Why You Need a VPN

Previously, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) were a reserve for large companies and tech-savvy individuals who used the Internet mainly for business. However, things have changed and currently, almost every serious Internet user needs a VPN service. But why exactly do you need one? Here is why you cannot and should not do without one.

Protection from Hackers

The Internet is a haven for hackers and all sorts of cyber criminals who are constantly devising ways to get into your computer and steal your pertinent information. While it’s wise (and recommended) to have reliable anti-malware software along with a Firewall, these measures only protect your data while it is son the computer. Once your data is in transmission over the Internet, it is prone to attacks if it is not protected. A VPN service secures your data while in transmission through encryption. This way, intruders cannot eavesdrop on your communication.

Anonymity

More than ever in the history of the Internet, there has never been as much need for anonymous browsing as there is currently. One of the main reasons to subscribe to a VPN service is to be able to browse the Internet anonymously. There are many best vpns for torrenting available online.

Anonymous browsing allows you to conceal your IP address so that neither your location nor your real identity can be traced. There are many people who would love to know what you’re doing online; some for harmless but irritating reasons while others for malicious purposes.

With a VPN service, the websites you visit will only be able to see the IP address of the VPN proxy servers through which you are connecting to the Internet. Moreover, most VPN services allow users to switch IPs multiple times a month and other services switch IPs automatically every month.

Avoid Digital Fingerprinting by Search Engines and Other Advertising Websites

Unknown to many Internet users, search engines are busy compiling their digital footprints every time they use those search engines. Your digital footprint is basically the trail of data collected from the sites you visit, with inputs such as search keywords, search results, time, location, content consumed, digital activity, and more. This data is then tied with your IP address and stored indefinitely.

Online advertisers and search engines typically use such data to push targeted ads that may become an annoyance at times. However, the more serious issue is that of Internet privacy; search engines as well as other websites can use digital footprint to infer a user’s personal information without their consent.

A VPN service helps makes it hard for websites to get your digital footprint for the simple reason that you will not be using your real IP address, not to mention that you will not have a permanent IP address in most cases.

Avoid Being Tracked By Your ISP

It is a known fact that ISPs (Internet Service Providers) log user data and retain it for a specific period of time. If you’re lucky enough to be subscribed to a transparent provider, they may be forthcoming with the details of their tracking activities. However, the majority of providers are not clear about what they do with user data.

While ISPs will generally not use the logs in a malicious way, the main issue is invasion of privacy. And so it is up to every Internet use to protect their online activities and that means enlisting a VPN service.

Access Local Content While Abroad

If you’re a frequent traveler, you probably know that accessing home-based websites can be problematic because some websites block access to users from foreign countries. In some cases, a site may be completely blocked due to specific licensing agreements, especially music and video sites.

In other cases, some countries restrict access to certain websites such as YouTube and Facebook for users within that country.

In any of the three above scenarios, the solution is to use a VPN service: for instance, if you want to access local content while abroad, you simply connect to a VPN server located back home so as to acquire a home IP address. Note that this may not be permissible with some content providers, but in most cases, it is the most viable solution.

And in case you’re in a country that restricts access to certain websites, you can use a VPN to acquire a foreign IP and connect to the website you want.

Protection from Malware

Hackers are not the only threat on the Internet; malware is very pervasive too. What’s more worrying is that the malware being created today is a lot more advanced and sophisticated. There are malware programs designed with the capability to detect security vulnerabilities or to neutralize outdated security software installed on a machine.

A VPN service can provide enhanced protection against PC threats on the Internet, in addition to reliable anti-virus software and a resident Firewall on the machine.

Encrypt Your VoIP Traffic

VoIP traffic is extremely easy to sniff. Eaves dropping, identity and service theft are the major security culprits for VoIP data traffic. In addition, VoIP traffic can also be attacked by Internet malware if not protected.

Encryption is one of the several ways to protect your VoIP traffic. A VPN provides several levels of encryption depending on the VPN protocol applied.

Peace of Mind While Using Shared Networks

It’s amazing how many people take security lightly when using shared networks. Connecting to the Internet via a public network exposes you to a host of threats such as intruders and snoopers, among other threats. But using a VPN service when connecting through a shared network will give you peace of mind knowing that you are protected from prying eyes of unscrupulous individuals.

Get Around Your Employer’s Snoopy eyes

If you have access to your company’s corporate VPN, chances are you will be tracked as you go about your private Web browsing. And of course, it’s also likely to be a violation of company policies to do personal browsing using the corporate VPN and bandwidth. Thus, it makes sense to enlist a personal VPN service for personal browsing purposes.

Protect Your Mobile Transactions

Increasingly, more and more people are making sensitive transactions using their mobile devices. Of course, this has created a new avenue for cyber criminals to launch their malicious attacks. If you transact using your mobile device, you definitely need a VPN service to secure your banking data.