A VPN is a combination of software and hardware designed to offer users enhanced levels of privacy and security. A VPN enables users to hide their IP addresses and further replace them with a different IP address from a different geographical location. As a result, the website a user may be visiting assumes that the user is sitting in an entirely different location.
We have become highly dependent on the internet to perform almost every activity in our lives. The internet facilitates everything, be it travel, communication, shopping, work, or anything else. And given this high dependence level, the threat level has also risen.
Previously, one only had to protect themselves in the physical world. If you are not too careful, you can fall victim to phishing scams, malware, frauds, and other cybercrimes. As a result, people turn to different tools to secure themselves online.
One such tool is a VPN. VPNs have recently grown in popularity, but are they helpful in making you secure and private? Let us have a look at the matter in a bit of detail:
What is a VPN?
A VPN is a combination of software and hardware designed to offer users enhanced levels of privacy and security. A VPN enables users to hide their IP addresses and further replace them with a different IP address from a different geographical location. As a result, the website a user may be visiting assumes that the user is sitting in an entirely different location.
Why should you use a VPN?
A VPN offers several benefits to its users. Along with improved security and privacy, there are several other benefits that you can gain by using a VPN. Here are some of the significant benefits of using a VPN:
Strict No-Logs Policy
All reliable VPN services follow strict no logs policies. These policies ensure that user data is not stored on the VPN’s servers, thus preventing it from being used elsewhere without users’ permission. If a VPN does not follow a strict no-logs policy, user information could be sold off to third parties to earn a profit. And this would ultimately put the user at risk.
Strong Military-Grade Encryption
No VPN is worth subscribing to if it does not offer military-grade encryption to its users. This level of encryption is necessary to protect and encrypt user information. And as the name suggest as well, it is pretty tricky to bypass this kind of encryption, thus keeping you private at all times.
Access Geo-Restricted Content
One of the significant benefits of using a VPN is the ability to access geo-restricted content. Since the government restricts some websites and platforms, you won’t be able to access them directly. You would need to mask your actual IP address with a VPN to gain access.
Let’s say you want to stream local British programming while visiting the United States. Now, only if you connect to a Washington VPN and connect to a server in the United Kingdom will you gain access to your favorite programs.
Internet Kill Switch
Some VPN services also offer an Internet Kill Switch to the users. This feature is there to ensure that you stay private no matter what. If and when your VPN connection terminates unexpectedly, the Internet Kill Switch automatically terminates your internet connection, so your privacy is not compromised.
Safety over Public Wi-Fi Networks
Public Wi-Fi hotspots are the perfect place for cybercriminals to target their victims. Since these are generally not protected by complex passwords, almost anyone can connect to them. Primarily, you should not connect to public Wi-Fi hotspots; however, if a connection is inevitable, you should connect through a Washington VPN server to keep yourself secure.
Defeat ISP Throttling
Some internet service providers (ISPs) throttle internet speeds on certain websites without the users knowing it. As a result, you are left with non-stop buffering on your favorite streaming sites. Provided you are connected to the correct server through a reliable VPN service, you can overcome ISP throttling quite easily.
Are VPNs Legal?
Using a VPN service is legal in most countries around the world. That being said, there are still some regions where VPN use is illegal or specific VPNs are banned. That is why we would recommend that you contact a legal professional and enquire about the legality of using VPNs in the region. And only if you get a satisfactory answer should you proceed toward a subscription.
Can I use a free VPN?
In the market, you will find both paid and free VPN plans. And free VPN services will often appear to work precisely like paid VPN services. However, free VPN services often sell user information to third parties to compensate for the lost revenue. In contrast, paid VPN services usually follow a strict no logs policy that ensures user data is not shared with anyone else.
The Final Verdict
A VPN helps you access geo-restricted content while keeping your information and location private. However, it does not offer complete anonymity over the web. And whether you are using the internet for work or fun, a VPN will help you significantly.
Press Release Distributed by The Express Wire
To view the original version on The Express Wire visit Staying Protected: Will a VPN Make You More Secure Online?
