A VPN, or a Virtual Private Network, is a simple tool that allows its user to connect to different and random networks over the internet by harnessing security protocols and allowing one to maintain their privacy and use the internet discreetly. It’s affordable, easy to use, and must be a vital component of your PC or smartphone. Even if you don’t necessarily have antivirus software installed, Windows Defender on Windows 10 does a pretty effective job.
A VPN, however, is even more important and many people don’t realize that. It also safeguards you from hackers and keeps every moment you spend online completely private. Over the years, the uses and applicability of VPN have grown multiple folds, and its users include average internet users, students, professionals, and businesses.
Below is a list of the main benefits of a VPN that will convince you to download an online version right now.
1. Browse Securely on Public Wi-Fi Networks
Using a VPN for security is perhaps the most popular usage of this tool. Using a VPN, one can ensure online safety and privacy from hackers or digital spies. Alternatively, users who do not use VPN, risk their security to a possible DNS leakage, especially on a public WiFi network. Individuals who live in countries with oppressive governments tend to use VPNs on their online ventures to mask their identity and protect themselves from government intrusion.
Public Wi-Fi networks are on the rise in many countries of the world. Most businesses provide free public Wi-Fi to attract customers. And most customers’ first reaction to free public Wi-Fi is to connect to it and start browsing. The problem with public Wi-Fi is that it is not really that secure.
- Your browsing is unencrypted and can be picked up by anyone with the know-how.
- Malware from one laptop on the network could make its way to yours via the router.
- You never know, the free Wi-Fi could be a phishing scam.
Even some legitimate Wi-Fi networks require personal information like phone number, email, name, etc. to sign you up. This information could be used to track you. With a VPN, you can avoid at least three of the listed problems.
2. VPN allows you to access data remotely
A VPN allows individuals to access their data remotely from absolutely any location. If your company and your office use VPN, this would lead to greater productivity in employees as they would be able to work from home and access their data whenever they want. Gamers can also benefit from VPN as certain games only allow players from certain countries to participate, and gamers can change their location to a participating country and play away.
3. Beat Location-based Restrictions
If a government or state bans certain websites or applications, users can always use a VPN service to access them from a country they aren’t banned. The great thing about this is that one can do so without being detected in any possible way and maintain anonymity.
Movie streaming websites like Netflix limit some of their content to certain countries. Netflix offers a different streaming library based on location, but that isn’t always the best content for you. Spotify, for example, is still not available in India. BBC iPlayer isn’t available outside the U.K. Several streaming services are locked onto a specific region. Browser-based proxy services can help you here, sure. But that often results in slow streaming and it is not the best experience. Using a VPN you can get access to and watch movies that are restricted in your country.
4. VPN Services allow you to get a good deal
Most online rental platforms have cheaper rates for bookings in certain countries and higher rates for others. These cheap or expensive rates depend upon the cost of living in different countries respectively. VPN allows you to get a good deal or such services by simply shifting your IP address to a country with a low cost of living. A common example of this is purchasing flight tickets as airlines and ticket companies are notorious for this practice.
5. Automatically Encrypt Everything
Even though it’s not easy, your ISP can potentially track down your browsing habits. In theory, your ISP has the potential to find out which websites you visit often. It is a complicated process and it is unlikely that your ISP would go to such lengths only to find out how many times you visit Facebook. Nevertheless, VPN clients can encrypt all the data you exchange with remote websites and servers.
Any online activity you do with a VPN app up and running will be automatically encrypted. To understand, imagine a safe and secure tunnel in the sea, through which clean water can pass. That’s exactly what a VPN does. That’s how it makes public Wi-Fi safe as well and that’s how it can also keep government censors oblivious to your browsing data.
6. Improve Online Gaming Speeds
Whether you’re completing a heist in GTA online with your friends or conquering the realm in an online RPG, online games require a fast, steady internet connection. But even on a fast internet connection, it is possible that your online gaming experience might not be as smooth as it should be. This is because certain ISPs throttle online gaming data to provide uniform service to all users. As you may have guessed by now, a VPN can help solve this little problem. Keep in mind though that the VPN server you’re using is nearby and capable of handling the load. Most VPN services let you know beforehand how busy a server is.
7. VPN Services are Affordable
There are several freely available VPN services, and there are others that have packages to suit one’s needs. Whether you are an average internet user, a student, a professional, or a company, you are bound to find something or the other well within your budget. Given the different uses and values that VPN poses to have, its cost seems minute in comparison. However, you must avoid using a free VPN as doing so might compromise your security and privacy.
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