You might of heard your more techy friends boasting about their “VPN’ and how its super-charged their home internet experience, but do you what a VPN is and more importantly, do you know how to use a VPN?
VPN use in the UK has grown rapidly over the last few years due to becoming aware that our ISP (internet service provider) can ‘spy’ on our digital journey including the very contents of our emails!!!
Check this usage data on Forbes about VPN usage here
![How to use a VPN](https://toptech7comafb8e.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://toptech7.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/vpn.webp)
I’m going to give you a brief overview of what a VPN is, what it does and why you need one in your digital life. I’ll show you how to use one, set it up and, in my view, the best allrounder on the market right now, (which is the one that I use!!!)
What is a VPN
Simply put, a VPN ( or virtual private network) is a piece of software that basically keeps what do online, a secret from anybody you don’t want to see it. I’m not just talking about some questionable internet search history if you get me!! Im talking about your emails, online passwords banking details, everything!!
Think of it as Imagine you’re sending a secret message to a friend across town. A VPN is like a secret tunnel you build to deliver that message. Here’s what it does:
Encrypts your message: Jumbles up the message so only your friend can understand it, even if someone peeks in the tunnel.
Hides your location: disguises where you sent the message from, like using a secret mailbox instead of your own address.
This way, your online activity is encrypted and hidden, making it more difficult for others to track you or steal your information. VPNs are especially useful on public Wi-Fi, which can be less secure, but if you ask me, never use public wifi to access your bank.
Are you still wondering is you need one? if so read my post on do i really need a vpn here
How to use a VPN
But do you need to be a Tech genius to know how to use a VPN?
The honest answer is no, if you can install a game on your device, be it Pc Mac, ipad or android then you can install a VPN:
- Sign up
- Download
- Install
- Pick the country you want your server to feed your connection through
- Enjoy full privacy on your connection
Your VPN will then run invisibly in the background, It’s that simple, all you will see is a small icon possible flashing in your app tray.
Benefits of Internet Anonymity
- No one (including your isp) snooping on your emails, internet usage and data
- Geo selection, even gone on holiday and you cant watch your favourite netflix programme because “its not available in this region?) simply select your home country for your chosen server and then watch as much “married at first sight ” as you want!
- More secure connection, so hackers cant intercept your data packets sent via your wifi
- No more bandwith strangling. If an isp can see you streaming load of Hd films, downloading whatever(?) or gaming they have the power to basivally turn down your connection to make it ‘fairer’ other users in he area, booo!!! you pay for 70mb/sec so thats what you should get right? Use an VPN and they don’t know whether you use your internet to send 1 email a month or watch 9000tb of films a day!!!
But how do I choose?
As you can imagine theres 100’s to choose from, My first suggestion to only select a product that has some kind of free trial or money back guarantee, cos if the company is confident you’ll like the product why wouldn’t they let you test it? Make sure its in your budget and it has great reviews and most importantly, will work across all your devices, which leads me to:
![](https://toptech7comafb8e.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://toptech7.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/pia-banner-1024x553.webp)
Why Use Private Internet Access?
- Award winning product
- 24/7 customer support
- No bandwidth restrictions
- Easy set up ( couple of clicks and you’re done)
- Unlimited device protection ( some give you only 5)
- Dedicated Ip Address (perfect for gamers and avoiding CAPTCHA)
- Ad blocker built in
- All devices compatible, PC, Mac, apple devices, android and smart tellys
![how to use a vpn cyberghost](https://toptech7comafb8e.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://toptech7.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cyberghost.webp)
![how to use a vpn trustpilot](https://toptech7comafb8e.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://toptech7.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tp-cyber.webp)
Is there something a little lighter that i can use whilst travelling?
As I saoid before a lot of streaming content might not be available when you are on your travels, so you need a VPN to ‘fool’ the TV you are trying to watch your favourite show whilst you’re travelling for business or on your holiday that you are still in your home country.
That can also work in reverse, for instance, your favourite American show is being aired in USA but us in the UK cant stream it yet, change the server through CyberGhostvpn and boom! Get the snacks and drink whilst your watch your favourite show before your mates!!
Cyberghost has dedicated streaming servers optimised for all the major streaming platform for you to use on upto 7 devices
CyberGhost
Best for streaming .
![cyberghost](https://toptech7comafb8e.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://toptech7.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cyberghost.webp)
- Up to 7 Devices
- Optimised Streaming Servers
- Perfect for travellers
- No Bandwidth Restriction
Private Internet Access
Best all round protection .
![private internet access how to use an vpn](https://toptech7comafb8e.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://toptech7.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/pinbannret2-1024x321.webp)
- Unlimited Devices
- Unlimited Data
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- Dedicated IP addresses
- 24/7 Customer support
do i really need a vpn?
only if you care about your online security and privacy and the speed of your connection
im not very techy, is it hard to set up?
definitely not, couple of clicks and your done
will it slow down my connection
no you won’t even notice its there, if you’re streaming loads of films it might actually be quicker as your isp cant slow you down
does it help streaming
100% keeps it secure, stops your isp slowing you down and makes your streaming none geographic so you can watch programmes from countries that dont air in your chosen country