Here are the 10 main advantages of a VPN: Sounds appealing, right? If you are currently looking for the best VPN, we recommend NordVPN. Want to find the best way to protect yourself against online threats? Use a VPN. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) covers two important bases:
Privacy: With a VPN, you can prevent your private data (IP address, location, search history) from being tracked. Security: A VPN protects you against all types of malware, censorship, and high-level cybercrime.
But this is not everything. If you want to know more about the advantages of using a VPN, you’ve come to the right place.
What Is a VPN and What Does It Do?
A VPN is a type of software that creates an encrypted tunnel between two machines—your device and a VPN server—before your data reaches the internet. During this process, all data gets anonymized. How does this work? When you connect to the internet on your device (for example, your PC, phone, or laptop), your data is first sent through a VPN server, which encrypts it. Your internet service provider (ISP) will only see scrambled data. How do you get online from there? The VPN will use its own network (and IP address) to forward your data request. In essence, you’re browsing the web using the VPN server’s network information rather than your own. If certain websites are trying to track you, they will only see the VPN server’s network, not your real IP address. You don’t notice a VPN when you’re using it. It runs in the background of your device. But there, an essential extra layer of security is added to your network.
Why are VPNs necessary?
Cybercriminals target weak networks. While you might think that your Wi-Fi network at home is safe and properly password-protected, it can be difficult to judge the safety of a public Wi-Fi network. On top of that, your internet provider has access to your private data and might sell it. One of the main benefits of a VPN is that it’s a lot harder for hackers to get into your network or for your ISP—or your government, for that matter—to track your online activity. While a VPN doesn’t protect you from all threats, and it certainly helps to invest in a good antivirus scanner, too, using a VPN is a great improvement to your online security. Below, we outline all the advantages of using a VPN.
What Are the Advantages of Using a VPN?
We want to dispel the idea that VPNs are unsafe or not worth using. As long as you stick to a trusted VPN service, the benefits are significant.
1. Encrypt your data traffic
A VPN encrypts your data traffic. The best VPNs have certain protocols that move data securely between a device and a VPN server. This prevents hackers and other malicious parties from getting their hands on sensitive information, including account credentials and financial data. What’s more, you’ll be much safer when you log on to your local Starbucks network. Using public Wi-Fi comes with risks. If you don’t have any safety measures in place, it’s incredibly easy for someone to access your data. Whether you’re a self-employed entrepreneur or just enjoy browsing your social media in a public place, we always recommend having a VPN when using public internet hotspots. This also protects against mobile VPN leaks.
2. Hide your IP address
Why do VPNs provide you with so much privacy and security? It’s because a VPN can change your IP address. This is one of the biggest advantages of using a VPN service. Your IP (Internet Protocol) address is a specific number that gets automatically assigned to your network. It works like a home address. So, whenever you use your home network, ISPs, websites, and governments can see your real location. When you connect to a VPN server in a different location, you’ll be assigned the IP address of that VPN server. So, you’re essentially hiding your own IP address and replacing it with a new one. The fact that a VPN can change your IP address means you won’t leave an online footprint that leads directly to your real identity. However, it’s important to keep in mind that your new IP address doesn’t make you immune to the law. While you’ll be able to browse with more anonymity, you should always avoid illegal online activity.
3. Bypass internet censorship and geo-blocks
Internet censorship is a global problem. In places like China and Iran, the government controls and regulates the internet. This means not all websites, social media platforms, or streaming services like Netflix are available. Another great benefit of a VPN is that when it changes your IP address, you can get around geographical restrictions and censorship. All you need to do is connect to a foreign VPN server. Great VPNs like NordVPN or Surfshark have servers all over the world. By connecting to a VPN server in a different country, you’ll be able to browse foreign websites as if you’re a local resident. Whether you’re looking to access foreign news websites like the BBC or watch videos on TikTok in places where it’s blocked – a VPN will get you around restrictions! Do you live in a place that has banned VPN services? There are other ways to bypass censorship.
4. Download files safely and anonymously
Since a VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your connection, it can help you download files safely through a secure VPN connection. If you or your company tends to handle a lot of sensitive information, downloading safely and without third-party access is a particularly useful advantage of a VPN. To avoid falling prey to scams, make sure you don’t download any suspicious documents or click on email links and .exe files (executable files) from untrustworthy sources.
5. Save money on e-commerce platforms
One of the lesser-known advantages of a VPN is the fact that it can help you save money online. Depending on the country you’re accessing the internet from, online retail prices might differ. For example, it can be more expensive to shop with a Canadian IP address than a Belgian IP address. A VPN allows you to connect to VPN servers from around the world. Since you can masquerade as a resident of almost any country, you may profit from the best international rates. In many cases, you might even book flights for a lower price than you’re used to.
6. Improve online gaming: Get better access and security
If you’re looking to play online games that are restricted in your country of residence, a VPN provides a way out. The same goes for playing games with different release dates in other parts of the world. With a VPN, you no longer have to wait! An additional benefit of a VPN is that – if you’re unfairly getting booted off a server – you can join again by doing a quick IP change. Finally, VPN services also provide users with a safer online game experience. Worrying about DDoS attacks will become a thing of the past. The VPN encryption provides an extra layer of security, making it much harder for attackers to target you. If you’re worried about losing internet speed when connected to a VPN while gaming, check out our tips on how to increase your speed.
