What is VPN?
A VPN will create a secure connection between your device’s Norwegian Internet VPN (for example your computer or smartphone) and the internet. When we are online, we all have our own unique IP addresses. You can match this address like a telephone number or home address, but that is for your computer or smartphone: your IP address is a personal identification code for your internet connection. This address will show your location and be tied to the party that pays your internet provider. With an IP address, you can be recognized and tracked while doing anything on the internet. However, it is different if you use VPN. A VPN can not always cover your tracks: there are other methods that can be used to open your online identity. Techniques that use WebRTC leaks and fingerprinting browsers are still able to get data about you. Even so, VPN will protect you very well in most other cases.
As mentioned earlier, VPN is an abreviation of the Virtual Private Network. This private network allows you to send your data through an encrypted and secure connection to an external server. From there, traffic will be sent to the internet. Therefore, the IP address that is visible on the internet will change.
What is VPN Use for?
There are many reasons why people start using VPN. The main reasons are as follows: VPN increases your online privacy, provides more online security, and allows you to browse the internet more freely (because VPN helps you transcend restrictions and online censorship). We will explain exactly what is meant by each of the above reasons.
The VPN way offers online security
VPN offers security because it can encrypt all of your internet traffic, even before it reaches the VPN server, and guides your data traffic through a much safer “VPN tunnel”. This makes it difficult for many parties, such as governments and hackers, to intercept and view your data. This is the reason why you are strongly advised to use VPN when connected to a public (dangerous) Wi-Fi network. But when online at work or at home, this additional security also remains very important. Providers such as NordVPN or VPN Secure offer the best encryption, i.e. AES 256. With this kind of protection, you will not have to worry about anyone trying to collect data about you and use it to attack you.
The VPN way offers online anonymity and privacy
VPN offers you more online anonymity because you will not browse the internet with your IP address public. Your private IP address will be hidden (will be changed to IP VPN server) from all parties after you have connected to the VPN server. Usually, other parties can associate your identity and location based on your IP address. For example, your internet service provider, the sites you visit and many governments in general can see everything you do online. However, when you use VPN, your online activities can only be linked back to the VPN server that you are using and no longer to your personal self. Many VPN providers will not leak or monitor your activities through their servers. Therefore, you can become more anonymous while on the internet because you cannot be recognized or tracked through your IP address.
