VPN is frequently mentioned on the internet space. If you don’t know much about VPNs and their use/advantages, you came to the right place. Take note that this article will primarily discuss what VPN is, and what are the things that you can with it. If you are looking for the best free vpn for torrenting instead, please refer to our other articles. Without further ado, let’s start:
What is a VPN and why do you need one
VPN stands for virtual private network. It provides users with privacy and anonymity while browsing the internet through the use of a private network, hence the name. VPNs are able to obscure a user’s IP address, which makes you untraceable on the internet.
VPNs are important, especially if you are dealing with sensitive information like credit card details, emails, usernames, and passwords, or if you would like to keep your browsing activities private. These sensitive information are even more easier to get exposed if you are on a public Wi-Fi connection. VPNs are considered more safe and secure even when compared to private Wi-Fi networks that require passwords for connection.
VPN uses
- Provides additional security for unsecured connections
Unsecured connections like Wi-Fis provided by coffee shops, hotels, schools, etc are easily hackable. They are either unsecured, or uses a shared password among all users. Anytime you connect to these unsecured connections, you run the risk of having your data intercepted by third parties. A VPN will provide encryption to your data, providing you with much needed security.
- Circumvent geo blocks
Geo blocks or geo blocking is the act of restricting access to internet content based on the user’s location, which can be circumvented by using a VPN. Users in a certain country can be restricted from viewing certain movies or shows. There are applications that will not work in certain countries, as an example the game PUBG mobile was banned in India since last year. Gamers from India are using VPN services to log in to their PUBG accounts and play as usual during this time. Aside from movies, shows, and applications, there can be a lot more features that can be blocked via geo blocking. In some cases, even entire websites are blocked entirely.
A VPN is able to circumvent this by either masking your country of origin, or by setting your country to an entirely different one.
- Torrenting
Peer to peer torrents are often targeted by internet service providers or ISPs, which means that torrent users are often sent cease and desist orders and other threatening letters to users that download torrents. There are even ISPs that will terminate your connection for using torrents. Since using VPN masks your IP address, your torrent activities while connected to a VPN will not be traceable back to you. This will allow you to download and seed torrents to your heart’s content without fear of being detected by your ISP.
