Virtual private networks nowadays are handy applications employed by users who want to browse safely without restrictions. It is because this kind of application provides data privacy protection with the utmost security in making various content unrestricted for people online.
It is no secret that some information or content may be available only to certain users and audiences in terms of location or age. Hence, more and more people have sought ways on how to get access to such content. Furthermore, the question of data privacy is also something to note. This should be given the utmost importance and attention from those who are constantly in the internet space.
The invention of the VPN is certainly commendable. A virtual private network is generally a service that lets people connect online through the internet using a tunneled connection that is encrypted to provide users privacy online and protection with their data. It is commonly employed by people who want a secure connection when using exclusive public Wi-Fi or hotspots where it hides the internet protocol (IP) address.
On the other hand, that is not all it does. Here is a list of 20 things that a user can do with a VPN.
Internet service providers or, in other terms, ISP generally have the ability to get access to the location of its user. Due to the current technological advancements, they are given the power to track locations and other significant information about the user, which are often sensitive in nature. What is dangerous is that it can be utilized by providers against the user for other means. In short, data privacy is not applicable to the situation.
However, a VPN is able to protect users from this agenda by sending the original internet protocol address to a server involved in the program that is made secure by the network. The server is then scattered throughout the world in various places to make it impossible for the ISP to easily determine the location of the user.
Exposing the location to a service provider is risky; hence, a VPN service is in handy for issues such as this.
2. Avoid throttling by ISPs
Some internet service providers often have restricted servers that may limit the speeds given to users so that they can optimize the bandwidth for each of their customers. Regular sessions of normal browsing that does not require heavy data or speed may not be affected. However, it is certainly a pain when streaming or attending online meetings.
ISPs often throttle speeds for this reason and often because users may be doing the same thing all at once. On the other hand, a virtual private network is adept at handling such an issue by connecting the user to a dedicated server from different countries available at handling the congestion.
3. Shop online
Not a lot of people would know that a virtual private network can be used to shop online with a guarantee of safety and level of security that even secure payment methods cannot cover. Online shopping requires cashless payments such as through PayPal. Moreover, ISPs may have access to account information that is being used by the user while connecting to the internet.
Internet service providers can monitor activity and may put people in danger for something called ‘marketing profiling.’ This is a strategy used by providers to put customized advertisements on the websites that the user is browsing. A VPN has the ability to make the browsing data completely untraceable by masking it from the ISP. It has a way of making sure that personal details being input online is protected.
4. Obtain cheap flight tickets
One of the best perks when using a VPN is getting low priced flight tickets exclusively. Installing a VPN and connecting to the server of a country that has low income may save people costs in traveling. This will make the expensive cost of a flight ticket online drop as well as the rates for other services involving traveling such as hotels.
People buying tickets online can enjoy the benefit of getting affordable fares. Some services online can be obtained cheaply if one surely knows how. With the help of a VPN service, vacations are made feasible for travelers.
5. Get security from public Wi-Fis
While public wireless hotspots that are offered for free is a benefit, it can be an avenue for data leaks. They are scattered across public places but can also be used as a tool to gain access to personal information. Things may not all be free when it comes to services.
When a Wi-Fi connection has no passcode or the password is available to everyone who wishes to use it, hackers and spammers that are experts at their job can be connected to the same network and can utilize malicious attacks on other users like phishing, misleading users by asking them to input sensitive information on places where they should not.
A VPN can cover public security for wireless networks that are free for everyone, thereby giving users the freedom to browse anytime and anywhere without having to worry about hackers behind their backs.
6. Obtain privacy
The most basic function of a virtual private network is to provide privacy for users. This is especially true for websites that are gathering data through the use of surveys, forums, and other means through applications and others. They exact sensitive information from the users, ranging from email addresses, personal data such as preferences in shopping, until bank account details.
Some people may be fooled into inputting data. In addition to this, these websites and applications employ several techniques in order to encourage them to do just that. Information obtained by these websites can be used for customer profiling or for other cybercrime endeavors.
VPNs offer privacy protection by masking the user’s identity, where it blocks websites from getting any information from the users by using the location of their internet protocol addresses and other browsing activities. They provide security for an effective browsing experience.
7. Stream on Netflix
There are a lot of people nowadays who have discovered the power of a VPN when streaming on Netflix. Because the platform has been popular all over the world, it tends to limit the content to certain users and audiences by area or country. There is also the issue of speed throttling when streaming by internet service providers.
If people want to gain access to other content offered exclusively to a particular country only, they need only to connect to a location or server using the VPN service where the show is accessible. This will allow them to stream without restrictions and even without limiting speeds.
8. Avoid hackers
As discussed previously, VPNs can keep hackers at bay while using a public network. However, they not only lurk at private servers. They can gain access to people especially if their IP addresses are left unmasked. As it is unprotected, it can attract hackers into the fray.
They are skilled and adept at invading people’s privacy and using them to destroy and steal identities. While this is all very sinister, a VPN offers services that can help users escape from this. It provides heightened protection to keep hackers from entering by covering up the IP address of the user.
9. Secure downloading and uploading
Uploading and downloading content is a normal activity online. However, it can become completely unsecured if a user is not careful, as it leaves some traces on the internet. The installation of a VPN can help hide the location of a user, which can be used to experience secure browsing sessions such as downloading and uploading any content.
