What is a VPN and What's VPN Used for

What is a VPN?

First things first, what does VPN mean? VPN stands for Virtual Private Network is a technology that is used to secure users’ local network traffic over a public WiFi. VPN offers:

Protecting your data and internet traffic from third parties
Masking your real location and anonymizing your identity
Bypassing content geo-restrictions and access a website and services

To deliver its benefits, a VPN needs several components: VPN servers, VPN protocols, and VPN encryption protocols. With this security mix, a VPN allows you to stay private and ensures the integrity of your sensitive data throughout its journey from your device to the destination site or service.

How VPN Works

So, what does a VPN do, exactly? In lay terms, VPN technology creates a secure connection between your device and the site, service, or piece of content that you’re trying to access. This includes the following steps:

1. Traffic encryption

All the data you’re about to send to the internet (e.g. your messages, account passwords, search queries, etc.) is encrypted. This allows VPN technology to protect your information from accidental data leaks or from getting intentionally intercepted by hackers and other cybercriminals. This encrypted connection acts as a secure shield for your data.

2. Routing your traffic through VPN servers

Next, your data is transferred via a remote server instead of going to the destination directly. VPN hides your real IP address and physical location—anyone attempting to trace back your internet traffic will only be able to get as far as the new IP address of the VPN server. Masking your IP kills two birds with one stone:

Protecting your privacy and anonymity
Uninterrupted internet access and unblocking of any content that’s available in the region where the VPN server location is

3. Additional security, privacy, etc.

This step includes any extra benefits that your VPN service provider offers. For VPN Unlimited, this would include features like:

3000+ VPN servers worldwide
Selection of VPN protocols for an adjustable ratio of speed and security
Proprietary KeepSolid Wise protocol to use in networks that block VPN connections
24/7 customer support - real people will answer your questions, not AI.

4. Is VPN good?

Our VPN client is totally effective! Here are some examples of when the reliable VPN Unlimited could be the best solution for you:

If you need a VPN for the fastest speed, but your VPN slows down your Internet connection - use VPN Unlimited!
It not only uses the latest technology to provide you with fast web surfing speeds but also allows you not to lose your ping when playing video games on consoles.
Moreover, to ensure that cybercriminals do not gain access to your personal data, we use a No-Log Policy. Your internet data such as browsing history, IP address, downloads, and other will always be hidden and will not leave traces!

VPN Protocol Comparison: Features and Suitability

KEEPSOLID WISE

KeepSolid Wise is a proprietary protocol designed to bypass VPN blocks, making it an ideal choice for accessing the internet in restrictive environments such as schools, workplaces, or hotels. It utilizes TCP, UDP, and TLS protocols, with OpenVPN as its foundation, to create a stealthy VPN tunnel that's challenging to detect. This technology disguises your VPN traffic as harmless HTTPS traffic, ensuring access even in blocked networks. This is especially useful for users who need to maintain a stable connection even in heavily restricted environments.

Available on:

Android, Windows, iOS, macOS, Linux

L2TP/IPSEC

L2TP/IPSec is a VPN protocol known for its reliable security features. It combines L2TP with IPSec to ensure data protection. While it offers good encryption and security, it may not be the fastest option due to the double encapsulation of data. Additionally, setting up L2TP/IPSec can be moderately complex, particularly when dealing with firewalls that might block the protocol's default port 500.

Available on:
macOS, iOS

TLS

TLS is a widely-used cryptographic protocol that ensures the privacy and integrity of data transmitted over the internet. It encrypts data, protecting it from interception and tampering. TLS operates on TCP Port 443 and is accessible on most networks, providing a secure and efficient means of protecting online communications.

Available on:
Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge

IKEv2

IKEv2 is a highly secure and efficient VPN protocol known for its speed and stability. It offers 256-bit encryption, robust security features, and seamless network transition support. IKEv2 is compatible with various platforms and is a reliable choice for remote access VPN connections, particularly when switching between different network types. This makes it an ideal choice for mobile users who require consistent and secure access.

