MASTER YOUR VPN
You don’t need to be paranoid or have a desperate desire to see what’s on US Netflix to enjoy the benefits of a virtual private network (VPN). As the Prime Minister told the Russian people in an online speech last month: “All you need is a VPN connection to access independent information from anywhere in the world” (www.snipca.com/41726). And Boris Johnson is completely right: even in less oppressed countries, where the internet isn’t censored and the media is free from state control, a VPN lets you access any content you like and prevents you from being spied on while you do so.
With VPNs currently soaring in popularity (and not just in Russia), we decided that now was the perfect time to take a closer look at the subject. Even if you already use a VPN, it may not be offering the fastest speeds, tightest security, best features and largest choice of servers available. And if you’ve never tried one before, you may be wondering if everything you’ve heard about VPNs is true.
Here we review the latest VPN tools to discover what each has to offer. We also expose the truth behind common VPN myths and misconceptions, explain how to tweak hidden settings for optimum speed and security, and reveal exciting new content from abroad you can now unblock.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
• Conceal your VPN usage from your internet provider
• Encrypt your internet traffic twice with a double VPN
• Stay protected when you lose your VPN connection
• Exclude specific programs and sites from your VPN
• Access hidden ‘onion’ sites without using Tor Browser
• Boost your speed by changing your VPN’s protocol
• Stream TV shows and films only available in the US
FIVE COMMON VPN MYTHS BUSTED
All VPNs keep you anonymous
A VPN encrypts the connection between your PC or mobile device and a web server. This disguises your IP address so websites and apps can’t see your location - and neither can hackers or snoopers. However, some VPNs collect usage data, including your IP address, connection times and details of your activities, and sell it to third parties such as advertisers.
Even reputable VPNs may be required to pass your data to government agencies, if they’re based in one of the ‘Fourteen Eyes’ countries. This international alliance is an expansion of for the full list, and the map above right). This allows intelligence agencies to share data about internet users, primarily to combat terrorism. VPNs are supposed to protect against surveillance, but in Fourteen Eyes countries this isn’t guaranteed - even if you’re doing nothing wrong. Therefore, if you’re determined to remain anonymous, you need to use a VPN that doesn’t log, share or sell your data – and that means choosing one outside the jurisdiction of the Fourteen Eyes countries.
