Ransomware attacks have increased by 13% in the last five years, causing serious privacy concerns and forcing more people to seek out VPNs.

VPNs are great if you want secure online activities, privacy, and no censorship. IPv6 VPNs especially shine as the next generation of VPNs. They encrypt traffic and give you VPN-like protection for internet traffic.

In this article, we’ll be discussing what VPNs are, why they’re needed, the importance of IPv6, and how they help bypass restrictions like WhatsApp blockage.

What is a VPN, and Why Do We Need It?

VPN means virtual private network. It encrypts your data, protecting you plus masking your IP addresses. 

VPNs hide your browsing activity, identity, and location, so you’ve more privacy and autonomy. 

How VPN Works

A VPN redirects your IP address to a specially configured remote server. That’s why no one can see your original IP address. The servers are run by a VPN host. So, if you surf online with a VPN, that VPN server becomes the source of your data.

A device connects to a VPN server, which encrypts data before it reaches the Internet. Even if corporate bodies, hackers, or government authorities want to access your data, a VPN’s security features make it difficult to intercept your data. 

Why We Need VPNs:

Privacy Protection

VPNs shield your IP address and browsing history from ISPs, advertisers, and potential hackers by setting up an encrypted connection between your device and a server.

Security on Public Networks

When you’re using public Wi-Fi, VPNs are good for protecting sensitive information (like login credentials). A VPN hides your IP address. If anyone tries to spy on your activities, they’ll only see gibberish code instead of the actual data. 

Access to Geo-Restricted Content

If you can’t access geo-restricted content, VPNs can help. They disguise your IP address to make it look like you’re coming from another country or region.

Preventing Surveillance

A VPN can stop your ISP from spying on you. It’s, therefore, really effective at stopping government or corporate surveillance of your online activity. 

How VPNs Help Bypass WhatsApp Blockage 

WhatsApp has state-of-the-art message encryption for its users. This feature bothers 

governments of many countries, including China, North Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, etc. 

Many schools, organizations, and even entire countries have banned WhatsApp in the name of security.  

Governments have argued they need traceability to tackle harmful content like fake news and hate speech, especially when there are sensitive situations. 

Plus, more companies are banning WhatsApp for business purposes because using it in the enterprise isn’t legally compliant with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), so it can’t adequately protect corporate data.

VPNs for WhatsApp can help you bypass WhatsApp blockage in many ways:

Changing Virtual Location

Connecting to a VPN server in a different country can make it look like you’re browsing from that location. 

The encrypted traffic passes through your router and ISP, but because it’s encrypted, neither of them can see its content. 

The WhatsApp VPN server decrypts the traffic and then sends it to the destination website, making it seem like the traffic came from the server’s IP address instead of yours. 

The demographic location data comes from a server in another country, so your actual location can’t be determined, helping you unblock WhatsApp.

Encryption and Privacy

VPNs actually hide the nature of the traffic, preventing local network filters from detecting WhatsApp use. 

A VPN sets up encrypted connections between devices. (VPNs often use the IPsec or SSL/TLS encryption protocols.) All devices that connect to the VPN set up encryption keys. These keys are then used to encode and decode all of the information sent between them.

Step-by-Step Guide to Bypass WhatsApp Blockage

1. Choose a reliable VPN provider

Make sure that the provider offers services in countries where Whatsapp is actually accessible. Go for one that has no-logs privacy and a good interface to encrypt your data.

2. Download and configure the VPN on various devices (smartphones, tablets, computers). 

Use the documentation given by your WhatsApp VPN provider to install the VPN settings on your devices.

3. Select a server location outside the restricted region. 

Test the connection to confirm you’ve been given access. Make sure you can receive messages and send them. 

Best Practices and Legal Considerations

Before settling on which VPN to use, we suggest that you research the provider’s location. This can impact the data privacy laws to which they are subject. Choose providers in countries that have strong privacy regulations. 

