Did you know you’re not alone when you browse the web? Everything you do online is being monitored and recorded without your knowledge. This all risks your online security and security. To keep your activities hidden and enhance your online security and privacy, you should use a VPN.
A VPN is a blessing for the netizens in today’s era that has no regard for their digital privacy. Undoubtedly, it is an innovative privacy-enhancing tool that offers endless benefits to users.
What is a VPN used for
A VPN is increasingly becoming popular among users for its end-to-end encryption features that ensure excellent protection over the web. Let’s take a deep look into why one should use a VPN. So, let’s jump into it.
1. Gain online privacy and anonymity
One of the most significant advantages of using a VPN is enjoying complete anonymity and online privacy. When you browse the web, various people can see your browsing activities. It can be your ISP, government surveillance agencies, network administrator, and hackers. They closely monitor and track your online behavior and even store your data logs without your consent. It is all a clear violation of an individual right to digital privacy.
Using a trusted VPN provider can retain maximum online protection while browsing the web. A VPN obfuscates your IP address and offers an encrypted tunnel for transferring data from your device to the intended site. Because a VPN uses strong encryption and secure tunneling protocols, online tracking and spying are impossible. No matter what you’re browsing the web, VPN will encrypt your data from both ends and give you great peace of mind.
2. Bypass censorship
The internet world is profound; everyone wants to access this depth without restrictions. However, some governments have put strong censorship on accessing the free internet. It mainly goes to countries with restrictive regimes like China, North Korea, and Iran. The internet is restricted and heavily censored by the government. The ISPs, upon government requests, have blocked access to specific websites and services. For example, you won’t access Skype, WhatsApp, and other VOIP services in the UAE.
But with the emergence of VPNs, it is now easy to bypass censorship and surf the internet with complete freedom. The best VPN does come with special obfuscated servers that make your VPN traffic look like regular traffic and helps in bypassing the censorship filters. If you live in any restrictive regime, don’t worry; subscribe to a VPN.
3. Accessing restricted content
Another fundamental reason to use a VPN is to access restricted content on various streaming platforms. If you want to access foreign media content on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or Amazon Prime, unfortunately, you can’t. Different streaming channels are bound under the copyright licensing agreement, under which they can’t broadcast content from one region in another country. If you’re an avid streamer, you can’t watch other countries’ content because of geographical restrictions. It might disappoint people but with a VPN nothing to worry about.
A VPN allows you to connect to remote servers of your choice and bypass geographical restrictions. You can access any entertainment site that might be blocked in your region and make your experience worth amazing.
4. Downloading torrents
Torrenting is another favorite activity of netizens. But, due to legal issues, it is pretty risky to download torrents. Some countries like the US, UK, and Australia have strict laws regarding torrenting. You have to take protective measures before you download torrents, and the most effective one is to use a VPN.
The best VPN for torrenting obscures your IP address and encrypts the data traffic, making you anonymous in the P2P swarm. With your IP address hidden, neither your ISP nor the copyright owner can track you. Also, torrenting requires fast downloading speed, so the VPN uses several torrent-friendly features that ensure a secure and fast torrent downloading experience.
5. Secure online payments
In today’s era, everything is possible online, from banking work to shopping. People frequently use online banking options and other services like PayPal and Venmo that you don’t want anyone else to access. You can make transactions in the comfort of your home with a single tap. But, this has also increased the risks of getting scammed and becoming a victim of identity theft and phishing.
VPN secures your online communication by using encryption. It provides an extra layer of protection and guarantees secure online payments.
6. Protection on public Wi-Fi networks
Protection on public Wi-Fi networks while browsing the internet is one of the best benefits of using a VPN. You’re risking your online privacy if you’re using public or open Wi-Fi, like at a hotel, cafe, or airport. When you connect to a public network, these networks are always vulnerable to hackers and cyber-attacks. Cyber-crooks continuously monitor the network, snoop on your activities, and look for loopholes. Using multiple tactics, they exploit the vulnerabilities and enter the network to steal essential files and data without making you realize it.
To prevent such a situation, use a VPN that masks your actual IP address, and your data is protected with military-grade encryption against any possible threats and invaders.
7. Data Privacy from Snooping Eyes
The Internet and data privacy laws vary from country to country. Most countries abide by the mandatory data retention laws under which the ISPs retain users’ data logs for six months. The ISPs even track your online activities and gather and record your data without your consent. The collected data is later provided to government surveillance agencies and other higher authorities upon request. Moreover, if you reside in a country that is a member of the five eyes, nine eyes, and Eyes alliance, your data is shared with the intelligence agencies of other countries.