7. Prevent bandwidth throttling by your internet service provider
Bandwidth throttling is your ISP’s deliberate practice of limiting your bandwidth. This will lead to slower speeds. ISPs may throttle users’ internet connections to decrease the internet traffic on overloaded servers. Say a user is downloading vast amounts of data. In that case, an ISP might slow their connection to discourage overuse. Sometimes, this is done deliberately to force you into buying a more expensive package. When you encrypt your data with a VPN, internet service providers won’t be able to see what you’re doing online, nor will they be able to cut you off.
8. Get extra protection from ad trackers and phishing attacks
One of the main benefits of a VPN is that it offers you extra protection against cyberattacks and tracking. NordVPN, for example, offers a number of extra features to keep you safe, including:
Threat protection. Defends you against everyday cyber threats, including malware. It blocks malicious files before they can infect your device. Dark web monitor. Notifies you in the case that your credentials are leaked to the dark web. Obfuscated servers. Software that’s specifically designed for high-censorship areas and hides your VPN connection while providing you with maximum security. Split tunneling. If a VPN has a split tunnel feature, you can choose which traffic gets routed via the VPN and which traffic runs through your regular internet connection. Invisibility on LAN. Your computer will be invisible to others on a local area network (LAN). Automatic kill switch. Should your connection to a VPN server suddenly drop, a kill switch will immediately shut down your internet connection. This ensures that no data can leak through without the anonymity and enhanced encryption of a VPN.
NordVPN is not the only VPN that offers these (and more) security features. For a full overview, check out our top five VPN providers at the moment.
9. Gain safe access to the Tor network
In censorship-heavy regions, the Tor network (also known as The Onion Router and the dark web browser) is a place that offers even more anonymity and privacy. Tor encrypts your data via several locations, or “relays.” While you’re virtually undetectable to anyone who wants to track you, the downside is that Tor servers are limited and publicly listed. In other words: your ISP, network administrator, or anyone else who knows your IP address will know you’re connected to the Tor network. If you use a VPN to access Tor, your connection will be hidden. Considering how much cybercrime there is on the dark web, it is desirable to stay as safe as possible. Using a VPN will give you an added layer of protection and online privacy. It ensures that no one will know you’re using the Tor network. Moreover, it will keep you safe on the dark web. When it comes to hackers, it’s best to use a VPN as the first wall of protection.
10. Secure multiple devices with just one account
The best VPN providers will let you use your account across multiple devices. This means you’ll be able to encrypt the connection of your desktop, laptop, phone, tablet, and other smart devices at the same time. Most VPNs offer guides to tell you how to set up a VPN on iOS or Android. You might also consider setting up a VPN on your router. That way, the VPN will instantly protect everyone using your network. With just one subscription, you can increase the privacy and security of all your devices. A great advantage that will help you protect your children online while allowing you to binge US Netflix at the same time.
What Are the Disadvantages of a VPN?
We strongly believe that the advantages of a VPN outweigh the disadvantages. However, there are some drawbacks to keep in mind, especially when it comes to free VPN services:
A VPN might slow down your internet speed, though you will barely notice this when it comes to the best and fastest VPNs. VPN software is always improving. Though VPNs are legal, certain countries have banned virtual private networks. Big streaming services might try to block VPN users. The same might be true for certain e-commerce platforms. Free VPNs will sometimes log your data. If you want to stay completely anonymous, it’s best to invest in a zero-logs VPN.
Check out our full breakdown of the disadvantages of using a VPN for more information.
What Is the Best VPN?
The best VPN at the moment is NordVPN. With excellent security features, great speeds, and a large server network, NordVPN is one of the highest-quality VPN services in the industry. The provider has a strict no-log policy and runs on the best VPN protocols, including OpenVPN and NordLynx (WireGuard). If you’re looking to download torrents, you can use NordVPN’s special P2P servers. This VPN provider also has special servers to gain access to the dark web and offers a double encryption feature for even more security. Finally, NordVPN works with Netflix and easily unblocks content from all around the world. Ready to check out NordVPN for yourself? The provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which works like a free trial. You can also download the software directly from NordVPN in three easy steps: Worried about the costs of a VPN? Though we don’t usually recommend free VPNs, we have created an overview of the best free VPNs that will still keep you safe online.
Final Verdict: Why You Should Invest in a VPN
There are many reasons to invest in a VPN. Not only will a VPN provide you with more online freedom, but it will also allow you to circumvent geographical restrictions. Thanks to a VPN’s encryption, you’ll enjoy more security and greater anonymity when browsing the web. Moreover, key benefits of a VPN include staying safe on public Wi-Fi networks, downloading files anonymously, and protecting yourself from cyberattacks. Besides security, a VPN will improve your gaming experience and allow you to score the best online retail deals. To top it off, you can do all of this on multiple devices, using a wide range of servers, with just one account. Want to see how NordVPN – the best VPN of the moment – holds up against other top contenders? Check out these articles:
Surfshark vs NordVPN: Which VPN Takes the Lead in 2023? ExpressVPN vs NordVPN: Which VPN Is Better in 2023? NordVPN vs CyberGhost: The Ultimate Comparison of 2023
Your internet speed may suffer a bit. Connection loss can be a common problem, particularly with free VPNs. In some countries, VPNs are illegal.
For more information, see our detailed breakdown on the disadvantages of a VPN.
Surfshark ExpressVPN CyberGhost
For more information on features and free VPN trials, check out this list of the best VPN providers of the moment.
