Technology yields innovation with every passing day. Innovation is our defining characteristic and without our ability to innovate and invent, we wouldn't be any better off than most animals. But in the pursuit of innovation, and the fact that there are so many technologies that are on the rise, it can get quite confusing for people who aren't well-versed in the technology that they intend to utilize. This is even truer when a user is presented with two seemingly similar technologies, as is the case between virtualization and cloud computing.

A solid example of this is how VPNs and Virtualization are seemingly similar but both are actually quite different. This is important knowledge because understanding the key differences between these two technologies will allow you to select what type of service you need for your business. So, on to what you came here for:

What exactly are the key differences between VPNs and Virtualization?

Virtualization Defined

Virtualization is defined as the concept of running a virtual instance of a computer that is beyond that of actual hardware.  In its basest form, it is the ability to run multiple operating systems on a computer system simultaneously. Modern iterations come in the form of cloud computing, where data is stored and processed by a central computer while the tasks are accessed by a user's device. You only use your own device to access content, but the processing power comes from a central computer. This allows companies to maximize the computing power of modern computers by having multiple operating systems without the need to purchase hardware. Cloud computing is the most popular modern iteration of virtualization and while it serves its purpose well, it does have a few security risks.

VPN Defined

A virtual private network is a form of virtualization that functions as a private internet connection for a user's device. The connection is made private by coursing data from your device to a remote server via a tunnel that encrypted information is communicated through. This encrypted information cannot be deciphered or interpreted by anything other than the VPN servers, which then ensure that your actions on the internet leave no trace.

Their Stark Contrast

The primary difference between VPNs and virtualization is that VPNs are generally used for the purpose of ensuring that your connections are secure. VPNs like the many times reviewed Surfshark, are an excellent way to keep yourself anonymous on the internet. VPNs are also used by businesses in order to protect the data of their customers. Imagine if, as a customer, your payment details were communicated via a public network. That is a risk that should not be allowed to exist.

On the other hand, the primary purpose of virtualization is to reduce cost and improve efficiency. It eliminates the need to buy a new system for every needed instance of an operating system. Nowadays, with cloud computing, it even allows businesses to exist without the need to invest heavily into hardware, though this approach is generally less secure.

So, now that both technologies have been differentiated, you're going to be better able to determine whether you need one or the other, depending on your priorities. This knowledge will allow you to direct your resources in a more efficient manner and to minimize waste. There's no way that you can use a tool to maximum effectiveness without first understanding how it works and what it's meant for.