7 Reasons Why You Need to Be Using a VPN

Have you ever wondered why people use a VPN to browse online? The primary reason is because a VPN protects their data from spying eyes. There are a number of reasons why you should be using these services when browsing too. Here are seven benefits they offer to all users.

In today’s technology enhanced world, most businesses offer a free and open Wi-Fi as an amenity to their patrons. But what most patrons don’t know is that these internet connections are far from secure, and the data that’s being transmitted is not encrypted or protected. This is where a VPN can really help you safeguard your information. A VPN not only protects and hides your personal data from the ISP, but also from the business and any nefarious types who may be sniffing your data in attempts to defraud you. With a VPN in place, your connection will be more secure in a public browsing scenario.

Some online services, namely streaming video services, have location-based restrictions in place. The services provider enforce these streaming restrictions because they log your location when you log-in. With a VPN, your actual location will be hidden. For example, let’s say you are in the U.S. but want to watch a show that only streams on Netflix in London, by using a London based VPN server, Netflix will presume you are in London and will allow you to access content that would otherwise be restricted.

Did you know that the government may be blocking various websites? While this isn’t as common an issue in the U.S., it does exist. Certain oppressive governments block long lists of websites, which are only accessible via using a VPN service. Censorship exists in every level of government, and the surest way around it is by using a VPN to browse a truly free and uncensored internet.

Little do most people know that the sites and services they visit are tracking them. Many times it’s just to service location-based, service based or price based ads. You’ve seen it before when you look at something on Amazon and then the ad for that item follows you across every website that you visit. With a VPN in place, targeted and retargeted ads are blocked from following you.

Hackers and criminals are always on the lookout for easy paydays. So, don’t make things as easy for them as they want it to be. With a VPN in place, you can add an extra layer of protection. That’s because all of the data that you’re transmitting is secure and encrypted with a VPN. This makes it very difficult for cyber thieves to penetrate, helping protect your identity and your web browsing habits.

A lot of people are unaware that their Internet Service Provider (ISP) can throttle their data based on usage. Gaming speeds are commonly throttled because the ISP knows they are high use threads that cost them money. With the right VPN, you can avoid data throttling by logging into the VPN server instead and enjoying a faster and more secure gaming experience. What’s more, using a VPN to game online protects your connection and location from hackers and other gamers, too.

If you want secure voice chat, the only way you’ll really get it is with a VPN. When you use your smartphone, it transmits data via geo positioned towers. This data is commonly sniffed by hackers and law enforcement, violating your privacy. But when you encrypt your voice data with a VPN, nobody can tap into your conversations.

Some people like to use Torrent to share files. But services like this log your activity and report it. That is, unless you are logging into torrent using a VPN. Of course, this doesn’t give you a license to break the law, but it does give you a means to protect your privacy by ensuring that your file uploads and downloads are confidential and encrypted.

Need a VPN? Did you know that VPN.com offers the world’s largest VPN comparison chart? It gives you the complete scoop on more than 900 providers, so you can find the right VPN for your needs and budget.