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As cyberattacks become more sophisticated and affect a greater number of internet users, we recommend a VPN for everybody. Whether you’re streaming content online or not, VPNs boost protection from cybersecurity threats, prevent organisations from snooping on you and allow you to travel the global internet without virtual borders.

A VPN (or Virtual Private Network) is a secure connection between two or more computers as though it was completely private between physically-linked computers. The computer connects to the internet via the VPN. These VPN servers are often at different geographical locations or appear to be, further masking the origin of the connection. 

What does this mean for you?

Have you ever looked at a flight, then gone back 30 minutes later and seen it has gone up in price? That is due to “cookies” knowing that you looked at that flight already. Surfshark will stop the cookies tracking your browsing activity, knowing you were there already. This is a great way to level the playing field for internet users.

What are cookies?

No..not those cookes!

When you visit a website, your web server transfers some of your data to your device's browser: this is known as a ‘cookie’. This cookie is designed to remember collected information about you, this includes a record of the websites you visit, the titles you search and other activities.

A VPN is a handy way to browse the internet and enjoy content as though you were in another country. It will also protect your connection from other devices and prevent software and cookies from tracking your browsing history. 

Why use a VPN?

VPNs use servers to cloak the user’s true location/connection IP, granting privacy and anonymity. Protecting you from cyber attacks (hackers stealing your information) and from businesses tracking your data for marketing purposes.

Information shared over the VPN travels through “tunnel” protocols, providing end-to-end encryption that cannot be analysed. Data that is targeted over VPN is often further protected by automatically switching proxy servers. 

VPNs also provide valuable protection over vulnerable networks with little security/multiple users e.g. public wifi

VPNs are also a popular choice for accessing geo-restricted content, e.g. RTE iPlayer outside of Ireland, US Netflix outside of America etc.

 

Why Is It For You?

VPNs are a great, easy way to stay protected and anonymous online. The ability to access geo-restricted content is also a big plus as it grants you more freedom to enjoy online content.

VPN Pros vs Cons

Pros

  • Hidden: Browse anonymously; hide your true location
  • Change perceived location; access geo-blocked content
  • Security over public WiFi networks
  • United Nations recommends encryption
  • €39/year - €3.25/month - €0.75/week
  • Enable VPN on up to 5 devices simultaneously

Cons

  • Slower internet speed- ping from bouncing off servers back to user’s device.

Free VPNs – risky?

Some free VPNs use the users’ own computers as proxy servers, instead of dedicated servers run by the company. This puts strain on the end user’s resources and counter-intuitively makes them vulnerable to undesired connections

Free VPNs have been accused in the past of using a user’s internet connection as their own unlisted “exit node” in their own unmonitored browsing, potentially implicating the unwitting user. Users have little redress against the makers of a free VPN in the event of wrongdoing. 

Why We Love Surfshark

Not only is Surfshark trusted by some of the biggest companies in the world, but the ease of use over different operating systems also makes it stand out from other VPN providers.

Don't think of Surfshark as just for your Smart TV Box, it is needed for all of your web browsing to keep you fully secure. With Surfshark you can run 5 devices simultaneously. So, for example with an Android Smart TV, a Windows PC and an Apple iPhone, Surfshark can fully cover all your platforms to keep you secure.

Imagine you want to check your bank balance by Smart Phone or Tablet using Public WiFi. While security vulnerabilities exist, all you need to do is click on the Surfshark app, activate it and you are fully secure.

Surfshark will keep you fully protected, whether you are streaming from your Smart TV Box, browsing the internet or checking personal information.

To get started, get the Surfshark app from the Google Play Store and a subscription, allowing you to easily connect to the internet via proxy. Just turn it on, select a country as proxy/to circumvent geo-restricted content, and begin browsing in privacy and security.

This VPN can help you enjoy international content and remain anonymous online.