VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are frequently used by companies for remote workers making a connection to the office network. But there are companies that rent out VPNs to anyone.
These rented VPNs provide a secure, encrypted pathway/tunnel between you and the company renting the VPN, thus hiding your IP address. This is due to the VPN server that acts as an intermediate between you and the site you visit.
When your Web pages are loaded, e-mail messages, instant messages, they are decrypted and dumped onto the Internet just like everything else. The encryption is only between you and the VPN server, not end to end.
The important aspect is that VPNs do not use a proxy and anonymizes and encrypts all activities.
VPN Pros
- VPNs are very effective in hiding your IP address
- They can be used to anonymize all kind of applications: browsers, chat clients, torrent clients, etc.
- VPNs provide a high level of security, using advanced encryption and authentication protocols. VPNs safeguard your data from snoops, data thieves and other unauthorized parties.
- Because there is no proxy server involved, transmission speeds are generally not slowed from the actual connection speed.
VPN Cons
- More difficult to install and set up products based on proxies. You have to create a separate internet connection.
- You got a limited number of IPs (from the same location) unlike proxy-based products. For example, IP Hider allows you use proxies from US, UK, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, etc.
- You don’t know what is logged by the service provider. Usually, the provider stores your real IP address and your activities for a certain period of time in order to prevent any illegal activities.
- VPNs are more expensive than other hide IP tools (except Hotspot Shield which is free)
Do you use VPN services to hide your IP address?
Do you use VPN? What do you think are the pros and cons of VPN services?
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3 Comments
but how is using a VPN like iPredator for anonymity with torrents compare with using a Proxy like BTGUARD?
IPREDATOR VRS BTGUARD?
i use btguard, but seriously have no idea if its working or not. i spend i think $5 usd / month for my torrents to be routed through a proxy in canada. do they store my data for a limited time? i dont know.
i’m fairly sure i’m being throttled, and the btguard slows me down a tad, but i frequently see 5000kB/sec down and 2000kB/s UP, so i’m happy. i use cable connection in ny upstate.
i use anonymizer for web surfing, which is VERY invasive, and fucks up youtube playing and generally slows web browsing very quickly. but i can go to whatsmyip and smile each time…
the cost of being anonymous on the internet: priceless.
@bob – Thank you for you comment. I’m sure it will help others.
I have written a post about BTGuard and it is a good solution but we don’t know if they store any data about the users activity. Probably they do.
Regarding IPREDator, we’ll see how fast will be. Let’s hope it will be faster than BTGuard.
After the launch I’ll try to write a post IPREDator vs BTGuard as you suggested.
Purchasing a VPN connection from europe, when you connect via a VPN connection I know that you can download files at ease and anonymously. but how about sharing torrents and allowing people to upload off of you? DO you still retain the ability to be anonymous? and is there special configurations required on the VPN software to allow this?