![]() The process of routing your traffic through a VPN masks your internet protocol (IP) address - the specific number that's assigned to your device when it's connected to a local network - which can otherwise reveal a surprising amount of personal information. ![]() There are a number of reasons why you might want to use a VPN, the main one being simply to stay anonymous online. Initially used exclusively by businesses, subscription-based VPN services for the general public starting gaining popularity about a decade ago "after a flood of security breaches," per the cybersecurity and antivirus giant Kapersky. The technology's origin story isn't well-documented, but it's believed to have emerged at Microsoft in the mid-1990s. ![]() If browsing the web like normal is like taking a naked Jeep out on the highway (where anyone can see who you are, where you're going, and what you've got in the backseat), using a VPN is like driving an armored, tinted Humvee through a secret underground tunnel. ![]() What is a VPN?Ī VPN is a service that creates an encrypted connection between your device and a private, remote server, which hides and secures your traffic. Your browser's Incognito/private mode only gets you so far, unfortunately - it'll clear your history, searches, cookies, and login deets, preventing other users of the same device from seeing what you've been up to, but it won't hide and secure your connection from your ISP and other prying eyes.įor actual internet anonymity, you can reclaim your privacy by getting yourself a virtual private network, or VPN. (And yes, that includes the clicks that brought you to this article.)Ĭonnected to a free public WiFi network? You're basically inviting hackers to join in on the fun. Have you ever gotten the sneaking feeling that someone's creeping over your virtual shoulder while you browse the web? Don't freak out, but your gut is right: Your internet service provider (ISP) is tracking your every click to compile anonymous browsing logs they can potentially sell to advertising companies, or even cough up to government agencies in the interest of censorship.
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