Are VPNs Really Private?

A Virtual Private Network is used to “tunnel” your internet traffic between two devices over a secure network.

Originally, a VPN was used for workers to connect to their company’s network from remote locations. This allows them to utilize their company’s network without having to be on site.

Nowadays citizens utilize VPNs in order to protect their privacy. Additionally, you can use a VPN to circumvent geographic and political blocks on their internet.

Can A VPN Protect From Web Trackers & Cookies?

While using a VPN, your internet traffic and data is encrypted and hidden from your internet service provider. However, web companies such as Facebook and Google can still see your activities when accessing their services, even when using a VPN.

Websites typically use cookies in order to customize and change the website according to the user. Typically, cookies store information that the user has voluntarily given to the website such as your name or gender.

Another point of concern is that web pages often embed web trackers in advertisements throughout the page. These web trackers allow websites to provide custom ads according to your browsing habits. Using a VPN alone will not protect users from these trackers. Using an ad-blocker, specifically, a reputable ad-blocker can help users reduce the number of targeted ads.

Recently, VPN Providers have started providing ad-blocking features to users. However, this is a new service, and it’s important that the ad-blocker itself does not target. Reading the service’s privacy policy is an excellent way to check what data a service collects.

Can All VPNs Guarantee Privacy?

All things considered, a VPN does not make you completely unidentifiable. Although utilizing a VPN will hide your traffic from your internet service provider, the VPN company itself will still be able to recognize who you are, as you are connecting through their services. 

Free VPN services are often enticing but often come with many security risks. Recently, researchers found a large database containing extensive PII from a number of “no-logs” VPNs.

In order to truly keep your information and browsing habits private, use a VPN service that keeps no logs of your activity. Reading the VPN service’s logging policy is the best way to ensure that you’re not caught in an unpleasant situation.

Twenty-four-year-old Ryan Lin was outed by VPN provider PureVPN for internet stalking. The VPN provider combed through logs, finding his IP address as well as his personal Gmail account, leading to his arrest.

What Are the Best VPNs to Keep Your Data Private?

Check out some of the most popular providers that emphasize their commitment to protecting their users’ privacy.

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Combining A VPN With A Router

After choosing a VPN service that does not keep logs of your activity, the next step to keeping your home or office network secure is utilizing a FlashRouter.

A FlashRouter enables your entire wireless network to tunnel all your Internet traffic through your favorite VPN service, effectively privatizing all your data and activities.

What Are The Best VPN-Configured Privacy-Oriented Routers?

Check out some of our favorite FlashRouters for optimizing your privacy.

Need help choosing one that fits your needs? Check out our collection of routers or send us a message directly.