How does a VPN hide your search history, and is private browsing safe?
Are private browsing and VPN secure?
Whether you run a business or access the Internet for your purposes, you probably know that surfing the web can put you and your organization at all kinds of risk.
By connecting to the Internet, you and your business are exposed to hackers and thieves, who can steal all kinds of information from you, from personal data and Internet browsing history to payment data.
So when it comes to protecting yourself and your online business, you might have considered private browsing or going with a VPN. But which solution is right for you?
What is private browsing, and how do I use it?
Private browsing is a feature built into many modern web browsers. Most major web browsers have it, and it’s usually easy to access through the File menu. For example :
- Chrome has the fashion Private Browsing
- Microsoft Edge has InPrivate Browsing mode
- Safari mode has Private Browsing
- Firefox offers the fashion Private Browsing
- Opera has built-in private tabs
Put, private browsing is a mode in which the browser does not save browser history, search history, or local data, such as cookies.
Is private browsing really private?
Although private browsing prevents your browser from storing information on your device or your local computer, it does not necessarily avert sharing data between your computer and your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
It is also possible for third parties to detect traces of activity related to private browsing sessions, which can exploit entries in the operating system.
How secure is private browsing?
Many people believe that private browsing will protect them from viruses, malware, and hacking attempts. Because it will not store local data, it will be safe from fraud and theft when it enters, for example, financial information or passwords. However, this is unfortunately not the case.
Since private browsing relies on an Internet Protocol (IP) address provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), it is always possible for third parties to detect your browsing session and exploit vulnerabilities. In addition, software bugs, HTML5 APIs, and even browser extensions have in the past been the source of accidental leaks and allowed third parties to access searches and browsing history. Through private browsing.
The only way to truly protect your internet browsing and search data, as well as your history, is through the use of a VPN.
What is a VPN, and what does it mean?
VPN stands for “virtual private network.”
VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and your online identity. It makes it more difficult for third parties to break into your device and steal your data.
What will the VPN hide your history from?
Usually, when you access the Internet, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) provides your connection. It follows you through an IP address. Your web traffic goes through your ISP’s servers, which can log and view all of your online activity.
Friends, your ISP may seem trustworthy, but it could pass your browsing history on to advertisers, the police or government, and other third parties. Your ISP is also vulnerable to intrusions: your personal and private data can be compromised if it is hacked.
It is essential if you regularly connect to public Wi-Fi networks. You never know who might be watching your internet traffic on the other side or what might be stolen from you: passwords, personal data, payment information, and even your entire identity.
How does a VPN work?
A VPN masks your IP address by redirecting it to a specially configured remote server managed by the VPN host. So when you browse online using a Virtual private network, the VPNs server becomes the origin of your data. It makes it impossible for your ISP or any other third party to see which websites you visit or what information you provide. A VPN works like a filter that turns all the data you send and receive into gibberish. Even if someone were to get their hands on this data, it would be unusable.
What should a good VPN do?
You may be relying on your VPN to accomplish a series of tasks. The Virtual private network itself should also be safe from compromise.
Here are the qualities you should expect from any complete VPN solution:
IP address encryption
The first and most essential task of the VPN is to hide your IP address from your ISP and other third parties. It allows you to send and receive information online without the risk of anyone else seeing it except you and the VPNs provider.
Log encryption
A VPN should also prevent you from leaving a trail, for example, in the form of browsing history, search history, and cookies. Cookie encryption is essential because it prevents third parties from seeing sensitive information, such as personal details, financial information, and other content sent to websites that you do not want to be traced to you.
Kill switch
If your VPN connection is interrupted, so will your secure connection. A good Virtual private network will detect this sudden interruption and quit preselected programs, reducing the risk of data compromise.
Multi-author authentication
A strong VPN will verify anyone trying to connect through a diverse range of authentications. For example, you may be asked to enter a password, and a code sent to your mobile device. It makes it more difficult for unwanted third parties to access your secure connection.
The history of VPNs
Since people started to use the Internet, there has been a movement to protect and encrypt browsing data. In the 1960s, the United States Department of Defense participated in projects aimed at scrambling communications data.
The precursors of VPNs
Their efforts culminated in creating the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network ( ARPANET ), a packet switching network, which in turn led to the development of Transfer Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP). transmission control / Internet protocol).
The TCP / IP protocol had four layers: link, Internet, transport, and application. The Internet layer was where local networks and devices could connect to the universal network. It is also where the risk of exposure arose.
In 1993, a team from Columbia University and AT&T Bell Labs created the first iteration of VPN today, called swIPe: Software IP Encryption Protocol.
The following year, Wei Xu designed the IPsec network, a secure Internet protocol that authenticates and encrypts information packets shared online. Then, in 1996, a Microsoft employee named Gurdeep Singh-Pall created a Peer-to-Peer Tunneling Protocol or PPTP.
