Definitely while browsing on sites you have seen ads that offer you VPN services. Some free, and others that promise maximum anonymization in exchange for some decent costs.
VPN (Virtual Private Network) is most often used when you do not have the Internet provider (ISP – Internet Service Provider). Many people are convinced that the ISP can see everything they do on the computer and use that information for commercial purposes. Others use VPN to hide the real IP address, considering that this way are totally anonymous during online browsing.
VPN is a solution through which you can connect to a dedicated network, to use its resources and which will become “deck” between your computer and the rest of the Internet. Basically, all the exchange of data between your PC and the Internet will no longer be done through the provider (ISP), but through the private network (VPN). The latter offers greater data exchange through various encryption methods.
You must take into account, as Internet anonymization is not just in hiding IP address (Internet Protocol). Many Internet companies and providers use cookies and web trackers for monitoring customers and users during the internet browsing. Elements that can provide sufficient information about your identity and activity online. From the type of operating system used to the monitor resolution and the extensions installed in the browser, they can be easily found by the organization of a website you access. As for Facebook and Google, there are a series tools to find out about you even if you use a VPN connection.
Therefore, do not form the wrong idea that once activated the VPN you are 100% invisible and anonymous on the Internet.
It is true that the VPN is very useful, especially when working from home or from another location and you have to connect securely to the company's infrastructure. The connection between your PC and VPN will be encrypted and thus the data exchange will be secured. But here is an Enterprise VPN and not a free one you can find in “Tenders” from online advertisements.
For example, Cisco offers complete VPN solutions for corporations, but here we talk about both network and software infrastructure. Cisco AnyConnect VPN It is such a solution for companies.
What VPN service should we choose? Premium services vs. VPN free (free)
There are companies that Provides free access to VPN And I promise anonymization of IP address. The opera has such an integrated service in the Browser Opera, and each user can choose to activate the VPN connection from a single click. But it is not far from a Safe service. You do not know who has access to that VPN, nor what data can extract from it. The same thing happens with Service 1.1.1.1 al CloudFlare. Also a free VPN that can be installed on the smartphone, iPhone, Mac or Windows PC.
When we choose a free service, and here I am not just referring to VPN, we must be aware that for that service, someone pays that it is functional. And as no one is willing to throw money on the window, it means that behind that free service is something that the usual client does not see. Either the user's identity is located and is exploited for marketing purposes, or even worse, the confidential data of the user reach third parties interested in their exploitation.
In the case of a paid service, this does not happen. The purchase of a VPN service also implies a contract and some legal terms that the service provider must comply. Otherwise, rights entitled to notify the control bodies and follow the legal steps. For free services, you don't have this possibility. Especially since most of the time when we accept a free service, we do not make time to read the section “Terms and conditions” or “Privacy”.
In conclusion, if you just need to access a website, without entering sensitive data on it, you can choose a free VPN service. You will have the benefit that you do not access it with your IP but you will not be fully anonymous.
For home work and handling remote sensitive data, we recommend paying VPN services. It does not necessarily have to be an expensive service, but before you purchase it is advisable to read “Terms and conditions”, plus a few reviews.
The data on your computer will be safe when you do not transmit them on the Internet. Eventually the PC is not connected.
