What is a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?

There’s no doubt that the rise of the internet has many advantages. It has allowed you to discover, access, and share information anywhere you are and in just a matter of seconds. Today, you can also do a lot of activities using the internet, such as paying bills, ordering food, streaming music and videos, and buying home essentials.

But, the internet is also teeming with malware, hackers, scammers, and thieves that can track your online behavior and easily mine and steal your data. They can get ahold of personal information, such as your name, photos, contact details, and bank or credit card information, which they can use for illegal purposes or sell off to other people at a high price. The next thing you know, your credit cards are charged with questionable or unauthorized purchases, or worse, all your money is emptied from your bank accounts. Hackers may also hold your files and information hostage. They will ask you to you pay them a certain amount within a given deadline, and if you refuse their demands, they can destroy all your data.

Fortunately, you can protect yourself and your data from these online threats by using a virtual private network or a VPN.

What is a VPN and What Does it Do?

A VPN is a system that you can use to increase security and protect your identity while you access the web. It is a network that keeps your browsing activities private, whether you’re at home, at work, or even when using public Wi-Fi.

A VPN lends you a temporary IP address and conceals your real IP address from all the websites you visit. When you connect your device to a VPN, it creates a secure and encrypted tunnel, which helps you stay anonymous and hidden from cyber-attackers. However, as with everything, you should analyze the pros and cons of using a VPN.

What are the Advantages of Using a VPN?

By now, we all know the advantages of using a VPN but we listed the pros of using a VPN below, just in case you would like to cover them again;

Enhances Security

If your device is not connected to a VPN, the real IP address that you are using makes a lot of things about you exposed to internet traffic. Connecting to a VPN masks your IP address and hides your digital footprint, enabling you to download or share files safely and anonymously. Your online privacy is no longer at risk with a VPN, and this can help lessen your fears of having cyber-criminals monitoring, accessing, and stealing sensitive information.

Secures Business Communication

A VPN subscription protects valuable corporate data, especially when employees share business-related files outside the office. If your company uses a VPN, you can retrieve and share files or communicate with partners, clients, and other employees, whether you’re in a coffee shop or on the other side of the globe. You don’t need to worry about hackers eavesdropping, spying, or accessing your company’s data.

Bypasses Geo-Restricted Sites

Geo-restrictions prevent you from connecting to websites that restrict internet access based on your geographical location. When you use your real IP address, and the website recognizes that it is not from the allowed geographical area, it can deny access to its webpage. If your smartphone, tablet, or laptop is connected to a VPN, your real IP address is temporarily replaced with another one, allowing access to any website regardless of your location. This is helpful if you’re traveling to a censorship-heavy country, and you need to access restricted websites, whether for business or personal use.

What are the Disadvantages of Using a VPN?

As mentioned, earlier, everything has a good and bad side. Unfortunately, this also applies to the use of a VPN, which is not always beneficial. Here are some cons of using a VPN;

Reduces Internet Speed

Sometimes, data encryption slows down the internet speed. Speed reduction is typically affected by the distance of your device to the VPN services, the kind of protocol used, and the power or level of encryption. The reduction of speed, however, is barely noticeable and maybe even prevented if you have a powerful CPU and internet bandwidth.

Dropped Connection

Your device may be disconnected from the VPN, and in effect, exposes your real IP address. When this happens, anonymity is lost and makes your data vulnerable. Some VPN providers have a kill switch feature, which automatically disconnects your device from the internet when the VPN connection drops.

Legality in Some Areas

The use of a VPN is allowed in many countries. However, there are also locations where VPN use is considered illegal. It is recommended not to use a VPN if it is not allowed in your area to avoid any legal consequences.

Do you want to feel safer and more secure while browsing the internet or sending emails? There are many VPN providers in the market. Most of them offer similar features, while others also provide distinct services that set them apart from their competition. All you need is to determine what you need and how much their services will cost you. You can check out this list of VPN providers to help you decide the best one for you.