What is a VPN? You need one? The guide on VPNs for beginners of 2019

VPNs are so easy to configure and use that anyone can do it - it is not necessary to know about computers. Learn how to use a VPN to access blocked content, improve your Internet security, protect your privacy and digital freedom and much more.

Are you new to VPNs? Do not worry, everyone starts with something!

vpnMentor is here to help you. If you still do not know what a VPN is, how they work, where you can use them and how to choose one, you are in the right place . We have developed this guide to teach you all the basics that should know who is starting to know this technology so useful. Do not worry about technical issues; everything is a piece of cake.

What is a VPN?

VPN stands for V irtual P rivate N etwork, virtual private network in Spanish. A virtual private network gives you a higher level of protection and privacy when you browse the Internet, either from home or from outside.

But how do you get it?

Put simply, a VPN creates a secure connection in public networks (such as public transport, hotel or your favorite coffee shop wifi), as well as in home networks (such as your Internet service provider provides you). .

By circulating your traffic through specialized servers and encrypting your data , VPNs hide your activity on the Internet and protect you from the many dangers of the web - from hacker attacks to data sales, identity theft and much more.Sufficient theory; How are things in practice?

VPNs are useful in many aspects on the Internet. Not only do they provide better security for you and your devices , but they can also help you overcome censorship and access geographically blocked Internet content from anywhere !

If you want to access Netflix USA from abroad , watch the TV streams of your country when you are traveling or simply believe in an Internet without borders, a solid VPN with a long list of servers and fast speeds will open you to new worlds of entertainment .

VPNs are everywhere today; From large corporations to government agencies , VPN technology is often used to have remote and secure access to an organization's networks.

How does a VPN help?

We already talked about what a VPN can do for you; Now we will describe in more depth the various situations in which VPNs can help. There are many different ones, so we have prepared a list for you:

Unlock Netflix, BBC, Hulu and other geo-blocked content

Do you want to have access to the complete Netflix catalog, even if you are not in the United States? Maybe see Hulu from anywhere? How about enjoying the BBC from outside the UK?

Normally, you could not do any of these things due to geographic blocks. However, with the right VPN , you can easily make these services think that you are in the country you select, "cheating" the blocks and making the websites think that you are accessing from the right place.

Many streaming services use advanced VPN detection measures that not all VPNs are capable of overcoming , but some, like NordVPN , can unlock virtually anything.

Greater protection in public networks

Do you usually use free wi-fi in coffee shops, parks, hotels or anywhere? If so, you probably know the risks of unsecured public networks . Between honeypot attacks , spoofing (network forgery) and hackers that try to intercept your data, it is a bad idea to use your personal devices in public networks if you do not have additional protection.

A VPN will take care of everything, allowing you to enjoy the public Wi-Fi networks, save that nobody monitors your activity and in total security.

Greater levels of anonymity

VPNs that give you "total" anonymity are a myth, but it's true that VPNs hide your sensitive data from those who might want to steal them.

By masking your Internet activity, a VPN will ensure that your browsing habits are kept hidden from your ISP (Internet service provider) and, in extreme cases, from the government.

Everyone has the right to privacy, and a worthwhile VPN will do everything possible to preserve this right for its users.

Access the Internet without restrictions from university or work

It is common for universities, institutes and workplaces to restrict access to content that they might consider causing distractions. These restrictions usually have good reasons, but sometimes blockages can go too far.

If you are tired of having blocked websites with political debates or just want to log in to Facebook and see your content, the smart solution is to use a VPN . However, keep in mind that you could suffer the consequences if they discover you - proceed at your own risk.

Improve your Internet connection

Although using a VPN will always slightly affect your Internet speed, it could also improve it .

It might sound weird, but when you realize that many ISPs actively slow down connections when they detect that you're watching streaming videos, downloading heavy files or using a large amount of bandwidth, the thing makes sense.

When a VPN encrypts your data, it is very difficult for someone, including your ISP, to decipher and read them, and you will not suffer any slowdown. The result? A faster and uncongested Internet connection with zero manipulation of the service for which you are paying.

Download torrents safely and without limits

Although downloading torrents is not illegal, downloading pirated content is. For this reason, quite a few countries block all the big websites to download torrents .

If you are in one of these countries, a VPN will give you access to these websites, and will always keep your activity hidden from snoops regardless of where you are in the world.

