If you do a lot with your cell phone on the go, you should make sure that the connection is secure. A VPN, a so-called Virtual Private Network, helps here. VPN apps vary in price, quality, and level of security. Once you have found the best application for you, setting it up on your smartphone is child’s play.
The so-called Virtual Private Network – VPN for short – offers many advantages and is easy to set up. In short, VPN means that all Internet visits from the mobile phone are transmitted in encrypted form. Company networks therefore often resort to such a VPN solution. A VPN can also be set up privately – either via one of the numerous VPN providers, or as a private VPN via the home router. It doesn’t matter where the user is at the moment.
Advantages of a VPN connection
For example, if you are using public Wi-Fi outside, you can use a VPN to prevent someone from intercepting your data. the Data is encrypted via VPN, so that e-mails or logins cannot be read. With a VPN, however, the actual Obfuscate the user’s IP address. The smartphone then does not assign itself to the network in which it is currently located via a VPN tunnel, but redirects it. In the case of company networks, for example, it receives an IP from the company and is therefore virtually in the company. This makes it possible, for example, to access internal services from the home office.
However, a VPN is also interesting if certain Internet services are blocked in a country (also called geoblocking). Users can then choose a different server and thus receive a foreign IP address. With her you can Bypass geo-blocking restrictions. This is interesting, for example, when traveling to China, where Google services are blocked.
Since all data is routed through a VPN, users should check carefully which provider they trust. Many companies therefore set up their own VPN networks. Private users can also do this – the data is routed via the home router. So you surf on the go just like at home.
In advance: Various router manufacturers such as AVM (Fritzbox) already offer a VPN function. There are also VPN providers that sell special apps. Which one you want to use depends on your own requirements. There are free like OpenVPN and also those like surf easy and HotspotShield, which differ greatly in terms of quality and monthly price. Such an app is a prerequisite for use.
Also read: Beware of public WiFi networks
Set up VPN on Android phone
If you want to set up a VPN on an Android phone, go to the settings. Here, under the “Wireless and Internet” section, you will find the VPN options. To set up a new VPN connection, select the plus icon. While the name is freely selectable, you will receive data such as type, server address, IPSec ID and the pre-installed IPSec key with your VPN details. You can get this either from your employer, via your router at home or from your chosen VPN provider.
After a final save, you can connect your mobile phone to the VPN. Now enter your username and password and save this account information so you don’t have to enter it every time. The connection is successful when your phone shows a key icon in the status bar.
Also Read: Find Free WiFi Hotspots in Your City
Set up a VPN on Apple’s iOS
The VPN options on iPhone can be found by going to the General section of Settings. After you have selected the “Add VPN” item, you must enter your access data as with Android. The device also offers you three different VPN protocols, from which it is best to choose PPTP, but also L2TP or IPSec depending on the VPN provider.
Each protocol offers a different level of security and speed. The name can again be chosen freely in the description, while you will find the rest of the data (type, server address, etc.) in your VPN details. For Server, enter either the URL of your VPN provider or the IP address, after which a connection profile will be created for you. In most cases you can ignore the line “RSA-SecurID”. After a final backup, the connection should be established when your cell phone shows the blue VPN symbol in the status bar.