Virtual private networks are widely used by individuals and businesses alike. Whether we are using a VPN for windows to stream a Netflix library from another country or to prevent data loss within company systems, we might wonder: Should we always use a VPN while online?
5 Reasons to always use a VPN
VPNs have many advantages in making the internet a more safe and more secure place. They provide the best online protection, so you should consider running your VPN at all times to protect yourself from data breaches and cyberattacks, as well as shielding yourself from unwanted prying eyes like ISPs or advertisers. Here are five reasons you should run a VPN all the time.
Servers worldwide
A VPN will provide you with increased security and internet protection regardless of where you are. Everything from your bank account information to your emails will be kept safe and secure. With a VPN, your online activity is safeguarded as your data is protected through an encryption tunnel. This means that even if someone could access your data, they would never be able to decode it.
As there are Windows users in all corners of the world, VPN providers run servers in many locations, so you will be protected no matter where you access the internet from.
Data privacy
One of the most important reasons to use a VPN on a regular basis is the privacy and anonymity it provides. Even if you have nothing to conceal, it’s unsettling to consider that strangers with malicious intent might be monitoring your online activities. Although it is almost impossible to erase your online digital trail, it is worth looking to a VPN as an option to narrow the gateway to your private information.
It’s not always just strangers and hackers that we should worry about prying into our online activity. While using a VPN, websites will be unable to track you or your browsing data. This means that third-party organizations will be unable to track your surfing habits in order to target you with advertising. As a result, if you’ve looked for a product on Google or even privately discussed something with a friend online, those words will not be reflected in the advertisements you see. Your information is entirely encrypted and secure, and it will remain hidden. Additionally, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) also won’t be able to track your online activity and sell it to third parties.
Unblocking region-blocked content
By keeping a VPN continually connected, you may evade geo-restrictions and access content from all around the world. When you use a VPN, it connects you to a secure server in the location of your choice, making it appear as though you are in that country. This will unlock entire streaming libraries and web content, such as news sites and social media platforms, which may be restricted in your country.
For example, if you want to watch Hulu or HBO Max but aren’t in the US, a VPN will allow you to do so from anywhere in the globe. The VPN will connect to an American server and generate an American IP address to make you appear to be in the United States while you are not. Another advantage is that you can smoothly swap servers, so you can access an American server to watch Hulu, then switch to a British server to watch BBC iPlayer.
Adaptable to numerous devices
Many VPN services also protect other smart devices such as our phones and tablets and work seamlessly across multiple devices.
If you use your phone to get online while out and about, public Wi-Fi networks are particularly vulnerable, allowing hackers to easily access your personal information. Some hackers will even set up rogue Wi-Fi access points to snoop on individuals and access their data. Your personal data, such as banking information and login details, are at higher risk if you do not run a VPN across all your devices. Using a VPN on public wifi will make your data appear to be coming from your connected server rather than your actual device.
Save money
If you are prepared to do some research, a VPN can help you save money by faking your location. Many businesses, including subscription services and airlines, provide the same perks or products at varying costs.
Without a VPN, third parties can access your data and use it against you. For example, if you look at a trip or a hotel room and then return to the same site later, the price may climb. These websites keep track of your search history and frequency, and they may exploit your online trail to show you more expensive rates. You can save a lot of money if you alter the appearance of your location to an area where these services are cheaper.
Are there any limitations to VPNs?
This depends on what you are using a VPN for, personal or business use, as you will have different needs and expectations.
VPNs can slow down your connection speed. A VPN secures your connection by encrypting all of your online activity, but this comes at the possible expense of a slower connection. Nobody has the time or patience to sit around and wait for websites to load or for streaming content to buffer. However, it may all be worth it when it comes to safeguarding personal or company data.
Should I always keep my VPN on?
Yes, for the most part, since your data should be secure at all times. You should leave your VPN turned on to protect yourself from snoopers and hackers—especially if your online activity involves exchanging personal information or transferring money, all while connected to a public Wi-Fi hotspot.
VPNs are among the best security technologies on the market, and there are options at no expense despite the value they provide. They play a crucial role in keeping users safe in the modern digital age, as the amount of malicious activity online continues to rise. VPNs safeguard data from hackers and allow for secure browsing, meaning third-party advertisers and ISPs will be unable to access your browsing data.