It's no secret that many people, in some cases, use a virtual private network or VPN when connecting to the Internet on their computer or smartphone. This may sound paranoid, but there are real threats and situations are only getting worse. On Wi-Fi networks, unscrupulous people may try to intercept your information. And whenever you connect to the Internet, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has access to everything you send. Online, advertisers and spies can track your movements between websites and discern your location by looking at your IP address. This is scary! And in order to prevent and protect yourself, you need to use a VPN, and we will describe how to set up a VPN in this article
The fact is that the Internet itself was not designed to protect your privacy. It was created for convenient information sharing rather than user privacy, anonymity or encrypted communication. Although HTTPS is designed to protect your information, it does not protect against Internet attack attempts or local network attacks, which is a serious problem if you have ever used a connection that is not yours. For example, in a hotel or cafe.
While a more private, closed internet will not become a reality (perhaps never), using a VPN is the easiest way to make sure you share as little information as possible.
As with any security tool, it's important to understand the capabilities of a VPN.
After all, you wouldn't expect a Kevlar vest to save you from falling out of an airplane; it's designed to stop a bullet.
When you enable a VPN, your traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel to a server managed by the VPN company. This means that your ISP or anyone connected to your router will not be able to see your web traffic. From the VPN server, your traffic goes to the Internet.
Since your traffic is coming from the VPN server, your actual IP address is hidden. This is important because IP addresses are distributed geographically and can be used to determine location. If someone checks your IP address, they will see the VPN server's IP address. This can come in handy if you want to spoof your location. When you connect to a VPN server in London, it will appear as if you are connecting to the internet from the UK.
What a VPN won't do is completely anonymous traffic. To do this you will need to use Tor. This excellent anonymization is easily accessible through a special version of the Firefox browser. Instead of just sending your data through one VPN server on the network, your data is sent through several different computers. This makes it much more difficult for those trying to track your actions and understand what you are doing.
In addition, websites may track your movements using cookies, online trackers and other sophisticated tools. Using an ad blocker like Adblock Plus will help quell these nasties and will make it much harder to access and make it harder for advertisers to study your online movements.
Finally, just because you have a VPN doesn't mean you can forget about security basics. Although some VPN services claim that they can block malware, we recommend standalone antivirus software for your computer because these tools are designed specifically to protect your computer from malicious software. Another precaution is to use common sense when clicking on links or opening email attachments. Phishing attacks—where an attacker uses a bogus website that mimics one you know to trick you into entering your credentials—are very common, so stay alert.
When we look at a VPN, there are a few key metrics we look for. First, the VPN service should allow you to connect to at least five devices simultaneously. Another is whether the VPN service supports BitTorrent traffic on its servers.
Speaking of fees, the average cost for a VPN service is $10.53 per month. A VPN service that charges more per month should offer something substantial, like a great interface or multiple server locations to sweeten the deal. You can usually get a discount if you're buying long term, but we recommend avoiding them until you're sure you're happy with the service.
Before signing up for a VPN, be sure to read its terms of service.
This document will outline the information the VPN collects and what it does with that information. Most companies say they don't log traffic, which is great. Others go further, saying that they do not monitor user activity at all. This is important because the VPN provider has access to all the information you are trying to protect from others. Be sure to review this issue and consider trying a different service if the terms and conditions of this one do not suit you. The most important thing in a VPN is trust. If the location, prices or terms of service don't fill you with confidence, try another service.
We at WoW IT recently conducted a survey of 1,000 people asking questions about using a VPN.
According to our results:
Some services offer a free trial, but usually for a limited time. Others, like TunnelBear and AnchorFree Hotspot Shield Elite, have completely free versions but may limit some features for paid users. For example, TunnelBear has a data surcharge for free users. On the other hand, Hotspot Shield has a free and ad-supported version. The Opera browser, until recently, had a free VPN and did not charge anything for its use. Opera separately offers excellent VPN apps for Android and iOS, also completely free, extending protection wherever you go.
Once you purchase the service, the first thing you need to do is download the company's app. The VPN service's website usually has a download page. Next, download applications for your mobile devices; you'll want to protect as many of your devices as possible. Typically, you pay one subscription fee for a certain number of licenses (usually five), and you can use the service on any device for which the application is provided. If you suddenly have problems and cannot set up a VPN, the support service of the company where you purchased the VPN will always come to your aid. This is another plus of a paid application. 