The first VPNs
Just as Gurdeep Singh-Pall was designing PPTP, the Internet was widespread, and the need for sophisticated security systems ready for use by consumers arose.
While the anti-virus software of the day successfully prevented malware and spyware from infecting a computer system, individuals and businesses also demanded encryption software that could hide their Internet browsing history.
The first VPNs took flight in the early 2000s, but they were typically only used by businesses. However, after a wave of high-profile security breaches, especially in the early 2010s, consumers began to search for their private VPNs.
Today
According to the company GlobalWebIndex, between 2016 and 2018, the number of VPN users worldwide has more than quadrupled. In countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and China, where internet use is restricted and censored, one in five internet users uses a VPN.
Friends, in contrast, in the US, UK, and Germany, the percentage of VPN users is lower, but not insignificant, at around 5%.
In recent years, one of the main drivers of Virtual private network adoption has been the growing demand from users to access geographically restricted content. For example, video streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube make some videos accessible only in certain countries. With modern VPNs, it is possible to encrypt your IP address in such a way as to appear to be browsing from another country, allowing users to access the content in question from anywhere.
How to stay safe with a VPN
How a VPN works are to encrypt your online presence. The only way to decipher this encryption is to use a key. Only your computer and the Virtual private network know this key, making it impossible for your ISP to determine where you are browsing.
Each VPN uses a different encryption process, but typically the process takes place in three stages:
- Once online, you start your VPN. The Virtual private network acts as a secure tunnel between you and the Internet: your ISP and other third parties cannot access this tunnel.
- Your device then ends up on the VPN’s local network, and your IP address can be replaced by one of the IP addresses provided by the VPN’s servers.
- You can now browse the Internet however you want, as the VPN protects all your data.
What are the different types of VPN?
There are many types of VPNs, but here are the three main types:
Remote access VPNs
Remote access VPNs work by connecting the user to a remote server. It allows the user to connect to a private network.
Most commercial VPNs work this way. The remote server is the VPN’s network. Here are the main advantages of remote access VPNs:
- They are quick and easy to set up, easy to connect to.
- Virtual private network securely encrypt your online browsing data.
- They allow you to change your IP address to access geographically restricted content.
It makes them ideal for personal use, but they may not meet the complex needs of large businesses.
Site-to-site VPNs
A site-to-site VPN is essentially a private network intended to camouflage private intranets while still allowing users of these secure networks to access each other’s resources.
A site-to-site VPN is helpful if you have multiple sites in your business, each with its local area network (LAN) connected to the wide-area network (WAN). Or, if you have two separate intranets, you need to share files without explicitly allowing users from one intranet to access the other.
Site-to-site VPNs are primarily used in large businesses. Their implementation is complex and does not offer the same flexibility as remote access VPNs. However, they are the most effective way to secure communications within and between large departments.
Client-to-provider VPNs
With this form of VPN, the user is not connected to the Internet through their ISP but directly through their VPNs provider.
It essentially avoids the step of VPN tunneling. So instead of using the VPN to create an encryption tunnel to camouflage the existing internet connection, the Virtual private network can automatically encrypt data before passing it on to the user.
It is an increasingly common form of VPNs that is particularly useful for unsecured public Wi-Fi networks providers. This type of VPNs encrypts data up to the provider and thus prevents third parties from accessing and compromising the network connection.
It also prevents ISPs from accessing any data that has not been encrypted (for whatever reason) and bypasses any restrictions placed on user access to the Internet (for example, if the government of this country imposes a curfew on Internet access).
How can I install a VPN on my system?
Before installing a VPN, it is essential to understand the different ways to implement it.
Stand-alone VPN clients
Stand-alone VPN clients require software installation. It will configure this software to meet the requirements of the terminal. When establishing the VPN, the terminal executes the VPN connection and connects to the other terminal, thus setting the encryption tunnel.
It is the type of implementation most commonly found at home and in small businesses.
Browser extensions
VPN extensions can be added to most web browsers, like Google Chrome and Firefox. Some browsers, including Opera, even have built-in Virtual private network extensions.
The extensions make it easy for users to switch to and configure VPN quickly while browsing the Internet. However, the VPNs connection will only apply to information shared on that browser. This VPN cannot encrypt other browsers, or other Internet uses without a browser (for example, online games).
While not as comprehensive as stand-alone clients, browser extensions may be a suitable solution for casual Internet users who want an extra level of security. However, these are more vulnerable to intrusions. Users are also advised to choose a reputable extension as there is a risk that data collectors will exploit bogus VPN extensions.
VPN routers
Suppose multiple devices are connected to the same internet connection. In that case, it may be easier to implement a VPN directly on the router rather than installing a separate VPN on each device.
