Do you need a VPN? Use NordVPN.
Digital privacy is becoming increasingly important among internet users. Social media profiles get hacked. People with controversial opinions get doxxed. Advertisements follow you everywhere. When people feel constantly invaded, judged and spied on, a VPN is a critical tool to gain back some of your freedom. NordVPN is one of the more respected VPN providers in the market.
*Disclaimer: I use NordVPN and I can earn a commission from qualifying purchases. I like the product. It’s easy to use and I’ve tested it a number of ways. I’m sure you’ll like it too. I’m here to tell you what I know.
What is a VPN?
VPN is a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN extends a private network across a public network and enables users to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if their devices were directly connected to the private network.
An application, on your device, can connect to a VPN server. Then, all of your traffic will be encrypted and routed through the VPN to the destination. Your internet service provider (ISP) will only be able to see that there is traffic. They cannot tell where the traffic is coming or going from. The websites that you visit, will also fail to see your private IP address and other identifying data that is exposed when you visit a website. Your location and service provider are reflecting the VPN instead of you.
VPN’s were originally meant for business use, but made it’s way to personal use with the growing number of privacy concerns and government restrictions on internet use.
Why would normal people need a VPN?
Okay, so you’re not a business, pirate or hacker. Why would you subscribe to a VPN service? It’s more useful and applicable than most people think. With the bleak future of internet privacy, some protection will be as normal as internet service itself.
Trolling?
Maybe, you’ve become such a loudmouth on the internet that you painted a target on your back. You think that your fake profile will save you, but a random chat with a stranger offered up your IP to them. Soon they’ll have whatever they want to know about you from public information and your service provider. That political jack-wagon that you trolled, or cop that you trashed online, now has a way to track or keep tabs on you. Everywhere your IP has been, you have been.
Like to message strangers?
Thought that hot girl really wanted to flirt in your DM’s? Nope. They were gathering info. Yes, any messaging app or video game can give up more information than you’d be willing to give on your own. “Every website is a dating website, if you’re creepy enough.” While people are getting better at writing off creeps, a secure connection will allow your creepiness to flourish longer than you deserve. A VPN will keep you anonymous. Roam free.
Maybe you belong to a lot of social media groups. You have private chats and exchange info. Maybe you still like old school chat rooms and IRC boards. All of this chatting leaves you exposed to someone that could be trying to scrape some of your data. Keep your identity protected.
I just wanna search stuff
How about normal browsing? Have you ever been afraid to type something into a web browser? Like “I really would prefer to NOT have this in my permanent search history.” Don’t give me that look. You’ve used the internet for some weird things. You’re overly curious. Or, maybe, you remember some dank meme and the search term that you think of sounds really weird when you start typing into that search bar. Sometimes, you just don’t want big brother knowing everything you searched for. For one, with a search like that you should be using a search engine like DuckDuckGo instead of Google. But, you should also be using a VPN.
Even after you arrive at a website that has the info you’re looking for, the website, your ISP and your browser are recording everything that you do. A VPN will minimize your digital footprint. As far as anyone knows, it was the VPN searching for inflatable penises for that bachelorette party. Also, imagine those ads following you around for the next 3 months, thanks to ad tracking and targeted advertising. Wipe all of that away with a VPN.
There’s a good chance, that in your wandering, you stumble on a malicious site that would normally brick (render useless) your device. With built-in cyber security features, the VPN will block the malware.
Do you like to Travel?
Some countries have limitations on streaming and browsing. Websites and services may be blocked in the country that you’re visiting. When you’re on a VPN you can bounce your traffic off a server in a country where that website is allowed.
Social media has heavy restrictions, or is completely banned, in many countries. NordVPN offers servers in 60 countries. This way, you can subvert the local governments and keep up to date with your social profiles while abroad. Just, grab a server from a country where social media is allowed.
Do you use public wifi?
