The Internet provides us with access to vast amounts of knowledge and incredible new technologies. However, it is inherently very insecure. Think about how much information you share about yourself with other people through the Internet; without the right protection, someone could easily get their hands on that information.
The tool that we are talking about is called a VPN, which stands for Virtual Private Network. What is it exactly? What does it do? And why do we think you need one? These are all questions that we will tackle below.
What Is a VPN and What Does It Do?
In simple words, a VPN connects your PC, tablet, or smartphone to the server using a safe, encrypted connection, and allows you to browse the Internet with the computer’s online signature. Essentially, a VPN creates a private tunnel between the two computers that makes it hard to peek into.
Therefore, when you send data from your personal computer, it first reaches the VPN server and is then redirected to the public web. So, if anyone tries to track that route back to you, they will only reach as far back as the VPN server, and not you.
A specific scenario where a VPN would be especially useful is when you’re on a public Wi-Fi network, like in a cafe or at the airport. In such a situation, the network is not safe and might even be operated by a thief who is after your banking account info, credit card numbers, personal data, and more.
Therefore, start looking for a VPN software to install. You can begin by checking out the five best ones shown on www.hot5.com, which is a good starting point.
Why Do You Absolutely Need a VPN?
If we still haven’t convinced you that using a VPN on a daily basis is a good idea, let’s take it a step further. Here are the top reasons why browsing the web without any protection can be detrimental for you.
Access Geo-Blocked Websites Anywhere
This is one of the main reasons why VPNs are becoming mainstream. Some websites allow visitors and users only from certain countries. If you do not live in one of those countries, you can bypass this restriction by using a VPN.
Moreover, some countries,like China, have banned certain websites, such
as Facebook, YouTube, Netflix, etc. If you are traveling to those countries,
you can use a VPN to have full access to your accounts.
Downloading Files from Torrents
Even though torrents are essentially illegal and break copywriting laws, a lot of people use them on a daily basis. Some countries do not explicitly forbid usage of torrent clients, whereas in others you would have to pay a big fine if you decide to download a movie instead of renting it.
A VPN can help you out by hiding your real IP address, so you can safely download as many torrents as you wish. To be clear, we don’t condone downloading torrents in most cases, but we understand that for some people, it’s too difficult to resist.
Avoid Getting Your Searches Logged
Whenever you search for something online, no matter if you use Google, Bing, or Yahoo, your searches will be cataloged and linked to your IP address. This information is then used to help companies target you with specific ads. Moreover, your data is used to create metadata pools, which are then sold to large companies.
A VPN will help you hide your IP address and prevent this. However, this does not mean that your searches cannot be traced back to you if necessary, so be careful what you search for even with a VPN.
Access a Business Network While Travelling
VPNs are often used by business people to access their work data when they are traveling. Business networks are usually highly protected, ensuring the safety of confidential information. However, that is not true when you log in outside of your office. You can regain safety once again by using a VPN and not exposing your local resources to the public web.
Conclusion
No matter if you a businessman, a student who cannot afford to pay for a Netflix subscription or just a prudent person, a VPN can benefit you a lot. It’s incredibly easy to install, and it does not have many disadvantages, so there is no real reason not to use it. Be safe online!
Image Credits: VPN from inspiring /Shutterstock