VPN General Info

Hello all :)


This is maybe the wrong forum to ask, but as someone as a novice who doesn't know very much I'm wondering if someone could point me in the right direction please.


I'm looking just for a general introduction to VPNs, as I don't know much about them, and may need to in the future ? (such as when I'm away from home, and using public wi-fi, for example public libraries).


If anyone could give me any suggestions please (yes I have tried using G**g**, although there's loads of websites out there and I'm quite clueless).


Thank you.

A VPN is typically a paid service that keeps your web browsing secure and private over public Wi-Fi hotspots. VPNs can also get past regional restrictions for video- and music-streaming sites and help you evade government censorship restrictions—though that last one is especially tricky.

Your PC connects to a VPN server, which can be located in the United States or a foreign country like the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, or Thailand. Your web traffic then passes back and forth through that server. The end result: As far as most websites are concerned, you’re browsing from that server’s geographical location, not your computer’s location.

Once you’re connected to the VPN and are “inside the secure tunnel,” it becomes very difficult for anyone else to spy on your web-browsing activity. The only people who will know what you’re up to are you, the VPN provider (usually an HTTPS connection can mitigate this), and the website you’re visiting.



When you’re on public Wi-Fi at an airport or café, that means hackers will have a harder time stealing your login credentials or redirecting your PC to a phony banking site. Your Internet service provider (ISP), or anyone else trying to spy on you, will also have a near impossible time figuring out which websites you’re visiting.

On top of all that, you get the benefits of spoofing your location. If you’re in Los Angeles, for example, and the VPN server is in the U.K., it will look to most websites that you’re browsing from there, not southern California.

While VPNs are an important tool, they are far from foolproof. The problem with anonymity is there are so many issues to consider—most of which are beyond the scope of this tutorial. Does the VPN you want to use have any issues with data leakage or weak encryption that could expose your web browsing? How much information does your VPN provider log about your activity, and would that information be accessible to the government? Are you using an anonymous identity online on a PC that you never use in conjunction with your actual identity?

Anonymity online is a very difficult goal to achieve. If, however, you are trying to remain private from prying eyes or evade NSA-style bulk data collection as a matter of principle, a reputable VPN will probably be good enough.

Check out YT video on using the free version of Proton. Lacks a lot of settings to the paid version but it allows you to try using a VPN.

This guide explores what OpenVPN is, how it works, and how to install and use it on Windows installation to have free VPN service.

Hi all :)


Apologies for delay in replying.


At the moment, it is still very much something I'm trying (but need to) learn about.

I am aware of a few - such as OpenVPN, Nord, Proton. There are many more, I'm sure. I'm just gradually trying to look at them and learn. I am aware I may have to pay to use one.


Having a quick G**g**, it seems these are some of things, I need to look out for:


Encryption (e.g. AES-256 ? Or any more advanced ?)

No-logs policy ?

a 'Kill Switch' ?

Number of devices ? (At the moment, it would just be a smartphone / or laptop; maybe both)


There is a guide I've just found which may help me:



And another one:



Yet another one:



Anoher one:



(and doubtless more.................................)


It will take some time to try and look at those. It is very confusing for a beginner, and so much to be aware of, especially when I don't know much.


I'll leave it there for now.


Thanks for your advice, assistance and time.