Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are a great option to secure yourself from censorship, and to enjoy the Internet completely anonymously. They offer end-to end encryption to ensure that all your online communications private. They also shield yourself from hackers as well as state actors that might try to hack into your system or snoop on your online actions. VPNs are accessible for download for mobile phones, desktops or even browser extensions. They let you select which server to connect to.
A VPN allows you to access the content that is not available in your local area, and also bypass the geo-restrictions. The VPN makes a secure connection between your web device and the VPN server, so you can be sure that your internet activities are kept private. A majority VPNs are legal in a majority of countries. Certain countries ban VPN use, like Iran. In such cases it could be beneficial to find an VPN service that has many servers available in your region.
While there are many VPN providers, there's certain ones that are famous to collect user information. Some free VPN applications are known for this. The only way to guarantee your privacy is by choosing the VPN which doesn't gather any data about you or your device.
The VPN provider also needs to ensure that your IP address is not part of their database. A lot of VPNs that are free VPN applications will collect your IP address when you connect, which is not the best option. VPNs also provide a way to hide your IP address when using the public internet. Certain VPNs provide incognito internet browsing that is, it is not necessary to provide the real IP address of your computer when connecting to a public WiFi network.
Even though VPN service providers may claim that they don't store data, some VPN providers could still store certain information regarding your connection that includes IP addresses and details such as the date and time that you utilized the VPN. As long as the "aggregated" information isn't specific to you, it's fine.
Another VPN company, Hotspot Shield, claims to store no logs, however, it does not guarantee a knockout post your privacy. However, it does keep track of all your browsing activities. Although some countries ban VPNs, others, like France permits VPN usage.
The VPN market is dominated by two primary providers: Betternet and NordVPN. Each of them offers a restricted-featured free plan. The free plan is limited to a limited number of servers located in the US. Insufficient connection speeds may be the result. This free plan will also limit the amount of bandwidth you are able to use.
NordVPN comes with a stronger toolkit and claims it can secure you while using open networks. The company also states that it will remove your IP address once the disconnect. The software claims to immediately block tracking software. This can be useful to users who would like to stream videos.