You must use a trusted VPN provider to maintain your data and online privacy. By changing your IP address and providing end-to-end encryption, a VPN makes it impossible for anyone to detect your online activities. As a result, you can prevent any snooping eye from keeping an eye on your online actions.
8. Enjoy freedom of speech
Freedom of speech is every individual’s fundamental right, but it is not given in several countries. There are several occasions when you need freedom of speech. For instance, if you’re a journalist or social activist, you might have been stopped or blackmailed to raise your voice or reveal the truth to the users.
A VPN can help you in this regard. It anonymizes your identity and allows you to say anything without worrying about your true identity getting revealed.
Other reasons for using a VPN
Apart from providing security and privacy to the users, a VPN offers several other benefits that make their service worth using. The following are other reasons people should start using a VPN at home or in their businesses. So, here you go:
9. Smart savings
If you do detailed research, you’ll know that a VPN helps save money because of its geo-spoofing ability. When you connect to a VPN, it spoofs your virtual, and as a result, you can avail yourself of discount offers exclusively available in different parts of the world. There are shopping websites and online stores like Amazon that provide separate price lists for other countries.
It also goes when booking a hotel or buying an air ticket for your next vacation trip. The prices also differ because of extra charges in shipment, bank fees, and other transaction charges. Moreover, some websites have limited payment options and don’t accept payment via conventional methods. Using a reliable VPN provider is the best way to get around these location prejudices. It will change your location and help in availing of the best-discounted deals.
10. Easy to use
The best VPN providers are easy to use. They come with dedicated apps for each platform. The apps are intuitive and can be downloaded with a single click. The interface is also clean, and you can easily navigate to different options and enjoy your browsing experience.
11. Multiple device support
Another added benefit of a VPN is its compatibility with all major devices and operating systems. The best premium secure VPN supports multiple devices and is operational on Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Windows. You can even enjoy various simultaneous connections with a single VPN subscription account when you connect to a VPN. In this way, you protect all your smartphones, smart TVs, tablets, and computers and enjoy other benefits like streaming, torrenting, and gaming. It is a great advantage to people working in an organization or living in an expanded family as they can protect different devices simultaneously and enjoy maximum online protection.
12. Fast internet speed
Several reasons contribute to a slow and sluggish internet connection. But your ISP is the main culprit behind slow internet speed most of the time. Your ISP knows your IP address and continuously monitors and tracks your activities. Since the repeal of net neutrality, they have become more empowered to control user data limits. They start throttling your connection if they see that you’re involved in any activities that consume much of the bandwidth, like torrenting, excessive streaming, or gaming.
Consequently, you experience slow internet speed that ruins your browsing experience. A trusted VPN provider offers unlimited bandwidth and an extensive server network. Connecting you to the nearest server helps bypass the ISP filters and ensures fast speed.
How to get a VPN on your device
A VPN is an excellent anonymity tool that one can’t ignore using. Because of its multi-device support, you can easily download it on your desktop computers, laptops, tablets, Macs, and smartphones. If you’re looking to set up a VPN on your device, then here are the quick steps:
- Look for the best secure VPN provider.
- Please select a payment method and subscribe to it.
- Create a new account on VPN’s official website.
- Complete the downloading and installation steps that appear on your screen.
- Open the VPN app and log in to your VPN account.
- Choose a server of your choice.
- Tap to connect.
Within a few seconds, you would be connected to a VPN, and then you can browse the web with complete anonymity and privacy.
Is VPN necessary to use?
With the increasing security risks and vulnerabilities, using a VPN and boosting your online privacy and security have become vital. A VPN efficiently hides your IP address and encrypts your online communication. As a result, no prying eyes can view who you’re and what you are doing on the web. Besides privacy and anonymity, a VPN also offers numerous other benefits, like streaming geo-blocked content, downloading torrents, and bypassing strict internet censorship. For an anonymous and private web browsing experience, you should consider using a reliable VPN provider.
Are VPNs bad for your privacy?
If you use a free VPN provider, there isn’t any guarantee that it will protect your online privacy. Free VPNs are bad for online privacy and security, unlike premium VPN providers. It is because they are free, and by luring the users, they risk their privacy. They provide essential user protection and lack several advanced features to increase online privacy. So, not all VPNs are bad, but if you use a free VPN, it might not be suitable for your digital privacy.
Conclusion
To conclude, people seek the best ways to avoid being tracked online. Using a VPN is the best solution they can go with. It comes with various features and offers numerous benefits to its users. It won’t be wrong to say that VPNs are a complete package, and one won’t ever regret investing in a VPN service. However, use a premium version because free VPNs have several security issues.
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About the Author
Rebecca James is an IT consultant with forward thinking approach toward developing IT infrastructures of SMEs. She writes to engage with individuals and raise awareness of digital security, privacy, and better IT infrastructure.
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