12 Solid Reasons Why You Should Use a VPN

If used correctly, a VPN can protect your privacy. In this article, I will explain what VPNs do, what their limitations are, and why you should use a VPN. I will also go over the legality concerns you may have about VPNs.

The internet is useful but it’s not a safe place. Hackers, ISPs, and governments alike all have access to your data and your browsing history. So, what are you supposed to do?

One of the ways you can protect yourself is to use a VPN.

How Do VPNs Work?

In this guide, I am going to talk about commercial VPNs that are sold directly to consumers for use in their daily lives, but the concept of VPN is much bigger. Corporations have long used VPN technology to provide employees with remote access to digital resources.

A VPN, or virtual private network, protects your data and your identity when you are browsing the internet. Instead of your data being transferred directly to the website you are visiting, it is instead transferred through a third-party server. This way, no one, not even the website you are visiting, can see what you are doing online.

A VPN secures your internet connection by encrypting it and making it impossible for hackers, spies, and people with malicious intents to intercept your data. Your data is also hidden from the prying eyes of the internet service provider, which makes your internet experience much more secure.

Do I Need a VPN?

VPN is an essential tool for privacy and security online. You need a VPN if you want the following:

  1. Protect your online privacy.
  2. Appear to be located in another country/region.
  3. Make it difficult for advertisers and third parties to track you as you navigate the web.
  4. Ensure that your ISP knows as little as possible about your online activity.

Why Should You Use VPN?

VPN has numerous advantages that make them essential in today’s World. Here are some of the most common reasons why you should use a VPN:

1. Security, Privacy & Safety

reasons to use a VPN

Security is the main reason why people use VPNs. With a VPN, your web history will be hidden even from your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

First, a VPN encrypts your data so that it cannot be sniffed by third parties. This is called “encryption”. Second, a VPN provider protects your privacy by concealing your IP address. This is called “IP masking”.

In addition to keeping your identity safe from online snooping, a VPN also protects your data from getting stolen when you land on a malicious website. It is much safer to invest in a reputable VPN provider instead of free options. They not only provide higher levels of security, but they also have better customer support and come with a variety of convenient features.

2. Anonymity

Benefits of using VPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a network of tunnels that helps users access a network of VPN gateways while making sure that they are secure.

VPN services like ExpressVPN allow users to connect to their desired servers across the world in a matter of seconds.

Here is how a VPN works: a user signs up with a VPN service provider. The provider then connects the user to a server (chosen by the user) somewhere in the world and assigns a virtual IP address. The user then connects to the internet through the VPN server and can access the desired websites without any restrictions.

3. Bypass Geo-Restrictions

Bypass Geo-Restrictions

The internet is a powerful tool, but it can also be a frustrating one. The majority of the content you find online is restricted to users in certain locations. This means that the content is only accessible from a few corners of the world, and not anywhere else.

But with a VPN, you can access content from any part of the world you want. VPN lets you access channels and websites from any place through its servers spread across the World.

4. Access to Any Content in Anywhere

This is an extension to the last point. Some VPNs even allow you to unblock content like HBO or Showtime, which are often restricted to viewers in certain regions. Over the past few years, many major streaming services have begun to implement region-specific content, making VPNs even more important.

Although Hulu and the likes may not like you using VPN to stream your favorite shows where it is available, using VPN is not illegal in the USA and most other countries.

If you’re looking forward to watching a new TV show only to find it isn’t available in your country, you may consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to trick your Netflix or Hulu into thinking you’re located somewhere else.

While this may seem like a violation, using a VPN to stream content from a country where the content isn’t available is perfectly legal in most countries. It can provide a useful workaround when restrictions are in place.

5. Improve Buffering Issues

Why You Should Use a VPN

If you’re subscribed to a streaming service, you know that sometimes buffering issues can occur. This is especially true with popular services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, which can cause videos to buffer.

The reason for this is that streaming services draw a lot of data, which can cause the bandwidth to get overloaded and cause buffering issues.

It’s not uncommon for ISP to throttle your internet speed, causing buffering issues. A VPN will remedy this, ensuring a buffer-free streaming experience.

6. Security While Using Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is easily accessible and free of charge. It provides internet access in cafes, airports, and other public spaces. However, public Wi-Fi has its own drawbacks.

Public Wi-Fi is most vulnerable to data breaches and malware attacks. These security threats make internet access extremely unsafe for users.

In many situations, it may not be possible to avoid using public Wi-Fi. In these situations, a VPN comes in handy because it masks your identity when using public Wi-Fi, while also providing a safe & secure tunnel for your online activities.

7. Privacy from ISP

Strangers are less likely to attack your home Wi-Fi compared to a public Wi-fi connection. Your data, however, remains vulnerable at your home as well.

Your ISP (Spectrum, Verizon, Comcast, or any other company that provides you with Wi-Fi services) can access all of your internet data. They can see when, where, and how you browse.

Even when you use the “private” or “incognito” browsing function, this data can be seen and collected by the ISP. In some cases, the data is sold to advertisers, and it can be dangerous in case of a data breach. A VPN can help you hide your browsing data from your ISP.

8. Privacy from the Government

reasons to use a VPN

While ISPs, apps, etc. claim not to sell your browsing data to governments, they cannot deny when Government bodies pressure them into giving their user data—yes, even in the United States.

In 2013, Edward Snowden exposed that Verizon sold users’ data to the NSA. After that, several laws were passed to limit government surveillance.

A VPN is a smart investment in data protection if you are concerned about governmental overreach.

9. Hide Data from Apps & Services

Your ISP isn’t the only one tracking your every move. Unfortunately, many of our favorite apps and services such as Meta (previously Facebook), have been known to track their users’ data. You must have heard about the Facebook data privacy scandal.

