A virtual private network (VPN) can hide a user's internal protocol address (IP address) and block their location and browser history. This allows them to share and receive information on public internet networks more privately. Even if you use a private browsing mode, your IP address can still be collected. A VPN can offer increased security by helping hide your online identity and encrypt your traffic.
A virtualprivate network (VPN) canhide a user's internalprotocol address (IPaddress) and block their location and browser history,allowing them to share and receive information on public internet networks moreprivately.
Whether you’re searching something online or communicating viasocial media, you’re leaving digital footprints in the form of your browsinghistory, cookies, and cached data.
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP), thegovernment, and other third parties can track what you search, visit, anddownload.
Even if you use a privatebrowsing mode, your IP address canstill be collected.
When you download andenable a VPN prior to browsing, a VPN can offer online privacy and increased security by helping hide your online identity and encrypting your traffic. Hackers andthird parties will only be able to see the IP address of the remote VPN. Thisprevents them from accessing your location, browser history, or the personalinformation you may have sent or received during that browsing session.
Here are the sevenmain things that a VPN hides:
1. Search history
Youcan clear your cookiesand search history from your browser. But chances are your ISP has recorded thewebsites that you’ve visited. VPNs can hide your search history and other browsingactivity, like search terms, links clicked, and websites visited, as well asmasking your IP address.
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Can you truly remove your search history?
No. You’re removingthe file references from your directories, but your operating system won’tsimultaneously erase this data. It only moves the information to a special areaon your Mac or PC’s hard drive.
If you use a VPN eachtime you browse, third parties will only be able to see the IP address of theremote VPN. This disables them from pinpointing your location, ISP and, potentially,other personal information.
2. IP address
Your IP address identifiesyour device on the Internet or a local network. It’s the key data that connectsyou to your location, ISP, and web search history.
IP addresses canshare sensitive information about you that includes your physical location suchas your city, state, ZIP code, and country. It can trace back to your home ISP,which could reveal your name, home address, phone number, and credit cardnumbers.
Instead of sendinginformation directly from your IP address, the VPN server’s IP address isassociated with your activity.
For example, if yourVPN service provider has servers around the world, you could appear to beconnecting to the internet from a different country.
3. Medical diagnosis and health conditions
Medical providersoften operate through private client portals. The HealthInsurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has set standards in the exchange ofprotected health information (PHI). This is the diagnosis, procedures, andcounsel between doctors, clients and medical facilities.
HIPPA requireshealthcare facilities to operate on private networks. These secured portalsencrypt your medical information from outside parties. VPN networks allowmedical professionals and patients to safely access confidential medicalinformation untampered.
4. Travel accommodations
Travel and airlinewebsites associate the information that you’re researching with your IPaddress. When you visit online travel bookingwebsites multiple times to find better deals, a cookie has likelyalready locked into a price.
A cookie is data sent from a user’s computer toa website. They can identify your past travel searches, online profiles, allthe way to your home address. Any action like clicking on a link can trigger an“event.” Marketers use analytics tracking tools to track website traffic anduser behavior. It only takes a short amount of time for advertisers to bombardyou with retargeting ads.
VPNs can blocktracking technologies, allowing you to search travel websites anonymously andavoiding advertisers altogether.
5. Geolocation
We already mentionedthat your IP address can identify yourgeolocation. Browsers and websites use this information to map webtraffic from different cities, states, and countries.
For example, when youuse Google Maps, you must enable your phone to detect your location. Websitesuse the same technology.
One side benefit ofusing a VPN is known as geo-spoofing. This means a VPN “fools” websites andother online services into thinking you’re in one location when you’re reallyin another.
This could provideaccess to geo-restricted services or help save money while doing onlineshopping. But remember to always check your service agreement rules and observegovernment laws and regulations.
6. Personally identifiable material
A VPN can hide youronline identity by masking your IP address. It encrypts your location and the datayou send and receive, helping protect your personal identifiable information(PII). This data can come in the form of your bank information, as well as SocialSecurity and driver's license numbers. If a hacker gains access to your computer,your PII is could be vulnerable via audio files, messages, and passwords.
Even secure websites can become vulnerable tocyber-attacks. Using a VPN network can increase your protection when you goonline, from hackers and cyber thieves.
7. Torrenting
BitTorrents(torrents) are metadata files and folders that are shared and downloadedbetween users on a network. This gives users access to movies, music, and otherforms of media content.
