America has very few laws on the books concerning data privacy. Corporations collect whatever data they please from consumers. They sell it to the highest bidder, all the while beholden only to a patchwork quilt of 72 data privacy bills put forth from 34 states.
With so little regulation in place, it’s little wonder why consumers would flock to VPS and VPN solutions to ensure that their private data remains private. What’s the difference between a VPS and VPN? Here’s what you need to know.
What Is a VPN?
A VPN, sometimes called a virtual private network, serves as a bridge or tunnel between your computer and the internet. Individual websites may be secure, but internet traffic as a whole remains easily trackable by those with the technology. A VPN obfuscates your IP address, making it harder to track your data.
This is useful for accessing content that may be restricted in certain countries, as well as for preventing targeted advertising and other corporate data overreaches from affecting you. A VPN is a crucial protective element when you browse public networks, especially public Wi-Fi.
What Is a VPS?
A VPS, or virtual private server, is a dedicated form of web hosting. This tends to see more use through businesses that need to host their websites or data on off-site servers. A VPS is cheaper than purchasing a dedicated server, which makes it a great solution for a small business.
Where a VPN is concerned with accessing the internet, a VPS concerns itself with hosting a website, application, or company network. Cloud server VPS options exist for those who want to reduce the risk of downtime. However, they don’t have as much security as a standard VPS.
You can find more info about what a Windows VPS can do with RDP Arena.
Is Private Browsing or Incognito Mode the Same as a VPN/VPS?
Since we’re looking into data privacy, you may be wondering if the private browsing/incognito mode on your internet browser offers the same protections as a VPN or VPS. In short, no, it does not.
Browsing in private or incognito mode might keep your private data safe from other people who have access to your physical computer. However, it won’t stop network administrators, government entities, or hackers from tracking you. Only a VPN can handle that.
Plus, private browsing has nothing to do with hosting a website or application. So, it has little in common with a VPS.
Let’s Review the Differences Between a VPN, VPS, and Incognito Mode
So, what are the differences between a VPS, VPN, and incognito mode?
Simply put, businesses alone will use a VPS to host websites or applications for a lower cost. Both the public and private spheres use VPNs to protect consumer and business data while browsing the internet. Incognito mode only keeps you from getting spied on by parents, children, or spouses.
It’s up to you to examine each of these data privacy solutions and decide which one works best for your needs. If you need more information to make your decision, check out the Technology section of our blog today!
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