Why Should I Use a VPN?
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You've probably heard of VPNs by now. After all, they've been featured almost everywhere: in podcasts, social media posts, YouTube videos — even TV ads. But knowing about VPNs is one thing; understanding them is another.
What exactly is a VPN and what is it used for? Do you need a VPN at home? Read on to find out.
What is a VPN?
A virtual private network, or VPN, is a type of technology that uses encryption and routing protocols to establish a secure connection to a remote server network. When connected, any internet traffic your device sends and receives is sent through this network, creating an encrypted connection that shields your data while switching your IP address.
Remote workers often use an employer-provided VPN to access a network on their company's server, but this is far from the only reason why you should use one. VPNs can also help increase your online privacy, get around geo-restrictions, bypass censorship and provide an extra layer of security to your browsing activity.
Why use a VPN?
Not everyone needs to use a VPN. However, before you decide whether you want to use one at home or on your mobile device, let's take a look at everything a VPN can do to discover why they are relevant.
1. Enhancing your online privacy
The world is getting more and more data-hungry. Governments and businesses can track nearly anything you do on the internet partly because your online activity is easily tied back to you (and your household).
Not everybody is okay playing by these rules. A VPN service lets you take advantage of location masking and data encryption to make it difficult — if not impossible — for third parties other than the VPN provider to figure out what you've been up to.
2. Protecting yourself when using public Wi-Fi
If you're using public Wi-Fi, there's not much stopping the network's owner or unscrupulous hackers from tracking every bit of data sent to and fro your computer. Encrypted websites have become more common, which means much of this data will be gibberish, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
A good VPN adds an extra layer of security while using cellular networks and public Wi-Fi networks like those in cafes, airports and hotels by encrypting every single byte of data that passes through it. This ensures others — including cybercriminals on the prowl — cannot view any of your personal or sensitive information.
3. Accessing geo-restricted content
Licensing agreements are complicated, but the bottom line is that streaming services don't let users view all their content. For example, if you want to watch Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels on Netflix but live in the US, you won't be able to. Netflix has the movie on its servers, but it doesn't have the right to show it to people in America, so it won't show up in your library.
When using a VPN, your internet activity can look like it's coming from a different location. This can unlock content that is usually unavailable in your current region. Streaming services have gotten wise to VPN usage, though, meaning a VPN won't always get you access to the content you're looking for. In some cases, you won't even be able to connect to your streaming platform if it can tell that your traffic is coming from a VPN server.
As always, remember to consult your user agreement and terms of service before doing anything that could breach them.
4. Bypassing censorship
Not every government wants its citizens to have access to the whole internet. Some countries censor the internet by blocking websites for everyone within their boundaries. This may be done to prevent citizens from viewing allegedly immoral content, or to shield the public's eyes from information that undermines their authority.
A secure, location-masking VPN connection will let you see all the content your government doesn't want you to see. However, be mindful of your country's laws: It's possible that VPN use is illegal in the very countries where you might want to use them to bypass censorship.
5. Masking your IP address
Even if you don't want to look like you live in a different country, there are reasons to mask your IP address via a VPN connection. For example, some sites have soft paywalls, which only let you read a certain number of pages or articles before forcing you to subscribe. Many of these sites track you by your IP address.
Masking your IP address may allow you to read a few more articles without paying for a subscription. It can also help you troubleshoot internet issues, create multiple accounts on IP-restricted websites and get around sitewide bans.
Just keep in mind that, sometimes, getting around IP-based restrictions can violate your end-user license agreement. Tread lightly when using a VPN with services and sites that have a good reason to restrict VPN usage.
6. Avoiding ISP throttling
In the early days of the web, internet service providers (ISPs) treated every site equally. It didn't matter if you were visiting an industry-dominating search engine like Yahoo or a kid's gif-infested Geocities page, data was data. As long as the server could handle traffic, your ISP would send the site your way as fast as your 56k modem could download it.
Those glorious days are behind us. ISPs can, and often do, throttle your internet connection to some websites. They usually do this for high-bandwidth streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu, but in many places, there are no limits to what sites and services an ISP can slow down.
A VPN connection prevents your ISP from seeing what sites you're visiting — one of the most popular uses for VPN services. This, in turn, stops them from slowing down your internet speed when you visit a site they intentionally throttle.7. Maintaining privacy while traveling
Some places have more secure access to the internet than others. However, when you travel abroad, you often can't get picky. If you're traveling through parts unknown, sometimes the only way to get an internet connection is from a rundown cafe or a 5G signal from a service you've never heard of.
You have no idea how secure these connections are. However, you do know how secure your VPN connection is. Even if someone is skimming every last byte of data from your online activity, a secure connection to a VPN will keep you safe.
How do you use a VPN?
If you have decided to get a VPN on your iPhone, iPad, Android device or PC, you should know how to use it. There are three common methods to install and use a VPN:
- Installing an app: Many top VPN services have applications readily available in your device's app store. First, you have to download and install the VPN app on your device. Then, open the app and connect to a specific server or use the automatic connection button, if available.
- Installing a browser extension: Most modern web browsers on desktop let you browse and download extensions that add extra functionality. Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of VPN extensions. After adding one from your browser's web store or add-ons site, you can enable, disable and customize this VPN using your browser toolbar.
- Installing a browser with a built-in VPN: Some browsers, like Brave and Opera, come with their own built-in VPN services. You can turn on these services as soon as you install and boot up the browser.
Is using a VPN illegal?
VPNs let you bypass a lot of restrictions, so you might wonder: is using a VPN illegal? It might come as a surprise but, in most countries, you're perfectly within your rights to use one.
More than 90% of countries have no laws against using a VPN, meaning you're free to sign up and use one to your heart's content. However, using a VPN doesn't mean the law no longer applies to you. If you use a VPN to commit an illegal act, you can still get caught and find yourself in a lot of trouble.
You've probably already heard about China's so-called "Great Firewall," which blocks thousands of websites that the CCP doesn't want its citizens to visit. It turns out China also doesn't want its citizens sneaking past this firewall. The country has blocked VPN websites and forced companies to remove VPNs from their app stores. In some cases, Chinese authorities have even arrested and sentenced people who host VPNs.
China's not alone in its quest to outlaw VPNs. Belarus, Iraq, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia and Turkmenistan have outlawed VPNs to varying degrees. Other countries, including Iran, Oman, India and Pakistan, either limit their use or only allow government-approved VPNs.
What VPN should I use?
Not every VPN service is reliable, effective or even trustworthy, so it pays to do your research. To get started, we recommend you check out our list of the best VPN services. We looked at the most trusted services on the market and broke down their strengths, weaknesses, features, capabilities and prices.
If you're not ready to pay for a premium service, free options exist. But proceed with caution: free VPN services come with a variety of restrictions and often have dodgy data logs policies.
Summary of Digg's why should I use a VPN
If you want to browse the web securely and privately, a VPN is one of the biggest upgrades to your experience that you can get. VPNs can help you protect your personal data and avoid location-based restrictions.
Whether through an app, a browser or an add-on, the benefits of VPN services are worth considering for anyone who frequents the internet.
