The Upside To Using A VPN

Scammers and hackers keep online users on their toes, prompting password changes, encrypted email threads, and general suspicion when something just doesn’t look or feel right. One of the ways users are working to secure their online workspace is by using a virtual private network — more commonly referred to as a VPN.

VPNs essentially allow users to protect their privacy and internet browsing activity by “hiding” a user’s data and IP address from those with ill intentions. While VPNs sound like they could be reserved for only those with a high degree of technical knowledge, they’re practical for anyone, but especially useful for anyone using a public network.

Research indicates about a third of internet users have used a VPN, more than half of those VPN users access Netflix while using it each month (revealing perhaps that VPNs are used for any kind of online activity), and about 40% of VPN users are between the ages of 16 and 24.

The biggest drawback? Because a VPN routes information through secure networks to servers in other states or countries, it may impact a computer’s speed. Other than that, experts agree that the use of a VPN has more pros than cons. Here are a few. 

Boosting your security while using a public network, while at a coffee shop or the doctor’s office, is never a bad idea. Using a VPN, even while reading celebrity gossip or doing some online shopping, is a good way to protect your browsing history, your data, your passwords and your banking information. 

Data privacy is a hot topic and one of the reasons a VPN may be used. When using a VPN, your data and browsing history is even hidden from your internet service provider. When it’s not hidden, it’s readily available and could be sold to advertisers. As an added layer of protection, a VPN protects your data in the case of a data breach, which are becoming all too common. 

Obscuring your IP address, which a VPN does, allows you to protect your data in general — from apps, services and even the government. User data is a valuable currency, and there has been no shortage of revelations about questionable government overreach. If privacy is important to you, a VPN is a reliable tool. 

Versatility is key in this era, and VPNs are just that. They are adaptable to various devices, from phones to desktops to tablets. And, they are especially useful when working remotely — which more and more professionals are doing, exponentially so since the start of the pandemic. VPNs allow you to access sensitive materials with less concern for privacy, keeping confidential information private. It’s an attractive solution for companies dealing with highly sensitive data. 

While a couple countries, such as Russia and China, have deemed VPNs illegal, they are otherwise widely accepted and used. Experts warn against using free versions of VPNs, but that isn’t an obstacle to access, since several services offer very affordable monthly subscriptions. 

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