Not all VPNs allow you to download torrents on your servers, but some like CyberGhost offer P2P designated servers and optimized for downloading torrents.

Watch the Kodi, Popcorn Time and Putlocker streams in a safe way

If you use Kodi , Popcorn Time or Putlocker , a VPN can greatly improve your streaming experience. You can mask your location and access any content you want, including movies and TV shows that are geographically restricted to specific countries or regions.

Something perhaps more important is that a VPN will make your connection anonymous and secure : No one can spy on your activity, not even government agencies or your own ISP. You will be safe from Internet threats that could be integrated into add-ons or third-party extensions, such as malware and spyware.

How do VPNs work?

It all starts with your VPN client - the interface where you manage your VPN connections. When you start it, you can select a server in the location of your choice , which will redirect and encrypt your web traffic.

Normally, information about your traffic is visible to your ISP; However, when you start your VPN, all the ISP sees is that you have established a connection to a VPN server - nothing else. Your data circulates through the VPN before reaching your destination.

You also get an IP address different from your real IP, so your identity on the Internet is safe at all times. Your destination does not know that your traffic comes from your real location since, in fact, it comes to it from the VPN server.

If it sounds a bit confusing, look at it like this: your VPN is the intermediary that you have hired to make sure that your data is protected and locked from the time they go from you to the web / service you visit / use. A VPN also gives you privacy by keeping your real IP, device and location hidden (although they are visible to your VPN provider).

For others, your location is that of your VPN server , and your IP address is what it provides you with - potentially shared by thousands of users. For example, connected to a server in Germany, you will have a German IP address somewhere in Berlin or Frankfurt.

Keep in mind that this is a simple explanation of a very complex technology. If you want to learn more about the functioning of VPNs, we invite you to take a look at our in-depth guide on VPN tunneling .

VPN protocols

The VPN encryption implies much more. One of the most important aspects is choosing the right protocol .

Most VPNs use one or more of the following protocols: PPTP, L2TP, SSTP, IKEV2, and OpenVPN . Normally, you can easily switch between them in your client's options.

As a general rule, use OpenVPN whenever possible , since it is the protocol that offers the best balance between speed and security. If you are curious about the intricacies of VPN protocols, take a look at our in-depth comparison .

How does a VPN guarantee my privacy?

You may be wondering how you can enjoy total anonymity when your VPN provider basically replaces your ISP as the intermediary of your Internet traffic. The answer is that you can never be 100% anonymous, even with a VPN.

Policies "no-logs" or of not keeping records

It is fundamental to understand that privacy does not mean anonymity , and there is a big difference between the two. Your VPN provider can see the activity you do on the Internet - yes or yes. Unless you operate under a policy of not keeping records.

Many VPN services with solid privacy promise never to collect, store or share information about your connection and bandwidth. That is, the VPN provider that does not keep records will not be able to put their noses in your private information since it does not register it. In addition, the absence of records prevents your data from being turned over to the authorities if they require it.

In short: a policy of not keeping records is a must in a VPN that claims to improve your privacy.

Unless you have no interest in having your fingerprint completely yours, you should always look for a VPN service that does not collect any sensitive information - if you wish, check out the best VPNs that do not keep records .

The VPN and Tor

Tor, The Onion Router ("the onion router"), is an anonymizing network that sends your data through at least three relays before they reach their destination, although it has its limitations. If it is important for you to be anonymous on the Internet, it is a good idea to use the combination of a VPN and Tor .

There are two ways to combine a VPN with Tor:

• Tor through the VPNIn this model, you first connect to your VPN and then to Tor; this means that third parties that can spy on your connection do not see that you are using Tor (which could make them suspect you).
• A VPN through Tor
  Connecting first to Tor, your data enters Tor, exit through an exit node and then go to the VPN server.

Are VPNs easy to use?

The best thing about a VPN, if it is well designed, is that it can be as simple or as complex as you want.

Depending on what you need, you can have a minimalist client that encrypts your connection and keeps you safe on the Internet with just a few clicks, or a very complex software with an arsenal of functionalities and settings that help you with specific activities, such as streams of videos, download torrents or eliminate censorship.

Whatever the case, good VPNs are very easy to use and install in no time - no complex steps or huge requirements.

You may wonder if VPNs are only for computers and laptops ... Well, no!

Can I use a VPN with iOS or Android?

Of course! Installing a VPN on your mobile devices is very easy. Most VPN providers offer excellent applications for Android and iOS.

