VPN is increasingly being used by people around the world. This tool has become indispensable in the smart world we live in. Do you know why? If you wish to understand why read the next paragraphs to learn more about the main advantages of VPNs.
VPN: what is it?
A VPN provides a secure network when they connect online. VPNs encrypt the Internet traffic and hide online identity. This makes it more difficult for third parties to track your online activities and steal your data. This type of encryption is done in real-time.
A VPN can hide a user’s IP address by giving permission to the network to redirect it to a remote server specially configured managed by the VPN host. It means that when you use a VPN to surf on the Internet, its server modifies the source of any form of data. This means that your ISP and other third parties cannot find which websites you have visited or what kind of data you have sent and received online. A VPN acts as a filter that makes your data undetectable. Even if a person gets your data, it will be unusable.
Security
Nowadays, cyber-attacks have increased. To achieve effective protection, VPNs establish a fully secure encrypted connection between you and the internet. Reliable and serious software such as Surfshark relies on Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) technology and advanced encryption algorithms using 256-bit keys.
The VPN protects all your online activities and secures your connection. Then, you are protected against the theft of confidential information but also against the resale of your data and your browsing history to advertisers. Even if they have the merit of being free and convenient, public networks are not secure. It is the place of many hacks and data theft. That is why VPN is essential protection when connecting to public Wi-Fi.
Online anonymity
Some people use VPNs to enjoy anonymity on the Internet. Indeed, privacy is another strong point of VPNs because they can hide your IP address. VPNs achieve this by rerouting your traffic through one of their servers that has a different IP address.
Then, you will obtain a new IP address that is impossible to trace and in the location of your choice. In practice, this means that websites will no longer be able to determine your geographical location. Advertisers will no longer be able to offer you ads to entice you to spend money.
Online gaming
If you like online games, you will certainly enjoy doing so more by being equipped with a VPN. First, by changing your IP address with the help of a VPN, you will be able to access new games, still unknown in your country. You will be able to play what you want and expand your gaming possibilities without being constrained by geographical boundaries.
Finally, by activating your VPN while you play, you are assured of being protected from the threats that are very present on online gaming sites such as hacking and DDoS. You should know that installing a VPN is not only for computers and smartphones. Some programs are also designed to work on your game console and even your router.
Streaming
Streaming fans should see their interest in this benefit. It is important to know that audio-visual content is subject to numerous regulations regarding broadcasting rights. The content is limited to a certain geographical area, often on a country scale, for cost and audience reasons. Thus, a Canadian traveling in Belgium will not have access to some local channels on the Internet and vice versa. This is due to the IP address, the identification number that determines your geographical location.
So, to be able to enjoy a wider range of content, no matter where you are, the VPN is the essential solution. The servers to which you are connected are in various parts of the world. In the same way as TV channels, you will also be able to unblock video-on-demand platforms like Netflix with a high-quality VPN.
Bypassing government censorship
Although Western countries are not concerned by Internet censorship, there are still countries where censorship is common.
The most obvious example is certainly China, which blocks several sites and networks such as Google, Gmail, Facebook, and YouTube. If you are in a country where Internet censorship is in force, there is no other choice than to use a VPN to bypass them. This tool will change your IP address and hide your online activity. Thus, no access can be denied to you.
Bypassing the filtering of internal networks
The benefits of VPNs go beyond online security and anonymity. They can be extremely useful in everyday life. Some networks in schools, universities, and even in the workplace restrict access to websites. This is done to protect confidential data from malicious software on insecure sites. While filtering is understandable, it can also severely restrict your freedom of movement on the Internet.
To get around these blocks and access all the sites and apps you want from your workplace or school, you will need to install a VPN on your connected devices. By activating it and connecting to one of its servers, your online activities will be encrypted. In other words, it will be impossible for your company’s internal network to monitor your browsing and, therefore, block any access to you!