Do you get all happy when your hotel or coffee shop has good wifi? Did you ever think of that one of the other patrons is sitting there sniffing wireless data packets of all the users in range? Are you thinking that now? Public wifi is horribly insecure. The users are vulnerable. You’re at more risk for identity theft on public wifi than anywhere else. It is highly recommended that no sensitive data be accessed on public wifi. That means no shopping, banking or logging into anything. That’s a lousy internet experience because you used free wifi.
Introverts, basement dwellers and outcasts welcomed
Maybe you’re just a bit of a privacy freak, like me, and the thought of being a ghost online is the only comfortable way to surf. I don’t want ads or government following me. I don’t want hackers messing with me. Keep all of your cookies. I just want to be a fly on the wall today. I was everywhere, but I was nowhere. Let me search and play without feeling like my entire experience will go down on my permanent record. It’s hard to explain, but that feeling is worth 3 dollars a month.
We know that our internet behavior is used to build a profile on us as a consumer and a citizen. That surveillance camera is always on your back. We’re just trying to regain some of our privacy.
Notes:
If you like and trust a website, accept the cookies. It’s how many websites earn and keep running. If they offer something that you like, you want to make sure that the website gets credit for pointing you in the right direction.
Also, some government and e-commerce websites refuse encrypted traffic. Just be aware. I’ve had to jump off of my VPN to make a purchase at Amazon. It isn’t consistent, just be aware if the connection times out or runs intolerably slow. Sometimes, a website will deny connection or force you to do Captcha to get access. NordVPN, and the others, are finding ways to work around these hurdles. Just be aware that it can happen.
The bigger your target, the more anonymous you’ll have to be. Don’t think you can go breaching corporate databases or a politician’s illegal private email server with just a VPN. That’s not what this is for. A VPN is your base level of privacy. Big brother knows all. You’re just trying to keep the flies away.
How easy is it to use?
For most users, it’s as easy as downloading an app and clicking “connect.” Windows, Mac and Droid all have easy apps to simplify connections. NordVPN can grab the fastest server on quick connect. Or, grab a preferred server in the server list. Sounds odd, but you will get familiar with what servers seem to work the best for you.
On Linux, there isn’t an incredibly easy way to connect, like the apps of other platforms. There isn’t much configuration, but there is a little more work than an app and quick connect.
You’ll have to download a configuration from the NordVPN website and list it in the internet connection settings. After configuration, it’s just a click in your panel.
Pirates! Ye be warned!
Still an old school pirate? I’m legally not allowed to encourage piracy, but you’re gonna do it anyway. If you’re pirating in this day and age you need a VPN. It doesn’t matter if you’re streaming on your modified Firestick or using some P2P network. Your ISP is watching. This can be treated as copyright infringement if you’re doing things you shouldn’t be. NordVPN works with P2P networks and streaming. Just be aware that if you disconnect from you VPN while moving some controversial packets, you can get a notice from you internet provider and possibly be banned from their service. NordVPN has an automatic kill switch to prevent this event from happening to you. One movie a month is worth a couple of months of VPN service.
Extra Protections:
NordVPN offers VPN over TOR and double VPN connections for extra security. These additional layers make it much tougher, but not impossible, to identify you.
TOR (the onion router) is a browser that bounces your traffic off of multiple nodes before it reaches it’s destination. The route is encrypted but the exit node is not. That’s where a VPN over TOR is valuable.
A double VPN adds another layer of encryption and confuses the logs with the addition of an extra server in the traffic.
Encryption is what allows the traffic to move but not be read without your credentials to decrypt it. Whatever is trying to gather your data needs to be able to decrypt it, have your credentials or pressure the VPN provider for your logs. NordVPN claims to keep a strict “no logs” policy. I would never put all of my trust in policy, but they’re less likely to just hand the info to the wrong parties.
If someone wants to find you, they will. You’re just trying to make it incredibly expensive and time consuming for the people that are looking. In most cases, people are not going to use the necessary resources to track you down. Minimize your digital footprint and get NordVPN. Happy browsing!
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