Though torrentingisn't illegal, downloading copyrighted material like movies or songs is aviolation. Since your ISP can track your activity, so can the government. Usinga torrenting service without a VPN can sometimes lead to warning letters oreven hefty finesfrom the government.
Even if performedlegally, torrenting can be dangerous. Downloading unknown files can result inyou downloading malware. These viruses caninfect your computer and corrupt your files. VPNs can prevent online peers fromseeing your IP address, which could help prevent hackers from singling you out.
How to choose a VPN
Whenchoosing a VPN, consider your needs for the device. User-friendliness, speed,secure encryption, and price are all important factors to examine. You alsowant reliable customer service, should anything out of the ordinary occur.
Considerusing a secureVPNnetwork that provides powerful protection and is capable of connecting other devices in your home. Research online reviews, but be careful of sites thatpromote affiliate websites. You can also talk to your tech-savvy friends andget their insight on recommended products.
Mostimportantly, when purchasing a VPN, it’s best to buy from a software companythat you trust. So, no matter where you are, you can search the internetknowing that your connections are safer.
Related VPN Articles
- What is a VPN?
- How does a VPN work?
- How secure is a VPN? What makes a safe VPN?
- 10 benefits of VPN you might not know about
- Are free VPNs safe? 7 things to know before using free VPNs
- What is a no-log VPN?
- How to protect your online privacy with a VPN
- Do I need a VPN at home?
- Setting up a VPN on your router
- Are VPNs legal or illegal?
- VPN leaks: What they are and how to test your VPN security
- VPN tunnel: What is it and how does it work?
- Proxy vs. VPN: 4 differences you should know
- How to delete your search history and maintain privacy with a virtual private network (VPN)
- VPN for smartphones
- VPN for Android
- VPN For Windows
- VPN for Mac
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Editorial note:Our articles provide educational information for you. Our offerings may not cover or protect against every type of crime, fraud, or threat we write about. Our goal is to increase awareness about Cyber Safety. Please review complete Terms during enrollment or setup. Remember that no one can prevent all identity theft or cybercrime, and that LifeLock does not monitor all transactions at all businesses. The Norton and LifeLock brands are part of Gen Digital Inc.
As an expert in cybersecurity and online privacy, I can attest to the critical importance of using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for enhancing online security and protecting sensitive information. The provided article touches upon various aspects of VPN usage, and I'll break down the concepts used in the article:
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VPN Overview:
- A VPN is a Virtual Private Network that hides a user's internal protocol address (IP address) and blocks their location and browser history.
- It enables users to share and receive information on public internet networks more privately.
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Privacy Concerns:
- Even in private browsing mode, your IP address can still be collected by third parties.
- VPNs offer increased security by hiding your online identity and encrypting your traffic.
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Digital Footprints:
- Online activities, such as searching and communicating via social media, leave digital footprints like browsing history, cookies, and cached data.
- ISPs, the government, and third parties can track and collect information about your online activities.
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VPN Functions:
- Downloading and enabling a VPN before browsing helps hide your online identity, preventing third parties from accessing your location, browser history, or personal information.
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What a VPN Hides:
- The article lists seven main things that a VPN hides, including search history, IP address, medical diagnosis and health conditions, travel accommodations, geolocation, personally identifiable material, and torrenting activities.
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IP Address Concealment:
- Your IP address identifies your device on the Internet or a local network and can reveal sensitive information about your location, ISP, and web search history.
- VPNs associate your activity with the VPN server's IP address, potentially making it appear as if you're connecting from a different country.
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Protection of Sensitive Data:
- VPNs help protect personally identifiable information (PII), including bank information, Social Security numbers, and driver's license numbers.
- Even secure websites can become vulnerable to cyber-attacks, and using a VPN increases protection against hackers and cyber thieves.
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Torrenting Risks:
- Torrenting without a VPN can lead to tracking by ISPs and government agencies, resulting in warnings or fines.
- VPNs prevent online peers from seeing your IP address, reducing the risk of being singled out by hackers.
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Choosing a VPN:
- Factors to consider when choosing a VPN include user-friendliness, speed, secure encryption, price, reliable customer service, and the ability to connect multiple devices.
- It's advisable to purchase a VPN from a trusted software company.
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Additional Information:
- The article provides related VPN articles, including explanations of what a VPN is, how it works, its security, benefits, and considerations when using free VPNs.
In conclusion, the article emphasizes the importance of using a VPN to enhance online privacy, protect sensitive information, and mitigate various online threats. It provides valuable insights into the functionalities of VPNs and offers practical advice on choosing a reliable VPN service.
