VPNs are a great way to be able to control the traces you leave of your passage on the net. In a context where the security of your information is now paramount, we explain how to take advantage of it on your Android device.
A VPN (for Virtual Private Network) is a process allowing you to pass your communications on the network by other remote channels , generally located in other countries, in order to better hide your wanderings on the web or to fool a geolocalized system .
In a context where user data is increasingly monitored and recorded the minute a website is displayed, making it the primary source of information and remuneration for advertisers, it is therefore natural to want to exert a more precise control on these.
Why use a VPN on Android?
This is why big names like the Opera web browser now offer a free VPN solution integrated directly into its software. Most other solutions, however, will require a checkout.
And for good reason: its principle means that it requires server resources , which necessarily have a cost. If free peer-to-peer solutions exist, they will never work as well as paid solutions with real infrastructures. You may even consider creating one yourself.
There are many reasons, however, why you should look into this technology and its benefits: from the possibility of bypassing certain territorial restrictions so that you can go and watch your Game of Thrones episode at source, avoid site restrictions at work until In actively fighting government espionage , having a VPN has many advantages.
Configure a VPN on Android
You might think that this is a solution limited to PCs, but it is not: Android directly integrates into its operating system the possibility of configuring such a connection method, limited however to PPTP types, L2TP and IPsec. To do this, simply follow these steps:
- Go to Settings
- In “Wireless & networks”, select More
- Choose VPN
- Click on the “+” at the top right to add one
- Enter a Name to recognize it, and its configuration information provided by the service provider responsible for the one you want to use
- It now appears in the list!
- Click on it to connect, by entering your username and password also provided by the provider
- You are now behind a VPN!
- If you want to make this connection compulsory, click on the three dots at the top right
- Choose permanent VPN
- Select the configured one you want to use for this
- Your phone is now configured to only access the network when its communications pass through it!
So all you have to do is use your Android smartphone safely , while you no longer leave as clear traces of your passage now on the net. Of course, to bypass specific geolocation services, you will have to be careful with your configurations in order to appear in the right country.
VPN apps on Android
Smartphones and tablets require, there are also applications allowing you to take advantage of this kind of service without necessarily going through such advanced settings. According to the developer, these services will not necessarily be as well integrated into the system.
Many solutions exist, all with their own reputations and prices. We will think in particular of ExpressVPN , the most famous in the field which offers the latest encryption technologies and a service available on many platforms for $ 12.99 per month.
However, this kind of investment is not necessarily within everyone’s reach, and some people would simply like to discover the advantages of such a solution before starting to think about this type of solution. For these users, we will suggest discovering BetterNet which is a free service remunerated through advertising and donation. Take a look at our selection of the best VPN apps for Android .