Main Reasons Why You Should Start Using A VPN Right Now

There is a lot of talk about VPNs everywhere, both online, and in real life. They might even be considered infamous in certain parts, difficult to understand, or having their legal status be suspect. Well, in this article we will explain what all the hubbub is about, as well as give you some extra info on VPNs themselves. Also, before we continue, yes, they are completely legal.

What is a VPN exactly?

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a method that increases your security and privacy when you’re online, browsing the web. It allows you to stay safe when browsing, without worrying that somebody is going to take a peek at what you are doing. It also adds extra protection against hackers.

Now, this type of network serves as a kind of tunnel for your data. When you connect your device to a network, you send a certain amount of information directly through specific channels. A VPN is a kind of layer that is around your data. It routes your connection through a specific server, having your data encrypted and sent to a beneficial location.

The benefits of a VPN

There are all these buzzwords that surround VPNs, like safety, encryption, protection against hacking. Below you can find some exact, practical benefits of getting your own VPN.

VPNs and geoblocking for your business

First things first, VPNs can help you a great deal when it comes to your business.  Namely, geo-restrictions are very annoying for many types of work.

Now, a geographical block, or restriction, means that based on your geographical location (founding within your IP) you can’t really access certain websites or services. For example, if you run a business that requires a lot of content in the form of copyright, or if you need to do lots of research, you want access to certain websites. Furthermore, let’s say you are based somewhere in Europe. All of a sudden, you need information that can only be accessed by people living in the US. You can either lick your wounds or get a VPN.

By using a VPN, you can circumvent this issue by simply connecting to a network-based in the US. Choosing a VPN server that is found in a location that has access to the data you need is an elegant and simple way of getting the most out of your content.

Furthermore, you might be traveling on business, and all of a sudden, you can’t access website that you could have reached easily before, because of the same issue.

Helps with video conferences

Next, your business can reap other benefits, from video conferencing. Namely, video conferences are the future that is now – being in clear, direct face to face contact with people all around the world, whether that’s your business partners, potential clients, or employees. However, if you are using certain video conferencing tools, like Skype for example, for your calls, note that they can’t really be used everywhere. Certain governments and countries have restrictions on this type of software in a way very similar to geo-blocking.

By setting up a video call through a VPN you can get the access you weren’t able to get before. And on that same note, you can also deal with ISP bandwidth throttling, get better cell rates, and secure your video call data and traffic from competitors.

Minimizing the risk of hackers

Now, take note that there are different types of hackers, and that this doesn’t automatically mean a cybercriminal hell-bent on getting your data and business. Things aren’t like the movies, but they are also not unlike the movies. Cybercrime is very real, and it’s a vital part of corporate espionage. With a VPN you can mask your content, you can encrypt your data channels better, gaining a nice extra layer of protection against hackers.

Now, you might think that you are safe in your office, protected by your resident IT specialist. And you are probably right. But, what if one of your employees takes his or her work computer home, or to a café, or on a business trip? They are much more vulnerable in these places, and can be at a greater risk. Outfitting their laptops with the proper VPN can save you from losing vital company secrets.

Finally, your clients will be much more relaxed and at ease. Knowing that you have taken extra safety precautions and measures with their data can mean the world to the right people, and can really show how seriously you take your work, and them.

All the recent data breaches and breaks are pretty clear warning signs that data does get lost, and that it gets lost relatively easily. Encrypting your data, protecting your employees and your clients should be a priority of any business.

VPNs and personal use

All of the above points do matter for business. However, they can work the same for freelancers, or just people working from home. You get to protect your data, your clients, your business partners, and rest easy knowing you won’t get hacked.

Furthermore, they are especially important for freelancers who like to work from cafes, libraries, and other public places. Losing their data from areas such as these is pretty common, due to the lax restrictions and safety measures found on these networks. Furthermore, cybercriminals are quite aware of just how troublesome and vulnerable these can actually be.

VPNs are good for personal use when it comes to your downtime as well. Accessing certain YouTube channels and videos blocked because of your geographic location is easily done through a VPN. You also have some added protection for your online financial transactions.

There are many VPN companies, and we understand that it can be pretty overwhelming when you want to choose the right one. Fortunately, there are many free VPN services out there to protect you. Check out this detailed review of reliable free VPNs and find a reliable solutions for personal use.

Using a VPN for gaming

Speaking of downtime, VPNs are awesome for gaming. Namely, internet service providers often throttle your bandwidth when you spend an x amount of time online. There is nothing more annoying than being in the middle of a match and suddenly starting to lag do to your ISP slowing you down.

Furthermore, with a VPN you can get to play a specific game a lot earlier. Namely, often video games are released earlier in certain parts of the world. Again, through the circumvention of Geo-blocking efforts, you can get to play the game you’ve been dreaming about for months far earlier than before.

If you’ve been a bit naughty and got an IP ban, your VPN can help you bypass it completely. Finally, a VPN is great at protecting you against DDoS attacks.

VPNs and traveling

Another great way you can use VPNs is through your travels. Namely, you might be going to a specific country and said country might have the government block certain website. No matter how much you are enjoying your stay there, no matter how much time you spent having fun, you still want to get some downtime with your favorite websites or streaming services. The same goes if you are working on your computer on business trips.

Just to give you one example, going to China means your Facebook will get blocked by its firewall. Or, certain booking websites tend to be blocked if you go to specific Middle Eastern countries.

By using a VPN, you are able to bypass these kinds of firewalls by simply asking your IP address, and, just like any other geoblocking venture, pick a server in a country that is not problematic.

If you like to unwind with Netflix, you might get a nasty surprise in certain Asian countries. Namely, some, and maybe all, of Netflix content won’t be available there. With the right VPN, you can get all your favorite shows easily, and quickly.

Save up some money

What many fail to realize is that a VPN can help you save some money. A VPN can afford you great discounts on tickets. Namely quite often plane ticket websites and companies will change the price of their tickets based on your location, and certain other factors (like your search history). Through a VPN, you get that extra level of encryption that allows you to surmount this issue.

The actual amount of money you can save can vary, being anywhere from a couple of bucks to hundreds of dollars.

Online privacy

One of the core benefits of a VPN is protecting your privacy. Namely, once you connect to a public network, your data is pretty much up for grabs for anyone who knows what he or she is doing.

Many public networks are completely unsecured, and you run a risk of some cybercriminal taking a gander at your online behavior. This goes for coffee shops, libraries, hotel Wi-Fi, even a simple waiting room at the dentist…

Another important aspect when it comes to privacy is the selling of your data. Namely, marketing companies pay big money to figure out exactly what you’re spending and browsing habits are, and then use that to better promote their products. This is also one of the ways targeted ads happen. The encryption provided by your VPN can help you avoid this.

VPNs and phones

All of the above goes not only for laptops and desktop computers, but your smartphone as well. Sure, the first line of defense is always setting a good password, but there are other options you need to consider as well. One of these is a VPN.

It seems we do most of our browsing through our phones. This includes internet shopping, checking our ban account, and even communicating with our boss. Luckily, all of the above benefits pertain to your phone as well.

Conclusion

And there you have it folks, the benefits on why you should get a VPN right now. Whether you are using it to keep your company secrets safe, or to simply protect yourself on a deeper level, it doesn’t matter – a VPN is gonna be there. The same goes for simply getting some privacy with your online browsing, and bypassing annoying and pointless geoblocks.