Remember: Using a VPN by itself isn’t illegal, but doing unlawful and illicit online activities is always prohibited. For example, many folks use VPNs to hide their illegal digital pirating. So, you have to use a VPN responsibly.

Many countries ban VPNs to control internet access and silence dissenting voices. We encourage you to always check whether it’s legal to use VPNs in your country.

Understanding IPv6 VPN and Its Importance

IPv6 is the newest version of the Internet protocol. It was made by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). 

It helps you identify local endpoint systems on a computer network. Plus, it routes online traffic. IPv6s have effectively solved the problem of IPv4 addresses being depleted because of prolonged internet use worldwide. 

IPv6 vs. IPv4:

Address Space

IPv6 has 128-bit addresses, whereas IPv4 uses a 32-bit address. So, IPv6 gives you a much larger range of IP addresses.

IPv4 addresses were depleted because of the sudden growth of internet users and greater usage of devices such as mobiles, laptops, and computers. Inefficient address use and devices that are always on, like cable modems, also contribute to the problem.

The 128-bit address is split into eight groups, each containing 16 bits, which resolves the issue of address exhaustion.

Improved Security

IPv6 VPNs have native support for IPsec (Internet Protocol Security), improving data integrity and confidentiality. 

They have better network security than IPv4. IPv6’s IPSecurity guarantees data privacy and data integrity. It also gives you routing efficiency.

Why IPv6 VPNs are Important

Compatibility and Future-Proofing

IPv6’s creation means VPNs now must be compatible with it along with existing IPv4 networks. 

IPv6 VPNs use the newer IPv6, with the added benefit of inherently designed security features.

Enhanced Performance

IPv6 is faster than IPv4 because it lacks NAT, offers speedier routing, and processes packets more efficiently. If you need high-speed network processing, IPv6 is your go-to choice. 

How to Choose an IPv6 VPN

Look for VPN providers that explicitly support IPv6. Only a few VPNs work on IPv6 right now. Most of the others block IPv6 traffic entirely since it can pose a security risk if it’s not properly supported. 

Also, consider security features like how encrypted it is. The entire IPv6 packet should be encrypted and authenticated. It shouldn’t keep any metadata logs or log users’ VPN activity.

To make sure the VPN doesn’t expose your real IP address, test it. You can use an online IPv6 leak test tool. If your actual IPv6 address shows up despite being connected to your VPN, it means your VPN does not fully support IPv6 protection.

Best Practices for Using VPNs Effectively

Select a Reliable VPN Provider

Look into factors like reputation, server locations, speed, security features, and user reviews. 

Not all VPN providers are created equal. In fact, some give you better security, speed, and features than others.

Configuring VPN Settings

Turn on features like kill switches, DNS leak protection, and auto-connect options for added security.

Regularly Updating VPN Software

The VPN client must have the latest updates and patches to keep it safe from any breaches.

Testing for Leaks

Do regular checks for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks using online tools. 

With your VPN toggled off, go to the WebRTC leak test in your browser. Here, note any public IP addresses. Now, connect to your VPN. Recheck the WebRTC leak test page. If you don’t see your public IP address, there are no WebRTC leaks. If you do see your IP, then there’s a leak.

Online tools like DNSleaktest.com can help you confirm if DNS requests aren’t being routed through the VPN’s DNS servers.

Using Multi-Hop Connections

Use VPNs that support multi-hop or double VPN features for better security routing traffic through multiple servers. 

A double VPN, or a multi-hop VPN, is a premium security feature. It sends online traffic through two VPN servers. That means your data encrypts your data twice and provides higher anonymity.

Conclusion 

If you want a one-in-all solution for online privacy, security, and bypassing restrictions — VPNs are your answer. However, IPv6 compatibility for any VPN you choose is a must for future-proofing internet connections.

If you’re looking for the best privacy solutions, check out V6 Proxies VPN service and WhatsApp VPN service.

With the right VPN and always staying informed about internet security practices — you can protect your online practices.

As the internet evolves, so do the methods to protect our digital lives. Using a VPN is the number one step in securing our online presence.