With cyber crime on the rise in Australia and around the world it’s no wonder that the VPN market is booming. According to recent reports the virtual private network (VPN) industry is expected to grow to $US77 Billion in 2026. New companies are emerging to take advantage of this market.
As we spend more and more time online, privacy is a necessity. But before you jump into the first VPN you find it’s important to know what a VPN actually is, what it does and how it works.
We’ll also discuss the most important aspects to look for when you’re ready to buy.
What Is a VPN?
A VPN is a virtual private network that secures your information and hides your online behavior from snooping third-party websites.
Your computer connects to a server every time you visit a website. The site can then see certain information about your computer and you depending on the website. With a VPN, instead of connecting to a VPN, you first connect to a private server that encrypts your data and makes it harder for third parties to track what you do online.
Finally, secure browsing is the main use for VPN customers. You can use a VPN to allow remote access to your small business network. You can also create a VPN in your home, allowing you to access computers and files on your local network from a remote location.
Whatever the reason, a VPN redirects your internet traffic to a secure network. For personal use, it means you can access your files risk-free on the internet. For public use, it involves connecting to a secure network of private servers before launching into the open network of the internet.
What Can a VPN Do?
A VPN can do several things, and this is because it changes your IP address. Each computer has its own unique IP address when connected to the internet, which tells other computers where you are. VPN allows you to connect to another computer (Server) before connecting to the internet. This informs other computers that you are in a different place. With many VPN services, you can actually choose these fake locations yourself.
With a new IP address, there are many possibilities. Streaming platforms like Netflix for example, have different content for different parts of the world. A VPN changes your digital location and allows you to access other countries’ streaming libraries.
At the extreme end, a VPN can help you bypass censorship. In some government agencies around the world use geo-blocking which is a method to lock content in your area based on your IP address to block websites and services. A VPN can avoid this problem by changing your IP address and making you connect to the internet from a different location.
VPNs also remove accountability, so people use them to torrent (aka peer-to-peer file sharing) and copyrighted material and engage in other illegal online activities.
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the functions you can perform with a VPN
How VPNs Protect Your Privacy (And How They Don’t)
The most important aspect of a VPN is encryption. We will discuss encryption in the next section. For now, it is important to know that encryption can be used to scramble data, which is only decrypted with the right key. It’s basically a deadbolt lock for your data door.
Your data is sent through an encrypted tunnel before connecting to the internet, and no one else can see the data. This allows you to hide the metadata that your browser sends automatically when you connect to a website. Browsers store large amounts of data. This includes your screen resolution, operating system, time zone, and content language. You can see a complete list of data stored by your browser on AmIUnique.
Although none of the data can be used to identify you, all collections appear to be specific to you and can be used to identify your web browser through a process called your browser fingerprint. This information can be used against you by advertisers, hackers and government agencies.
VPN blocks all your browser metadata, as well as your browsing history. No one, not even your internet service provider, can see what you do online when you are connected.
However, VPNs are not a one-stop shop for online privacy. Everything you do online is secure including the websites you visit and the services you use. Many browsers use accounts to transfer information, such as browsing history and cookies, across devices. That information is not protected by your VPN tunnel, either.
How Do VPNs Work?
A VPN is an extra layer of protection for your internet connection. In the example above, you connect to a private VPN server before connecting to the internet. VPN providers provide an extra layer of security for you by using strong encryption for the initial connection.
The VPN protocol allows VPN providers to do all of these things. A VPN protocol is basically a set of instructions that tells your computer how to connect to a VPN server. The protocol contains instructions for setting up and maintaining your connection. It also contains standards for encryption.
VPN Encryption: A Primer
One of the main reasons to use a VPN is encryption. The majority of internet browsing is encrypted in one way or another. The problem is that encrypted connections still transmit private information.
Your internet connection is like an encrypted tunnel. This tunnel is wrapped in a layer of encryption that prevents others from seeing what you are doing on the internet. If you log into your Twitter account, for example, you are sending your account information from your computer to Twitter through a channel that no one else can access.
VPNs are basically the same. Your data is transferred to a VPN server where it is anonymized before being sent to the internet. AES encryption is used by most VPN providers using a 256-bit key. AES is a standard block cipher, which converts data into blocks, and then encrypts them.
Your computer and the VPN server exchange information to establish a secure connection. This basically ensures that your computer is connected to the server you want. After that, your information and browsing history are protected from anyone outside the tunnel, and the data does not pass through the VPN server.
A VPN is a secure tunnel that protects your data as it travels between and to VPN servers. No one can see you or what you do online, except the VPN server.
Do VPNs Actually Work?
There’s a bit of a secret sauce to VPN effectiveness. As long as you stick with a reputable VPN service like NordVPN or TorGuard, individual reviews of the product should – your VPN will work.
No wonder some people are not sure. Facebook, for example, offered to pay mobile users $US20 per month to connect to a VPN. TechCrunch researchers have discovered that this VPN, sometimes called Project Atlas, is actually a data siphoning operation that gives Facebook root access to mobile devices.
There are also free VPNs, such as Hola which offers a free VPN service connected to the Luminati network. The network charges subscribers a monthly fee to allow them to access bandwidth on their devices through Hola’s free VPN service. This was created by a botnet that was created by unwitting users using computers.
There are tests you can run to make sure your VPN connection is working. Ipleak.org and ipleak.net provide free tools to check your IP address, DNS requests, and WebRTC information (basically everything a VPN can cover). Test the information on VPN and other sites by connecting them. If it works, you can verify that your VPN is working as it should.
What to Look For in an Australian VPN
Now that you know what you need to know about VPNs and what they are, it’s time to choose one. The best VPN services can fire on all cylinders, offering security, privacy, simplicity of use, and a large number of servers. Here are some things to consider when choosing the right VPN service.
