What is a VPN?
A VPN or virtual private network is a tunnel that creates a private network from a public network connection. The VPN service provides you with privacy and online security by protecting your connection from cyber-attacks while you browse the internet.
8 reasons to use a VPN
Here are some of the reasons why you should use a VPN.
1. To protect yourself online
A VPN provides you with privacy and encrypted online security, in addition to encrypting your traffic, it also hides your IP and covers your online trail.
2. To connect to public Wi-Fi
Any novice hacker can steal your data, login credentials to your website, your bank’s website or any other website you access when you connect to a public Wi-Fi network, such as an airport or a coffee shop, because you are connecting to an unencrypted network. Hence the need to use a VPN, which creates an additional layer of security where all the files on your device and your private data are safe.
3. To avoid geo-restrictions
When travelling you may encounter the problem that some countries block foreign visitors from accessing certain websites, such as China. A VPN can be the solution to this problem, but it is advisable to download and install one before you travel, as these countries try to make it difficult to use.
You can also use a VPN to access platforms that have restricted access in the region you are in, just connect to a server in a country that is not blocked by that platform. Keep the “Kill Switch” activated to ensure that your data and your true location remain private, even if the server goes offline.
4. To watch Netflix from other countries
With a VPN you can access content from the country of your choice, without being in that country. For example, you can access all the libraries of streaming platforms such as Netflix or Amazon Prime from different countries.
5. Take more advantage of free web services
There are websites that limit your use of one service per day, they do that by tracking your IP, but you can use it more times by changing your IP by using a VPN and accessing that website from a new incognito browser window, that way it treats you as if you were a new user.
6. To create multiple accounts
With a VPN you have the possibility to get multiple accounts on a website. To do this you have to choose a VPN server in a different location each time you open an account. I hope you don’t use this function to do anything illegal 🙂
7. Download and share files anonymously
Using a VPN you can download torrents without restrictions and without worrying about your IP address being logged.
8. Save money on your online shopping
By using a VPN you can save money when shopping online, for example when paying for travel, as hotels and airlines sometimes have different prices depending on your geographical location. Remember to clear your browser’s cookies before changing your VPN location.
Are there any disadvantages to using a VPN?
When using a VPN you may lose internet connection speed, you can try connecting to another server, keep in mind that normally the closer the server is located to your location, the faster it will go.
Which VPN do I recommend?
The VPN I recommend is NorVPN, for its security, value for money and all the features it offers, some of these features are:
- Kill switch: Having it enabled prevents data leaks during VPN connection interruptions. You can choose whether you want it on the entire Internet connection or only on some applications.
- Ad blocking and anti-malware, detects dangerous websites and blocks ads.
- RAM-only servers, very important for security, as they do not retain user data.
- Deep web monitor: checks if our data is on the deep web.
- Onion over VPN, for when you still need more security, as is the case with the use of cryptocurrencies.
- It has more than 5000 servers in 60 countries.
What is the price of NordVPN?
There are 3 plans with the same features, only the time changes, 1 month, 1 year and 2 years, the longer the plan, the greater the savings. The price ranges from around 10 euros with the monthly plan to around 3 euros per month with the 2 year plan.
Try your VPN for free
You can try NordVPN for 7 days for free and it also has a 30-day money back guarantee, so you have one month to ask for a refund. In total, you can get 37 days of NordVPN for free. Here you have a NordVPN discount.Get a NordVPN discount
Conclusion
We have already seen different uses and features of a VPN, such as hiding your online activity, protecting from hackers, hiding your IP address and even saving on your online shopping. I think a VPN is something worth spending some money on, personally I wouldn’t risk using one of the free ones out there when your online security is at stake. What do you think?