greedy in bandwidth. Firewalls can also be responsible for these disconnections. To remedy this problem, some antivirus companies like Bitdefender offer packages with VPN.

• It can alsohappen that you have chosen a server that is not very stable, very remote, under maintenance and that your connection suffers severely. Unfortunately, this can happen, but you should also know that if you use a free VPN, this is an inconvenience you will have to deal with from time to time.

• Sometimes it’s your system configuration or the settings you’ve made. A number of paid VPNs have live chat. They are responsive and have a lot ofeducational tools to help you solve your problem. Don’t panic if there is no English speaking person available! Be patient or use very simple words, they are used to it and will help you.

• Or, your internet connection is not working very well. To be sure, test your connection without VPN.

Founded in 2001, Bitdefender is a company specialized in the development of security solutions for individuals and companies. Compatible on all known platforms, Bitdefender is a reliable solution and its long experience in the security field guarantees a safe access to the Internet.

Bitdefender had the good idea to offer an all-in-one package. Indeed, this solution is by far the best, because for a single subscription you get one of the best antivirus programs on the market and a VPN.

It is the VPN service offered by Avast. This company is specialized in the development of antivirus. Very well known and quite appreciated by Internet users, one of the versions of its famous antivirus is available for free. The VPN service, on the other hand, is available for a fee or as part of an ultimate package that covers all the services offered by Avast.

Using a VPN allows you to browse safely and discreetly. It is also worth noting that some torrent sites will soon not be accessible from certain countries.

The VPNs, called without account, are often modules for browsers like those offered for Firefox and Chrome by CyberGhost or Zenmate.

You can also browse with Opera which is a web browser that offers this feature. Please note, however, that you will not have manyconfiguration options and that even if your IP is well masked, the level of encryption is quite low.

To our knowledge, there is no book in the “for dummies” range dealing exclusively with VPN.
However, you will find on VPN Creative all the answers to your questions. Feel free to submit a new one using the form.