Available on:

Android, Windows, iOS, macOS, Linux

OpenVPN

OpenVPN is a highly secure and versatile VPN protocol that encrypts your data, ensuring privacy and security, especially on public Wi-Fi networks. It employs robust 256-bit encryption, making it as secure as HTTPS websites. OpenVPN's ability to operate over both UDP and TCP transports makes it adaptable and capable of bypassing VPN restrictions. It's a great all-around protocol for both security and flexibility.

Available on:

Android, Windows, iOS, macOS, Linux

WireGuard

WireGuard is a cutting-edge open-source VPN protocol known for its exceptional security, speed, and efficiency. With a compact codebase, it's easier to audit for vulnerabilities, making it a robust choice for privacy-conscious users. WireGuard's modern cryptography and rotating key system provide both top-notch security and high performance, making it an excellent option for secure and fast VPN connections. For users who prioritize speed without compromising security, WireGuard is a top choice.

Available on:

Android, Windows, iOS, macOS

Site-to-Site VPN

For businesses with multiple offices or data centers, a Site-to-Site VPN provides a secure and encrypted tunnel between two or more locations. This type of VPN allows different office locations to securely share resources over a public network as if they were on the same local network. The VPN provider manages the encrypted connection between sites, ensuring that sensitive business data remains protected as it traverses the internet protocol. This solution is essential for companies that need secure, reliable communication across multiple locations.

Remote Access VPN

A Remote Access VPN allows employees or individuals working remotely to securely connect to a company's internal network from anywhere in the world. This type of VPN creates a secure and encrypted tunnel between the user's device and the company's server, enabling safe access to internal resources. Whether you're traveling or working from home, a remote access VPN ensures that your connection is protected by an additional layer of security. This is particularly beneficial in today's world where remote work is becoming increasingly common.

For the whole list of VPN Unlimited benefits, check out this page.

Use VPN to:

Avoid monitoring, tracking, and throttling

A VPN technology is good for preventing your government, service providers, or other unauthorized parties from seeing everything you do online. This benefit is achieved by routing all your online activity through the VPN server. It also protects you from being tracked by websites, allowing you to get rid of annoying ads.

Add an extra level of security with KeepSolid Wise

With this security technology, your VPN traffic looks innocently like standard HTTPS. This VPN benefit is good for internet users who live in or travel to countries with heavy censorship. Moreover, secure VPN Unlimited allows you to pay for the service anonymously, using Bitcoins.

Protect your WiFi connection

Do you use public WiFi in cafes, hotels, airports, and parks often? VPN technology is good for greatly decreasing your chances of being hacked, even if you were tricked to connect to an evil-twin hotspot or a compromised network. Your private data, including passwords, credit card details, and correspondence, will be safe and sound thanks to encryption, and your browsing session will be securely protected.

Regional pricing

But there’s more! Stop wasting your money on overpriced items, and your time waiting till an anticipated game gets available in your area. With a VPN, you can purchase games from a store location with lower prices or an earlier launch date, and start a new improved gaming experience right away.

Get fast and uninterrupted gameplay

When it comes to online games, a high-quality internet connection with no breaks is a must. But how to protect yourself from a nasty lag or a spotty connection? You need a gaming VPN, like VPN Unlimited, that offers a Personal VPN Server option. It will provide you with immense speed, as you do not share your bandwidth with thousands of other VPN users anymore. Select a VPN server close to the game’s server, and you will greatly reduce lag and ping.

A necessary tool for travelers

Are you a frequent traveler? Then you have probably faced the message “Sorry, this video is not available in your region.” However, it doesn’t mean that you have to deny yourself the pleasure of watching favorite videos back in your hotel room after a long day. Use a well-trusted VPN service and get full access to any of the web content you may need, including social networks, video and audio services, and sports channels.

In the vast landscape of VPN protocols, finding the perfect match for your specific needs is pivotal. Each scenario necessitates a VPN protocol that aligns with its unique requirements, guaranteeing an optimal balance of security, speed, and usability.
No matter what type of VPN you choose or what operating system you use, a legal VPNs such as VPN Unlimited is an excellent solution!