using a VPN is the most effective way to keep your information safe<\/a> from prying eyes. Read on to learn more:<\/p>\nWhy Should You Protect Your Online Data with a VPN?<\/h2>\n
Companies want your data. Some harvest your data to serve you targeted ads. Others harvest your data to sell it for a profit. The same can be said about hackers. They\u2019re constantly looking for ways to steal your data and use it to their advantage.<\/p>\n
Despite such dangers, the unfortunate truth is \u2013 most of us don\u2019t take the necessary steps to secure our personal information. We access our bank account on public Wi-Fi networks, browse unsafe websites, and so on and so forth.<\/p>\n
For these reasons (and more!), it\u2019s highly recommended that you protect your data with a VPN when using the Internet. Otherwise, you\u2019re left completely exposed to entities who want to get their hands on your information.<\/p>\n
How Do VPNs Work?<\/h2>\n
To put it simply, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) makes an encrypted connection between your device and a remote VPN server. All your data is transmitted through this secure channel before it reaches your intended destination on the Internet, so it can\u2019t be accessed or stolen by anybody.<\/p>\n
VPNs also hides your original identity by replacing your IP address with one of their own. As a result, every site you visit will only be able to see the IP address and location of the VPN server instead of yours. Plus, since the IP address is shared, your online activities can\u2019t be tied back to you.<\/p>\n
Benefits of Using a VPN<\/h2>\n
There are many pros to using a VPN app on your device. For starters, you\u2019ll be able to browse the Internet privately. With your actual IP address masked, you can visit your preferred sites without anyone knowing it\u2019s you.<\/p>\n
A VPN secures your data using bank-grade encryption, making it close to impossible for cybercriminals to intercept your data on public or private Wi-Fi networks. You can also gain access to geo-restricted content with a VPN.<\/p>\n
For instance, if you live in Canada and want to stream a TV show available on US Netflix, all you have to do is connect to a VPN server in the US and visit Netflix. The streaming service will be tricked into thinking you\u2019re located in the US, giving you access to the content you want.<\/p>\n
These are just some of the many benefits that a VPN gives you!<\/p>\n
Free VPN vs. Paid VPN Services<\/h2>\n
You\u2019ll come across plenty of free VPNs on the market. You might be tempted to try them because why pay for something when you can use it for nothing? What you need to know is these supposedly free services do more harm than good.<\/p>\n
Many free VPNs have been found to collect and sell your online activities to advertisers for a profit. This defeats the entire purpose of using a VPN! They also can\u2019t be relied on to secure your data as they offer little to no encryption.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re looking to access geo-restricted content on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other streaming services, a free VPN won\u2019t cut it as their IP address are easily detected and blocked. However, you won\u2019t face any of these problems when using a paid VPN.<\/p>\n
How to Choose a VPN Provider<\/h2>\n
There are a wealth of VPN services to choose from and so finding the right one can be a challenging endeavor. Before you sign up for any VPN provider, make sure it offers:<\/p>\n
\n- A global server network<\/li>\n
- Unlimited bandwidth<\/li>\n
- 5-10 simultaneous connections<\/li>\n
- Apps for all major desktop and mobile devices<\/li>\n
- Must-have features like a kill switch, split tunneling, and DNS leak protection<\/li>\n
- 24\/7 customer support<\/li>\n
- AES 256-bit encryption<\/li>\n
- Compatibility with streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu<\/li>\n
- Wide selection of security protocols<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Closing Thoughts<\/h2>\n
If you care about your privacy and don\u2019t want your personal data to fall into the wrong hands, using a VPN on your device is a sensible decision. So, get a VPN today and secure your entire connection from the dangers that lurk in the online world.<\/p>\n