Virtual Private Network (VPN): For whom and when is it useful?

Lately, one keeps stumbling across the abbreviation VPN – „Virtual Private Network“. What sounds mysterious at first has a very practical use for many. It allows you to surf the Internet with a secure connection between your PC and the network. What exactly the Virtual Private Network is, what it can do and who should use it and where, we explain here.

This is the Virtual Private Network

Computers network securely over the Internet with VPN. This is particularly practical in times of home offices. For example, with the Virtual Private Network home PC can be connected to the employer’s network without it being apparent from the outside that it is a private computer. This is because the PC in the home office receives the company’s IP address with the VPN connection. With the corresponding access data and a VPN client software such as Avast SecureLine or Hide My Ass Pro VPN you can then use all the applications that you also need in the office for your daily work.

But the Virtual Private Network can do even more!

It also allows anonymous web browsing. The encrypted IP address means that third parties, such as Google, Facebook, hackers or even the police, have no way of tracking the user’s movements on the net.

Why is a VPN useful?

The Virtual Private Network primarily protects the user’s privacy. Because every time you surf without encryption, „Big Brother“ companies can track every click and use it for their own purposes. For example, for personalised advertising, but also for blackmail attempts by hackers! At the same time, the VPN also enables the use of content that is partially or completely blocked in certain countries.

That's why it's worth getting the right software if:

You want to hide from hacker attacks and protect your privacy.
You often surf in public WLANs, because personal data is also transmitted unencrypted here
You are about to travel to a country that blocks access to some providers and platforms such as Google, Netflix, WhatsApp, Facebook or Instagram. These include, for example, China, Cuba, Thailand, Iran and North Korea.
People use more or less semi-legal streaming services despite all the warnings

Are there any disadvantages to using a VPN?

Even though the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, there are some downsides. These include:

The slowed internet speed, because the connection has to take a diversion via the network's server.
The fact that the providers can usually see the network behaviour of the users.
The fact that neither absolute anonymity on the internet nor one hundred percent protection against data misuse can be guaranteed.

Two top clients to buy: Avast SecureLine and Hide My Ass Pro VPN

For a VPN client software, the range of functions is of decisive importance on the one hand, and the handling on the other. In any case, it is recommended that you download the client of your choice onto your PC, tablet or smartphone before travelling to a country with restricted internet access. In the country itself, it is often difficult to access a virtual private network.

Two clients that have proven themselves in practice are:

Avast SecureLine

The software convinces with useful basic functions and a solid comfort for numerous supported systems. The intuitive operation is simple, the security structure absolutely sufficient. The client can be used on several devices per licence. The speed for page loading is satisfactory, there is secure WLAN protection, P2P/Torrent support, and a special server is available for streaming services.

Hide My Ass Pro VPN

With its server locations distributed all over the world – a total of 190 countries are in the programme – the client probably has the largest reach. At the same time, the handling is entirely in German, and the apps and applications are very well suited for Android, Apple iOS, Windows and macOS. In addition, it is also possible to use the client with VPN routers.