Privacy and security are a significant concern for anyone doing anything online these days. Virtual Private Networks or VPN have become a lot more mainstream, and millions of people use them every day. You may find yourself wondering if this kind of protection is a necessity and if it is a wise investment.
With the number of online threats growing on a daily basis, it is time to start protecting yourself better. Just about everywhere you go, you can find some form of public WiFi. Yet these networks are not safe to use without taking the appropriate security measures. A VPN is going to be what you need to stay safe on these networks. And that is only the tip of the iceberg.
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What Is A VPN?
Before you start to get overwhelmed by what a virtual private network offers, you must know what a VPN is.
A virtual private network is a service that protects all information going to and from your device. A VPN acts as a protected pathway that connects to a remote server and shields your data from anyone who may be prying.
This remote server also masks your device with its IP address, hiding your virtual location. Any website you connect to assumes your data is coming to and from that remote server. So it looks like you are wherever the server is. It also encrypts your connection, so no snooping eyes can see what websites you connect to or what information you enter there.
Why Do You Need A VPN Service?
1. Stay Protected on Public Networks
Public WiFi networks are everywhere. Even if these networks seem to have security, such as a password or a website to login, you cannot be sure of their reliability. You never know what type of people are going to be looking into that particular network and its traffic.
It may be a fake hotspot set up by a hacker. Or a cybercriminal may have compromised a legit network and now oversees anyone using it. Therefore, it is up to you to keep your private data secure.
A VPN is going to be your best friend while out in public. It shields you while connecting to any network. Regardless of how secure the public network is, it encrypts and thus protects your data.
2. Trick Your Internet Service Provider
Many people who use the internet a lot have had the pleasure of bandwidth throttling. It is when your internet provider on purpose grind your download and upload speeds to a halt if you have been using too much. It usually applies to speeds for streaming, using P2P sharing, or gaming. For anyone with daily internet use, it can be a huge headache.
With a VPN, your traffic stays encrypted and hidden even from ISP. So you can fool your internet service provider into thinking that you are not doing those activities that they throttle the internet for. Moreover, some ISP track and sell your data without any recourse. Using a VPN puts a stop to any data monitoring from your ISP as well.
3. Access Geo-Restricted Content
Whether you are at home or abroad, you may want to have access to content that is not available in your location. With a lot of VPN services, you can switch IP addresses to make it look like you are in a different place. It gives you access to things such as streaming services and YouTube videos that aren’t allowed in your country.
While you are away, you can access non-localized versions of popular websites. So everything can be the way you want it. Of course, not every area is going to have strict policies on internet restrictions. But it is better to be safe than sorry and be able to access what you want.
4. A VPN Can Change Your Online Experience
The world is moving towards everything being done on the internet, and it is moving at a rapid pace. Keep yourself safe in the online world. For that, a virtual private network is going to be a huge help. Your browsing is anonymous wherever you decide to connect. And you’re more in control of your data.
Whether you live in an area that has heavy internet censorship, you are tired of your ISP snooping on you, or you want an extra layer of protection, a VPN is going to be the solution.
