A VPN or a virtual private network is incredibly common these days. If you have been around the internet for a while, chances are you have already used a VPN, perhaps more than one VPN. Whether it be for unlocking a website that you could not access due to country restriction, Netflix shows that are unavailable in your area, or a YouTube video that is country restricted, chances are you are familiar with VPNs.

What Job does a VPN actually serve?

However, most people, even though they are familiar with VPNs, lack the proper understanding of what a VPN actually does. A VPN does more than just change your IP address. A VPN adds an extra layer of protection over your internet connection.

In the most basic sense, a VPN encrypts your data, and it changes your IP address keeping you hidden and protected. It tunnels your connection through a secure chain; this protects your identity, allowing you to browse the internet without having to worry about security and privacy. On that note, it’s good knowing that your internet service provider has the ability to check your browsing data which comes off as a huge privacy concern for many. A VPN hides you and protects you from outside eyes and from your own internet provider.

Below are some reasons why you should consider using a VPN regardless of who you are.

Privacy From your ISP

When using Wi-Fi or your internet connection from home, you are less likely to get attacked by strangers than on a public network, but your privacy is still at risk from your internet service provider. This is because most ISPs can access your internet data, and they can check when you are browsing, how you are browsing the servers you are connecting to, and so on.

These data can be stored, collected, and later sold to advertisers. Using the incognito mode in Chrome or Firefox doesn’t help with this ordeal. A VPN, however, since it encrypts and tunnels you through a secure chain, protects you from most of these threats.

Security while using Public Wi-Fi

Although public Wi-Fis are super convenient, they are risky when it comes to security. If you are connected to the public internet, so are others, and if they are tech-savvy enough, they track your online activity and even spoof you.

There are many other ways people can manipulate your data through several tactics if you are unprotected without a VPN.

VPNs are Easy to Use

VPNs have gotten much simpler to use over the years. While we all want security, privacy, and all that good stuff, not all of us want to put in the effort that is necessary to get a satisfactory result, and sometimes the effort itself outweighs the benefits. However, with VPNs getting more sophisticated, one might think they are more complex than ever these days, not true. On the contrary, really, the ease of use is only increasing.

These days, VPNs are so convenient that you can use VPN extensions for specific browsers these days. There are a plethora of VPN extensions for Google Chrome alone, but of course, not all of them are built the same. A  VPN extension for Google Chrome will have a few things in common. It will have good servers for good and consistent connection with high speed, it will have excellent security measures, it will have a firm privacy policy, and it will have more than a few highspeed premium servers.

Unlocks Region Restrictions

Services like Netflix and Hulu have contents in them that are restricted in some countries and require you to use a VPN to access them. It is not illegal to use VPN in this way, at least not in most countries like the U.S. or the U.K. Even some YouTube videos are country locked and require you to either move to a different country or use a VPN to access them.

The same can be said for many websites that have country restrictions, country locks, etc. VPNs have the ability to switch your IP location and make it seem like you are browsing from a different country which essentially unlocks most of these contents for you.

ENDNOTE

In conclusion, VPNs are not just for tech-nerds; it’s a service any internet user requires. It’s also important to note that most free VPNs, while good for temporary use, should not be relied upon in the long term as they come with privacy risks. Opting for a premium service is better as nothing is actually free. When using a free VPN service, you are paying with your details and privacy data in most cases.