Downloading and exploring the attributes and value of using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Introduction
This project gives the student the opportunity to get hands-on experience downloading and exploring the attributes and value of using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
VPN Access
VPNs come in hardware and software varieties. There are a number of VPN apps that can be downloaded to your desktop and mobile device. One of these is called Tunnel Bear. Tunnel Bear has a free trial download. You are not required to use Tunnel Bear, but it is free.
Download Tunnel Bear (https://www.tunnelbear.com/) to your desktop/laptop AND mobile device (phone/tablet). Use Tunnel Bear for one week. Please keep in mind the free version is limited to 500 MB of data (so don’t use Tunnel Bear to watch Netflix or you will run out of data before you finish the assignment)! The idea is to experience a VPN client on your desktop and mobile device and keep a log of the sites your visit while changing the VPN servers that you connect to around the world. Make sure you change your VPN servers to a minimum of ten countries. Visit a minimum of ten websites (minimum of five sites on your desktop/laptop and a minimum of five different sites on your mobile device). Keep a log and make notes of your experience. What works well with the Tunnel Bear VPN? What doesn’t work so well. What specific performance impacts (if any) do you note. Why would you want to use a product like Tunnel Bear all the time?
Project Deliverables
Your deliverable consists of your turned in VPN log and a three to four page write up of your observations and experiences. Include the following questions as the sectional headings in your writeup (should be bolded in paper):
1. What VPN client did you use?
2. Did you have problems installing the client on either your desktop or mobile?
3. What was your general experience with the VPN client?
4. What specifically did you note about the VPN client when you connected to various VPN servers? Provide details.
5. What performance issues did you encounter (if any)?
6. Would you use a VPN client like Tunnel Bear all the time? If not, why not?
7. What are the perceived benefits of a VPN like Tunnel Bear.
You should include at least one relevant external reference, and your sources must be cited correctly in APA format. Your paper will be scored according to the Scoring Rubric below. Be sure you have incorporated all required aspects of the assignment.
Scoring Rubric
Attribute
Full points
Partial points
No points
Possible Points
VPN Log filled in completely Log is filled in with at least five desktop and five mobile sites. Observations recorded for each visit. Log is partially filled in with desktop and mobile sites. Log shows at fewer than 10 VPN servers. Observations are not recorded for each visit. No log or minimal effort. 3
Multiple VPN Servers
A minimum of 10 country VPN servers were tested.
Less than 10 country VPN servers were tested.
Single VPN server tested.
3
Document-General Experience
Write up explains the observer’s general experiences (positive/negative) regarding VPN client.
Write up lists minimal observations (positive/negative) regarding VPN client.
No general comments provided.
2
Write up-Specifics
Write up provides the observer’s specific details that were uncovered during testing.
Write up provides limited observer’s details that were uncovered during testing.
No specific details provided.
2
VPN Benefits
Write up shows an understanding of VPN concepts and how it is used.
Write up shows a limited understanding of VPN concepts and how it is used.
No benefits provided.
1
Document Format
The document reflects effective organization and correct sentence structure, grammar, and spelling; it is presented in a professional format; it incorporates illustrations or diagrams.
The document is not well-organized, and/or contains grammar and/or spelling errors; it does not contain appropriate illustrations or diagrams.
The document is extremely poorly written and does not convey the information.
1
Total Points: 12
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Introduction
This project allows students to download and explore the benefits of using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
VPNs are available in both hardware and software. Many VPN programs are available for both desktop and mobile devices. Tunnel Bear is one of them. Tunnel Bear offers a free trial. Tunnel Bear is optional yet free.
Download Tunnel Bear (https://www.tunnelbear.com/) to your phone/tablet. One week of Tunnel Bear. Don’t utilize Tunnel Bear to watch Netflix or you’ll run out of data before you finish the task! The goal is to use a VPN program on your computer and mobile device to change VPN servers throughout the world. Change your VPN servers to at least ten countries. Visit ten websites (five on your computer and five on your mobile device). Keep a journal of your experiences. What is good about Tunnel Bear VPN? What doesn’t work. If any, describe the impact on performance. Why would you want to keep using Tunnel Bear?
Deliverables
Your deliverables include your VPN log and a three-to-four page summary of your findings. Include the following questions as section titles (bold in paper):
1. How did you use VPN?
2. Did you experience issues installing the desktop or mobile client?
3. How did you find the VPN client in general?
4. What did you notice about the VPN client when connecting to different VPN servers? Give details.
5. Did you run across any performance issues?
6. Do you always use a VPN client like Tunnel Bear? Why not?
7. Benefits of a VPN like Tunnel Bear.
You must mention at least one external source accurately in APA format. Your paper will be graded using the rubric below. Assemble the needed elements of the assignment.
Scoresheet
Attribute
Points
Partially
0 pt
Possibilities
VPN Completed log Log has at least five desktop and mobile webpages. Observations per visit. Sites for PC and mobile half filled in. Less than 10 VPN servers log. Not every visit is noted. No log, no effort. 3
VPN Servers
We tested a minimum of ten VPN servers.
We only tested 10 VPN servers.
Tested one VPN server
3 – General Experience
Describes the observer’s general (positive/negative) VPN client experiences.
This article summarizes our VPN client experiences.
No general remarks made.
2
Particulars
The observer’s precise details discovered during testing are documented.
This post contains limited observer details discovered during testing.
No specifics given.
2 VPN Gains
This article displays a grasp of VPN concepts and usage.
The author has a limited understanding of VPN concepts and usage.
No benefits.
1 File Format
The paper is organized, has proper language structure, grammar, and spelling, and includes pictures or diagrams.
The text is poorly organized, has language and spelling problems, and lacks adequate drawings and diagrams.
The text is badly written and lacks information.
1 Total: 12