It is important to choose a VPN service that has a good reputation. You can find a VPN service that will protect your privacy online while you do your research.
Frequently Asked Questions About VPNs
Are VPNs legal in Australia?
VPN is legal in most countries including Australia. However, some countries are stricter with access and VPN users. It is best to check the law in your country. It is, however, illegal to do anything while connected through a VPN.
Can I be tracked while using a VPN?
Contrary to what you might say, you can still be tracked even if you use a VPN. Google, for example, can still track what your online activities are if you are registered with the Chrome browser. Although VPNs can block external sources from monitoring your online activities, they do not prevent all surveillance. If they have grounds for an investigation, the Australian Police may seek a court order from your ISP (Internet Service Provider).
How much do VPNs cost?
Pricing for VPNs can be a bit confusing. Standard subscription plans for private VPNs are billed annually, but are shown as monthly fees. For a reputable VPN, you can expect to pay between $2-$10 per month, depending on speed, customer support and security.
Is it OK to leave VPN on all the time?
It is a good idea to leave your VPN on. VPNs offer the best online security. You should always keep your VPN active to protect yourself from data leaks and cyber attacks when using public W-Fi. So always keep your VPN on.
Is ExpressVPN good in Australia?
We highly recommend ExpressVPN as the best Australian VPN. That’s because of its streaming capabilities and unblocking sites and solid privacy features. And it’s lightning fast too.
What is the most reliable VPN for Australia? Best Australian VPN
- NordVPN is the best VPN for speed and security.
- Surfshark is the cheapest VPN.
- ExpressVPN is the best VPN.
- Atlas VPN is the best VPN for streaming services.
- CyberGhost is a VPN with the most servers.
- IPVanish is the best VPN for multi-device support
- ProtonVPN is a Swiss-based VPN.
Does ExpressVPN work in Australia?
ExpressVPN offers Australian VPN servers located in Sydney and Melbourne. ExpressVPN’s Smart Location feature lets you choose the location closest to your current location.
Is ExpressVPN still trustworthy?
Overall, ExpressVPN is a reliable, secure, and efficient VPN service. It has fast connection speeds and works with streaming platforms, including Hulu, Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video.
Is ExpressVPN safe review?
This is a great choice. If you don’t care about price, there is no better VPN. ExpressVPN excels on every front, including speed, security, unblocking websites restricted to certain regions, avoiding censorship, and customer service. I recommend it to everyone, from novices to experienced VPN users.
Is it still safe to use ExpressVPN?
Are VPNs safe? Yes, if you use the best VPN. ExpressVPN uses AES256 encryption to protect your data. This encryption standard is adopted by the US government. Security experts around the world use it to protect confidential information.
How much does ExpressVPN cost in Australia?
| MARKS | details | Lowest price |
|---|---|---|
| Private Internet access | Show Plans | AU$2.89/month 75.14 2 year plan |
| IPVanish | Show Plans | US$3.99/month US47.89 1 year plan |
| ExpressVPN | Show Plans | US$8.32/month US$99.84 1 year plan |
| Hotspot Shield | Show Plans | AU$11.99/month AU$143.88 1 year plan |
Is ExpressVPN good in Australia?
We highly recommend ExpressVPN as the best Australian VPN. Outstanding streaming and site blocking performance as well as solid privacy features are why we recommend ExpressVPN.
How much does ExpressVPN charge?
How much does ExpressVPN cost? ExpressVPN offers three subscription options: $12.95 per month, $59.95 every six months and $99.95 per year.
Which free VPN is best?
The best free VPN for mobile devices You can choose the classic Atlas VPN and ProtonVPN because they are the best free VPNs for Android. However, there are other options. For example, Windscribe and Hide.me are also worth a shot.
Are there free VPNs? ProtonVPN is my top choice for the most reliable 100% free VPN in 2022. ProtonVPN Free comes with unlimited data, has faster than average speeds for free VPNs and allows users to connect to 3 locations (Japan and the US, and the Netherlands).
What is better than a VPN?
The two most popular options are software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). SD-WAN is a more efficient alternative to VPN. Instead of implementing point-topoint connectivity, SD-WAN allows for the best possible routing of encrypted traffic across the network of SD-WAN devices.
Is paying for a VPN worth it?
The quick answer to this question is yes, investing in a VPN is worth it, especially in the case of privacy and encryption when surfing the web. VPN, or virtual private network, is a private network for one computer when connected to a public internet connection.
Is paid VPN better than free VPN? The biggest strength of a free VPN is that it’s free. If you get something free from paying for it, they don’t expect premium service and the quality standards are low. You can expect faster speeds, more features and stronger encryption when you sign up for the service.
Is it worth having a VPN at home?
A VPN is highly recommended, especially for sensitive data. You should at all times protect yourself from data breaches, hackers, and leaks as well as intrusive snoopers like ISP and advertisers. A VPN protects your privacy and protects your data from hackers and other cybercriminals.
Is there a downside to always using a VPN?
The top 10 disadvantages of VPN are: A VPN will not guarantee you complete anonymity: Read more. It is not always possible to guarantee your privacy: Read more. VPN use is illegal in some countries. VPN is not legal in some countries: Learn more. A reliable and secure VPN will cost you more.
Is it worth it having a VPN?
Whatever your reason for needing security, a VPN’s strong encryption protects your online activity. With a VPN, no one can see your information or activities other than hackers or the government, and certainly not your own ISP. You can be safe no matter where you are located around the world.
Why you shouldn’t pay for a VPN?
Some VPNs offer free VPN services. However, they may sell your browsing information to third-party companies. Your connection may be interrupted. There may be a problem with your connection. Free VPNs are often more dangerous than using a VPN in the first place.
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