Want to browse the web privately and securely? Well, here’s the truth: it’s almost impossible, owing to the growing network of apps and tracking. Your web browsing activity is tracked by your ISP, websites, apps, social media, and more. In this article we’ll share how to browse on the web using a VPN.
Any time you visit a website online, you leave a trail of data behind. You cannot do anything about it, it’s just how the internet works. Websites use that data to serve you and target ads. However, your browsing history reveals a lot about you, but you can achieve online security and some level of anonymity online using a VPN.
A virtual private network keeps your internet traffic safe from snoopers by creating a dedicated, encrypted VPN tunnel through which your internet traffic flows. It hides your online activities from your ISP.
How do VPNs help securely browse the web?
VPNs help you securely access the internet and browse the web by two things: Data encryption and IP masking. We will discuss both in detail.
1. Data Encryption: Browse Using a VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) secures your online browsing and other activities, passing all your online traffic through an encrypted VPN tunnel. When you connect to a different server location, it also reroutes your traffic through that server. This way no one can track your online activities, browsing history, and more.
VPNs also secure your data with 256-bit AES encryption making it unreadable to third parties. Even if some websites do intercept your browser data, they will not be able to decrypt it, and it will be useless for them, as it would not make any sense. This way, a VPN also hides your browser activity even from your internet service provider (ISP).
There are plenty of VPNs out there to access the web securely. You can also browse with the best VPNs by VPNRanks to get the perfect VPN for your needs and get started today.
2. Mask Your IP Address
When you connect to a VPN server, it masks your actual IP address and assigns you a different IP address. For example, if you are connected to a US server, you will be assigned an American IP address, regardless of your location.
Your IP address holds a lot of information, including your geo-location, so using a VPN helps counter a lot of security risks. When you use a VPN to mask your IP address, you are using the same IP address that other users have on the same server. So, it’s hard to trace online activity back to a single user, among others sharing an IP address.
In other words, with a VPN, you can securely browse through the web as no one will be able to track your activities.
What Type of Data is Collected by Websites About You On the Web?
Here are five common types of data that collec by websites and apps when you are browsing online:
Your IP Address Browse Using a VPN
The most important information collected by websites is your IP address. Your IP address shows a lot of information about you, like your general location, internet service provider and more. The problem is that through your IP address, anyone can track you online, and in extreme cases, they can even track you to your doorstep.
That is, most people use a VPN to browse anonymously. When you use a VPN, it masks your real IP address so no one can track you online. This way, not even your ISP can see your online activities.
Cookies
Cookies are small files that websites leave on your device. These collect information that is used by websites to target you with ads and more. Cookies collect the following kind of information:
- Your name and password
- Your location (IP address)
- How many times do you visit a website?
- Your preferences such as preferred language, font size, browser, and more
The problem is that in extreme cases, cookies can be used to track your online activities. So, imagine the risks if a hacker gets their hands-on cookies. Thankfully, most VPNs offer ad-tracker blockers to automatically block cookies and online trackers when you are browsing online.
Other Ways to Browse the Web Securely
If you have got a VPN, there are other ways to boost your online security further while browsing the internet as follows:
- Every time you browse online, make sure the websites you visit are HTTPS and not HTTP. HTTPS websites have a green padlock on the left of the address bar.
- Be careful about the browser extensions you are using, as sometimes, you might end up adding an extension with malicious code.
- Add an ad-blocker in your browser along with a cross-site tracker blocker. Most VPNs also offer the ad-blocking feature, so you don’t need third-party apps.
- Use Tor for anonymity. Google logs too much user information, no matter what you do online. So, it’s best to use Tor as it reroutes your browser traffic through several nodes.
The post How To Browse Through The Unprotected Web Using a VPN? appeared first on Visualmodo.
0 Commentaires