Onlime helps you
VPN: Get to know it
You have no privacy online
Unfortunately, this is true.
Based on your computer or phone's IP address, your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is able to see your activities online, what websites you visit, what you search for on Google and more. They can even share it with third parties, governments or advertising agencies. In addition, your personal information is attractive prey for hackers.
Maybe you take for granted that all your activity on the internet can be tracked. But if you don't, a VPN service is worth considering.
Introduction
You may already know what VPN is. Maybe you already use it, but want to know if you're doing it right. Or maybe you know nothing about VPN but have heard it's something you should use. In any case, you should consider very carefully whether VPN is also for you.
These days, and inevitably in the future, with the rise of globalisation and the dilution of privacy lines, you'll benefit greatly from a VPN connection. In this post, we'll go in-depth about what VPN is, why you should consider using it and what options it offers.
Interested in how your data is protected at Onlime? Read our security page.
What is VPN?
Below you have the clear, graphical explanation of the question: what is VPN?
In short, the illustration explains that with a VPN, you can prevent unauthorised people, whether automated surveillance tools, companies or hackers, from intercepting what you do on the internet.
This is possible because you connect to the Internet through an encrypted server that is virtually impenetrable to outsiders.
The longer explanation..
VPN is a network of computers connected in one way or another - usually over the Internet. Businesses use VPN connections to remotely control data centers and computers from locations other than the device's physical location. Private and individual users can use a VPN connection to gain some network benefits from other computers they are connected to - for example, encrypting and protecting information sent and received by your computer while connected to the Internet.
Read also: 2010-2020 Computer Council of the Decade
How it works
When you sit in front of your computer and connect to the internet, you usually do so through your broadband or telecom provider.
As soon as you are connected to the Internet, websites, other computers and anyone your computer is in contact with will know that you are connecting through a Danish provider. Using your IP (a unique number code that identifies you on the web), you can be defined as a person who is based in Denmark and that your provider is, for example, TDC.
A VPN connection allows you to connect to the Internet through one or more other computers. And therefore it is that computer(s) that defines where it looks like you are accessing the internet from. The way most VPN services work is that you install a small program on your computer where you can choose which country you want to connect to the Internet through.
For example, you can choose to connect to the Internet through a computer (a server) located in the Netherlands. The program will connect your computer to the one in the Netherlands before you can access the Internet.
This way you can be anonymous and the outside world will not know that you are in Denmark and that your provider is, for example, TDC.
The most important thing to know is that the connection via VPN is encrypted
A VPN connection is encrypted. When the connection is encrypted, it means that no one else can intercept what you are doing online, what websites you are accessing or what you are generally doing online.
If you don't use a VPN connection when you're on open or public Wifi, or on websites without encryption, your identity and whereabouts are completely visible.
If you use Google, Facebook, search on Youtube, watch the DR news or read articles on Politiken, it is even easier to intercept your movements, analyse them and use them, for example, to market products to you. And it's not just companies that know and monitor you, it's also the authorities - both Danish and foreign. You can avoid this by using a VPN to hide your movements on the internet - together this will give you a greater sense of not being constantly monitored. It's a protection of your privacy that in the globalised world is by no means respected.
Why is VPN a good complement to backup?
It's all about feeling safe when using your computer and mobile phones. There are enough worries and one of the worst things that can happen when using electronics is that it breaks and you lose data that you have put many hours into.
You only realise how much you value the documents, photos and files you have on your computer when you realise they are lost. Then a chill runs down your spine and the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Many people have done this, and it's only afterwards that they realise how valuable a good backup is.
Backup is about feeling safe when using your computer or mobile phone and knowing that nothing will happen to the content if something happens to the electronics.
VPN is also about security and having a sense of safety. About not feeling watched and ensuring your privacy when using the endless possibilities of the internet. This is why the two types of tools complement each other very well, so that in the long run you can secure yourself, your movements and your data in the best possible way. A lot of hours are spent using computers and nobody wants those hours, whether it is doing a job or searching for information on the web, to be wasted or exposed to inappropriate use by third parties.
If you have your backup with Onlime and also a good VPN, you're covered a long way.
Why you should use a VPN connection and what are the options?
VPN is not only a way to upgrade your entire Internet security, it's also a tool that can be used by any computer user. What you choose to use your VPN connection for is another matter entirely, as it can be used for many different things.
Usually, VPN users fall into one of the following categories:
Free or paid service? Which is better?
As with everything else, you get what you pay for. This is also true when choosing a VPN service. There are plenty of free services out there, each promising you gold and green forests. But many of them are practically useless for various reasons.
When using VPN, it's natural that your internet speed will slow down by a percentage, as it will always take time to first connect to a server and through that to the internet.
If you use a free service, you can be sure that your speed will be slower, as services usually limit how fast you can connect to their servers as long as you use their free service.
Maybe you don't need the super-fast internet speed to search safely on Google or similar. But as soon as you need to take online backup, stream HD movies or similar, you can't be served with a slow internet connection. And if you don't have a fibre connection, which by default can give you light-speed speeds, but get internet over copper wires, then you're in trouble.
Therefore, paying for VPN is always recommended as it provides significantly better service. This usually includes speed, support and the assurance that your information won't be sold to third parties - if you use a free VPN service, they must be making money from something. Right?
Comparison of VPN services
There are many VPN services to choose from.
That's why it's important to have a good comparison to start from when looking for the best service for your needs.
A good place to start is this comparison from Bredbånd.dk.
What is a good VPN?
The best VPN services offer a solid overall solution that includes good features, an easy user experience, multiple server locations (i.e. places where you can connect to the internet through such as the Netherlands, Germany, the US, etc.), high security protocols, good speeds and of course an affordable price.
Each service has its point of differentiation - some are minded about people wanting to abolish national borders when streaming video and TV shows, while others settle on higher security etc. At Onlime, we're very concerned about two things in particular: security and speed. More on our recommendation below.
When looking into a VPN server, pay particular attention to the following:
We hope you've learned more about what VPN is and why you should use it. If you have any questions, you are always more than welcome to contact us.
This page is designed to inform about VPN as a complement to backup. Read more about Backup.
