Many believe virtual private networks (VPNs) are only something for the tech-savvy the average user doesn’t need. This, however, could not be further from the truth. VPNs offer a powerful and easy-to-use tool and form an essential part of your setup to enhance your security online. If you’re using public Wi-Fi, transmitting sensitive data, or you’d like to access content online that’s not available in your region, a VPN will enable you to do so safely and anonymously. By routing your internet connection through remote servers, a VPN encrypts your traffic, hides your identity, and keeps prying eyes from accessing your data. You can even virtually change your location to access geo-restricted or blocked content.
1. Security and safety
The number one reason why everybody should be using a VPN is online security. A VPN protects the data you exchange with a host by routing you through a private tunnel. All your data gets encrypted, making it impossible for anyone to see. Even if someone managed to access your traffic, due to the encryption, they would not be able to understand any of it. This is especially important when you’re using public Wi-Fi. As explained by Norton, public Wi-Fi comes with a set of risks, such as cybercriminals tracking your activity and stealing your data. By using a VPN when connecting to public networks, nobody will be able to access your information, making it safe to enjoy the benefits of public Wi-Fi hotspots. A VPN doesn’t just enhance your security in public spaces, as it will also protect your data in your home or at work. Even your own internet service provider could be tracking your traffic – but not when you’re using a VPN.
2. Privacy and anonymity
Would you like to make sure your identity online stays hidden? If privacy is important to you, a VPN can help. As your traffic gets routed through an encrypted tunnel, it is impossible to trace your internet activity back to you. All your activity is anonymized, so the websites you’re visiting cannot track your visits, prying eyes won’t see who you are, and your identity will stay hidden. As a VPN allows you to access the web through different servers, your real IP and location remain anonymous. Even the host won’t know where you’re accessing their website from or who you are. While there are a few free VPNs on the market that promise complete privacy, it is recommendable to pay for a subscription with a reputable VPN service such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN, to ensure your privacy and anonymity online.
3. Access to geo-restricted or censored web content
Do you live in a region, where certain content on the web is blocked or censored? Would you like to watch a movie or show on a streaming platform that’s not available in your country? With the help of a VPN, you can simply change the location from which you’re accessing the web to circumvent any type of restrictions online. Most VPNs allow you to connect to dozens or hundreds of different servers in different countries around the world. You can choose which location you want your private tunnel to go through to make the website host believe that’s where you are.
This is especially handy when you would like to access entertainment offers that are not available in your country. For instance, are you outside the UK but would like to access the BBC iPlayer? Or would you like to watch a show only the US version of Netflix has, but you’re somewhere else? With a VPN, you can access all this geo-restricted content. It is also a welcome tool if you’d like to play games online that are not available in your region. For instance, websites such as ArabianBetting analyze and review gambling sites for Arabian players specifically for that reason. While using a VPN, players can retain anonymity and security and play or bet safely. Websites offering to play casino games or place wagers on sports events are not available in every country, but by connecting to a VPN, you can circumvent such location-based restrictions and access the WWW freely and safely.
4. Save money when shopping and booking travel online
A VPN won’t just help you access the internet securely and freely; it can even help you save money online. Many businesses such as online shops and travel booking platforms offer different rates depending on which location customers are accessing the website from. Regardless of what you’re buying or what your flight’s departure and arrival destinations are, users from different locations might be shown different price lists and airfares. Thanks to a VPN’s location spoofing capabilities, you can try out various locations around the world before making a purchase or booking, to see if different rates are shown. This may require a little research and time but can help you find the best deal and save a chunk of money. It could be well worth the effort!
5. Affordable and easy to use
Last but not least: a VPN is affordable and easy to use, making it a powerful tool to keep your data safe online and enjoy all the benefits of a VPN without having to be a tech expert. Many users are afraid a VPN might be too hard for them to install and use, especially if they are tech adverse. But the market offers a wide variety of options with intuitive and user-friendly interfaces that make connecting to the web via a VPN as easy as pie. And using this powerful tool does not need to involve spending a lot of money either. While free options usually only offer limited functionality and come at a reduced quality, you can find many cheap full-service subscriptions that start at just a couple of dollars per month. Thanks to this, anyone can use a VPN easily and take their online security up a notch.
Using a VPN to route your connection through a private tunnel offers a lot of advantages that will keep your data secure, your identity anonymous and your real location hidden. Besides a firewall and antivirus, a VPN should be part of anyone’s arsenal of cybersecurity tools.