Do I need a VPN?
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VPN. You may have heard the term before, but don’t know what it means. A virtual private network, or VPN, is an increasingly popular tool to help secure your network and open up a whole new world of online possibilities. And like any new tech concept you come across, the next logical question is probably: Do I need one?
VPNs are surprisingly simple applications that do a very complex job: they protect your data and secure your Internet. With the growing enthusiasm surrounding online privacy and the right (or lack thereof) to be forgotten, it’s time to start using one.
A VPN allows you to browse anonymously
You may not realize it, but everything you do online – the websites you visit, the services you use, even the music you listen to – is dictated by your IP address. It’s the one thing network servers use to direct you to the appropriate URL, and it’s the basis for how the Internet as a whole works.
If someone in the UK hops on Google and searches for Amazon, they will be automatically redirected to Amazon.co.uk. Your IP address is regulated by your ISP (Internet Service Provider), but when you use a VPN, you can circumvent your ISP and assume another IP address in the location of your choice.
Suddenly sites that might not have been accessible in your geo-location will now be available. With a VPN, you can literally surf the web from anywhere in the world.
Why do you need a VPN
For years, VPNs have been used in countries like China and Russia where internet access is severely restricted. For some, the ability to unblock and instant access to sites like Google, YouTube, and Facebook has been a lifesaver, one of the main reasons many privacy activists use a VPN as the first – and often last – line of defense toward securing a freer and open internet.
But more than just a tool to help users access websites abroad, VPNs also come with a few other great benefits: Students can use them to access university websites and services outside of the classroom; Players can use it to secure their network when they are playing online; Media savvy people can use it to access live broadcasts from anywhere in the world.
While a VPN makes it easy to unblock the web, it also comes with another additional feature: privacy. When you use a VPN, you are essentially giving away your old IP address assuming a new one. Once connected to a VPN server, all network traffic becomes encrypted and anonymous. Your ISP can’t see what you’re doing; Therefore, you can browse without having to worry about your information being logged, logged, or used in a non-altruistic manner. (While we see users’ personal data used as a weapon like never before, this point cannot be stressed enough.)
Checking your IP address is one of the easiest ways to find out if and when a VPN is working. If your new IP address matches your VPN connection, then you know that you are browsing on a VPN server.
Other advantages of using a VPN
Aside from privacy and open networks, VPNs also come with a host of other benefits. For example, if you are traveling or using a public WiFi hotspot, a VPN can instantly secure your connection. This is a great feature for the air traveler or everyday commuter. With all the dangers surrounding unsecured public WiFi networks, the ability to instantly secure your connection is invaluable.
Recently, people have been turning to VPNs to help them access live sports broadcasts. As most major league networks have started using blackout streams to help promote ticket sales, fans around the world have turned to VPNs to connect to a nearby location and cheer on their favorite team live without having to wait the next day to watch a match.
Moreover, it has been discovered that VPNs, in some cases, actually help in increasing overall network speeds. This usually happens when the user’s network is restricted by the ISP. For example, if your internet plan limits your data to a certain level, you can use a VPN to circumvent this process and bring your streaming speeds back to normal.
VPNs can also be used to torrent content anonymously. And although VPNs are perfectly legal, we do not recommend using them for torrenting illegally.
Disadvantages of using a VPN
Since they offer a myriad of benefits and are generally very easy to use, VPNs do not come with many drawbacks. However, it can sometimes cause a certain level of latency in your network, with some users reporting a significant drop in streaming speeds. This often happens when users connect to a VPN server location in a different part of the country and can often be mitigated by choosing a closer location.
Although it is not necessarily a flaw in the VPN software, some VPN companies have also been found to keep logs and/or spy on their users. This is why it is important that you do your due diligence before choosing a VPN provider.
What to look for in a VPN provider
With the rise of so many VPN providers that fly by at night, it can be difficult to separate the good from the bad. Fortunately, there are some key characteristics to look for in a VPN. First, make sure that the server offers private browsing. Most subscription based VPNs host their own network servers, which means that they are able to allow their users the convenience of browsing anonymously. On the other hand, most free VPNs use open networks that are often unsecured and riddled with privacy gaps.
Second, make sure that the VPN you are using does not keep logs. This must be written explicitly in the company’s Terms of Service. Finally, check to see if the service offers dedicated apps for the device(s) you own, and what kind of features these apps offer. Most VPNs today are starting to toast with auto kill switches in their apps if the connection is lost. It’s a great feature to look for if you value your privacy, but it’s definitely not a requirement.
However, we have tested dozens of VPNs and found that none is as secure, fast, or reliable as ExpressVPN. If you are new to VPNs, we recommend starting there.
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