A VPN will make sure the apps and websites that you visit do not associate your online activity with your computer’s IP address. It also has the ability to limit the collection of your location and browser history.

10. Protect all your Devices

Protect all your Devices

VPN services safeguard devices such as smart TVs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, desktop computers, and more.

I use ExpressVPN, which works on all devices. They even allow VPN installation on routers, making sure you are protected at all times.

11. Discounted Travel & Shopping

Why You Should Use a VPN

Airlines show different rates for different destinations, irrespective of where you are traveling to and from? You may be able to get great discounts on your flights if you book them from a different location.

Sometimes, the airlines also jack up their prices when you visit their website to check fares. Using a VPN will mask your IP; hence you won’t be affected by that price hike.

Many online retailers have different price lists for customers from various countries. The same is true for subscription services.

If you know a certain country provides cheaper rates, you can select that country’s VPN server and you should be able to save a substantial amount of money.

12. Access a Bigger Games Library

why is VPN necessary

If you are an avid gamer, you’d love VPNs. Since VPN reroutes your internet connection, you will get access to a wider range of games from across the World.

Similarly, some countries prohibit games due to graphic content. You can circumvent these restrictions by connecting to a VPN server in another country, where it isn’t restricted.

Which VPN Should You Use?

What should you look for when purchasing a VPN? Here are a few pointers you should check:

  • Speed
  • No log Policy
  • Server Locations
  • Kill switch
  • Pricing

I recommend ExpressVPN and Surfshark VPN. I will provide their pros and cons below. I use ExpressVPN (read my ExpressVPN review) personally. Even though the price is on the higher side, it is the fastest and most secure VPN available today.

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN
👍 Pros👎Cons
✅ 3000+ high-speed servers in 94 Countries
✅ Easy to install & use
✅ Best-in-class Encryption
✅ Works fantastically with FireStick
✅ 24/7 live chat support
✅ Allows up to 5 connections simultaneously
✅ Strong data protection
✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
✅ High speed and excellent performance
✅ Strict No Log Policy
✅ Unlimited bandwidth
✅ Client Apps available for all Popular devices
✅ Network Lock ExpressVPN kill switch
✅ Bitcoin Payment via BitPay Available
❌ No Free Trials
❌ Slightly Expensive

2. Surfshark

SurfShark
👍 Pros👎Cons
✅ 3200+ Servers in 65 Countries
✅ Super Affordable
✅ Fast speeds
✅ Free Trial available
✅ Easy to install & use
✅ Private DNS for each server
✅ All servers are P2P-friendly
✅ Works superbly with FireStick
✅ 24/7 live chat & email support
✅ Connect unlimited devices simultaneously
✅ Strong data protection
✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
✅ Strict No Log Policy
✅ Client Apps available for all Popular devices
❌ Not as feature-rich as its competitors

Limitations of VPNs

A VPN is a useful tool to hide your location, but it may not make you invincible online. If you take a quiz on Facebook or like/save a post on Instagram, the app will still be able to track your activity to customize in-app ads, even when you are connected to a VPN.

Similar to this, if cookies are enabled on your computer, businesses will be able to track you through the cookies.

However, if you use Tor in conjunction with a VPN, you will be able to achieve the best security and privacy online. If you don’t know what Tor (The Onion Router) is, it is an open-source software that enables anonymous online browsing and additional security measures. Check out TOR here.

Having said that, using a VPN is the first step toward being more secure online.

Should you Use Free VPNs?

You should never use a free VPN. It only increases the risk of attacks and security breaches. Using no VPN is better than using a FREE VPN.

Free VPN providers may sell user information or display adverts that could include malware in order to cover their operating expenses.

Purchasing a premium VPN is your best option if you want to increase your data privacy.

Is Using a VPN legal?

To put your mind at ease: Yes, using a VPN is perfectly legal in most countries including the USA, the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and more. Most of the World considers VPN to be a privacy technology.

However, VPNs are prohibited or heavily regulated in a handful of countries including Russia and China.

Check the rules in your country, just to be sure. Since privacy is a fundamental human right – you are perfectly entitled to use it as you see fit.

However, it’s important to not use VPNs for illegal reasons as using a VPN while engaging in illegal activity is still illegal.

Winding-up

In today’s World, using a VPN is a necessity. Your online activity and data will stay vulnerable if you do not take any measures.

Reclaim your online anonymity by masking your IP address and hiding your online activity from prying eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are VPNs really necessary?

If you are at all concerned about data privacy, you should use a VPN. They are a fundamental security measure that everyone should have. Remember that VPNs are not for doing illegal things. To safeguard your online activity, identity, browsing history, etc., you should use a VPN.

Do I need a VPN on my phone?

Absolutely, Yes. We use our phones more than any other device these days, so it makes sense to use a VPN on your Phone as well. Most VPN services including ExpressVPN have dedicated apps for mobile devices.

Do VPNs Hide Your Online Activity?

When browsing while connected to a VPN, all your traffic is encrypted. This means your ISP can’t log your online activity.

Can VPNs Bypass Censorship?

Yes, you can access censored content by using a VPN. For that, you will need to select a server location where the content isn’t censored.

Do VPNs Make You Anonymous Online?

A VPN will mask your real IP address, thereby making you anonymous online.

Can VPNs Spoof Your Location?

Yes, you can hide your actual location by connecting to a VPN server in another country.

Can VPNs Unblock Streaming Content?

Yes, VPNs do unblock geo-restricted content that is not available in your country. For that, you will need to select a server, where the content isn’t restricted.

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