VPNs send the users’ location to secure servers so that it cannot be traced even by the website where the user is uploading or downloading. Consequently, the person is safe from anyone finding out their location.
10. Chat privately
Perhaps one of the dangers of browsing online is the fact that chatting and disclosing information through social media chat boxes may be unsecured. If the IP address can be tracked, social media activities may be prone to spying. The ISP or hacker will gain access to the accounts with the right tools and even peek into private chats.
Communication that is done on social media is inherently private and may be dangerous if it gets out. A VPN can easily neutralize the threat brought about by this scenario and users can have the freedom to use social platforms without the need to worry about anything.
11. Protect search history
The search history information is sensitive data that can be used against the person. Internet service providers can be able to gain access to web browsing activity and history with no sweat. All of the sites that a user has visited, videos that have been watched, and all types of online activities are vulnerable.
ISPs often raid people and invade their privacy without them knowing. A VPN provides a solution by encrypting the user’s internet traffic and utilizing the private DNS servers of the service, therefore, preventing the ISP from taking a peek at the web history. Users can even protect their data from large browsers who often sniff data by using the right tools.
12. Bypass data censorship and site blocking
Users might find that other information and content may only be exclusive to some audiences and may be blocked in some countries. Other countries such as China, Iran, and UAE in Asia often control what kind of content that its citizens can access. They typically block social media sites that are bursting with all kinds of information such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc.
A VPN can easily allow users to bypass this to prevent the ISP from blocking any sites and data. This will let users enjoy the maximum experience of browsing online without any restrictions.
13. Prevent detection
People often use incognito browsing to surf through the internet with the hopes of being undetected. However, it may not work as much as a VPN. Also, there might be some countries whose firewall blocks VPN services.
However, virtual private networks have been able to adapt through that and have employed protocols to allow users to use their services even in countries where it is banned. Furthermore, it allows the user to browse through undetected.
14. Play games without restrictions
Similar to video streaming, internet service providers may throttle speeds and slow down internet gaming to cater and balance the services provided to customers. This could be a pain, especially to those who are completely immersed in the gaming industry and have made it part of their everyday lives. Imagine if a game lags while a user is in the middle of an important quest, wouldn’t it be such a hassle?
On the other hand, VPNs are the friends that could lend a hand in such issues. Say goodbye to further ISP throttling and say hello to faster speeds.
15. Access international libraries and other restricted content
Like shows, some information found on international libraries may be restricted. In order to unlock geo-restricted content, a VPN is needed.
Bypassing a geo-location restriction for content is made easy with the use of a virtual private network. Media and information on websites are often given restrictions to adhere to copyright laws and other censorship regulations that may have content that differs from library to library for various countries. Hence, depending on the location, certain content may only be available to a user.
By using a VPN and connecting to a different country, a user can easily bypass all the restrictions and gain access to content that are otherwise unavailable to their country of origin. Freedom in information and content can be enjoyed through VPN services in this sense.
16. Securing VOIP communication
Voice-Over-Internet-Provider protocols and services such as Skype can be hard to break and may not always guarantee protection. A VPN service can be used to protect a user’s VOIP.
There are dangers surrounding VOIP communications that are easy for hackers online. They can break any of the connections using internet protocols and other instructions found on the web. Hence, it is easy to say that hacking into communications nowadays is no sweat for people. There are certain risks of call interceptions especially if the country of origin to which the call is connected employs heavy monitoring on the internet.
Private calls can be a challenge nowadays with lingering dangers from left to right. Fortunately, users can count on a VPN service to make it easier for them to achieve security.
17. Avoid Torrent detection
Torrenting sites have made it possible to share and download files without having to pay for anything. They are largely used to acquire free media content such as movies and television shows. Several agencies around the world monitor the internet in search of illegal sharing and downloading of content and information.
While not all downloads online are illegal, it can be dangerous if these agencies are able to identify a person that is sorting through content and obtaining them. They might put a person on a watch list if they are not careful.
Some torrenting sites have services that provide security for its visitors but they are often susceptible to ID leaks and have no means of improved security when it comes to that. Legally downloading files through torrenting means and other methods can be successfully achieved through the use of a VPN service.
18. Access VOIP services freely
Governments that have major wagers in networks might often limit access strictly to free services such as VOIP in the form of Skype, Messenger, or WhatsApp because these do not generate any profit for them.
Some things may be often restricted to particular countries with these kinds of governments. That is why a lot of residents from different parts of the world employ the use of VPN services.
19. Anonymous publishing of media
One of the most interesting things about a VPN service is its ability to hide and mask the identity of an internet user. It allows them to post media online that are otherwise illegal and can land them in a controversial spotlight.
20. Anonymous commenting
Whether the comment is controversial or damaging, a user can protect themselves with a VPN, as it hides one’s true identity which allows them to freely leave remarks on content and people without being detected. While it is not recommended, it is a useful thing for people.
Marcus is a cybersecurity analyst with a focus on VPN and proxy services. As the founder and driving force behind a prominent VPN and proxy website, Private Proxy Guide, Marcus has emerged as a trusted authority in the digital realm. With a passion for staying ahead of evolving cyber threats, he has played a pivotal role in educating and empowering individuals and businesses to safeguard their online presence.
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