Once you have installed the app, you will be asked to enter your login information. In most cases, this is the username and password you created when you registered. Some companies, such as Private Internet Access, assign you a username that is different from your login credentials to give clients more privacy.
Once you log in, your VPN app will typically connect to the VPN server closest to your current location. This is done to ensure faster speeds with a VPN, as latency and speed reductions increase with the distance of the VPN server from your actual location. Like this: Your information is now securely tunneled to the VPN server.
Note that you don't have to install the VPN company's app. Instead, you can configure your device's network settings to connect directly to the VPN service. If you're concerned about app surveillance, this might be a good option for you. Most VPN services will have documentation on how to set up your device.
Perhaps you want to spoof your location, use BitTorrent over a VPN, or want to take advantage of some of the custom servers provided by your VPN company.
Many VPN companies include an interactive map as part of their app. For example, NordVPN allows you to click on countries to connect to those servers. This is a useful way to understand where your information is going.
The choice of server depends entirely on what you want to achieve. To ensure security and speed, you should choose a server that is nearby. To access region-specific content, you need a server that is local to the content you want to watch. If you're trying to watch the BBC, you'll need to make your way to the UK. Some VPN companies, such as KeepSolid VPN Unlimited and NordVPN, have dedicated servers for video streaming.
These specialized servers are useful because streaming services such as Netflix block VPNs. We're talking about Netflix's licensing deals. For example, Netflix has the right to provide Star Trek: Discovery outside the US, but in the US you have to pay for the service.
It's also a good idea to check whether your VPN service allows BitTorrent traffic on any server or only on certain ones. NordVPN clearly states that the servers do not allow torrent traffic.
Other services, such as NordVPN and ProtonVPN, have advanced security options such as access to Tor or multihop virtual networks. Tor, as mentioned above, is a way to better protect your privacy and allows you to open hidden websites on the so-called Dark Web. Multihop VPN, rather than simply routing your traffic through one VPN server, connecting through multiple hosts connects you to one server and then to another.
If you decide to ignore third-party apps and configure your network settings manually, you'll likely have to enter information for each VPN server separately.
The feature set of each VPN varies from service to service, so we can only generalize what you can see when you open the Settings panel. But we recommend that you read the documentation and try clicking a few buttons. After all, the best way to learn how to use a tool is to try it.
Most VPN services include a Kill-Switch feature. Once enabled, this setting prevents the computer from sending or receiving information over the Internet unless a VPN is enabled. This is useful when your computer is disconnected from the VPN, and it can prevent small pieces of data from leaking in that are not encrypted.
We recommend using the OpenVPN protocol. It's open source, so many potential vulnerabilities have been tested and you can set up a VPN with ease. IKEv2 is also a good, secure option if OpenVPN is not available. Please note that on some platforms such as macOS and iPhone, OpenVPN is not always available due to additional restrictions set by the developers. The best VPNS for iPhone give you access to the latest and greatest protocols available on the platform.
To ensure maximum security, you should use a VPN as often as possible, and ideally, all the time. But this is an ideal, and it is not always achievable. At a minimum, you should use a VPN when you're using a network that you don't control, and especially if it's a public Wi-Fi network. But in general, we recommend that users set their apps to VPN by default. You can always disconnect if it causes a problem.
VPNs for Android and other mobile devices are a little more complicated, especially if you move around frequently and get cell phone coverage. Every time you lose and reconnect, the VPN should reconnect. But at the same time, it is less likely that your mobile traffic can be intercepted, but as researchers prove, it can be done. And given that law enforcement and intelligence agencies have virtually unhindered access to telecommunications data, it is recommended to use a VPN even over cellular communications. Additionally, most mobile devices can automatically connect to any familiar Wi-Fi network. At a minimum, you should use a VPN when connecting via Wi-Fi.
If you're concerned that a VPN is slowing down your connections or blocking important traffic, you should take a look at your split tunneling options. Again, different companies give this feature different names, but the point is that you can decide which apps will use the VPN for their traffic and which apps can run without a VPN. For example, TunnelBear includes the option to not tunnel Apple apps to ensure they function properly on the Mac.
