Virtual Private Networks

By now, you have probably heard of a virtual private network, or VPN , either advertised or in passing conversations.  You're probably wondering what a VPN is, how it works, and if having one will benefit you.

What is a VPN, and how does it work?

Think of the Internet as a system of highways that allows you to travel from Point A to Point B.  While traveling, you go through many interchanges and have to switch roads.  This is the same way the Internet works.  As you upload, download, or send information over the Internet your data passes through a system of wires and nodes, and it changes over networks, much like you when you travel a highway system.  So this is where the problem lies; sometimes the network that your are on (such as a free WiFi spot) is either malicious or compromised. 

Have you ever thought about that favorite coffee shop of yours where you setup your laptop and cruise the Internet for free?  How do you know that the person controlling the network isn't collecting your data?  And if you are confident that they would never do that, how do you know that their network is not compromised by a third party who is collecting your data for a malicious purpose?  (Think banking and email passwords).

This is where a VPN comes in.  A VPN is like a private tunnel under this system of highways that encrypts your Internet traffic so that prying eyes cannot see what you're up to.  A VPN also hides your actual IP address from anyone attempting to track your current location.

What are the advantages to having a VPN? 

In addition to providing an extra layer of security for your devices, a VPN is also useful to keep your Internet activity more private.  Depending on the level of encryption, if you are using a VPN at home, your Internet Service Provider cannot see what sites you are visiting on your home network.  Many VPN services also allows you to access geographically restricted content while travelling abroad.  So, if you like to enjoy streaming services like Netflix and Hulu while you are travelling to Europe, setting your IP address to a US-based server will allow you to use those services when you are not in the US.  A VPN is also useful in eliminating dynamic pricing.

This all sounds very cool right?  It makes you feel as if you can be a first-class passenger while travelling.  So this has to be expensive right?  VPNs used to be a tool only available to governments, corporations, and the very wealthy.  Now there are many VPN services out there which are available to everyday Internet users at a very reasonable cost.

With that being said, it is important to understand that not all VPN services are equal.  Some providers do not allow you to access geographically restricted content, and not all of them have the same security protocols.  This is why Black Stag Cyber Security has chosen to partner with NordVPN.  In addition to allowing users to access US content while abroad, NordVPN is renowned for their security protocols and military-grade encryption algorithms.  We proudly sell NordVPN subscriptions to our clients, and we do not charge any more than NordVPN does for their services.

If you're interested in a VPN subscription, contact us today!