How to use VPNs and still access some censored sites?

The VPN, Virtual Private Network or virtual private network in French, is an essential digital security tool to protect your privacy online.

© ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP

Text by: Dominique Desaunay Follow

6 mins

Without VPNs, your internet connection can easily be detected or monitored by other people.

These programs protect your browsing history, live online media views, bank details, passwords and are essential for circumventing web censorship measures that exist in many countries.

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Without a

device , everything you do on the web and social media can be traced back to your device using your internet address.

It is identified, by international convention, by the letters IP.

This address, which is a series of unique numbers, linked to your connected device, can reveal the physical location of your computer or smartphone with the possibility of locating you in real time.

But when you're connected through a VPN, your internet activity is encrypted and your real IP address is hidden.

No one can see who you are or the nature of your online activities, not even ISPs,

, or hackers in a rush to steal your personal information.

The only thing that an ISP or a state surveillance authority can see is the existence of encrypted data traffic between a computer server located, for example, in another region of the world and an unidentified device in your country.

While dozens of countries censor web content, the only way to circumvent these restrictions is to use VPN networks to access blocked websites. 

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vpn user manual 

To install VPN software on your machine, you must first ask yourself the right questions.

A VPN for what?

And what will be my use: is it to download files, consult blocked sites, follow live TV or radio broadcasts on the Web.

Once your usage has been determined, you must first choose your VPN solution provider according to your Internet browsing needs.

If there is a plethora of very effective paid VPNs which however require a monthly subscription, some of these software are free, but be careful!

None of these programs offer satisfactory levels of protection.

Worse, most of the designers of this freeware make a living from the data trade by selling your login information to third-party companies or states.

Most free offers are clearly scams, with the added bonus of installing spyware or ransomware without your knowledge.  

ProtonVPN, the best of free  

One exception to the lackluster landscape of free VPNs is

from Swiss company Proton Technologies AG, which is also known for its ProtonMail encrypted messaging system.

To install the software in its free version, nothing could be simpler!

On the official page of the Proton site, you click on the button in the center of your screen “ 

”, which will direct you to a pricing page where the free offer is obviously listed.

To download the software, you must register, by entering a user name, a password and a valid email address.

You will then receive an acceptance code to activate your account.

Once all these steps are done, ProtonVPN will automatically open for immediate use or if not, you can click on “

 ”.

ProtonVPN's interface is very pleasant, intuitive and clear, just follow the instructions that appear on your screen. 

Advantages and disadvantages of VPNs 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this VPN in its

 ?

The security parameters offered by the software are excellent and guarantee, in particular, the non-storage of logs on the remote computer servers installed by the Swiss company.

Remember that a log file is used to store a history of digital events on a server, computer or application.

This "log" which is in the form of a file, or equivalent, lists and timestamps, for example, everything that an Internet user has done during his navigation.

In addition, the encryption process used by ProtonVPN is of military quality by using a standard considered to be the most advanced in the world (and which is called AES 256 bits for information only for computer security enthusiasts).  

On the downside, ProtonVPN does not shine with the number of protected servers the Swiss company has, which will significantly slow down your access to Internet pages.

It should be clarified that the connection speed to a VPN server is one of the most important parameters to take into account when using this type of software.

This online surfing speed largely depends on the number of servers you have access to.

To put it simply, the more numerous and well distributed they are in the world, the more fluid your internet browsing will be by reducing latency times during browsing.

And it is in this specific area with a limited number of computer servers that ProtonVPN shows weakness, displaying very disappointing connection speeds.

Moreover, the free version of the software offers only one possible connection per subscription, the one that has been certified with your email address.

It is up to you to choose wisely the device on which you are going to install it.

The program does not work for viewing online TV programs, especially those broadcast by Netflix.

Finally, some countries such as China, Russia or Turkey block the online installation of this VPN and its use is a criminal offense under the law and according to the telecom regulatory authorities in these countries.

Free or paid, choose your VPN according to your uses 

It should be noted that the premium and therefore paid offers of proton VPN add multiple functionalities to the free device.

They are certainly very efficient, but excessively expensive, which

excludes a large number of users.

Comparatively, the VPNs of the competition display at a lower price much superior services included by default in their formulas which will unblock any inaccessible platforms and web content, regardless of the country in which you reside.

These subscription VPNs such as ExpressVPN, CyberGhot or NordVPN have been designed for intensive use of the Internet with optimal connection speeds.

All these software also offer free testing of their paid solutions for a minimum of 30 days.

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