We recently realized that using a VPN is the best method to hide your IP address. But, how exactly a VPN helps to facilitate private web browsing?
Why should you use a VPN in the first place?
How does a VPN protect you?
Fret not, we will take a look at the reasons why we should use a VPN.
1. Bypass Online Streaming Restrictions
We’ve all been there. Even if there’s a streaming service that’s free to access, it may have some restrictions for other countries. For that, you need a VPN that comes with several server locations and preferably faster data transfer speed.
In either case, if services like Spotify isn’t available for your country – but if you still want to get a subscription or use it- go ahead and utilize your VPN with the required server location (which Spotify supports) and access it without interruption.
Again, without a second thought, we’ll recommend ExpressVPN to get the best speeds to not affect your streaming experience.
2. Public Wi-Fi is Secure Now
Public Wi-Fi should be always treated as an insecure network. However, if you have a VPN installed and active – you should be well-protected.
I understand that sometimes there’s no other alternative than using a Public Wi-Fi when you primary mobile network is poor or for some reason, you just don’t have a mobile data to utilize on the go.
In that case, Public Wi-Fi comes in handy.
The only concern is that a public WiFi is never a secure way to get connected to the Internet and use your sensitive credentials on the network. So, just get a VPN and connect through it on the Public WiFi network and you should have nothing to worry about. Your connection will be encrypted – that makes things secure.
3. Fight Content Censorship
Censorship could prove to be helpful – but in rare situations. For example, you have a kid and you enable parental control on the network – while it’s being technically censored by you, but you know what’s good for the kid. That’s a good thing.
But, the same thing shouldn’t be applied by the ISPs or the government. The Internet should be easily accessible to everyone and all of the services (unless illegal) – should not have restrictions for access.
I know that it’s controversial, but not every decision made by the government or the ISPs seems to be right.
Recently, in India, the government imposed a ban on adult websites and instructed the ISPs to comply with the same. This kind of restriction with a central decision making is bad censorship. If it was a decentralized approach and the ban was insisted – it could have been a different case.
So, to put an end to censorship and easily access all types of web services, you can get a VPN installed.
4. Prevent Advertising profiling
When you expose your IP address and other network-related data associated with your device – your browsing activity helps make advertisers get a decent online profile of you.
It will be mostly used to target similar products you tend to buy and services you opt for more-often.
But, with a VPN, no one can make a perfect profile of you and it will be tough for them to make your fall for an advertising.
5. Online Banking Security
Yes, we’re aware that a VPN provides a secure connection, but why not mention the most important use of it?
When you have an encrypted connection, you can safely perform online transactions and enter your debit card or credit card details securely without worrying about your Internet connection.
So, that’s where the VPN comes in.
6. Unlock web service features
If you want to access certain features available to a particular country. For instance, Facebook’s 2FA wasn’t available for India – so we needed a VPN to enable it.
A VPN proves to be useful in situations like that. It may not be a big deal for everyone – but it’s definitely one of the reasons to use a VPN.
7. Encrypted Connection
Yes, we talk about securing our network connection when we use a VPN. But, how do we know that it’s secure enough?
Well, not just by hiding our IP/location – a VPN routes our connection through an encrypted tunnel – which prevents any man-in-the-middle-attack and provides enhanced privacy.
8. Improve your Ping in a game
This might not hold true for all VPN users – but it does work.
Depending on your Internet speed, location, and the server location – you might end up getting a lower ping when playing a multiplayer game like CS:GO, Rainbow Six Siege, Dota, and so on.
There are some VPN service providers specifically to offer lower pings for supported games and servers – but it’s not a 100%.
You will have to test it out with the game you play.
9. Be safe even when using a non-HTTPS website
We always usually recommend you to visit websites which utilize HTTPS connection protocol. Of course, that is the best way to connect to a website.
But, still, there are some popular websites who may continue their services without HTTPS. So, in that case, if you’re connected through a VPN, you do not have much to worry about – unless the website is compromised itself.
10. Secure chat and VoIP
Most of the messengers or VoIP services are usually secure. But, when you secure your network using a VPN – these chat clients/VoIP services become even more secure (with an extra layer of network security).
11. Enhanced Privacy
With a VPN, you cannot be identified easily. Your ISP will no longer be able to track your exact activities – so you have your privacy back.
12. Hide Torrent activity
It isn’t advisable to download copyrighted content using Torrent – but if you are using Torrent to download any other kind of sensitive/private files for work/research, you don’t want that Torrent to be identified by your ISP.
A VPN will help you hide that.
13. Bye Bye Bandwidth Throttling
Your ISP might be restricting your bandwidth when you visit a certain website. But, when you enable a VPN, the ISP can no longer enforce throttling of your Internet speeds.
Of course, it won’t “increase” your Internet speed (considering your Internet plan) – but a VPN will help you experience better speeds if your ISP is deliberately throttling your bandwidth.
To get a clear picture, let’s just say that I can access everything at a speed of 25 Mbps but when I try to access YouTube, it loads up too slow (which is bandwidth throttling in the most of the cases). So, with a VPN, you can expect a better YouTube experience in this scenario.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know why a VPN is needed – go ahead and get the best VPN available out there. Our recommendation will be ExpressVPN. What would you choose?
Let us know in the comments below.