Most people use VPNs (or Virtual Private Networks) on their devices as a sure-fire measure towards cyber-security. They are a reliable, efficient, and trusted way to secure confidential data across the internet. The use of them for these and other benefits is significantly increasing. However, many people are still unaware of several fascinating facts about them.
Here are 10 Fascinating Facts You Might Not Know about VPNs
1. VPN providers are privy to your data
Rumors that Virtual Private Network providers keep data to hand over to government agencies is false. Instead, they use it to trace and fix network challenges to enhance their services. It’s only under extreme circumstances, such as security, that they would hand in the logs.
2. A VPN is no different from a firewall
Firewalls act as a sifter that scans data over the internet, protecting your information from viruses. Similarly, VPNs use an encrypted tunnel to safeguard data traveling between servers. This makes it impossible for viruses and other malware from corrupting your data.While firewalls protect data through sifting, VPNs protect the network by encrypting it.
3. A VPN is not a surety to hide your identity
VPNs guarantee 100% anonymity exist. However, not all of them entirely secure your identity. If there’s a need to identify any data source, the provider can do so by your IP address.
4. A VPN-enabled network can be hacked
Whereas VPNs can hide you from a third party preying eyes’, change your IP address and encrypt your data, hackers can still reach you. However, it is much harder to hack a VPN-enabled network than one without one.
5. VPNs can save a few bucks on subscriptions
Streaming services have to access content from other internet websites come at a specific subscription fee. The subscription fee is charged against users’ location. However, when you use a VPN, your IP address may change in your favor. This way, you pay less than you would have paid if you revealed your location.
6. VPNs allow access to blocked content
Some Internet Service Providers-ISP bar users from accessing particular websites. VPNs bypass such restrictions to provide users with full access to all content. Users may also download that content from over the internet effortlessly.
7. VPNs can save you accommodation and flight expenses
Your geo-location determines how much a traveller pays for their flights and hotel services. However, VPNs can help you change your virtual location. To do this successfully, clear your cookies or private mode and avoid using a VPN while accessing services such as PayPal and e-banking.
8. VPNs can give you lightning-fast internet speed
ISPs across the world throttles user’s web traffic leading to slower internet speed than the prescribed one in a particular location. This is a rampant occurrence with high-broadband activities such as streaming HD videos. A strongly secured Virtual Private Network prevents any ISP from stifling any website you may be visiting.
9. 30 countries have banned VPNs
Virtual Private Networks are banned in at least 30countries where stringent laws are in place. This means the government has absolute control over all activities done over the internet.
10. PPPT was developed in the mid-90s
Microsoft is the brain behind the oldest PPPT protocol. It was initially designed for dial-up access. It was also the lowest form of encryption. The most secure, efficient way of safeguarding data from preying onlookers is installing a VPN.
Well, there you have it, 10 fascinating VPN facts you might not have known.
Source: https://vpnetic.com/za/best-vpn/#vpn-facts-and-statistics
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