Chromecast and AirPlay let you stream music and videos from your computer or mobile device to speakers, TVs, and streaming boxes. But they all require Wi-Fi, which can be a problem when using a VPN.
When a VPN is enabled, your traffic travels through an encrypted tunnel, preventing devices from finding each other on the same Wi-Fi network. This is the way it should be, since you don't want anyone snooping on the network and finding out what you're doing. Unfortunately, this also means that Chromecast and AirPlay won't work if you activate a VPN.
The simplest solution is to disable the VPN, but this is not the only option. You can use split tunneling, as mentioned above, to route only the traffic you want to protect through the VPN. You can use a VPN browser plugin that only encrypts your browser traffic and nothing else.
Alternatively, you can install and configure a VPN on your router. This means that all devices connected to your router, from your phone to your smart juicer, will have encrypted traffic. This is a great option for a smart home.
Too many of you don't use a VPN because they think it's a secret security tool. But many companies have worked hard to make them convenient and easy to use. Most set and forget about security tools, as it should be. And while opening your wallet to protect yourself from potential threats is always annoying, purchasing a VPN is one of the best and easiest ways to protect your web traffic.
If you are unable to set up a VPN or have problems with it, the WoW IT team is always ready to help.
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A Virtual Private Network is a virtual private network that is used to provide secure connections within corporate connections and Internet access. The main advantage of a VPN is high security due to the encryption of internal traffic, which is important when transferring data.
Many people, when they come across this abbreviation, ask: VPN – what is it and why is it needed? This technology opens up the possibility of creating a network connection on top of another. VPN works in several modes:
Organization of a private virtual network at network levels allows the use of TCP and UDP protocols. All data that passes through computers is encrypted. This is additional protection for your connection. There are many examples that explain what a VPN connection is and why you should use it. This issue will be discussed in detail below.
Each provider is able to provide user activity logs upon request from the relevant authorities. Your internet company records every activity you do online. This helps relieve the provider of any responsibility for the actions carried out by the client. There are many situations in which you need to protect your data and gain freedom, for example:
When you use another VPN channel, your IP will belong to the country where this secure network is located. When connected, a tunnel will be created between the VPN server and your computer. After this, the provider’s logs (records) will contain a set of incomprehensible characters. Analyzing the data with a special program will not produce results. If you do not use this technology, the HTTP protocol will immediately indicate which site you are connecting to.
This connection consists of two parts. The first is called an “internal” network; you can create several of these. The second is the “external” one, through which an encapsulated connection occurs; as a rule, the Internet is used. It is also possible to connect to the network of a separate computer. The user is connected to a specific VPN through an access server connected simultaneously to the external and internal networks.
When a VPN program connects a remote user, the server requires two important processes to go through: first identification, then authentication. This is necessary to obtain the rights to use this connection. If you have fully completed these two steps, your network is empowered, which opens up the possibility of work. In essence, this is an authorization process.
There are several types of virtual private networks. There are options for the degree of security, implementation method, level of operation according to the ISO/OSI model, and the protocol involved. You can use a paid access or a free VPN service from Google. Based on the degree of security, channels can be “secure” or “trusted”. The latter are needed if the connection itself has the required level of protection. To organize the first option, the following technologies should be used:
For all computer users, there is a way to connect a VPN yourself. Below we will consider the option on the Windows operating system. This instruction does not provide for the use of additional software. The setup is carried out as follows:
The method described above is how to create a VPN connection on a personal computer. However, many have long been doing everything using their phone. If you don’t know what a VPN is on Android, then all the facts described above about this type of connection are also true for a smartphone. The configuration of modern devices ensures comfortable use of the Internet at high speed. In some cases (to run games, open websites), proxy substitutions or anonymizers are used, but for a stable and fast connection, a VPN is better suited.
If you already understand what a VPN on a phone is, then you can proceed directly to creating a tunnel. This can be done on any device that supports Android. The connection is made as follows:
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VPN - what is it and why is it needed? Description of connection and setting up a free VPN server
Recently, privacy and anonymity on the Internet have become not a luxury, but a necessity. Just in order to use familiar sites and applications in Russia, you need to connect to a VPN, even if the service officially operates in the country (not to mention Spotify and other programs). There are many such examples, since the number of blocked and geographically inaccessible services is growing every day.
