A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, enables users to create a secure connection to another network over the Internet. As such, a VPN has many uses cases — including to protect you online, to allow you to access region-restricted websites and services, and to keep you anonymous while browsing the web.
It’s all nice, and you might think these are all bonuses, add-ons, something one may want to have but not necessarily need at all times. We tend to disagree, and in this article – we’ll try to explain why VPN is needed for all users.
Privacy concerns
As we have briefly noted above, a VPN lets you be anonymous on the internet. You may need to login to some services, but even then a VPN has your back.
For one thing, it can remove the pesky trackers internet giants such as Google and Facebook have on millions of websites across the web. As a result, neither of the two companies will know “what you did last summer.” 😉
There is no good reason to let Google or Facebook know what you’re doing online when you’re not visiting their services — cause when you do, they will know every step you make (as long as you’re logged in).
And the same goes for various government agencies which too think they should know what people are doing on the internet. Privacy is your right and you shouldn’t take it lightly.
Security
Related to the previous point… The same way a VPN removes trackers from web pages, it can also remove malicious JavaScript code that could cause your computer to slow down, or push you into buying some product or service. A VPN can remove this code before it gets delivered to your computer, smartphone or tablet.
On the other hand, a VPN can prevent many forms of Man in the Middle (MitM) attacks, in which hackers attempt to intercept your data en route. This, in case you wonder, is particularly important when using public Wi-Fi hotspots that can also be used by malicious actors.
With a VPN running on your device(s), all communication will be encrypted making it next to impossible to hack into your computer, smartphone, tablet or whichever device you’re using at that moment.
Unrestricted access
There are two ways a VPN can help you unlock the internet in its entirety.
First, with a VPN – you get to bypass various restrictions imposed by the internet provider in some locations. For instance, some schools and workplaces forbid employees from accessing YouTube and Facebook. On the other hand, in high-censorship countries access to social media and major news websites is prohibited with ISPs blocking access to those services. A VPN lets users get around those restrictions by routing traffic through its secure servers and delivering web pages and other content from the server that isn’t on the “ban list.”
And second, some content providers block users from certain countries access their content. That’s just the way content such as audio and video is traded on the international market today, with companies securing exclusive rights for some territories.
Again, with a VPN, you are free to “select your location” by connecting to the server in whichever country you desire. For example, many people connect to US-based servers in order to enjoy video streaming services like Netflix and Disney+.
Torrenting with no strings attached
There are ISPs that limit people from downloading and uploading files via BitTorrent, or at the very least, throttle their internet speeds. With a VPN running in the background, torrenting will be shown as regular web traffic, preventing an ISP from doing anything about it. In other words, they won’t be able to see what you’re doing online, whether it’s torrenting, watching videos or browsing the web. This way you will be able to download stuff via BitTorrent like it’s nobody’s business — cause it should be nobody’s business.
Just, please, don’t download pirated software and other content. We never advise piracy on VPN Reports and think that everyone should buy the stuff he/she uses or watches.
Business without borders
Say you work in a company with strict security that prevents users to connect from previously undefined IP addresses. Some VPNs let you buy a dedicated IP address which you can then use to securely connect to your office network. This way, you will appear like a local connection, benefiting from access to local network resources, while on the road.
In case you wonder, this is why a VPN has been invented in the first place, to let workers stay connected to their work while traveling or while working from home. Modern VPNs provide a more affordable way to accomplish the same thing without requiring initial setup costs, dedicated network administrators and so on.
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We have just scratched the surface here, but we’re sure you get the point – why VPN is needed these days. It will let you regain your privacy, increase your online security, while at the same time letting you bypass various restrictions — so you could enjoy the internet in its fullest.
So what are you waiting for? Have you got yourself a VPN yet? If not, visit our page with Best of the Best VPNs and take it from there. All services on that list have been field-tested to work. Check them out and sign-up for the one that seems to best fit your needs. Good luck! 😉