A Virtual Private Network is not as intimidating as it sounds. Think of it as a way to use somebody else’s computer to do your web surfing. Except, you are using your computer, it just looks online like you are using somebody else’s computer. When you connect to the Internet, you also connect to a VPN, and then anybody from the outside cannot see who you are, which computer you are using, or where you are. In many respects, it gives you the power and freedom of online anonymity.
1 – Hide Your IP Address, Web Proxy, or Tor
If you use a virtual private network, you are better able to hide your IP address, web proxy, or Tor from your internet service provider, from online snoopers, and from agencies and groups that monitor and track user activity. You get protection from both malicious entities, and from the data hogs that dominate the tech industry at the moment. We live in an age where even the most trivial internet activity can be sold for good money, and in an age where a savvy hacker can steal your identity and gain access to most parts of your financial life. Now is a good time to have a VPN in your life.
2 – Escape Data Throttling
If you are downloading using torrent software, or are even downloading games, or uploading videos, your internet service provider is going to start grumbling. Even if you have unlimited internet, there is a Fair Use clause in your contract. It states that if they feel you are using more than your fair share of the Internet, they can throttle your internet speeds for as long as they deem fit. That is why when you are downloading, you notice your download suddenly slow down for no apparent reason. If you are using VPN software, then your internet service provider cannot throttle your speeds, and you can keep downloading and uploading as much as you wish. There are certain VPN services you can pick that is specially made for torrenting, uploading, and so forth. Check out a few VPN comparison websites to find the right one to suit your needs.
3 – Unblock Websites in Your Own Country
There may be websites in your country that your government doesn’t think you should be looking at, or that your internet service provider doesn’t think you should be looking at. Rather than bend the knee to what other people think you should do, you can use VPN and look at whatever you want. VPN is one of the few ways you can get around the blocks that national groups and agencies put on websites.
4 – Unblock Websites in Other Countries
Let’s say there is a certain global website that is available in many different countries. When you go online, it only allows you to go onto your version of the website (the one made for people in your country). You are not allowed to see what they are seeing in other countries, all unless you buy VPN services. With a VPN service, you can pick a location in another country, and you will see the websites that they see in that country.
5 – See What Other Streaming Services Have to Offer
Several streaming services have country-specific content. This makes sense when there is a language barrier. After all, if you do not speak French, then why would you want to watch French TV shows on French streaming sites. However, it is not just language barriers that alter the content. For example, if you are living in the UK, you can sign up for the same streaming service as your friend in the USA, but the videos available in the UK are almost completely different from those that are available in the USA. However, if you have VPN services that allow certain streaming services on their network, then you can pick a server in a different country and see what they are watching on the streaming website.
6 – Buy Items at Different Prices
There are several platforms online where prices differ depending upon which country you are living in when you buy. The most classic example of this is when you buy a Kindle book from Amazon. The author of the book is allowed to determine the price the book sells for in each country. It is quite common for authors to give people in their own country a big discount. For example, where they may sell their book for $20 in most countries (adjusting for currency exchange rates is done automatically by Amazon), they may sell the book for $10 in their own country to generate more buzz and maybe more positive reviews from people in their own country.
Yet, if you use a VPN service, you can check the price of the e-book in several different countries. Just pick a server in a country, check the price of the book, pick another server in another country, and repeat. This sort of thing happens all the time, even when buying DRM games. Some countries even get content and downloadables for free where one would have to pay for them in other countries.
7 – Slightly Faster Internet Speeds
Contrary to popular belief, many people experience increased internet speeds when they use VPN services. Some VPN users avoid so many gateways and checkpoints with the use of VPN that they see a significant improvement in their browsing Internet speed. Even if you do not, many people report far faster download and upload speeds, especially when using torrent and sharing software. Plus, you have added security and anonymity when you use VPN services, which helps you avoid scams and malware, both of which will slow your internet speeds.
There is also a chance that if you have malware on your computer, but you do not know it, then it may not be able to function correctly if you are using a VPN. This will also speed up your internet. For example, if you downloaded a game app, but it is secretly mining bitcoin on your device, then it may not be able to connect to its mining pool via your VPN. This means that when your VPN is off, your Internet speeds go far slower than when your VPN service is active. If VPN significantly increases your web browsing speeds, you may want to investigate as to why your internet moves so slowly when your VPN is not active.
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