VPN stands for “virtual private network” – a service that protects your internet connection and privacy online. It creates an encrypted tunnel for your data, protects your online identity by hiding your IP address, and allows you to use public Wi-Fi hotspots safely.
Why do you need a VPN?
No one likes to be watched or tracked – even if they have nothing to hide. That’s why it’s important you step up your privacy game. When you’re browsing through a VPN, your traffic is encrypted so no one can see what you do online. Here are a few more reasons why you need a VPN:
You use public Wi-Fi regularly VPN is used to secure your connection on public Wi-Fi, so you can browse in full privacy. Hackers have many methods to steal your data on public hotspots, but with a VPN your online traffic is invisible to them.
You want to access your content One of the most popular things a VPN is used for is accessing content. If you want to access your content from anywhere in the world, a VPN can help. Travel with NordVPN on your device and never miss a friend’s post on social media.
You want to stay safe online Government agencies, marketers, internet service providers would all love to track and collect your browsing history, messages, and other private data. Best way to hide it? Using a VPN to encrypt your traffic, hide your IP and cover your tracks online. Use it at home, at work, and on the go to enjoy non-stop protection.
You’re an avid gamer People who like gaming online unfortunately have to deal with DDoS attacks and bandwidth throttling as well. Luckily, you can forget about all of these problems with NordVPN. If you’re serious about gaming and want to enjoy a stable and safe connection, you should use a VPN.
What does a VPN do?
Typically, when you try to access a website, your ISP (Internet Service Provider) receives the request and redirects you to your destination. But when you connect to a VPN, it redirects your internet traffic through a VPN server first, before sending it over to your destination. Here’s what happens when you connect to a VPN:
VPN changes your IP & masks your location - People working in countries with limited freedom of speech rely on private internet connection for their work. Sometimes, their lives might depend on it. Someone who lives under an authoritarian regime should use a VPN to hide their IP address and ensure extra security for their sensitive
VPN encrypts your data - Using a VPN is a good idea even when browsing from your home. VPN encryption is important when you want to protect your internet traffic and minimize your online footprint. This way, your internet service provider won’t be able to sell your entire browsing history to the highest bidder.
Protects your devices - NordVPN’s special CyberSec feature will make sure you don’t accidentally land on a malicious website. It will also block malware, trackers, and ads before they can harm your device. Turn it on, and it will guard your device 24/7 – even when you’re not connected to a VPN server.
How does a VPN work?
There are many different VPN types, but we’ll focus on consumer VPN here – that’s the one NordVPN offers. When you download client-based VPN software to your device, it does most of the work for you — you only need to log in and connect.
However, it's helpful to know how a VPN works to understand the service better. Here’s what’s going on behind the scenes:
When you connect to a virtual private network service, it authenticates your client with a VPN server.
The server then applies an encryption protocol to all the data you send and receive.
The VPN service creates an encrypted “tunnel” over the internet. This secures the data traveling between you and your destination.
To ensure each data packet stays secure, a VPN wraps it in an outer packet, which is then encrypted through encapsulation. This is the core element of the VPN tunnel, keeping the data safe during transfer.
When the data arrives at the server, the outer packet is removed through a decryption process.
How does VPN tunneling work?
The VPN tunnel is created by first authenticating your client — a computer, smartphone, or tablet — with a VPN server. The server then uses one of several encryption protocols to make sure that no one can monitor the information traveling between you and your online destination.
Here you should remember that before being sent and received over the internet, any data needs to first be split into packets. To ensure each data packet stays secure, a VPN service wraps it in an outer packet, which is then encrypted through a process called encapsulation.
This exterior packet keeps the data secure during the transfer, and it is the core element of the VPN tunnel. When the data arrives at the VPN server, the outer packet is removed to access the data within, which requires a decryption process.
How do VPN servers operate?
After the VPN tunnel is established, your device sends out encrypted information (like the website you want to visit) to the VPN server. It decrypts it and forwards the information to the designated web server. It also hides your real IP address before sending the data out. Instead, you will appear to have the IP address of the VPN server you’re connected to.
When the web server responds, the VPN server encrypts the data and sends it to you through your ISP. Your VPN client will decrypt the data once it reaches your device.
How do VPN servers operate?
After the VPN tunnel is established, your device sends out encrypted information (like the website you want to visit) to the VPN server. It decrypts it and forwards the information to the designated web server. It also hides your real IP address before sending the data out. Instead, you will appear to have the IP address of the VPN server you’re connected to.
When the web server responds, the VPN server encrypts the data and sends it to you through your ISP. Your VPN client will decrypt the data once it reaches your device.
Types of VPN's
All VPN types can be divided into two main categories.
Remote access VPN - A remote-access VPN allows users to connect to a remote network, usually by using special software. NordVPN falls into this category. If you ever needed to log on to your office network, you most likely used a remote access VPN as well. It makes working away from the office safer and easier, as employees can access data and resources from anywhere.
Site-to-site VPN - Site-to-site VPNs are mostly used by businesses – large corporations in particular. They allow users in selected locations to access each other’s networks securely. It’s a great way to connect all offices and enable different branches to safely share resources and information.
What should I look for when choosing a VPN?
Speed, security, and privacy - People turn to VPNs for different reasons, and whatever yours is, you need to ask three questions before choosing a provider. How fast is it? Will it keep my data safe? And will it respect my privacy? Of course, you want your connections to be safe and your data to stay private. But to have all that without losing any speed? That’s the trick. So when you choose a VPN service, make sure they don’t make any compromises – there’s no point in having unbreakable
Paid vs. free - Price is always one of the most important factors, no matter the product. And if a free option comes up, people are interested. But when it comes to free VPNs, it’s better to stay away. You’re looking for speed, security, and privacy, and with free VPNs, you’re unlikely to get any of it. These providers usually don’t invest in their server network, so their VPN connections might be unstable and leaking users’ IP addresses. They also must make money somehow – usually by selling their users’ data. So instead of looking for the cheapest option, try to find a VPN provider you can trust.
Setting up a VPN connection
Join the VPN protection trend, set up your NordVPN account, and have an encrypted VPN connection wherever you go. There are a few different ways you can do it:
Use VPN apps - NordVPN offers apps for all major platforms. It doesn’t matter if you use a Mac, an Android tablet, or a Windows laptop. We strongly believe that people shouldn’t struggle to protect their home network and mobile devices, so our apps are extremely user-friendly.
Configure it yourself - If you know what you’re doing, setting up your VPN just the way you want it is also an option. Bear in mind – manual setup will take more time, and mistakes are more likely to happen. Don’t worry – if you need some help, you’ll find detailed tutorials in our Help Center.
Install it on your router - Install NordVPN on your Wi-Fi router, and every device connected to it will be protected by bulletproof encryption. The process might seem a bit too complicated for novice users, but once you’re done, you can enjoy a safe internet connection without interruptions.
