This article was contributed by Joana Gomez who works as a freelance technology writer for different tech companies and websites.
Accessing the internet has become a daily necessity. But as internet use increases, your online data becomes more susceptible to security breaches, especially with hackers and internet service providers (ISPs) tracking your activity for different reasons. Securing your online activity and personal data is crucial to avoid anyone monitoring your use and violating your personal privacy. One way to do that is by using a virtual private network or VPN.
VPNs encrypt your IP address, creating a tunnel through which you can access internet services while concealing confidential data. In other words, a VPN can help enhance your security online. This helpful feature is why 31% of all internet users have a VPN, with 66% using it to protect personal data, according to recent studies. But how do VPNs work? Below, we look at what a VPN is and how you can maximize it for regular internet use.
What is a VPN, and how does it work?
As mentioned, a VPN establishes a protected network connection by encrypting or ciphering all your information and redirecting your connection from your ISP to its servers, effectively securing essential data from various trackers or interceptors. VPNs protect critical information from your computer and private communications through a secured IP packet – a unit of data used to transport information across networks – which contains your IP address and email messages or files. As NordVPN’s guide to IP packets explains, a VPN can encrypt the packet when you send the info, preventing bad actors from accessing or tracking your data. This allows you to establish secure connections by transmitting encrypted data privately and securely.
Most VPNs have various servers worldwide, which means you can also use them to virtually relocate your connection and surf the internet as if you were in another country. This happens when your VPN changes your IP address, making your traffic seem like it’s coming from a VPN server location. Masking your IP address using a VPN can help with a variety of functions and tasks, some of which we’ll outline below.
Here are some specific VPN functions that you can maximize for better internet use:
VPN functions for regular Internet use
Protect your data while using online sites
The VPN you use creates a “tunnel” between your gadget and the website you’re accessing, which contains your encrypted data so it cannot be intercepted by malicious actors trying to steal your info. Using a VPN also reroutes your connection to any of its servers, helping mask or hide your actual IP address, which can be used to identify your personal information, such as location. This is useful if you’re trying to use online services like Microsoft Stream, which was recently identified by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) as having vulnerabilities that could lead to a potential security breach. You can use this protective function to preserve your privacy when accessing suspicious websites or web pages that you don’t frequently visit.
Maximize bandwidth
To limit bandwidth consumption, your ISP may throttle or slow down your internet connection whenever you stream videos or play online games. Thankfully, it’s easy to solve this with a VPN. Since a VPN hides or conceals your online activity, it guarantees that your internet won’t be throttled or intercepted when you watch videos, play computer games, or download heavy files. Your internet provider cannot reduce your connectivity speed since it won’t be able to tell what you’re doing. Thanks to this function, you can now play games and binge-watch your favorite films or series without your internet speed slowing down and ruining your leisure time.
Access to more affordable location-based subscriptions
Did you know that using a VPN can also help you save money? Subscription fees for your favorite apps vary from country to country, and luckily, using a VPN that has various servers worldwide can allow you to change your virtual geographical location and subscribe to online apps and services for a lower cost. For instance, Spotify in the U.S. recently raised subscription fees, with individual premium plans now costing almost $12. In contrast, a similar premium plan in Mexico – which costs nearly MX$130 – is equivalent to less than $10 monthly. You can use your VPN to change your location and take advantage of lower subscription rates for your favorite streaming services or software licenses, and websites won’t know your actual location since a VPN can obscure your IP address.
Keep you safe when using public Wi-Fi
Using public Wi-Fi or unsecured hotspots can put your personal information at risk. In fact, a survey found that 43% of Americans who regularly connect to public Wi-Fi experienced an online security breach while using it. When you connect to a public internet service, you can be vulnerable to “man-in-the-middle” attacks, wherein data thieves can intercept your personal information, such as login credentials or banking details, that you transmitted or sent out using the connection. Thankfully, a VPN can encrypt all traffic from your device, rendering all your details useless and undetectable to anyone looking to steal data for malicious purposes. Make sure to use a VPN whenever you need to connect to the internet at malls, cafes, or airports to protect your data.
Stream geo-restricted content
Content from streaming service platforms may seem endless, but not all titles will be available on your Netflix or Hulu account. Due to distribution contracts, some films or TV shows that aren’t available in your streaming platform’s current content library may be accessible in other countries. If that’s the case, you can simply use a VPN to change your location and access streaming services elsewhere. A VPN app can expand your entertainment options by providing entry to plenty of servers around the globe. This function can help you stay on track with your favorite TV series or films while traveling abroad or even allow you to explore new titles from the comfort of your own home.
Using a VPN can have many benefits, from securing your data to helping you access websites that your ISP or country would generally restrict. By maximizing your VPN’s functions while doing your daily browsing, you not only protect your personal information but can also enjoy the best of what the internet has to offer.
About the author
Joana Gomez works as a technology writer for different tech companies and websites.. She graduated from Washington State University and each year attends Washington State Tech expo looking forward to the latest disruptive innovation. She specializes in domains, VPN technology and sustainable tech, which she is fortunate to travel around the US and report on.
