What is a virtual location server? Its meaning, risks, and benefits
3 min read
At first glance, the term “virtual location server” may seem self-explanatory. It’s just a server that is located in a virtual space, right? Or is it a server that redirects the traffic to a virtual location? Or could it be a synonym for GPS spoofing? What is a virtual location server, and what are its risks and benefits? Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Virtual location server: What is it?
A virtual location server is a server that redirects internet traffic through a country other than the server’s actual physical location. For example, VPN users may connect to a server that appears to be in the UK, while in reality, the server is physically hosted in France. Like a physical VPN server, a virtual location server allows VPN users to change their IP address to have more privacy while browsing online. Virtual location servers are often a feature of VPN services that expands the pool of available locations and gives users more options for improving their anonymity on the internet.
Why do some VPNs use virtual location servers?
Some VPN providers use virtual location servers to ensure cost efficiency. Virtual servers relieve VPN providers of the necessity to build physical VPN servers in all supported countries, which simplifies resource management. Additionally, virtual servers enable VPN providers to expand their services quicker, meeting user demands for more server locations worldwide.
Advantages of a virtual location server
The advantages of a virtual server location include access to servers in more countries, cost efficiency, and easier deployment compared to physical servers. Additionally, virtual servers offer higher versatility for VPN service providers and provide easy access to subscribed content on IP location-based apps, benefiting all internet users, including citizens of the Five Eyes Alliance countries. In rare cases, virtual location servers may also improve internet connection speeds.
However, it’s important to note that, just like with physical servers, the distance between the user and the virtual server matters. Suppose you’re connecting to a virtual server far from your actual location (for example, using a VPN for location change to connect to a virtual Sri Lankan server, which is physically hosted in Poland). In that case, the latency will be higher than when connecting to a physical server that’s closer, which may cause delays and decrease speed.
Disadvantages of a virtual location server
The disadvantages of a virtual location server could be slower response and connection speed (due to the large distance between the user and the server), geolocation mismatches (when the service providers detect the IP address from the server’s host country), and inconsistent performance (if a physical server hosts more than a few virtual servers). These disadvantages largely depend on how providers set them up, so if you’re looking for virtual location services, it’s best to ensure their provider is trustworthy and reputable.
What is the difference between a virtual server and a physical server?
The differences between a virtual and a physical server include location, resource allocation, and scalability, just to name a few. However, the key difference between physical and virtual servers is that physical servers are standalone units, while virtual servers are created using software to divide a physical server into multiple virtual environments.
Based on their characteristics, these servers also stand out from each other in the following categories:
| Feature | Physical Server | Virtual Server |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Physical unit in a data center (or other dedicated location). | Part of a physical server that uses software to operate in a virtual environment. |
| Resource Allocation | Uses its hardware to allocate resources. | Relies on physical server resources. |
| Scalability | Harder, requires additional hardware setup. | Easy to scale up or down. |
| Cost | Higher (hardware management, power). | More cost-efficient. |
| Security | High because of isolation. | Can be as secure as physical servers, but it depends on the configuration. |
Is a VPN with a virtual location server safe to use?
Whether a VPN with a virtual location server is safe depends solely on the VPN provider. Since VPN providers offer users the opportunity to browse the internet while connected to a virtual server, it’s better that you do thorough research into the provider before choosing a VPN. Knowing how the service ensures sensitive data protection is an important criterion when choosing a VPN, regardless of whether it uses virtual or physical servers.
How can I change my virtual location?
Changing your virtual location is easiest when you use a VPN. Because VPN providers want to help their customers enjoy more privacy online, their services directly tie in with the need to change virtual locations. If you’re using NordVPN, changing your virtual location is a matter of opening the app and selecting the server you want to connect to, either by using the map or choosing from the list of available countries. The service will connect you to the location, masking your connection from unwanted snoopers and safeguarding your online activity.