The suspension of the X formerly Twitter, this Friday (30), caused several Internet users to articulate a possible use of the VPN (Virtual Private Network) to access the application. However, the minister Alexander de Moraes of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), prohibited the use of the tool, under the application of a daily fine of R$50,000 for those who violate the determination.
Typically used to protect online privacy by encrypting data and hiding your IP address, a VPN is a tool that creates a secure connection between a given device and the internet, as explained by CNN Alexandre Andrade technology specialist at Lara Comunicação.
“The tool is also widely used to access content that may be blocked in certain regions,” adds the expert.
“A VPN works by routing your internet traffic through a remote server, which creates an encrypted ‘tunnel.’ This means that any data transmitted is protected and the IP address that websites see is not yours, but that of the VPN server,” Alexandre explains.
In other words, the technology makes it appear that the user is browsing the internet from another country, bypassing any geographic blocks.
However, after determining the suspension of X in Brazil, Minister Alexandre de Moraes prohibited the use of VPN, stipulating a daily fine of R$50,000 if any natural or legal person uses VPN services to access Elon Musk’s platform.
Is it possible to detect VPN usage?
According to Alexandre Andrade, the answer is yes. “Some methods include identifying IP addresses that are known to belong to VPN servers, or through advanced techniques such as deep packet inspection (DPI), which examines transmitted data in search of specific patterns,” he assures.
“However, high-quality VPNs can mask this traffic, making detection more complex,” adds the expert.
*With information from Gabriel Garcia, from CNN Brasil.
**Text being updated
This content was originally published in What is a VPN, which was prohibited by Moraes for access to X on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Charles Grill is a tech-savvy writer with over 3 years of experience in the field. He writes on a variety of technology-related topics and has a strong focus on the latest advancements in the industry. He is connected with several online news websites and is currently contributing to a technology-focused platform.
