VPN, otherwise known as Virtual Private Network, is one of the most powerful technologies on the internet that allows its users to bypass government censorship as well as geo-restrictions and also have anonymity online. There are plenty of reasons why every individual and organization should use VPNs, and we’re going to provide you with the 11 most interesting uses of VPNs that will help you achieve what you want while surfing the internet securely and anonymously. Let’s get started!
Protect Yourself While Traveling
The best way to protect your devices and data while traveling is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN will encrypt all the traffic coming from your computer, tablet, or phone. Plus, with a VPN, you can access geo-blocked content. For example, if you are visiting China on vacation but want to watch Netflix content that isn’t available in China, you can use a VPN to change your IP address so that it appears as if you are accessing the internet from any other country.
Encrypt All Data On Your Computer
Encrypting all data on your computer is the best way to protect yourself from having someone access your private information. The simple act of encrypting your hard drive will make it more difficult for hackers to break through into areas that contain sensitive data like credit card numbers, social security numbers, or personal identification numbers. With these important pieces of information secure, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that no one has access to this highly-sensitive data other than you.
Securely Access Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is a great way to save money on data usage, but it can be difficult to access without fear of exposing your information. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a great solution because it encrypts all your data when you’re connected to public Wi-Fi hotspots. You’ll also be able to bypass geo-restrictions on content as well. In some countries, such as China, using VPNs is illegal and could lead to fines or jail time.
Protect Yourself From Hackers And Spyware
Although it’s not as vital as antivirus software, a VPN can also be used to protect your computer from outside threats, such as hackers and spyware. For example, a hacker might target your email account in order to steal sensitive information or send out malicious emails on your behalf. In this case, the hacker could spoof their IP address so that it appears that they are coming from the same location as you.
Use of Anonymity While at Work
Many people use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to connect to the internet safely. Some individuals use VPNs when they are at work, to anonymize their online activity from their employer. This can be done by connecting through a third-party connection such as Hotspot Shield or TunnelBear, which masks your IP address. This is also useful if you want your boss to think that you are at work even though you’re on vacation.
Prevent Monitoring Of Your Online Activity
VPNs are becoming more popular as a way to prevent monitoring of your online activity. The best VPNs encrypt the internet connection so that the user cannot be monitored by third parties. For those who want to keep their browsing habits secret or those who live in countries where there is restricted access to certain sites, a VPN is an essential tool. For example, some people might want to use Google but they can’t because it’s blocked in their country – they could circumvent this with a VPN.
Unblock Websites Censored by Your Government
The best use of a VPN is to unblock websites censored by your government. In some cases, it’s the only way to access certain information. If you’re an ex-pat living in a foreign country, for example, you might need a VPN to access your home country’s news or social media sites. To avoid getting hacked or tracked by your ISP, make sure you choose a provider that doesn’t keep logs. Some providers will even let you pay with bitcoins, so there are no identifiable records that link back to you.
Access Blocked Content in other Countries
VPNs are one of the best ways to access blocked content in other countries. They can also help you do things like bypass school filters or log into social media when you’re traveling. VPNs are a good option if you want to unblock websites, hide your location, encrypt your data, or all of the above! The popular Chrome extension Hola lets users connect to other peers’ browsers as well as their computers. So if one user is logged into Facebook, for example, then any visitor on the same Wi-Fi network can use that user’s account and see what they see without logging in themselves. On top of that, there’s an ad-free paid version available with extra features such as online banking protection and IP masking (keeping your real IP address private).
Bypass Internet Censorship and Security Firewalls
VPNs are great for bypassing Internet censorship and security firewalls. One example is in the People’s Republic of China, where the government blocks sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. With a VPN, you can access these websites without any issues. Another benefit to using a VPN is that it allows you to avoid hackers while on public Wi-Fi networks. This is because hackers are more likely to target easy targets with no protection than those who have taken measures to defend themselves.
Use on Remote Desktop Connections
Remote Desktop Connections is one way you can use a VPN. The Remote Desktop Protocol provides a user-friendly means of accessing computer systems over the internet. With this protocol, people can control a remote computer as if they were sitting in front of it. It’s often used to provide technical support to someone who’s working remotely or just wants their own personal IT support person. It’s also used by organizations that want to allow their employees access to their corporate network while working from home or on the go. These organizations usually have some restrictions on which employees are allowed to access which data, so they will set up separate accounts with individualized permissions for each employee and then give them a personal Remote Desktop Connection account that links to their main account.
Protect Your Mobile Devices
Protecting your mobile devices with a VPN is the best way to stay safe when you’re not at home. If you don’t protect your phone, tablet, or laptop with a strong password, hackers will be able to access all of your private information. No matter how secure your operating system might seem, as long as it’s connected to the internet, it can be accessed by someone who knows how. A virtual private network encrypts all of your data before it leaves the device, making it impossible for anyone else but you to view what’s inside without having access to your credentials.
Conclusion
VPNs can be used to access services that are blocked in certain countries, like Facebook. Other uses include accessing corporate networks securely over public Wi-Fi networks or browsing the Internet anonymously. It’s hard to imagine life without a VPN these days. But even if you’re not an avid traveler, there are still many ways you can use a VPN.
