VPNs: What They Are and Why You Need One on Your Laptop

Your ISP could be selling your personal data; here’s how to protect yourself.

As the number of internet users rises exponentially, a major concern lies in securing your data and opting for protective browsing. One of the best ways to use the internet more securely is to use a virtual private network (VPN) which allows some control over your online identity.

What is a VPN?

VPN creates a virtual network route that allows you to connect over a network remotely using a masked IP address. This means you can transfer data over the internet in an encrypted manner, which is difficult to trace back to you.

Why do you need a VPN on your laptop?

As the number of internet users rise, so do the number and variety of cyber-attacks. These increases give rise to mass surveillance of your online activities. To tackle these issues, consider using a VPN on your laptop: anonymize your identity and surf the internet without any hassle.

How can you get a VPN on your laptop? 

If you’re a Windows 10 user:

1. Go to the “Windows” button, head into Settings > Network & Internet > VPN; click on “Add a VPN connection”
2. Under “VPN provider”, select Windows (built-in); give your VPN a name
3. Enter the server name or address, the type of VPN and sign-in info
4. Add a username and password (this is optional, but recommended) and click “Save”
5. Select “Connect” and enter the password you just set
6. Surf the web anonymously!

And if you’re a Mac user:

1. In the Apple Menu, go to System Preferences, and click on Network
2. Select your VPN service from the list
3. If asked for a configuration, choose one
4. Enter username and password (if asked)
5. Click “Connect”
6. Surf the web anonymously!

Just take these few steps and click a few buttons to evade the surveillance and surf the web freely. Psst… with a VPN, you can also access websites which are unavailable in your region! Happy surfing!