Most of us think of the phrase VPN as just a circumvention tool for websites which are blocked or censored, while this phrase involves a larger meaning and includes more applications. In fact, it can be said that circumventing the filtering using VPN is just one of the most basic applications of VPN, and in fact, these tools have many more applications that sometimes you have no choice but to use them! In this article, we will provide you some information about this utility tool and explore the types of VPNs as well as how they work.
What is VPN?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. The main use of VPNs is creating a secure environment in an unsafe environment. In other words, VPNs are built for this purpose to be used to create a private and secure network, in a public and not secure network.
For a better understanding, we will give you an example: Suppose you own a large company with numerous offices in different locations and areas. In order to connect all the computers in different offices and create a single network, you need to connect all of these systems in a variety of ways, which can cost a lot of money. On the other hand, you can use the Internet to connect the systems to each other, which costs much less, but its security is very low, and your vital information may be hacked on the Internet.
In this situation, VPNs will come in handy, and by using them you can create a secure and affordable network for an unlimited number of your systems. They help you to create a secure virtual network in the public network of the Internet, so in addition to reducing the cost, you can increase the security.
But the question that may come to your mind, after “What is VPN?”, is how to secure a VPN, and how this tool can launch a private and low risk network in the middle of a public and high risk network?
How to secure a VPN?
The answer to this question is also very simple. The main and most important factor in securing VPNs is the cryptographic factor. VPNs use cryptographic algorithms to provide their own security, which makes it impossible to read them even if the data exchanged on the VPN platform is hacked.
As a result, when a user connects to a VPN network, depending on the type of encryption used to design that VPN, all output data is encrypted from his or her system and is sent across the network as encrypted files. The receiver also reads the received data using the decryption key, thus providing a secure connection.
In addition to cryptography, other methods are also used to protect the security of vpn’s, which includes finding safe paths. As you know, one of the most important parts of network technology is routing, which is mainly characterized as the best route = the shortest route.
When using VPNs, the type of this factor changes to the best route = the safest route, and the VPN network designer chooses specific routes for data transfers that are more secure. Tunneling is also another way to secure VPNs.
What is the usage of VPN?
As we have seen, VPNs are a specific and practical technology that has many uses and can be very useful. We will list and review some of the most important VPN uses in the rest of this article.
- Creating a private network on the platform of a public network
- Create a secure and encrypted network for data exchange
- Hide identity and change IP when connecting to various Internet sites or services
- Circumventing the filtering and disregarding constraints
- Enhance security when connecting to public networks, such as free wifi
- Use a country’s specific service by connecting to that country’s VPN server
- Creating a private network for companies and organizations whose offices are far from each other.
Dangers of Using VPN
To the extent that the use of VPNs can be useful, it can also be hazardous and risky in some situations. The network that you run privately and is related to your own company may be of great security, but it may also include certain restrictions.
In addition, the use of free VPNs that are numerous in the Internet, can be a source of data theft and compromises your security. Free-to-use VPN servers are usually provided to specific users, and they can steal your information with the use of user information.
None of the VPNs that are commonly used as a circumvention tool for websites which are blocked or censored, are from a registered and credible company, and usually sell user information black markets, such as the Dark Web, to provide their own expenses, and in this way they can have a lot of risks for their users.
When using VPNs, you need to be extremely careful and never connect to your sensitive accounts. You can visit websites that have a security certificate or HTTPS, and try to never use your credit card information when you use them.