A VPN router is handy for protecting internet-connected devices that aren’t easy to set up, like smart TVs. It can even help you access geographically restricted content from your home entertainment systems. It’s easy to install, provides 24/7 security and privacy, and prevents compromises that can be made when unsecured devices connect to your network.
However, this solution can be more challenging to manage if your router does not have its user interface, which could cause it to block incoming connections.
Corporate VPNs
It is a tailor-made solution that requires personalized creation and support. A corporate VPNs typically only used in corporate environments and is often custom-built by the IT team. The main advantage of a corporate VPN is the total security of the connections to the intranet and the corporate server, including for employees working outside the company premises from their Internet connection.
Can I download a VPN for my iPhone / Android or other devices?
Yes, there are several VPN solutions for mobile devices and other Internet-connected devices. A Virtual private network might be essential for your mobile device if you use it to store payment information or other personal data or use internet-connected applications for activities, such as dating, gambling, poker, etc. Money transfers, or just if you browse the Internet. Many VPN providers also offer mobile solutions and can download many of these directly from Google Play or Apple App Stores.
Is a VPN really that secure?
It’s important to remember that VPNs don’t work the same way as full-featured antivirus software. While they protect your IP and encrypt your browsing history, that’s all they can do. They won’t keep you safe, for example, if you come across phishing websites or download compromised files.
When using a VPN, you always run the risk of facing the following:
- Trojans
- Bots
- Malware
- Spy software
- Virus
If any of these got into your system, it could damage the device whether you are using a VPN or not. Therefore, you must use a VPN in tandem with full antivirus software to ensure maximum security.
Choose a reliable VPN provider.
Also, it would help if you chose a Virtual private network provider that you can trust.
While your ISP will not be able to see your internet traffic, your VPN provider will. If your Virtual private network provider is compromised, so will your information.
It is why you must choose a VPN provider that you can trust to share your internet browsing data and to maintain the highest level of security on the side of it.
FAQ
Will a VPN slow down my internet connection?
No, a VPN should connect to your existing Wi-Fi network without creating conflicts. The VPN should only affect your connection to the virtual network and not the actual connection to the phone line or long-distance line. So you will still be connected to your original network, but you will appear to be connected to your network. Therefore, your internet connection should continuously operate at an average speed.
Is it difficult to set up a VPN?
Setting up a VPN should be pretty straightforward. If you are installing a standalone VPN solution as software, it should come with an installation client. If you download your VPN as a web extension, you might not even need a client, as the Virtual private network should instantly attach to your web browser.
Friends, If you are using a VPN router, the complexity of the installation may vary, but most VPN routers will work fine the first time they are used.
If you implement a corporate VPN or other large-scale VPN solution, the setup may be more difficult. The difficulty will depend on the level of complexity to be managed. However, keep in mind that if you are a private user, a standalone VPN client should suffice.
Is a VPN complex to operate and manage?
Most standalone VPNs are very easy to manage. Most of them work based on a few entries. It is usually an on / off switch and country selector, so you can choose the IP address of the country you want to appear to be using. Corporate VPNs might be a bit more complex, but this reflects the level of complexity in your organization.
Can I use a VPN to watch Netflix / Hulu / YouTube or other streaming content from another country?
In most cases, yes. Streaming websites like Netflix and Hulu lock down some of their content in certain countries. However, the block is limited to the IP addresses associated with the countries in question.
Many VPNs will allow you to choose the country from which you want to use your IP address. Usually, you need to select the country you want to appear as browsing using a drop-down menu.
How do I know if my VPN is working?
Once the connection is established, the Virtual private network works. If you’re using a standalone VPN, the app should provide real-time scans, which will let you know if your VPN connection is active or not. Keep an eye out for this app because you won’t want to disconnect from your VPN accidentally.
How much does a VPN cost, and are there any free solutions?
Each VPN provider chooses its price. Generally, the fees are monthly. There are free VPNs out there, but they are usually not as secure or comprehensive as the paid solutions. You also need to make sure that you choose a VPN provider you trust and invest in the most secure solutions. Remember, if your VPN provider is compromised, so will your information.
What if I see security risks or other issues with my VPN?
It is why it is essential to choose a VPN provider that you trust. Experience a VPN outage or are having difficulty using or managing your VPN connection. You should be able to count on your VPN provider to provide you with help and support, online or over the phone, 24 hours.
Choose Kaspersky Secure Connection as VPN
Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection offers the highest level of online security and anonymity. This solution protects you, your family, and your business against unwanted data leaks or third-party interference in your browsing.
It protects your privacy and data when you are on the Internet. So you can freely browse the web, use social media, streaming, dating, e-commerce sites, and more. Exchange all the data you want, safe in the knowledge that Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection protects your anonymity online. Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection also helps you stay protected when using a public Wi-Fi network. You can configure this solution to connect to different countries to access geographically restricted content.
Virtual private network