Both proxy servers and a Virtual Private Network (VPNs) protect user identities and help access online content securely. These tools can help surf the web anonymously and are otherwise highly similar, so people tend to mix them.

Yet, a proxy and a VPN are not the same and each of these tools can help with different tasks. To help you identify the best solution for your specific needs, here you’ll find the definitions of a proxy and a VPN.

Moreover, here you’ll also find a proxy vs VPN comparison and learn about each of their pros and cons. Considering these tools’ speed, security, privacy, and price will help you understand which tool to choose for your case.

By the end of this guide, you will have a clear understanding of what proxies and VPNs are, how they work, and differ, and which tool to use in different situations. Let’s dive in!

A cybercriminal isn't always a loner writing code in his mom's basement. Often, malicious software is created by multimillion-dollar corporations with their own LinkedIn profiles and Wikipedia pages.

Such is the NSO Group, the developers of the notorious Pegasus spyware. This software can extract a wealth of data from the victim's smartphone - conversations, chats, photos, geo-location, without them even falling for a phishing attack.

The company positions itself as fighting terrorism but has been listed as a threat to the US, and, reportedly, Pegasus spyware was used against journalists and activists. The lines between proper and improper spyware are becoming blurry. What can we do to avoid it being used against us?

Threatware is an umbrella term that encompasses all types of malware, spyware, and other malicious programs. While it used to be only disruptive to regular operations, many new threatware programs also intend to steal information for monetary gain.

Current iterations of threatware can take many shapes and forms, from malicious websites that inject code to email attachments. Staying up to date with all of the newest developments in threatware is partly the job of cybersecurity professionals, however, everyone needs to know the basics.

Ethernet and Wi-Fi are the two main ways to connect your computer to the internet. While Wi-Fi has received significantly more attention in recent years, especially among consumers, due to its simplicity and flexibility, ethernet is still widely used in various other applications.

Even if Wi-Fi is significantly more popular, it isn’t strictly better. Both methods have their benefits and drawbacks. Wi-Fi’s popularity comes from its ease-of-use and flexibility, but an ethernet connection can be much more useful in certain scenarios.

A VPN, which stands for virtual private network, establishes a digital connection between your computer and a remote server owned by a VPN provider.

More than one tool can be fit to achieve the same task. Usually, it's best to choose the most universal one, but the simplicity of the alternative might be tempting. Such is the choice between a smart DNS and a VPN service.

Smart DNS is more of a quality-of-life improvement, allowing you to bypass the most basic blocks. A VPN server, on the other hand, is a full-fledged security and privacy solution for everything you do online.

Granted, smart DNS services still have their applications, and you might be tempted to use both. To learn how to wield is to understand their differences and benefits, which is exactly what this article will explain.