A VPN is a crucial tool for online safety, keeping your browsing private and secure. But with so much technical jargon out there, understanding VPN features can be daunting. To help, we’ve compiled a list of key terms everyone should know.
Custom DNS allows users to specify a DNS server while connected to a VPN, offering benefits like faster browsing speeds and bypassing censorship. Dedicated IP is a premium feature that provides users with a unique static IP address to unblock streaming services and bypass verifications.
DNS leaks can expose your online activities and IP address if a VPN connection fails, highlighting the importance of encryption. Encryption converts data into indecipherable code to secure it from cyber threats. Five Eyes is an intelligence agreement that may compromise privacy if a VPN is headquartered in a member country.
Geoblocking restricts access to online content based on IP address, but a VPN can help bypass these restrictions. A kill switch cuts off internet access if a VPN connection drops, preventing data exposure. Logs kept by VPNs include connection logs and usage logs, while multi-hop routing adds extra security by passing traffic through multiple VPN servers.
Onion over VPN combines Tor network and VPN for added security, and P2P sharing like torrenting is supported by many VPNs. Server count and spread indicate the number and location of servers in a VPN network. Split-tunneling allows users to create two VPN tunnels simultaneously for different purposes.
