How does a VPN work?

A VPN is a service that encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address from third parties. Those can include hackers, ISPs, and even the government. It also protects your personal information and ensures it’s not being collected.

VPNs can be used not only for security and privacy but for changing your location as well. Many users need them for safe downloading and bypassing geo-blocked services, such as Netflix and other streaming platforms. And those who live in countries with restricted internet access can use a VPN to avoid firewalls, such as the Great Firewall of China.

One of the less-known ways to use a Virtual Private Network is getting better prices. Many online shops use different strategies in each country. With a VPN, you can save money by ordering a cheaper option from another location.

Why do I need a VPN?

The increasing popularity of VPNs stems from the global rise in surveillance, data selling, geo-blocking, and cybercrime. Nearly two decades ago, the biggest threat to online security was viruses, followed by adware and other malware types. Today, staying safe on the web requires more than that.

To start with, VPN is a great tool for accessing the company network from home. Most businesses use enterprise-grade services for that. And if they don’t, you’d better use a personal VPN, especially when using public Wi-Fi. These are the honeypot for hackers due to their low security.

Even if you don’t care about your privacy, a VPN can help save money. Flight tickets, hotels, and other services tend to charge differently depending on your location. Thus, connecting from another country can result in much better prices.

Furthermore, you can avoid geo-blocking with the right streaming VPN. Netflix content differs in each country, while other platforms like Amazon Prime Video are available in the US only. The same applies to sports events, for example, English Premier League.

If you’re into torrenting, you should also get a VPN for P2P. It will hide your IP address and help avoid bandwidth throttling, a common method that ISPs use to slow down your connection. Some providers also have the port forwarding feature required for seeding from behind a firewall.

Last but not least is circumventing government censorship. Countries like China, Russia, or India block certain websites and services. So if you want to access Facebook or YouTube, a VPN is your best bet.

These are just some of the scenarios where a Virtual Private Network becomes an invaluable tool.