Protecting the Online experience with a VPN extension
Since its inception, the Internet has always been a place of connection and endless possibility, built on a foundation of complete user freedom. However, recent years have seen the digital space become a more hostile environment for users, for a host of reasons.
Chief among these reasons is the extreme proliferation of cybercrime and fraud, which puts users worldwide at increased risk each time they go online. However, cybercriminals are not the only parties actively degrading users' online experiences. Governments and internet service providers (ISPs) have also begun to engage in internet censorship for economic and geopolitical reasons, and the result is a more restrictive experience for users.
With cybercriminals threatening to breach their security and authorities erecting digital borders that limit their online freedom, an increasing contingent of users are electing to use a VPN extension with their chosen web browser.
How does a VPN extension work?
A virtual private network (VPN) is an application that enables users to make their internet connection more private and secure. It does so by directing a user's online traffic through a secure tunnel, masking their IP address in the process.
A VPN extension, specifically, is an application that users can install as part of their web browser. This applies the functionality of VPN technology to that browser, enabling users to gain many of the benefits of a VPN without needing to install a full VPN client.
It's also important that though a VPN client will secure any traffic from a device, a VPN extension applies only to browser traffic.
How do VPN extensions benefit users?
Using a VPN extension helps users to improve the quality of their online experiences in a number of significant aspects, including the following:
As mentioned above, today's internet users face significant cybersecurity threats. In many instances, when hackers and other malicious entities commit cybercrime, they begin the process by tracking the IP address of a user. Alternatively, they can intercept a user's data on a public network on go from there. However, these issues are considerably less concerning for users who utilize a VPN.
Since a VPN conceals a user's IP address from such parties, it prevents them from tracking users and obtaining the initial information they need to victimize them. Moreover, a VPN encrypts internet traffic, preventing interceptors from accessing one's data. As such, VPNs help to provide an extra level of protection against cybersecurity breaches so that they can browse safely.
The reality is that modern ISPs are often inclined to monitor the activities of their customers. Not only does this encroach on personal privacy, but it can also have ramifications on one's connection quality. ISPs frequently throttle users' bandwidth when they detect certain activities, such as streaming, for instance.
Since a VPN encrypts data and conceals IP addresses, it makes it difficult for ISPs to monitor user activity. That means that VPN users can have greater privacy and also avoid the frustrating experience of having their bandwidth throttled.
One of the most common issues that users run into nowadays is geo-blocking. This is when someone is precluded from accessing a specific certain or certain web content on the basis that is either banned or unavailable in their location. This can be highly frustrating for users, as it exists in opposition to the spirit of freedom which characterizes the Internet. Fortunately, VPNs can alleviate this issue as well.
ISPs and websites typically track user IPs to deduce their location and apply these blocks. However, when using a VPN, the IP of a user's device is concealed. Moreover, their traffic is routed through a server in an alternate geographic location, allowing them to appear as a user in that region. This means, for VPN users, bypassing geo-blocks is as simple as changing one's server location.
Choosing the right VPN solution
Selecting a VPN solution can be tough, if only because there is such a wide selection of options on the market nowadays. For many, a simple free VPN extension serves their needs adequately, and there are many excellent services that fit this description.
When attempting to parse the options, it's good to take server selection and locations into account, as a VPN service with plenty of server options in multiple regions will ensure good bandwidth and easy bypassing of restrictions. Similarly, it's advisable to look into the encryption technology in use so as to avail of the most secure option possible.
Conclusion
The popularity of VPNs has soared in recent times, and it's not difficult to understand why. With personal privacy and security under constant threat and geo-blocking limiting what users can do online, users are dissatisfied and seeking solutions. As the digital world becomes increasingly fraught with challenges for users, it seems that VPNs will remain the most popular way to preserve the integrity of the online experience.