What Are the Different Types of VPN?

VPNs all operate on the same basic principles. Still, there are a number
of different types of VPN which are suited for specific tasks. Choosing the correct type of
VPN is very important, and that choice will depend on what you are trying to achieve. For
instance, if you have been asked to keep company information secure while you are traveling
and using public Wi-Fi networks, then the chances are that you will be asked to use a
specific VPN created and controlled by your employer.

On the other hand, if your main reason
for using a VPN is to watch content that is usually unavailable in your country, then you
will likely want to choose a public VPN with servers located all over the world.

For this reason, it’s essential to consider your reasons for using a VPN service
before diving in and making a choice. This article will undoubtedly help you to understand
the different types of VPN that are available and choose the one that is most appropriate
for your particular situation.

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When to Use a Public VPN

There are many situations when a public VPN is the best option. They are
particularly appropriate for users who want to be able to make it look as though their
device is in a different country. This is because private VPNs generally only resolve in one
location (typically the office location of the company that runs the network). Publically
available services, however, often offer many different endpoints. They are ideal for users
who want to use their VPN to watch streaming media or access other content that is otherwise
unavailable in their country.

Most publically available VPNs make the process of selecting and switching
between individual VPN services very straightforward. The most convenient option is
generally to download the app provided by the company that offers the VPN. This can either
be done from the App Store provided by your device or from the VPN operator’s website. Once
you have done this, simply log in to the service using the username and password that you
signed up with and select the server that you would like to use.

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Mobile VPNs

A mobile VPN service makes it possible for users to enjoy all of the
protections that are offered by a VPN service while they are using their mobile device. The
most common way of accessing this type of service is by using an app that makes sure that
all of the web traffic that is being sent to and from a device is going via the VPN service.

These types of services have become more popular as mobile phone operating
systems have made it easier for apps to control the way they connect to the internet.
Previously, using a mobile VPN was possible but this required a large amount of setup and
technical know-how on the part of the user.

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Multi-Hop VPNs

Multi-hop VPNs are provided by public VPN companies but give an even
greater degree of protection than their standard counterparts. This is because all user
traffic is sent through two different VPN servers before being sent onwards to the website
or other service that the user is communicating with.

This provides an even higher level of security and anonymity. For most users,
this level of protection is not necessary, but it can be reassuring to know that a multi-hop
VPN service is available in case it is ever required.

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Private and Remote Access VPNs

Private VPNs are most commonly provided by companies who want their staff
to be able to securely access company files and information when they are on the road.
Unlike public VPNs, which anyone can sign up for, these VPNs are only available to employees
of a particular company, and in some cases, access is even more heavily restricted, in that
only certain employees with a real need for the protection that a VPN can offer will be
granted access.

While these types of networks provide all of the benefits inherent in
public VPN services, such as appearing to change the physical location of a user and
offering high levels of encryption, the main advantage is usually the granting of access to
files and folders that would otherwise not be available. Ironically, given the explosion of
popularity in public VPN services in recent years, this type of solution has actually become
less common as more and more companies have moved away from on-premises servers toward cloud
solutions. This negates the need for remote-access VPN setups that allow users to access
file servers.

These new cloud systems do not require VPN-type solutions as they can be easily
accessed from anywhere over the regular internet. Security is usually provided via other
solutions such as strong passwords and two-factor authentication.

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Maintaining Data Security

One other case in which this type of VPN can be helpful is when local
laws do not allow data to leave a particular jurisdiction. Using a VPN can enable employees
of a company to work on projects that involve data that could not be legally stored in the
country where they are located. In this case, the VPN allows them to log into another
computer and act in the same way they would if they were physically sitting in front of the
computer. This type of remote access is a very specialized use of a VPN and many miles away
from the kind of use case that a regular member of the public would have. Nonetheless, it is
an excellent example of the type of task that VPN services are making possible in today’s
increasingly interconnected world.

The vast majority of users don’t need to know what type of VPN they are using.
All that matters is that they have a fast and reliable connection that makes it easy for
them to complete the tasks that they need to carry out. A basic understanding of how VPNs
work, though, will make it easier for them to make the right choice. Thankfully, most public
VPN services
are now providing apps and other services that make taking advantage of high levels of
security more effortless than ever before.

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