What is a Virtual Private Network?
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda recently ordered a complete ban on the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) across the district for two months, citing concerns over cyber security, unlawful activities and maintaining public order.
- Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service that creates a secure, encrypted connection between a user’s device and the internet.
- It works by creating an encrypted connection, often called a tunnel, between a device and a secure server operated by the VPN provider.
- By routing web traffic through the isolated digital tunnel, it hides the user’s actual IP address and protects their data from unauthorized interception.
- This ensures privacy and data security when accessing corporate networks or utilizing public internet connections.
- VPNs protect data from hackers, mask IP addresses, and are commonly used for secure remote access and bypassing geographic restrictions.
- However, VPNs don’t provide total anonymity, as ISPs can still see the size of incoming and outgoing traffic, but not the content.
- VPNs used for:
- Regular internet users and organizations use VPNs for virtual privacy.
- Organizations deploy VPNs to ensure authorized users can access their data center using encrypted channels.
- VPNs also enable users to connect to a database from the same organization located in a different area.
- VPNs provide remote employees, gig economy freelance workers, and business travelers with access to software applications hosted on proprietary networks.
- When an internet user surfs the web, an attacker could access information, including browsing habits or IP addresses. VPN use banned for two months in Jammu-Kashmir’s Doda.
