What is a VPN?
A virtual private network, or VPN, extends across a public or shared network, and acts like a tunnel so you can exchange data securely and anonymously across the internet as if you were connected directly to a private network.
VPN explained
Information traveling between a connected device (computer, smartphone, tablet) and a VPN server is encrypted, and as a result, any applications running on the VPN network benefit from the security, functionality, and strength of the private network.
What many people don’t know is your home Wi-Fi network can be just as unsafe as a Public Wi-Fi network. Additional layers of security are needed to keep hackers, cyber criminals, and data thieves at bay. A VPN provides the privacy and data security you need.
A top-tier VPN service, like Hotspot Shield VPN, has the following advantages:
- Helps you avoid censorship blocks
- Masks your IP address
- Hides your physical location
- Encrypts data between your computer and the VPN server
- Does not log your browsing activity
- Allows you to access popular streaming services like Netflix and YouTube from other countries
Hotspot Shield VPN is “a top choice for encrypting your Wi-Fi connection.” - PCWorld
Start enjoying these benefits in just a few clicks. Download Hotspot Shield VPN and give it a try for free.
How does a VPN work?
When you are at home, at a coffee shop, or while traveling, and connected to ISP without VPN you are connected to a public or shared network through your Internet Service Provider.
This means that any information you send through the public network is just that: public. Since an ISP can see what information you’re accessing, they can control the content you have access to by blocking and censoring websites.
Virtually anyone with the tools and know-how, including governments and businesses, can see what you’re doing, track when you do it, and where you do it from.
What’s worse is hackers and cybercriminals can steal your personal information — such as credit cards, bank account numbers, passwords, and other personal data you don’t want out in the open — to commit fraud.
How does a VPN protect me?
Hides your IP address and physical location
You borrow the IP address and physical location of the VPN server and do not expose your personal information. In addition, many people use the same server simultaneously, so it’s much harder to separate your data from the data of others on the same server.
No logging
Hotspot Shield VPN does not log your browsing activity. Almost all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) track your browsing history. So when you use a VPN like Hotspot Shield, there is no record of the websites you have visited and which apps you use. This prevents hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities in these websites/apps to get to your personal information.
Data encryption
Your data is encrypted between your device and the VPN server. Even if a hacker is able to intercept your data between your device and the VPN server, it’s virtually impossible for them to decipher the information.
Kill Switch protection
Insist on a VPN that has Kill Switch protection. There is a security vulnerability that can reveal your private information if your VPN connection is lost, even just for a few seconds. The solution is to be sure that you’re protected by a Kill Switch. A Kill Switch stops all data from being sent to the internet until a secure VPN connection has been re-established. If your VPN software does not have a Kill Switch, your computer might be leaking your private information without your knowledge.
Is it legal to use a VPN?
It’s perfectly legal to use a VPN in most countries. However, there are a handful of countries where VPN use is a legal gray area or banned altogether. Some countries only allow the use of approved VPNs and others have separate laws for companies and individuals.
Be particularly careful when traveling to the following countries:
- China
- Iran
- Oman
- Russia
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- Belarus
- Iraq
- North Korea
- Turkmenistan
Hotspot Shield VPN works in most countries, but that doesn’t mean it’s always legal to use a VPN in a specific country. If you have any doubts about the legality of using a VPN in a certain country, always consult a qualified lawyer because laws can change quickly. If you’re still unsure, then it’s best to play it safe and abide by the most conservative guidelines of a country.
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