It is a common belief that a VPN is only for hackers and computer gurus. Now this is far from the case - any user, if his favorite site is blocked, will want to bypass the blocking. And this can only be done using a VPN.
There are quite a lot of VPN services now, but the levels of encryption of all traffic to prevent cases of interception by third parties are different for everyone, and Proxy (used in browser plug-ins) generally only “hide” the IP and cannot protect the transmitted data. Zoog VPN is considered one of the best: it uses a zero-log storage policy and its own DNS servers located in Greece.
This approach has many advantages. The provider does not see what resources the user visits and cannot block or implement its own scripts and toolbars. A nice bonus is also the wide support for protocols - from OpenVPN TCP/UDP, IKEv2 and L2TP/IPsec to PPTP VPN.
One of the features of Zoog VPN is that it supports bank-grade encryption. The service uses an encryption algorithm with 256-bit keys, SHA256 authentication and the RSA-2048 algorithm. This is especially important when using public Wi-Fi points in airports, subways, cafes and restaurants and other similar places.
To start using the service, you just need to install the application on the same Mac or Windows and register - the program will work in the background, and it only takes one click to start the connection.
Before this, you can select one of the servers to connect to or the VPN protocol in the settings. For example, IKEv2 VPN will be needed for Blackberry and other devices.
In addition, the service has a cool application for iOS and Android, with which you can always remain incognito on the Internet, including when using a cellular operator’s network. It is available for free and has a simple yet functional interface.
Well, a nice “cherry on the cake” - Zoog VPN provides its Socks5 users with a proxy for accessing Telegram, uTorrent, BitTorrent, Vuze and other applications. Just enter the server address and port in the settings of the desired application, and use your account information as the username/password.
You can use Zoog VPN for free, but the number of servers and traffic volume will be limited. To remove all restrictions, you can take advantage of the promotion - right now, a 2-year subscription will cost only $1.25 per month instead of the regular price of $11.99 per month. Or sign up for a monthly/annual subscription, which are not so profitable. For this money you will get access to more than 28 servers, unlimited traffic, P2P, Socks5 proxy and all the other “goodies” of the service.
When it comes to installing a VPN on Windows, there are several paths to take. You can download your provider’s application specifically, you can install a third-party OpenVPN application, or you can use dial-up to configure everything manually.
Installing a VPN on Windows is a very easy process and will not take more than a few minutes. We will explain each of the three methods so that by the end of the article, you will be able to surf the web safely, even if someone is spying on your online activity.
You'll need an account from your provider, so be sure to set one up before you begin. The VPN company may ask you for confirmation via email, so be sure to do this.
If you're not yet ready to upgrade to a paid subscription, then most VPN providers will offer a free trial period, which is also great for getting started. ExpressVPN offers a 7-day trial. To do this, you need to register through the app and not through the website.
We will show the installation process on Windows 10. This article was written under Windows 10 Home. If you have a different version of OS installed, then you have nothing to worry about. Try installing the software using Method 1 (below), and then we'll move on to a little more difficult ones.
All popular VPN service providers provide a dedicated application for Windows. Using apps like this is usually the fastest way to connect your devices. You will also have access to all servers at once without additional configuration of each.
In our example, we are using ExpressVPN as an example, however, the installation process is not much different from other providers, so you should just glean the gist from the screenshots included here. If you still couldn’t, then your provider’s technical support will help you.
So, let's begin:
Using a special application when installing a VPN on Windows provides superior protection, speed and ease of access to some useful features:
There is another useful feature on the screen. If you want all your computers and printers to have access to your network, then check the box next to Allow access to local network devices such as network shares or printers
This comes in handy when you are using a VPN on an office network or in a business center while traveling. Your internet traffic is still tunneled, but you can access your local network if you need it. This is the only option you need to change to get your VPN to work the way you want it to.
Your provider's app should work well. But as an alternative, you can use OpenVPN, which is an open-source third-party application. This means that the code of this application is available to anyone who wants to study it. This fact gives a little confidence in the security of this application.