That said, keep in mind that a VPN will only affect your Internet connection; The powers of a VPN do not usually extend to other applications that could be collecting and sharing your GPS location, contact list, app store ID and so on.

In most cases, a single VPN license allows you to connect multiple devices at the same time, a great way to protect your entire family or your small business. The number of devices varies; some providers will only allow you to connect three or four, but others, such asIPVanish , allow you to connect up to ten.

If you want to know more about the use of VPNs on your smartphone, check out our lists of the best and worst VPNs for Android and the best and worst VPNs for iOS .

Can I install a VPN in my router?

As long as your router is compatible with VPNs, yes, and it is a very good way to keep all devices in your home or company protected. 

Can I use a free VPN?

With dozens of high quality VPN providers on the web, it's not hard to end up with a good one for what you're going to use it for.

For a fairly cheap monthly payment (usually less than $ 10, less if you opt for a long-term plan), you can easily connect to a VPN server and protect yourself; the difficult thing is to choose the best service among so many of good quality. However, who likes to pay if it can be avoided?

There are also many free VPNs , and some are better than others. However, something that all free VPNs share is that they have their limitations compared to premium services.

Some examples : there may be a maximum bandwidth that you are allowed to use, the list of servers may be poor and the speed of your connection may be intentionally restricted. Among some more worrisome aspects are imprecise privacy policies, security failures and, sometimes, directly the sale of your browsing data (one of the main reasons to use a VPN!)

We are not saying that all free VPNs resort to these murky practices , but it is very likely that you will suffer problems that do not occur in a premium VPN.

In vpnMentor we recommend you to choose a reliable and transparent VPN payment service that offers a lot and has a great reputation and a great post-positive history.

NordVPN is incredibly easy to use, has excellent intuitive clients for mobile devices and computers and does not save any record of sensitive user information. In addition, it comes with a 30 day total satisfaction guarantee , which in practice means that you have a whole month to try it out and receive your money back if you are not satisfied for some reason.

If you want more information about NordVPN, take a look at what our experts and thousands of users say about it .

The best of all? You do not have to spend much to get one of the best VPN services in the market. At the end of the guide we tell you how you can take advantage of incredible offers in premium VPNs.

Are the VPNs legal?

Short answer: yes . Citizens of most countries have a legal right to privacy, and VPNs do not infringe any law such as computer programs that are - their use is rarely illegal . The long answer:

Although VPNs are usually legal, some countries actively try to monitor their use and / or restrict them. It is important to know that in most cases it is not about the use of a VPN itself, but about what you use it for.

Some countries (such as China , Russia and Iran ) do not prohibit the use of VPNs, but the thing is tricky: Technically, you are only allowed to use VPN services approved by the government.

This means that the providers that have been approved have most likely met antiprivacy and censorship requirements, making their VPN services useless for many people.

Using a VPN that has not been approved by the government can be punishable by high fines. The laws are intentionally inaccurate, and it seems that they are rarely enforced; however, the situation implies that you have to be careful and be well prepared if you want to use a VPN in these countries.

The United Arab Emirates is another remarkable example, where the threat of prison sentences is added to six-figure fines. However, contrary to what is commonly believed, using a VPN in this country is not prohibited; what is prohibited (and is punishable) by law is to use one for "illegal purposes". As illegal purposes we find betting, language of incitement to hatred, and even access Skype and Wikipedia, so, as you can see, it is quite easy to commit a crime with a VPN according to the UAE law.

Again, these laws rarely apply, but their existence is enough so you can have problems if you do not prepare well.

Other countries, such as Iraq, Belarus and Turkmenistan, even ban the use of VPNs altogether. Whether to reduce the terrorist presence on social networks, establish political control or simply restrict access to foreign media, the privacy of the citizens of these regions is greatly restricted by law.

Summarizing? Except in a few extreme cases, the use of a VPN is perfectly legal. However, some countries have unique requirements and restrictions on which VPNs can be used and for what.

If you are planning a trip to Russia, China or the Middle East, it is important to familiarize yourself with how the law of these countries deals with VPNs. Otherwise, you expose yourself to problems.

DISCLAIMER: Although we have researched in depth to make sure that the information is useful, accurate and up-to-date, we are not lawyers or experts in the position of several countries regarding VPNs. Therefore, nothing in this guide should be considered as legal advice.