OpenVPN is an extremely minimalist program; it doesn’t even have an interface. Most settings are done through the tray, which is hidden behind the arrow in the lower right corner of your screen.
Here's how to quickly get to grips with your VPN. We're using ExpressVPN again, but the steps are similar for most providers:
At this step, you need to log into your provider account on the site. You should find the OpenVPN connection details and accompanying files.
Here's a screenshot of what you should look for in ExpressVPN, for example. To find this, click Set up ExpressVPN on all your devices, then Manual config. Make sure OpenVPN is selected on the right side. 
Scroll down a little and you will find the necessary information: the username and password for your OpenVPN connection, as well as a list of available servers. Each location has a special downloadable file called a configuration file. You need to download at least one of them. If you are not sure which one you want to download, we recommend choosing the one that is closest to you. 
Let's continue the process:
The tray icon is green, which means we are connected. To view the connection status, just hold the cursor over the icon and right-click to disconnect. 
In our manual connection example, we are using Windows 10. This method does not require downloading any VPN software. Instead, we use L2TP/IPSec using Dialer.
On other versions of Windows and for other providers, the requirements will differ from step to step. But you must understand the main idea of the whole process.
You should be returned to the Network Connections window. All available servers are shown in the drop-down list. Select one below to test your connection. It doesn’t matter which one you choose, but it’s still better to start checking with the one that is closer to you geographically to know for sure that everything works.
The last step is to fill in the login details for L2TP. This data is located in your open browser.
Click "Connect" to make sure everything is working. That's all! 
If the connection fails, the best thing to do is take a few steps back and try the easiest method: opening your provider's app. If everything works, it means you configured something wrong somewhere in OpenVPN or in the settings manually.
If your provider's application does not work, then perhaps you forgot to confirm your account. Check your email for emails with verification links. If you still have no luck, then contact their technical support department, this is the easiest way to get the information you need.
Due to constant blocking of Internet resources by regulatory authorities, more and more people cannot access their favorite sites. But our favorite TV series, correspondence, photographs and much more are stored there. If you don’t want to put up with such a scenario, then you need a VPN service that will not only provide access to all blocked resources, but can also reliably protect you from hackers.
It is VPN technology that provides the user with ideal protection!
By providing a fake location and IP address. Hackers have no way to access your address, so you protect all the information you share online. Previously, we already figured out how to connect to a VPN on and, and now let's figure out how to install a VPN on Windows. We have developed a detailed guide for connecting technology on Windows 10 and 7 versions.
This is the latest version of the Windows operating system, which has gained high popularity among users. Setting up a VPN on Windows 10 is quite simple, you just need to follow the guide step by step.
Step #1. Click on the search bar and type VPN there. 
Step #2. You will be given several options, but at the top you need to click on change VPN. You can select the settings application, select the network or Internet through which you will receive a virtual network.
Step #3. In the app settings at the top of the screen, you can tap “Add a VPN connection.”
Step #4. The previous step will take you to the next screen - you will need to enter all the details related to VPN connection on Windows 10. In the settings, select the Windows option to automatically change the VPN type to the automatic option. Here you need to enter your login information, including your username and password. 
Step #5. After this, you need to enter the details of the server name, connection name or address that you have. Information may vary depending on the VPN provider you use. You can use a VPN as a source or third party service provider. You need to make sure that you choose a protocol that can handle different connection types: L2TP, ikev2 or PPTP. We looked at VPN protocols in more detail in. 
Step #6. You will need to enter your account details, which you will receive from your VPN service provider. Once you have entered all this information, you just need to save and close the settings application.
Step #7. To connect to a VPN, you need to click on Wi-Fi, which is available in the taskbar and here select the VPN option that you created. They will be present at the top of your connection list. 
Step #1. From the desktop, go to the Network Sharing Center menu and click on the New Connection Settings button. 
Step #2. Select the Connect to a workplace menu and click Next. In the window that opens, select Use my Internet connection (VPN). 
If you see the following window, select the item Postpone Internet connection setup. 
Step #3. Enter the details provided by your VPN provider and create a connection. In the window that appears, click the Close button. 
Step #4. Next, you need to go to the properties menu of the network you created and configure the Security and Network tabs according to your connection. 
